JP2005201968A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exact warning by identifying a user or a user terminal where prints have been kept left on paper ejection trays. <P>SOLUTION: Using the RFID reader 150a of the paper ejection trays 52 to 54, a print job management part 1052 reads the RFID of an RFID-having clip with which prints are held together. When a predetermined time has elapsed without any changes in reading, the print job management part 1052 warns the user terminal 300 that prints have been kept left. In addition, using the RFID reader 150b of a recovery box 110, the print job management part 1052 reads the RFID of the RFID-having clip returned to the recovery box 110. However, the print job management part 1052 also warns the user terminal 300 that insert paper has not returned yet, in the case where it is determined that the RFID-having clip has not been returned to the recovery box 110 even after a fixed time (e.g., one min.) has elapsed although the prints have been recovered from the paper ejection trays 52 to 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (MFP: multi-function printer) having a copying function, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a printed matter leaving prevention function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a piece of paper on which data for identifying a user is printed using an ink ribbon or the like is attached to a binding tool, and an output sheet is temporarily bound using the piece (for example, see Patent Document 1) ).

In addition, an identification code such as a name and a barcode is printed on a recording sheet at the time of printing, and the user is specified by scanning the identification code of the output sheet that has been left again, and the user is notified of the print result being left as it is. An image forming apparatus has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-208771 A JP 2000-155506 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that ink ribbon or the like needs to be replenished as needed depending on the usage situation because data identifying a user is printed on a piece of paper using an ink ribbon or the like. Further, when the binding tool is reused, the user himself has to peel the paper piece from the binding tool. Furthermore, since only data for identifying the user is printed on a piece of paper affixed to the clip, it is possible to visually detect the leaving of the printed matter. However, in places other than the discharge tray such as the user terminal, There was also a problem that it was not possible to recognize the situation of being left unattended.

  Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the printed material is left unattended, the user is notified of the state of being left, but the printed material is conveyed again to the image reading unit in order to identify the user who performed the printing. There is a problem that a mechanism is necessary and that a drive mechanism and a control thereof are complicated.

  The present invention was devised to solve such problems, and its purpose is to detect whether a printed matter has been left around the paper discharge tray or the MFP for a long time after the end of printing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of preventing a printed matter from being left for a long time.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention uses an RFID tag to identify a user or a user terminal that has transmitted image data, and a series of sheets after image formation output from the same terminal device. Based on the temporary binding means for temporarily binding using the attached clip, the RFID reader for detecting the ID of the RFID tag for detecting the presence of the temporarily attached clip with the RFID tag, and the ID detected by the RFID reader And a discriminating means for discriminating the state of leaving the sheet after image formation.

  In this case, when it is determined that the user or user terminal that is the transmission source of the formed image and the ID of the RFID tag are stored in association with each other, and the determination unit determines that the sheet is left unattended And a notification means for acquiring the corresponding user or user terminal by searching the storage means based on the ID detected by the RFID reader and notifying the user or user terminal of the neglected state. be able to.

  According to the present invention having such a feature, a user who has left a sheet as a printed matter in the discharge tray is identified based on an ID (user information) read from a clip with an RFID tag. The user can be notified (warned) of the neglected state. Further, the user can be specified by the ID, and is not affected by the state of the sheet such as the orientation or the front and back of the sheet as a printed matter. Furthermore, even when the sheet is left in the vicinity of the MFP, the identification can be performed. Furthermore, it becomes possible to specify a user for each print job.

  According to the invention, the temporary binding means is provided with a recovery box for recovering the clip with RFID tag removed from the sheet, and the ID of the clip with RFID tag recovered in the recovery box is detected. The RFID reader may be provided. With such a configuration, the RFID-tagged clip can be reused any number of times by removing the RFID-tagged clip and collecting it in a collection box. Further, by providing the RFID reader, it can be confirmed that the clip with the RFID tag is returned without being taken away.

  According to the present invention, the temporary binding unit may be provided with an RFID writer for writing print user information corresponding to a sheet after image formation to the RFID tag of the RFID tag-attached clip to be temporarily bound. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to associate and store information such as an ID at the time of printing completion and a user ID as compared with the case where an RFID reader is installed in the temporary binding means. Configuration becomes easy.

  Further, according to the present invention, the storage means is configured to store information on the user or user terminal that performed the image formation, the print job completion time, the leaving time, and the like in association with the ID information of the RFID tag. May be. With such a configuration, it is easy to understand the neglected time, and for example, it is easy to identify an excessively neglected person based on the neglect history.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a configuration may be provided in which the user can arbitrarily set an abandon limit time for determining a timing for notifying the user of the neglected state by the notification means. With such a configuration, it is possible to set an appropriate time limit in different environments such as the installation department and the number of users.

  Further, according to the present invention, the setting means may be configured to be able to set a timing for notification in units of specific time, day, day of the week, etc. regardless of the neglected limit time. With such a configuration, for example, by setting so as to warn against a printed matter that has been left before the set time of leaving time such as a day before work or work day, the printed matter is removed before leaving work, It is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left during non-working hours such as during holidays or after leaving work.

  Also, the image forming system of the present invention connects a plurality of image forming apparatuses having the above-described configurations to each other via a network, and forms RFID data read from the RFID-tagged clip by the RFID reader. You may comprise so that it may share with an apparatus. With such a configuration, since the collection box of the nearest MFP can be used, the collection rate can be increased without inconvenience to the user.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a user who has left a sheet as a printed matter in a discharge tray is identified based on an ID (user information) read from a clip with an RFID tag, Since the user can be notified (warned) of the neglected state, it is possible to prevent the sheet as a printed matter from being left unattended for a long time. Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, the RFID data read from the RFID-tagged clip by the RFID reader is shared by a plurality of network-connected image forming apparatuses, so that the nearest image forming apparatus Since the RFID tag-attached clip can be returned to the collection box, the collection rate can be increased without inconvenience to the user.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine will be described.
<Embodiment 1>
-Description of overall operation of the device-
FIG. 1 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the digital copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The digital copying machine 100 is a device that forms a multi-color or single-color image on a predetermined recording sheet in accordance with image data input from the outside. The image on a recording sheet P as a scanner unit 2 and a recording medium. An image forming unit 3 that performs the formation, and a paper transport mechanism unit 4 that transports the recording paper P to the image forming unit 3 are provided. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

(Description of the scanner unit 2)
The scanner unit 2 includes a document placing table 21 made of transparent glass, a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 22 that feeds a document onto the document placing table 21, A scanner unit 23 for reading a document conveyed on the table 21 is provided, and a document on the document table 21 is read to generate image data.

  The RADF 22 includes an automatic paper feed tray 22a for automatically feeding a plurality of set originals one by one onto the original document placing table 21. Further, the RADF 22 can cause the scanner unit 23 to read one side and both sides of the document according to the user's selection. Specifically, a transport path for transporting a document on the automatic paper feed tray 22a onto the document placing table 21 and a reversal path for reversing the document so that the scanner unit 23 can read both sides of the document are provided. That is, when only one side of the document is read, only the transport path is used, whereas when both sides of the document are read, the document is transported again onto the document table 21 via the transport path. . For this reason, each path is provided with a transport path switching means and a sensor group (both not shown) for recognizing the transport position of the original. Since the configuration of the RADF 22 is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The scanner unit 23 includes a lamp reflector assembly 24, a plurality of reflection mirrors 25a, 25b, and 25c, an optical lens body 26, and a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 27.

  The lamp reflector assembly 24 irradiates the document placed on the document placement table 21 with light. Each reflecting mirror 25a, 25b, 25c reflects the reflected light from the document once in the left direction in FIG. 1, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, and then reflects it downward, and then the optical lens body. The light is reflected in the right direction in FIG.

  The document reading operation is as follows.

  When a document is placed on the document placement table 21, the first scanning unit 23a composed of the lamp reflector assembly 24 and the reflection mirror 25a scans along the document placement table 21 in the horizontal direction, and light is applied to the entire document. Irradiate. At this time, the second scanning unit 23b composed of the reflection mirrors 25b and 25c moves in the same direction with respect to the first scanning unit 23a at a predetermined rate (half the speed relative to the first scanning unit 23a). . The light reflected by the reflecting mirrors 25a, 25b, and 25c and passed through the optical lens body 26 is imaged on the photoelectric conversion element 27, and the reflected light is converted into an electrical signal (original image data) in the photoelectric conversion element 27. Converted.

  The image data obtained in this way is transmitted to an image processing unit (not shown). After various processing is performed, the image data is temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit, and the image data in the memory is stored in accordance with an output instruction. Data is read out and used for an image forming operation by the image forming unit 3.

(Description of the image forming unit 3)
The image forming unit 3 includes a laser writing unit 31 and an electrophotographic process unit 32. The laser writing unit 31 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 of the electrophotographic process unit 32 with laser light based on the document image data converted by the photoelectric conversion element 27. Specifically, a semiconductor laser light source that irradiates a laser beam corresponding to the image data, a polygon mirror that polarizes the laser beam at a constant angular velocity, and the laser beam that is polarized at a constant angular velocity is polarized at a constant angular velocity on the photosensitive drum 33. An f-θ lens or the like for correction is provided.

  The photosensitive drum 33 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, and the laser beam from the laser writing unit 31 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 31a and irradiated, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface thereof. The

  In addition, the electrophotographic process unit 32 has a charger 34, a developing unit 35, a transfer unit 36, a peeling unit (not shown), a cleaning unit 37, a static eliminator (not shown), and a fixing unit around the photosensitive drum 33. 38 is arranged. The charger 34 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 before the electrostatic latent image is formed into a visible image with toner as an image forming material. The transfer device 36 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 onto the recording paper P. The fixing device 38 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper P onto the recording paper P by heating. The peeling device and cleaning device 37 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 after the toner transfer. The static eliminator removes residual charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33.

  As a result, when an image is formed on the recording paper P, the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 34, and the laser writing unit 31 transmits laser light based on the image data to the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface 33. Thereafter, the developing unit 35 develops a visible image with toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 36 to the recording paper P fed from the paper transport mechanism unit 4. Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated by the fixing device 38, and the toner image is fixed. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is removed by the peeling device and the cleaning device 37, and the residual charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 33 is removed by the static eliminator. Thereby, one cycle of the image forming (printing) operation on the recording paper P is completed. By repeating this cycle, it is possible to continuously form images on a plurality of recording sheets P, P,.

(Description of the paper transport mechanism 4)
The sheet conveying mechanism 4 conveys the recording sheets P, P,... Stored in the first, second and third sheet cassettes 41, 42, 43 and the multi-manual feed tray 44 one by one. The image forming unit 3 performs image formation, and the image-formed recording paper P is discharged to the first, second, or third paper discharge trays 52, 53, and 54. Further, the paper transport mechanism unit 4 includes a double-sided copying unit 45 for causing the image forming unit 3 to form an image on the other side after temporarily collecting the recording paper P on which the image is formed on one side. .

  Each of the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43 contains recording papers P, P,... Having different sizes, and recording is performed from the paper cassettes containing the recording paper P of the size desired by the user. The sheets P are sequentially taken out one by one and sequentially conveyed to the image forming unit 3 through the conveyance path 40.

  The conveyance path 40 of the sheet conveyance mechanism unit 4 includes a main conveyance path 46 and a reverse conveyance path 47.

  One end (upstream end side in the recording sheet conveyance direction) of the main conveyance path 46 is branched and faces the discharge side of each of the sheet cassettes 41, 42, 43 and the manual feed tray 44, and the other end (recording sheet conveyance). The downstream end side in the direction passes through the transfer device 36 and the fixing device 38 and faces the post-processing device 50 including the paper discharge trays 52, 53, and 54.

  One end (upper end in FIG. 1) of the reverse conveyance path 47 is connected to the main conveyance path on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 1) from the position where the fixing device 38 is disposed, and the middle part (upper and lower in FIG. 1). The central portion of the direction is branched into first and second branch paths 47A and 47B. The first branch passage 47A extends vertically downward. On the other hand, one end of the second branch path 47 </ b> B faces the carry-in side of the duplex copying unit 45.

  First and second branching claws 47a and 47b are provided at the connecting portion between the main transport path 46 and the reverse transport path 47 and at the branch portion of the reverse transport path 47, respectively.

  The first branch claw 47a is between the first position where the reverse conveyance path 47 is closed and the second position where the discharge side of the main conveyance path 46 is closed and the main conveyance path 46 and the reverse conveyance path 47 communicate with each other. Thus, it is freely rotatable around the horizontal axis. When the first branch claw 47a is in the first position, the recording paper P that has passed through the image forming unit 3 is discharged as it is to the paper discharge trays 52, 53, and 54. On the other hand, when the first branching claw 47 a is in the second position, the recording paper P that has passed through the image forming unit 3 is supplied to the reverse conveyance path 47.

  The second branch claw 47b opens the first branch path 47A of the reverse conveying path 47 and closes the second branch path 47B, opens the second branch path 47B, and opens the first branch path 47A. Between the second position and the second position where it is closed around the horizontal axis. When the second branch claw 47b is in the first position, the recording paper P transported to the reverse transport path 47 is guided to the first branch path 47A and transported to the lower end position. Thereafter, the second branching claw 47 b is conveyed to the second branching path 47 </ b> B through the branching portion and supplied to the duplex copying unit 45. That is, when the recording paper P is supplied to the duplex copying unit 45 through the first branching path 47A and the second branching path 47B, when the recording paper P is supplied to the image forming unit 3, the upper and lower sides thereof The image is reversed and image formation can be performed on the back surface of the recording paper P.

  As a result, when single-sided copying is performed by the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first branching claw 47 a is in the first position, and the recording paper P taken out from each paper cassette 41, 42, 43 or the manual feed tray 44. After the image is formed by the image forming unit 3, the sheet is discharged as it is to the discharge trays 52, 53, and 54.

  On the other hand, when duplex copying is performed, first, the first branch claw 47a is in the second position, and the second branch claw 47b is in the first position. As a result, the recording paper P taken out from each of the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43 or the manual feed tray 44 and image-formed on one side by the image forming unit 3 is guided to the first branch path 47 </ b> A of the reverse conveyance path 47. Thereafter, the second branching claw 47b is in the second position, the recording paper P is transported in the reverse direction, and the recording paper P is supplied from the second branch path 47B to the duplex copying unit 45 through the branching portion. When image formation is performed on the other side of the recording paper P, the first branching claw 47a is in the first position, and the recording paper P taken out from the double-sided copying unit 45 is image-formed by the image forming unit 3 and discharged. The paper is discharged to the trays 52, 53, and 54.

  A pickup roller 48 is disposed at the upstream end of the main conveyance path 46 (portion facing the paper cassettes 41, 42, 43, the manual feed tray 44, and the discharge side of the duplex copying unit 45). Further, on the downstream side of each pickup roller 48, paper cassettes 41, 42, 43, and manual feed tray 44 are rotated by rotation of a plurality of paper feed rollers 49 for feeding the taken recording paper P to the main transport path 46. The recording paper P accommodated in the duplex copying unit 45 can be selectively fed to the main transport path 46 one by one.

  Further, as described above, the paper discharge unit of the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes the upper and lower first and second paper discharge trays 52 and 53, and the RFID tag attached to the post-processing device 50. And a third paper discharge tray 54 equipped with a finisher using clips.

  Inside the post-processing device 50, a conveyance path that connects the downstream end of the main conveyance path 46 and each of the paper discharge trays 52, 53, 54 is provided, and the paper discharge tray 52, on which the recording paper P is discharged. According to 53 and 54, the conveyance route can be switched.

  Further, the post-processing device 50 includes a finisher unit 51 to be described later for adding a clip with an RFID tag to a sheet on which an image is generated by the image forming unit 3. Further, sensors (RFID readers) are installed in the finisher unit 51 and the paper discharge trays 52, 53, and 54. This is because where the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 3 is clipped by the finisher unit 51 or is discharged to the discharge trays 52, 53, and 54, where the sheet is now. It is installed to identify.

  Further, in order to support a plurality of sheets on the paper discharge trays 52, 53, and 54, the finisher unit 51 reads information from the plurality of clips with RFID tags including the returned clips with RFID tags, so that the multiread A sensor with a function is used.

-Operation inside the device: Outline of functional blocks-
FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the digital copying machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “MFP”) 100 having the above configuration.

  FIG. 2 shows the MFP 100 connected to a user terminal (PC, workstation, etc.) 300 via a LAN 200 connection. 2 includes an image reading unit 102 (corresponding to the scanner unit 2 in FIG. 1), an image processing unit 103, an image forming unit 104 (corresponding to the image forming unit 3 in FIG. 1), a control unit 105, and a storage unit. 106, the user I / F unit 107, the network I / F unit 108, the RFID reader 150a attached to the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 shown in FIG. 1, and the RFID reader attached to the collection box 110 and the collection box 110 The finisher unit 51 includes 150b.

  The image reading unit 102 reads a document using a scanner function or a copy function.

  The image processing unit 103 appropriately corrects input document image data in order to form an image in the subsequent image forming unit 104.

  The image forming unit 104 forms an image of the received data on a recording sheet (sheet).

  The control unit 105 includes a print data processing unit 1051, a print job management unit 1052, and an authentication unit 1053.

  The print data processing unit 1051 performs language analysis, develops the print data, and transmits it to the image processing unit 103.

  The print job management unit 1052 performs management based on the order of a plurality of image forming jobs by the output job queue 1052a, and stores the RFID tag ID and time in association with the completion of the output job in the RFID data unit 1052b. . If the print job management unit 1052 determines that the print job has been completed, the finisher unit 51 collects printed materials (sheets) for each print job, binds the printed materials with clips with RFID tags, and discharges the output tray. The printed matter is discharged to

  The authentication unit 1053 identifies whether an ID and password input by a user I / F unit 107 described later match an ID and password registered in advance, and identifies a user. Regarding the authentication method, if it is a user terminal and MFP that can input information such as those using biometric technology such as fingerprints and irises, the user is identified by using an authentication unit that can be authenticated using the information. You can also.

  The storage unit 106 stores data received from outside, read original image data, and the like.

  The user I / F unit 107 includes a liquid crystal panel such as a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like, and requests an authentication procedure for the user and displays a message. In addition, a user operation is accepted in response to a request and message from MFP 100, or an instruction issued by user to MFP 100 is accepted.

  The network I / F unit 108 is connected to the MFP 100 and the LAN 200 when receiving data transmitted from the user or notifying the user that printed matter is left on the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 of the MFP 100. Send / receive to / from various devices.

  As described above, the finisher unit 51 collects the printed matter for each print job, binds the printed matter with the RFID tag clip by the binding unit 111, and discharges the printed matter to the discharge trays 52 to 54. When the printed material is left on the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, it is detected by the RFID reader 150a installed on the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, so that the MFP 100 recognizes the situation that the printed material is left. Can do.

  In addition, the user collects the printed material discharged to the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, and puts the clip removed from the printed material bound by the clip with the RFID tag into the collection box 110 provided in the finisher unit 51. Thus, it can be confirmed that the RFID tag-attached clip has been returned by the RFID reader 150b provided in the collection box 110.

(Detailed description of the print job management unit 1052)
The print job management unit 1052 includes an output job monitoring unit 1052c and a clock unit 1052d in addition to the output job queue 1052a and the RFID data unit 1052b. The output job monitoring unit 1052c acquires the RFID tag ID data detected by the RFID readers 150a and 150b at regular time intervals set by the administrator and when each print job is completed, and the RFID data unit 1052b together with the job completion time. Save to. In addition, information necessary for determining whether printing is left, such as an elapsed time after the job is completed, is stored in the RFID data unit 1052b.

  Here, the set fixed time is a time (cycle) detected by each of the RFID readers 150a and 150b other than when each print job is completed. As a result, it is possible to detect that the printed matter has been collected from the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, and that the RFID tag-attached clip has been returned to the collection box 110, and it is possible to determine whether to leave the print.

  In addition, the data in the RFID data portion 1052b is checked every set fixed time, and it is detected whether or not there is a printed matter that has passed a predetermined time (a limit time). In this case, an arbitrary time (date etc.) may be set in a unit such as a specific time, day, day of the week, etc. in addition to detecting how many hours have passed since printing.

  When the corresponding printed matter is detected, the user is notified and the equivalent content is also displayed on the user I / F unit 107 on the MFP 100. In such a situation where it is still neglected, measures such as prohibition of new jobs may be taken.

(Detailed description of the RFID data portion 1052b)
3 to 6 show details of data stored in the RFID data portion 1052b of the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  3 to 6 exemplify a case in which RFID, RFID location, print completion time (output time), and leave time are stored as judgment information on whether or not printing is left. FIG. 4 shows a state after execution of a certain output, FIG. 5 shows a state after the printed matter is collected, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, ID information read by the arbitrary RFID readers 150a and 150b of the finisher unit 51 and the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 is stored in the RFID data unit 1052b, and the current RFID location shown in FIG. Managed by list data and unprinted status data. That is, the ID information whose location can be confirmed by the RFID readers 150a and 150b is shown in the RFID column of FIG. Whether the RFIDs are left in the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 or the finisher unit 51 is shown in the paper discharge tray and finisher column in the right column. In the figure, the location indicated by “1” is the current location of the clip with RFID tag.

  That is, FIG. 3A shows that RFID = “000001”, “000010”, “100000”, and the like are in the finisher unit 51, but RFID = “000100” is in any of the discharge trays 52 to 54. ing. Further, according to the printing leaving condition shown in FIG. 5B, this printed matter is output by “user01” at 15:13, indicating that it has been left for 40 minutes after the print job is completed.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows the state of the RFID data portion 1052b immediately after executing a certain output. This state indicates that RFID = “000100” newly output by “user03” is present in the paper discharge trays 52 to 54. Further, RFID = “000001” is still in a printing unattended state at this time.

  However, the RFID information is detected by the RFID reader 150b of the collection box 110 by collecting the printed matter from the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 and returning the RFID-tagged clip to the collection box 110 of the finisher unit 51. The state of the RFID data portion 1052b is as shown in FIG. 5, and it can be seen that the printed matter with RFID = “000100” is recovered from the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, and the RFID tag clip is returned to the recovery box 110.

  When the user collects the printed material and does not return the RFID-tagged clip, or when the printed material is intentionally moved from the paper output trays 52 to 54, the paper output trays 52 to 54 and the recovery box 110 are used. When the RFID cannot be detected by any of the RFID readers 150a and 150b, the state of the RFID data portion 1052b is as shown in FIG. 6, and the RFID-tagged clip with RFID = “000001” 54 and the recovery box 110 are determined not to exist. In such a case, the RFID tag-attached clip data unit 1052b notifies the user “user03” based on the data shown in FIG.

  Next, the procedure of the printing process and the binding process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the printing process shows a printing procedure when data is received from the user terminal 300 or when a printing instruction is received from the user I / F unit 107 by the user. Further, the binding process indicates a procedure for binding a printed matter using a clip with an RFID tag in accordance with the printing process.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the processes in steps S7-1 to S7-8 are repeated from the first page.

  First, the process waits until the development of the target page is completed (step S7-2), and further waits until the printing process for the previous page is completed (step S7-3). When the above processing is completed, it is next determined whether or not a predetermined page that can be bound has been reached (step S7-4). If the predetermined page has not been reached (No in step S7-4), The process proceeds to the next determination. Here, when the predetermined page has been reached (when determined Yes in step S7-4), the finisher unit 51 is activated (step S7-6) and the printing process is started to the end of the page (step S7-6). S7-7, step S7-8).

  If the predetermined page has not been reached, it is determined whether or not it is the last page (step S7-5). If the result of the determination is that the predetermined page has not been reached (if NO in step S7-5), Printing processing is started until the end of the page (steps S7-7 and S7-8). Here, if it is the last page (if it is determined Yes in step S7-5), the finisher unit 51 is started (step S7-6) and the printing process for the last page is started (step S7-7). , Step S7-8).

  In the binding process, after receiving the activation request for the finisher unit 51, the RFID is read from the collection box 110 of the finisher unit 51 and the RFID readers 150a and 150b of the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 (step S7-9). Here, it is detected whether there is any duplication of reading, and if there is an error (if determined No in step S7-9), an error handling process is performed (step S7-17). On the other hand, if there is no error (if it is determined Yes in step S7-9), the RFID tag clip is set (step S7-10), and it is confirmed that the RFID tag clip is set (step S7-10). Step S7-11).

  Next, it is confirmed whether the printed material has arrived at the binding position (step S7-12). As soon as the arrival of the printed material is confirmed (Yes in step S7-12), the binding process is performed (step S7). -13). Next, the binding process is confirmed (step S7-14). Then, as soon as the completion of the process is confirmed (when it is determined Yes in step S7-14), the printed matter is discharged to the discharge tray, and an RFID reading check is performed (step S7-15). Here, it is detected whether there is an overlap of reading or the like, and if there is an error (No is determined in step S7-15), an error handling process is performed (step S7-17). On the other hand, if no error is detected (Yes in step S7-15), the ID data of the RFID-tagged clip and the ID data of the printed matter left in the paper discharge tray are updated based on the final detection information. (Step S7-16).

  FIG. 8 shows a procedure for periodically checking RFID data. This check makes it possible to identify a user who has left the printed matter that has been output.

  The output printed matter is on the discharge trays 52 to 54 immediately after printing, and the RFID is read by the RFID reader 150a of the discharge trays 52 to 54 (step S8-1). If there is a change in the reading of the RFID by removing the printed matter from the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 by the user (if it is determined Yes in step S8-2), the RFID data is updated. (Step S8-3).

  Next, the RFID of the RFID tag-attached clip returned to the collection box 110 is read by the RFID reader 150b of the collection box 110 of the finisher unit 51 (step S8-4). As a result, when the user returns the RFID-tagged clip to the collection box 110 when collecting the printed matter, and there is a change in the reading of the RFID (if determined Yes in step S8-5), the RFID data is updated ( Step S8-6).

  On the other hand, if there is no change in reading of the RFID in step S8-2 (if it is determined as No), the current time is compared with the output time, and the printed matter is discharged from the discharge trays 52 to 52 for a predetermined time (left limit time). It is determined whether or not it remains on the surface 54 (step S8-7). As a result, if the printed matter remains for a predetermined time or longer (if determined Yes in step S8-7), a warning is given to the user or the user terminal 300 (step S8-9). At this time, a new job may be prohibited (step S8-8) depending on the case (particularly when the user stays for a long time or when a large number of jobs stay). Further, when the printed matter is collected, but the clip with the RFID tag is not returned to the collection box 110 after a certain time (for example, 1 minute), for example (No in step S8-5, step S8). (When it is determined to be Yes at -10), the user or the user terminal 300 is warned (step S8-9).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, by setting a predetermined specific time, day, day of the week, etc. (for example, setting a work end time or the like in advance) in addition to the neglected limit time, the user can be given an arbitrary time. On the other hand, it can be notified that the printed matter is left unattended. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being removed by the time of leaving the office and left unattended during off-hours such as during a holiday or after leaving work.

As shown in FIG. 9, when work end time is set, first, (work end time-α) hours before (α can be arbitrarily set, or even if α is added to the work end time at the time of setting If it is before (working end time-α) hours (if determined Yes in step S9-1), the neglected limit time at this time is reset. (Step S9-3), tray monitoring is immediately started (step S9-4). On the other hand, if the work end time is (work end time-α) time (if determined No in step S9-1), it is determined whether the timer count is 0 (step S9-2). If so, tray monitoring is started (step S9-4). If it is not 0, the process returns to the beginning. When tray monitoring is started, the default value of the leaving limit time is set again for the next monitoring (step S9-5), and a timer is set (step S9-6). As a result, it is possible to notify the user of neglect even at an arbitrary set time.
<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the ID of the RFID tag-attached clip is read by the RFID readers 150a and 150b, and the user is specified from the read location and time. In the second embodiment, the printed matter is the RFID tag-attached clip. In the case of binding, the print user information is written in the RFID tag. Other hardware configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a digital copying machine (MFP) 100 according to the second embodiment.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the RFID writer 160 for writing to the RFID tag is provided in the binding unit 111 of the finisher unit 51, and information necessary for the neglect determination such as the user ID and the printing time when printing is completed. The RFID tag is written. When making a copy, the ID entered before each use is recorded, and when using as a printer, the time when the data transmitted from the user terminal 300 or the like is received is recorded. The other configuration is substantially the same as the configuration of FIG. 2 which is a functional block diagram of the first embodiment except for the collection box 110 and the RFID reader 150b. However, as for the control unit 105, the output job monitoring unit 1052c and the RFID data unit 1052b are provided in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, these are not necessary, and a neglect determination unit 1054 is provided instead. It has a configuration.

  In FIG. 11, a series of printed matter is bound by a clip with an RFID tag and output to the paper discharge trays 52 to 54, and then detected by the RFID reader 150 a installed in the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 when printing is completed. An example of data information is shown. From this output time and the current time, the time for which the corresponding printed matter is left is determined and the user is notified.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the printing process and the binding process in the configuration of the second embodiment. Note that the processing in steps S12-1 to S12-8, which is the printing processing, is the same as the processing in steps S7-1 to S7-8 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 that is the printing processing in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the printing process is omitted here.

  Regarding the binding process, after receiving a finisher activation request in step S12-6, a clip with an RFID tag is set (step S12-9), and the set is confirmed (Yes in step S12-10). And the information necessary for the neglect determination such as the user ID and time of the print job currently being processed by the RFID writer 160 provided in the binding unit 111 is written in the RFID tag (step S12-11). When the writing is completed, the binding process is performed as in the case of the first embodiment (steps S12-12 to S12-15). In addition, when information necessary for leaving determination cannot be written (when it is determined No in step S12-11), an error handling process is performed (step S12-16).

As described above, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the user ID, the print completion time, and the like are included in the information read by the RFID reader 150a in the paper discharge trays 52 to 54. It is not necessary to associate and store the information necessary for the neglected determination in the RFID data unit 1052b (in the case of the first embodiment), and the neglected determination unit 1054 performs only the neglected determination based on the information obtained from the RFID reader 150a. Therefore, the configuration of the control unit 105 is simplified.
<Embodiment 3>
In the first and second embodiments, a plurality of RFID readers are provided. However, in the third embodiment, only one RFID reader is used. Other hardware configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a digital copying machine (MFP) 100 according to the third embodiment.

  That is, in the third embodiment, as a configuration for detecting whether printing is left, a clip holder 112 is installed on the binding unit 111 of the finisher unit 51, and an RFID tag-attached clip set on the clip holder 112 is detected in order to detect an RFID tag. The reader 150c is attached. The other configuration is the functional block diagram of the first embodiment except for the RFID reader 150a attached to the paper discharge trays 52 to 54 and the RFID reader 150b attached to the collection box 110 and the collection box 110. This is the same as the configuration of FIG. However, the control unit 105 is configured to store information read from the RFID reader 150c in the RFID data unit 1052b of the print job management unit 1052.

  Next, printing processing and binding processing in the configuration of the third embodiment will be described.

  First, before binding the printed matter in the binding unit 111, the ID of the RFID-tagged clip currently set in the clip holder 112 is read by the RFID reader 150c, the ID list is acquired, and the ID list information is updated. .

  When the printing is completed, the binding unit 111 binds a series of printed materials using the RFID tag-attached clips, and then obtains the ID list of the RFID tag-attached clips set in the clip holder 112 again. At this time, the ID lists before binding and after binding are compared, and the information, the print completion time, user information, and the like are recorded in the RFID data portion 1052b for the IDs that have changed in both ID lists.

  Thereafter, the user removes the RFID-tagged clip from the printed material and returns (resets) it to the clip holder 112 installed in the binding unit 111.

  The RFID reader 150c installed in the clip holder 112 acquires the ID list of the RFID tag set in the clip holder 112 every predetermined time (an arbitrary time set in advance). If the RFID tag ID information recorded in the data portion 1052b is checked and it can be confirmed that the clip with the RFID tag is returned, it is determined that the corresponding printed matter has been collected by the user, and is recorded in the RFID data portion 1052b. User information, ID information, etc. are deleted from the abandoned list. The predetermined time may be set not only in the elapsed time after printing (left limit time) but also in a unit of a specific time, day, day of the week, or the like.

  On the other hand, if the clip with the RFID tag is not returned to the clip holder 112 even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the printed material is left unattended, or the printed material is collected by the user, but the clip with the RFID tag is not returned. It is determined that there is no such information, and the user is notified, and the equivalent content is also displayed on the user I / F unit 107 on the MFP 100. In such a situation where it is still neglected, measures such as prohibition of new jobs may be taken.

In the configuration of the third embodiment, since it is possible to determine whether a printed matter is left alone with only one RFID reader 150c, the configuration of the printing leave prevention system becomes easy and the cost can be reduced.
<Embodiment 4>
In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of MFPs are connected via a network, and RFID data is shared between a plurality of MFPs connected to the network.

  FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of the image processing system according to the fourth embodiment.

  The image processing system according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of MFPs 100A, 100B,..., 100Z are connected to each other by a network (LAN) 200 together with a user terminal 300. It is configured to be shared by a plurality of MFPs 100A, 100B,. The configurations of MFPs 100A, 100B,..., 100Z can be any of the configurations of the first to third embodiments. It is illustrated as a configuration in which the RFID readers 150a of the trays 52 to 54 are deleted.

  That is, when the user collects the printed material bound with the RFID tag clip at the MFP 100A and returns the RFID tag clip removed from the printed material to the collection box 110 of the finisher unit 51 of the MFP 100B, for example, the RFID data By sharing, this user is deleted from the neglected list of MFP 100A. Even if a user accidentally collects a clip with an RFID tag, it can be returned to the collection box of the nearest MFP, so that the user can be inconvenienced and the collection rate can be increased. is there.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the data stored in the RFID data part of the print job management part, and has shown the state before data output. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the data stored in the RFID data part of the print job management part, and has shown the state after data output. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the data stored in the RFID data part of the print job management part, and has shown the state after printed matter collection | recovery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the data stored in the RFID data part of the print job management part, and has shown the state when RFID detection is impossible. 5 is a flowchart of printing processing and binding processing according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation | movement of the periodic check of RFID data. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation at the time of monitoring starting. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data detected by RFID data. 10 is a flowchart of printing processing and binding processing in the configuration of the second exemplary embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus of Example 3 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus of Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Scanner unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper transport mechanism unit 51 Finisher unit 52 to 54 Paper discharge tray 100 Image forming apparatus (MFP, digital copying machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Image reading part 103 Image processing part 104 Image forming part 105 Control part 106 Memory | storage part 107 User I / F part 108 Network I / F part 110 Collection | recovery box 111 Binding part 112 Clip holder 150a-150c RFID reader 160 RFID writer 200 LAN
300 User terminal 1051 Print data processing unit 1052 Print job management unit 1053 Authentication unit 1054 Leaving determination unit

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus having a printing function,
An identification means for identifying a user or user terminal that has transmitted image data;
Temporary binding means for temporarily binding a series of sheets after image formation output from the same terminal device using a clip with an RFID tag;
An RFID reader for detecting the ID of the RFID tag in order to detect the presence of the RFID tag clip temporarily bound;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a leaving state of a sheet after image formation based on an ID detected by the RFID reader. Storage means for storing the user or user terminal that is the transmission source of the formed image and the ID of the RFID tag in association with each other;
When the determination unit determines that the sheet is left unattended, the corresponding user or user terminal is obtained by searching the storage unit based on the ID detected by the RFID reader, and the user or user The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies the terminal of a neglected state.   The temporary binding means is provided with a recovery box for recovering the RFID tag clip removed from the sheet, and an RFID reader for detecting the ID of the RFID tag clip recovered in the recovery box. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   3. An RFID writer for writing printing user information corresponding to a sheet after image formation to an RFID tag of an RFID tag-attached clip to be temporarily bound is provided in the temporary binding means. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   3. The storage unit stores information about a user who has performed image formation or a user terminal, a print job completion time, a leaving time, and the like in association with ID information of an RFID tag. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a setting unit that allows the user to arbitrarily set a leaving limit time for determining a timing for notifying the user of the neglected state by the notifying unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the setting unit is capable of setting a notification timing in a unit of a specific time, day, day of the week, or the like regardless of a time limit for leaving. A system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are connected to each other via a network.
An image forming system, wherein RFID data read from a clip with an RFID tag by the RFID reader is shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Images