JP2005266120A - Equipment use result management apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an equipment use result management apparatus capable of managing a detailed equipment use result in accordance with a section to which a user belongs or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A user is specified by inputting a user password using a keyboard 28 after an ID card is read by an ID card reader 30, an account ID and an account password are inputted by the keyboard to specify a group, such as a project to which the user belongs, and authentication for utilizing an image forming apparatus 10 is performed by an authentication information deciding means 14 based on a user information database 20A and an account information database 20B stored in a storage means 20. A use result value, such as paper sheets to be used for a compound machine function section 12 is then counted by a count means 24, and the use result value is stored in the storage means 20 and managed for each user ID and for each account ID. Furthermore, the utilization of the compound machine function section 12 is limited by a limiting value judging means 16 based on a predetermined limiting value. At such a time, the utilization is limited for each user ID and for each account ID in accordance with setting that is preset in a setting information holding means 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device usage record management device, and more particularly, to a device use record management device for managing the use record of a device such as a multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system for managing and summing up usage records of image forming apparatuses for each user has been proposed. For example, in such a management and aggregation system, a magnetic card reader or the like is provided in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can be used by inserting a magnetic card having a user number recorded in the card reader. There has been proposed a system configured to count and record the number of breaks, the number of consumables consumed, etc. for each user number or each image forming condition.

  In addition, not only the results tabulation, but also a management system has been proposed that has a function for prohibiting the use of the device by the user when the use limit value is set for each user and the user's use record reaches the limit value. .

  Data accumulated in such a management system is aggregated for each user or for each department to which the user belongs, and is used for budget management or billing.

  As an example of managing such a device usage record, Patent Documents 1 to 3 have been proposed.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a copier management apparatus that manages and counts the number of copies for each group unit in which individual user units are bundled has been proposed.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, when the ID number counter in the image forming apparatus is counted by the host computer and the limit value assigned to the ID number is reached, a copy prohibition command at that ID number is issued. The use of the image forming apparatus is restricted by sending it to each image forming apparatus.

In the technique described in Patent Document 3, a user ID (first identification code) and a second identification code corresponding to the user ID are input, the copy count is managed, and the copy count value is displayed. It has been proposed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-125572 Japanese Patent No. 2955889 JP 07-248709 A

  By the way, if a company has various projects, it is necessary to manage the budget for each project as well as the budget management for each organizational unit. Moreover, it is necessary to manage the budget by dividing it into small child projects for large-scale projects and dividing it into several phases according to the progress of the projects for long-term projects.

  In such a case, one person may belong to a plurality of projects at the same time, and the device usage record management apparatus that manages the conventional image forming apparatus can only add up in units of users or organizations. There is a problem that it is not possible to tabulate which project used the equipment.

  In addition, there is a problem that even if a limit value is set, detailed limit values such as a project unit, a child project unit, and a project phase unit cannot be set.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device usage record management apparatus capable of managing detailed device use records according to user affiliation and the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a device usage record management device for managing a device use record, and includes user information for identifying a user of the device, and the user. Input means for inputting account information for managing the use results by the group, and at least one use result value of the use amount of the device and the wear amount of the consumables provided in the device is inputted by the input means. Counting means for counting each of the user information and the account information, and a use for accumulating the actual usage values counted by the counting means and storing them in association with the user information and the account information And a result storage means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the input means, user information for specifying the user of the device and account information for managing the device usage record by the group including the user are input and counted. The means counts at least one usage result value of the usage amount of the device and the consumption amount of the consumables provided in the device for each piece of user information and account information input by the input means.

  For example, a user ID for identifying a user as user information and an account ID representing a department or project to which the user corresponding to the user ID belongs as account information are input by the input means, so that the device for each ID by the counting means The actual use value of is counted. In addition, as the usage results to be counted, it is possible to apply the number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus as the usage amount of the equipment, and the consumption amount of the consumables of the equipment used in the image forming apparatus. It is possible to apply a toner amount or the like.

  Further, the usage record value storage means stores the usage record values counted by the counting means in association with each of the user information and account information accumulated.

  Therefore, since the usage record value for each user information and the usage record value for each account information are stored in the usage record storage means, even when one user belongs to multiple projects at the same time, By using these usage record values, it is possible to manage detailed device usage records by account information such as by user or by department to which the user belongs.

  The invention described in claim 1 may be configured to display and output the result value stored in the use result storage means as in the invention described in claim 2 or to an external device. May be. Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, the counting means sets the mode when using the device (for example, operation mode such as copy, facsimile, scanner, color / monochrome mode, duplex / single-sided mode) and when the device is used. The actual usage value may be counted and accumulated in the actual usage storage means for each parameter setting (for example, an operation parameter such as a telephone number at the time of facsimile reception).

  Further, the invention of claim 2 or claim 3, as in the invention of claim 4, tabulates the usage record values stored in the usage record storage means for each piece of user information and account information. A means may further be provided, and the output means may output the totaling result of the totaling means.

  In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, as in the invention according to claim 5, the usage amount of the device and the amount of consumables for each of at least one of user information and account information. A setting means for setting a limit value for at least one usage record value of the consumption amount; a determination means for determining whether or not the use record value counted by the counting means has reached the limit value set by the setting means; Control means for controlling the device so as to prohibit the use of the device based on the user information or the account information when the use result value is determined to have reached the limit value by the determination unit may be further provided. . At this time, as in the invention described in claim 6, the information processing apparatus further includes storage means for storing user information and account information in advance, and the control means stores the user information and account information input by the input means in the storage means. The device can be further controlled to permit the use of the device if it matches.

  On the other hand, the account information in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 may be configured in one or more hierarchical structures as in the invention described in claim 7.

  Further, in the inventions according to claims 5 and 6, when the account information has one or more hierarchical structures, the setting means sets the limit value for each hierarchy of the account information as in the invention according to claim 8. And the determination means determines whether or not the usage record value has reached a limit value for each level of the account information, and the control means corresponds to at least one of the levels of user information and account information. When it is determined by the determination means that the actual value has reached the limit value, the device may be controlled to prohibit the use of the device.

  Further, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, as in the invention according to claim 9, the usage amount and the consumption amount of each of at least one of the user information and the account information are determined. A setting unit that sets a limit value for at least one of the use results, a determination unit that determines whether the use result value counted by the counting unit has reached the limit value set by the setting unit, and a determination unit You may make it further provide the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports having reached the limit value, when it determines with the use performance value having reached the limit value.

  Furthermore, the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 manages the device use restriction for each of at least one of user information and account information as in the invention according to claim 10. Setting means for setting a limit value of one or more management levels for determining, a determining means for determining whether or not the actual use value counted by the counting means has reached the limit value set by the setting means, Control means for controlling the operation of the device based on the determination result of the means, and notification means for notifying that the limit value has been reached based on the determination result of the determination means may be further provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the use of a device is performed using user information for identifying a user of the device, and account information for managing the use of the device by a group including the user. By storing the results, it is possible to manage the use results for each user or account information, so that it is possible to manage the detailed device use results according to the user's affiliation and the like.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with a device usage record management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is composed of a multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like, and each function is executed by the multifunction machine function unit 12. 12 is connected to the control means 18, and is controlled by the control means 18 in accordance with usage restrictions described later.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 26 for displaying various information, and a keyboard 28 for instructing input of various settings, selection / execution of functions to be executed by the multi-function device function unit 12, and the like. The display unit 26 and the keyboard 28 are connected to the multifunction device function unit 12.

  The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an ID card reader 30 that reads an ID for identifying a user, such as an employee number. The ID card reader 30 is connected to the authentication information determination unit 14 and the ID card reader 30 reads the result. Is output to the authentication information determination means 14. The keyboard 28 is also connected to the authentication information determination unit 14 so that input results such as various information such as an account ID and a password, which will be described later, input by the keyboard 28 are input to the authentication information determination unit 14. It has become.

  The authentication information determination unit 14 is connected to the storage unit 20 and the limit value determination unit 16, reads the user information database 20A and the account information database 20B included in the storage unit 20, and reads the read user information database 20A and account information database. After authenticating the user of the image forming apparatus 10 based on 20B, the authentication result is output to the limit value determining means 16.

  The limit value determination unit 16 connected to the authentication information determination unit 14 is connected to the setting information holding unit 22 and the control unit 18. The setting information holding unit 22 stores restriction mode switching information as setting information. Restriction mode switching information is used to switch between giving priority to account-specific limit values or user-specific limit values when managing results without using limit values or by setting limit values. use. In the present embodiment, as the use restriction mode, there are three modes, such as an unrestricted mode, an account restriction priority mode, and a user restriction priority mode, as shown in FIG.

  The limit value determination unit 16 reads the limit mode held in the setting information holding unit 22 and outputs the read result to the control unit 18, so that the control unit 18 uses the image forming apparatus 10 according to the limit mode. Is supposed to do.

  On the other hand, the multifunction device function unit 12 is connected to the counting unit 24, and the counting unit 24 counts the number of sheets used in the multifunction device function unit 12. For example, the counting unit 24 may count the usage record of the paper for each operation mode (for example, copy, facsimile, scanner, color / monochrome mode, duplex / single-side mode, etc.) in the multifunction device function unit 12. The usage record of the sheet may be counted for each operation parameter (for example, a telephone number at the time of facsimile reception).

  Further, the information stored as the actual value in the storage unit 20 is sequentially updated according to the counting result of the counting unit 24.

  The actual value stored and updated in the sequential storage means 20 is displayed on the display section 26 when the display instruction is given to the display section 26 by the keyboard 28, for example. .

  At this time, the actual value displayed on the display unit 26 is, for example, the actual value for each account ID (such as the current value of account usage as shown in FIG. 3) or the actual value for each user ID (as shown in FIG. 4). The result of aggregating current user usage values) can be displayed and output. In addition to this, the results and the like calculated for each operation mode and each operation parameter in the multi-function device function unit 12 may be further summed up and displayed. Note that the actual value stored in the storage unit 20 may be recorded on a sheet by the multi-function device function unit 12 and outputted, or may be outputted to an external device.

  Here, the account information database 20B stored in the storage unit 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the account information database 20B.

  In the account information database 20B, a budget number for each project is set as an account ID, an authentication password for using each project code is set as an account password, and a paper that can be used in each project as a limit value level 2 for each account The upper limit of the number is set, and a value for displaying a warning as the limit value level 1 for each account (notifying that the upper limit is almost reached) is set. Each limit value can be set in advance by the user using the keyboard 28 or the like.

  Further, the account information database 20B stores the current value of account usage for each account ID, that is, the actual value counted and accumulated by the counting means 24 for each account ID.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information database 20A.

  In the user information database 20A, a user employee number is set as a user ID, a password for using the user ID is set as a user password, and an available account number. As the list, the budget number of the project that the user is permitted to use is set, the upper limit value of the number of sheets that can be used by each user is set as the user-specific limit value level 2, and the warning is given as the user-specific limit value level 1 A value to display is set. Each limit value can be set in advance by the user using the keyboard 28 or the like. Further, the user information database 20A may store a name or the like in association with the employee number in order to perform user management.

  Further, the user information database 20A stores the current value of user usage for each user ID, that is, the actual value counted and accumulated by the counting means 24 for each user ID.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step 100, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not a user ID has been input. This determination is made by the authentication information determination means 14 determining whether or not the ID card in which user identification information such as an employee number is recorded is read by the ID card reader 30, and waits until the determination is affirmed. Move on to step 102.

  In step 102, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not a user password has been input. This determination is made by the authentication information determination means 14 determining whether or not a user password has been input via the keyboard 28, and waits until the determination is affirmed before proceeding to step 104.

  In step 104, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not an account ID has been input. As in step 102, this determination is also made by the authentication information determination means 14 determining whether or not an account ID has been entered via the keyboard 28, and waits until the determination is affirmed before proceeding to step 106. .

  In step 106, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether an account password has been input. Similar to steps 102 and 104, this determination is made by the authentication information determination means 14 determining whether or not an account password has been input via the keyboard 28, and waits until the determination is affirmed before proceeding to step 108. Transition.

  In step 108, the input information input in steps 100 to 106 is authenticated, and the process proceeds to step 110. That is, the authentication information determination unit 14 reads the user information database 20A and the account information database 20B stored in the storage unit 20, and collates the read information with the input information.

  In step 110, whether or not the authentication result is valid is determined by the authentication information determination unit 14. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112, and the use of the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited by the control unit 18. Then, a series of processing ends.

  That is, in the present embodiment, if the user ID and account ID and their passwords do not match the contents stored in the storage unit 20 in advance, the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be used, so that the user is permitted. It is possible to prevent the device from being used with a non-accounted account ID.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 110 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 114 where the limit mode switching information is confirmed by the limit value determination unit 16 and the process proceeds to step 116.

  In step 116, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the confirmation result of the limit mode switching information is the limit mode switch 0. That is, it is determined by the limit value determining means 16 whether or not the use restriction mode is set to be unrestricted, and when the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 118, where no restriction mode (details will be described later) is entered. This is executed to end a series of processes.

  If the determination in step 116 is negative, the process proceeds to step 120 where the limit value determination means 16 determines whether the confirmation result of the limit mode switching information is the limit mode switch 1 or not. That is, whether or not the usage restriction mode is set to account restriction priority is determined by the restriction value determination means 16, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 122, and the account restriction priority mode (details will be described later). ) Is executed to end the series of processes.

  If the determination in step 120 is negative, it is determined that the confirmation result of the restriction mode switching information is restriction mode switching 2, and the process proceeds to step 124, the use restriction mode is executed as the user restriction priority mode, and the series of processes is terminated. To do.

  Next, the above-described no limit mode, account limit priority mode, and user limit priority mode will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing when the unlimited mode is executed.

  When the mode is shifted to the non-restricted mode, first, in step 200, the limit value determining unit 16 notifies the control unit 18 to permit the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and the process proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, the MFP function unit 12 is controlled in accordance with a user instruction, and the process proceeds to step 204. That is, when a copy is instructed by the user, a copy job is executed.

  In step 204, the results are counted and accumulated by the counting means 24 in accordance with the operation of the multifunction machine function unit 12, and the process proceeds to step 206. The accumulated results are sequentially stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, actual values are accumulated and stored in the storage means 20 for each operation mode and each operation parameter.

  In step 206, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not the ID is released. This determination is performed by determining whether or not the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 has been terminated due to the ID card of the ID card reader 30 being removed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 202. The process is repeated until the determination in step 206 is affirmed. When the determination in step 206 is affirmed, the series of processes is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing when the account restriction priority mode is executed.

  When the mode is shifted to the account limit priority mode, first, in step 300, the current value of the user usage amount and the account limit value are compared by the limit value determination means 16, and the process proceeds to step 302.

  In step 302, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage amount is less than the account limit level 1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 304 and the image forming apparatus 10 The limit value determining means 16 notifies the control means 18 to permit the operation, and the process proceeds to step 306. That is, the function of the multi-function device 12 can be used by notifying the control means 18 in this way.

  In step 306, the multifunction device function unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 18 in accordance with a user instruction, and the process proceeds to step 308, where the results are counted and accumulated by the counting unit 24 in accordance with the operation of the multifunction device function unit 12. Then, the process proceeds to step 310. The accumulated results are sequentially stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, actual values are accumulated and stored in the storage means 20 for each operation mode and each operation parameter.

  In step 310, as in step 302, it is determined by the limit value determining means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage amount is less than the account limit level 1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not the ID is released. This determination is performed by determining whether or not the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 has been terminated due to the ID card of the ID card reader 30 being removed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 300. The process is repeated until the determination in step 312 is affirmed. When the determination in step 312 is affirmed, the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 302 or step 310 is negative, that is, if the current value of the user usage is greater than or equal to the account restriction level 1, the process proceeds to step 314.

  In step 314, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage amount is less than the account limit level 2. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 316 and approaches the limit value. The display unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 18 via the multifunction device function unit 12 so that a message indicating that is displayed on the display unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 318. In other words, the user is notified that the limit value is approaching and can give a warning to the user before the limit value is reached, so that the user can be made aware of the use and saving of equipment.

  In step 318, the limit value determining unit 16 is notified to the control unit 18 to permit the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and the process proceeds to step 320.

  In step 320, the multifunction device function unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 18 in accordance with a user instruction, and the process proceeds to step 322, where the results are counted and accumulated by the counting unit 24 in accordance with the operation of the multifunction device function unit 12. Then, the process proceeds to step 324. The accumulated results are sequentially stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, actual values are accumulated and stored in the storage means 20 for each operation mode and each operation parameter.

  In step 324, as in step 314, whether or not the current value of the user usage is less than account level 2 is determined by the limit value determination unit 16. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 312 described above. .

  If the determination in step 314 or step 324 is negative, that is, if the current value of the user usage amount has reached the account restriction level 2, the process proceeds to step 326.

  In step 326, the display unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 18 via the multi-function device function unit 12 so that a message indicating that the limit value has been reached is displayed on the display unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 328, where image formation is performed. The operation of the apparatus 10 is prohibited, and the series of processes is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing when the user restriction priority mode is executed.

  When the mode is shifted to the user limit priority mode, first, in step 400, the current value of the user usage amount and the user limit value are compared by the limit value determining means 16, and the process proceeds to step 402.

  In step 402, it is determined by the limit value determining means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage is less than the user limit level 1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 404, where the image forming apparatus 10 The limit value determining means 16 notifies the control means 18 to permit the operation, and the process proceeds to step 406. That is, the function of the multi-function device 12 can be used by notifying the control means 18 in this way.

  In step 406, the multifunction device function unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 18 in accordance with a user instruction, and the process proceeds to step 408, where the results are counted and accumulated by the counting unit 24 in accordance with the operation of the multifunction device function unit 12. Then, the process proceeds to step 410. The accumulated results are sequentially stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, actual values are accumulated and stored in the storage means 20 for each operation mode and each operation parameter.

  In step 410, as in step 402, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage is less than the user limit level 1. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 412.

  In step 412, it is determined by the authentication information determination means 14 whether or not the ID has been released. This determination is performed by determining whether or not the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 has been terminated due to the ID card of the ID card reader 30 being removed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 400. The process is repeated until the determination in step 412 is affirmed. When the determination in step 412 is affirmed, the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 402 or step 410 is negative, that is, if the current value of the user usage is greater than or equal to the account restriction level 1, the process proceeds to step 414.

  In step 414, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage amount is less than the user limit level 2. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 416 and approaches the limit value. The display unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 18 via the multifunction device function unit 12 so that a message indicating that is displayed on the display unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 418. In other words, the user is notified that the limit value is approaching and can give a warning to the user before the limit value is reached, so that the user can be made aware of the use and saving of equipment.

  In step 418, the limit value determining unit 16 is notified to the control unit 18 to permit the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and the process proceeds to step 420.

  In step 420, the multifunction device function unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 18 in accordance with a user instruction, and the process proceeds to step 422, where the results are counted and accumulated by the counting unit 24 in accordance with the operation of the multifunction device function unit 12. Then, the process proceeds to step 424. The accumulated results are sequentially stored in the storage unit 20. At this time, actual values are accumulated and stored in the storage means 20 for each operation mode and each operation parameter.

  In step 424, similarly to step 414, it is determined by the limit value determination means 16 whether or not the current value of the user usage amount is less than the account level 2. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 412 described above. .

  If the determination in step 414 or step 424 is negative, that is, if the current value of the user usage amount has reached the account restriction level 2, the process proceeds to step 426.

  In step 426, the display unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 18 via the multifunction device function unit 12 so that a message indicating that the limit value has been reached is displayed on the display unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 428, where image formation is performed. The operation of the apparatus 10 is prohibited, and the series of processes is terminated.

  That is, by using the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a user ID uniquely determined such as an employee number and a plurality of account IDs (for example, a project ID as in the present embodiment) are used. Budget number, department number, etc.) can be assigned, so even if one user belongs to multiple projects at the same time, usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 10 by user or department to which the user belongs In addition, it is possible to perform usage history management including usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 10 in units of projects across the organization.

  In the above-described embodiment, a limit value for the use record value of paper is set for each user ID and account ID, and the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the use record value has reached the limit value. Although the use restriction is performed, the present invention is not limited to this. The use restriction of the image forming apparatus 10 is restricted by setting a restriction value for the actual use value of the paper for each of the user ID or the account ID. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the number of sheets used is managed as the use result value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the consumption used in the image forming apparatus 10 as the use result value is also used. The consumption amount (for example, the toner amount) of the product may be managed, or the usage record of the paper and the consumption amount of the consumable product may be managed respectively.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the account ID has a plurality of hierarchical structures (in FIG. 9, two levels are shown, but three or more levels may be used). Limit values such as limit value level 1 and account-specific limit value level 2 may be provided to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 for each layer. That is, when any one of the account ID layers reaches the account limit value level 1, a message indicating that the limit value is approached is displayed on the display unit 26, and when the account limit value level 2 is reached, the message is limited. A message indicating that the value has been reached may be displayed on the display unit 26 to prohibit the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. Thus, by making the account ID into a hierarchical structure, it becomes possible to perform budget management and the like in the project for each finer group.

 In the above-described embodiment, user information (user ID and usage record value for each user ID) and account information (account ID and usage record for each account ID) are stored in the storage unit 20 provided in the image forming apparatus 10. However, it may be stored in an external device such as a server connected to the network.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the management of the image forming apparatus usage record and the management by the limit value setting is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to simultaneously manage various devices such as printers and shredders.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting information hold | maintained at a setting information holding means. It is a figure which shows an example of an account information database. It is a figure which shows an example of a user information database. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of unrestricted mode execution. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of account restriction | limiting priority mode execution. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of user restriction | limiting priority mode execution. It is a figure which shows an example of account ID made into the hierarchical structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Multifunction device function part 14 Authentication information determination means 16 Limit value determination means 18 Control means 20 Storage means 20A User information database 20B Account information database 22 Setting information holding means 24 Count means 26 Display part 28 Keyboard 30 ID card reader

Claims (10)

A device usage record management device for managing device usage records,
Input means for inputting user information for identifying a user of the device, and account information for managing the use record by a group including the user;
A counting unit that counts the usage value of at least one of the usage amount of the device and the consumption amount of the consumables provided in the device for each information of the user information and the account information input by the input unit;
Usage record storage means for accumulating the usage record values counted by the counting means and storing them in association with the user information and the account information;
A device usage record management device comprising:   The apparatus usage record management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to display or externally output the use record value stored in the use record storage unit.   The counting means counts the usage record value for each setting of at least one of mode setting at the time of device use and parameter setting at the time of device use, and the use record storage unit accumulates the use record value for each setting. The device usage record management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device usage record management device is stored.   And further comprising a counting means for counting the usage record values stored in the usage record storage means for each of the user information and the account information, wherein the output means outputs a counting result of the counting means. The apparatus usage record management apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that:   A setting unit that sets a limit value for at least one of the usage amount and the consumption amount for each of the user information and the account information, and the usage result value counted by the counting unit Determining means for determining whether or not the limit value set by the setting means has been reached, and when the determination means determines that the actual usage value has reached the limit value, the device according to the information 5. The device usage record management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the device so as to prohibit use of the device.   The information processing apparatus further includes storage means for storing the user information and the account information in advance, and the control means matches the user information and the account information input by the input means stored in the storage means. 6. The device usage record management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the device is further controlled to permit use of the device.   The device usage record management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the account information has one or more hierarchical structures.   The account information has one or more hierarchical structures, the setting means sets the limit value for each hierarchy of the account information, and the determination means sets the usage record value for each hierarchy of the account information. It is determined whether or not a limit value has been reached, and the control means has determined that the actual value corresponding to at least one of the user information and account information layers has reached the limit value by the determination means In this case, the device usage management apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the device is controlled so as to prohibit the use of the device.   A setting unit that sets a limit value for at least one of the usage amount and the consumption amount for each of the user information and the account information, and the usage result value counted by the counting unit Determining means for determining whether or not the limit value set by the setting means has been reached, and if the use result value is determined to have reached the limit value by the determination means, The device usage record management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for notifying that the information has been reached.   Setting means for setting a limit value of one or more management levels for managing device use restrictions for at least one of the user information and the account information, and the use result value counted by the counting means Determination means for determining whether or not the limit value set by the setting means has been reached, control means for controlling the operation of the device based on the determination result of the determination means, and the determination result of the determination means The device usage record management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising notification means for notifying that the limit value has been reached based on the information.

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