JP2006103062A - Image forming apparatus and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of allowing a user to clearly identify a printed material and improve the security with respect to the printed material, and to provide an image forming method. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus 50 is coupled to a PC 11 and a server 3 through a network 4 such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 50 comprises an authentication information judgment section 22 for determining whether or not personal authentication information of a user is input when the user uses an image forming apparatus 21, a print material output notification section 23 for notifying the user of an identification number when the printing is carried out, an identification number addition section 24 for adding the identification number relating to the user and a print material to be output according to print data to the print data, and a sacking section 25 for sacking the print material output according to the print data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and an image forming method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus connected to a network and capable of managing a printed matter as an output image via the network. And an image forming method.

  Conventionally, services that execute copying and printing at print shops and convenience stores have been provided, but in recent years, with the development of network technology, printing output from homes and offices to print shops and convenience stores via the network has been performed. A print output service has been provided.

  As described above, when print output is executed at a distance from the home or office via the network, the operation is performed until the output operator who performs the operation for executing the print output receives the printed matter. Because the printed matter output by is still stacked on the output tray of the output device such as a copying machine, the printed matter may be seen by a third party, or the printed matter may be taken out by mistake, There were problems with confidentiality and security.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, when a printed matter is left in the output tray of the output device, the external device corresponding to the user ID is notified by e-mail or the like. And a technique for notifying a paper discharge tray on which a left printed matter is stacked, a location assigned to the paper discharge tray, and the like.
JP-A-8-44255

  However, in an environment where an unspecified number of users use it, such as in stores and print shops, there is a problem that the user may not be able to clearly identify the printed material and may take out the wrong printed material from the image forming apparatus. There is. In addition, when print output is executed on an output device installed in a print shop or convenience store, the output operator recognizes the location assigned to the paper output tray on which the printed material is stacked, and then receives the printed material. Since a certain amount of time is required until this time, there is a possibility that the printed matter can be seen by a third party in the same manner as described above, and there is a problem that the safety and confidentiality of the printed matter are low.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of clearly identifying a printed material by a user and improving the safety of the printed material.

  To achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 can communicate with a personal authentication apparatus for authenticating a user who transmits print data via a network, and forms an image based on the print data. In the image forming apparatus, an identification number added to add an identification number related to a user authenticated by the personal authentication apparatus and a printed matter output based on the print data to an image formed based on the print data And a printed matter output notification device that notifies the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the printed matter.

  To achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 can communicate with a personal authentication apparatus for authenticating a user who transmits print data via a network, and forms an image based on the print data. In the image forming apparatus, the bagging device for bagging the printed matter output based on the print data, the user authenticated by the personal authentication device, and the user related to the bagged printed matter An identification number adding device that adds an identifiable identification number to the bag, and a printed matter output notification device that notifies the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the bag packed with the printed matter. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the bagging device is provided for each predetermined print job or a predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user. The printed matter is packed in a bag.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 can communicate with a personal authentication apparatus for authenticating a user who transmits print data via a network, and forms an image based on the print data. In the image forming apparatus, a bagging device for bagging a printed matter output based on the print data, a user authenticated by the personal authentication device, and the user related to the bagged printed matter An identification number adding device for adding an identifiable identification number to the bag, and at least one storage unit for storing the printed matter, and storing the printed matter packaged by the bagging device in the at least one storage unit Output product storage device, the user authenticated by the personal authentication device, and other identification numbers related to the storage unit in which the packaged printed material is stored A storage identification number generation apparatus for forming, characterized in that it comprises a printed material output notification unit for notifying the identification number to the authenticated user by the personal authentication device.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the bag packed with the printed matter. It is characterized by.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bagging apparatus is configured for each predetermined print job or a plurality of predetermined print jobs instructed by the authenticated user. The printed matter is packed in a bag.

  To achieve the above object, an image forming method according to claim 9 is capable of communicating with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data via a network, and forms an image based on the print data. An image forming method for adding an identification number associated with a user authenticated by the personal authentication device and a printed matter output based on the print data to an image formed based on the print data The method includes a number addition step and a printed matter output notification step of notifying the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming method according to claim 10 can communicate with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data via a network, and forms an image based on the print data. An image forming method for bagging a printed material output based on the print data, and the use related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the bagged printed material An identification number adding step for adding an identification number identifiable by a user to the bag; and a printed matter output notification step for notifying the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method according to claim 11 is capable of communicating via a network with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data, and forms an image based on the print data. An image forming method for bagging a printed material output based on the print data, and the use related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the bagged printed material An identification number adding step for adding an identification number identifiable to the user to the bag, an output matter storage step for storing the bag-packed printed matter in at least one storage unit, and a user authenticated by the personal authentication device And a storage identification number generating step for generating another identification number related to the storage unit storing the bagged printed matter, and the personal authentication device And having a printed material output notification step of notifying the identification number to the authenticated user Te.

  According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and the image forming method according to claim 9, the user authenticated by the personal authentication apparatus and the identification number associated with the printed matter output based on the print data are included in the print data. Since the identification number is notified to the user who is authenticated by the personal authentication device, it is added to the image formed based on the image, so that the user can clearly identify the printed matter.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, since the identification number is added to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the printed material, the user can more clearly identify the printed material.

  According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 and the image forming method according to claim 10, the printed matter output based on the print data is packaged, and the user who is authenticated by the personal authentication device and the packaged printed matter are packed. A user-identifiable identification number is added to the bag and the identification number is notified to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device, so that the user can clearly identify the printed material and the printed material. It is possible to improve safety against.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the identification number is added to any position or any surface of the bag in which the printed matter is packed, the user clearly identifies the bag in which the printed matter is packed. be able to.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, since the printed matter is packaged for each predetermined print job or every predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user, the safety for the printed matter is further improved. be able to.

  According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 and the image forming method according to claim 11, the printed matter output based on the print data is packaged, and the user who is authenticated by the personal authentication device and the packaged printed matter are packaged. A user-identifiable identification number is added to the bag, the packaged printed material is stored in at least one storage unit, and the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the packaged printed material are Another identification number related to the stored storage unit is generated, and the identification number is notified to the user who is authenticated by the personal authentication device, so that the user can clearly identify the printed matter and is safe for the printed matter. And the confidentiality of the printed matter can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the identification number is added to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the bag in which the printed material is packed, so that the user can clearly identify the bag in which the printed product is packed. be able to.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, since the printed matter is packaged for each predetermined print job or every predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user, the safety for the printed matter is further improved. be able to.

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

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) 11 is first installed in the office 1, and a user is used when using an image forming apparatus 21 of a store 2 described later in the PC 11. Is provided with a personal authentication information input device 12 for inputting personal authentication information. The store 2 is provided with an image forming apparatus 21 that performs print output.

  The image forming apparatus 21 is connected to the PC 11 and a server 3 to be described later via a network 4 such as the Internet. Whether or not the user's personal authentication information has been input when the user uses the image forming apparatus 21. An authentication information discriminating unit 22 for discriminating whether or not, a printed matter output notifying unit 23 for notifying a user of an identification number (to be described later) when print output is executed, and a printed matter output based on the user and print data. And an identification number adding unit 24 for adding a related identification number to the print data. The server 3 is connected to the PC 11 and the image forming apparatus 21 via the network 4 and includes a personal authentication device 31 that performs personal authentication. The personal authentication device 31 may be provided in the image forming device 21 of the store 2.

  The PC 11 in the office 1, the image forming apparatus 21 in the store 2, the server 3, and the network 4 constitute an image forming system, and data can be transmitted and received through the network 4, respectively.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, when the ID number as the personal authentication information of the user is input by the personal authentication input device 12 of the PC 11 to print the print document created by the PC 11 of the office 1. The input ID number is transmitted to the server 3 through the network 4 and compared with the ID number of the user registered in advance in the personal authentication data table in the personal authentication device 31 in the server 3. Authentication is performed. When the input ID number is authenticated, the input ID number is transmitted again to the image forming apparatus 21 of the store 2 via the network 4, thereby enabling the user to use the image forming apparatus 21. . When the input user ID is not authenticated, information indicating that the user ID is not authenticated is transmitted to the PC 11 of the office 1 via the network 4.

  In the store 2, when the ID number transmitted from the PC 11 in the office 1 is authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 and the image forming device 21 can be used, the PC 11 in the office 1 uses the image forming device 21. Various output operations are performed.

  When a print output operation for outputting print data from the PC 11 in the office 1 is executed, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 21 in the store 2 and the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 21 is started. In the image forming apparatus 21, the identification number for printing on the printed matter is generated by the identification number adding unit 24 at the same time as the printing operation is started. This identification number is different from an ID number for performing personal authentication when a user uses the image forming apparatus 21, and is usually made up of code data that can be identified only by the user and includes a different code for each print output job. . This code data is generated from, for example, a multi-digit random number code, or the date of output is taken into account when it is difficult for the user to distinguish the identification number only by the multi-digit random number code by printing multiple times. Or a combination of the time and the random number code. The identification number printed on the printed material by the identification number adding unit 24 can be printed at an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the printed material. The printing position of the identification number can be set on the image forming apparatus 21 or by the PC 11 of the office 1 and is normally transmitted to the image forming apparatus 21 as print condition setting data together with the print data. When the printed matter on which the identification number is printed is output, the image forming apparatus 21 notifies the PC 11 that the printing is completed to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 by the printed matter output notification unit 23. At the same time, the PC 11 is notified of the identification number printed on the printed matter.

  Here, as a method of notifying the identification number by the printed matter output notification unit 23, an e-mail is transmitted to an address registered corresponding to the ID number of the user who is connected to the network and authenticated. If a communication modem, voice response means, or the like is used as the printed matter output notification unit 23, it can be transmitted to a general telephone line or a mobile phone.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 21 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining print operation output processing executed by the PC 11 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the user inputs personal authentication information by the personal authentication input device 12 in the PC 11 in order to print a print document created by the PC 11 in the office 1 (step S151). The ID number input as the personal authentication information (personal authentication data) is transmitted to the server 3 via the network 4 (step S152), and is stored in the personal authentication data table stored in the personal authentication device 31 in the server 3. Then, authentication is performed by comparing with a pre-registered ID number (step S153). When the input ID number is authenticated, the input ID number is transmitted again to the PC 11 and the image forming apparatus 21 via the network 4. Thereby, the user can use the image forming apparatus 21.

  In a state where the image forming apparatus 21 is available, the PC 11 forms the image data via the network 4 with print data, information data corresponding to various information related to the print conditions, and print output command data for performing print output. The data is transmitted to the device 21 (step S154). Thereafter, the PC 11 determines whether or not the print job end signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus 21 has been received (step S155). If the print job end signal has not been received, the determination in step S155 is repeated, and the print job If an end signal is received, a print end notification and an identification number printed on the printed matter output by the print job are received (step S156), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the user ID input in step S153 is not authenticated, information indicating that the authentication is impossible is returned to the PC 11 of the office 1 via the network 4, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus 21 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 21 is normally in a standby state for various operations, that is, in a standby state after completion of the initial setting (step S101). 2, after the ID number transmitted from the PC 11 is authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 of the server 3, the authentication information determination unit 22 determines whether or not the ID number is received (step S <b> 102). When the ID number is not received, the determination in step S102 is repeated. When the ID number is received, the user can execute various output operations of the image forming apparatus 21 from the PC 11. .

  When the identification number to be printed on the printed matter is generated by the identification number adding unit 24 (step S103), the print data, information data, and print output command data transmitted by the process of step S154 in FIG. (Step S104). Next, print data with an identification number is generated by adding the identification number generated by the process of step S103 to a predetermined position (step S105), and a printed matter on which the identification number is printed based on the print data with the identification number is generated. The print job to be output is executed (step S106). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the print job has been output and the print job has been completed (step S107). The determination in step S107 is repeated until the print job is completed, and if the print job is completed, the print job has been completed. Is transmitted to the PC 11, and the identification number added to the output printed matter is transmitted to the PC 11 (step S 108), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the identification number that can be identified by the user associated with the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 and the printed matter output based on the print data is authenticated. Is added to the print data transmitted from the user (step S105) and the identification number is notified to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 (step S108), so that the user can clearly identify the printed matter. it can.

  Further, since the identification number printed on the printed material can be printed at an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the printed material, the user can more clearly identify the printed material.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. The configuration of the image forming system in FIG. 4 is basically the same as that in FIG. 1. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described below.

  In FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 50 in the store 2 includes an authentication information determining unit 22 that determines whether or not the user's personal authentication information has been input when the user uses the image forming apparatus 21, and print output. Printed matter output notification unit 23 for notifying the user of an identification number, etc., which will be described later, and adding an identification number associated with the user and the printed matter output based on the print data to the print data A unit 24 and a bagging unit 25 for bagging a printed material output based on the print data. The personal authentication device 31 provided in the server 3 may be provided in the image forming device 50 of the store 2.

  The PC 11 in the office 1, the image forming apparatus 50 in the store 2, the server 3, and the network 4 constitute an image forming system, and data can be transmitted and received through the network 4, respectively.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, when a print output operation for outputting print data from the PC 11 in the office 1 is executed, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 50 in the store 2 to form an image. The printing operation of the device 50 is started. At the same time as the printing operation is started, an identification number to be printed on the bag for storing the printed matter generated by the identification number adding unit 24 is generated. This identification number is different from an ID number for performing personal authentication when the user uses the image forming apparatus 50, and is usually made up of code data that can be identified only by the user and includes a different code for each print output job. This code data is generated from, for example, a multi-digit random number code, or the date of output is taken into account when it is difficult for the user to distinguish the identification number only by the multi-digit random number code by printing multiple times. Or a combination of time and the random number code. Further, the identification number printed on the bag for storing the printed matter can be printed at any position or any surface of the bag. The printing position of the identification number can be set by the image forming apparatus 50 or the PC 11 of the office 1, and data is normally transmitted to the image forming apparatus 50 as print condition setting data together with the print data.

  In addition, the bag filling unit 25 packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or a predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user.

  When the printed matter is output, the image forming apparatus 50 prints an identification number on a bag that accommodates the printed matter, and the bag filling unit 25 accommodates the printed matter output from the image forming device 50 in a bag on which the identification number is printed. To do. Thereby, the output operation of the printed matter is completed. When the output operation is completed, the image forming apparatus 50 notifies the user who has been authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 to the PC 11 that the printing has been completed by the printed matter output notification unit 23, and at the same time, a bag that wraps the printed matter. The identification number printed on is notified to the PC 11.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 50 described with reference to FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a print operation output process executed by the PC 11 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the user inputs personal authentication information with the personal authentication input device 12 in the PC 11 in order to print a print document created by the PC 11 in the office 1 (step S251). The ID number input as the personal authentication information (personal authentication data) is transmitted to the server 3 via the network 4 (step S252) and stored in the personal authentication data table stored in the personal authentication device 31 in the server 3. Then, authentication is performed by comparing with a previously registered ID number (step S253). When the input ID number is authenticated, the input ID number is transmitted again to the PC 11 and the image forming apparatus 50 via the network 4. As a result, the user can use the image forming apparatus 50.

  In a state where the image forming apparatus 50 is available, the PC 11 forms image data via the network 4 with print data, information data corresponding to various information related to print conditions, and print output command data for performing print output. It transmits to the apparatus 50 (step S254). Thereafter, the PC 11 determines whether or not the print job end signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 has been received (step S255). If the print job end signal has not been received, the determination in step S255 is repeated to determine whether the print job has ended. When the end signal is received, the print end notification and the identification number printed on the bag of the printed matter output by the print job are received (step S256), and this process is ended.

  On the other hand, when the user ID input in step S253 is not authenticated, information indicating that the authentication is impossible is returned to the PC 11 of the office 1 via the network 4, and this process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus 50 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 50 is normally in a standby state for various operations, that is, in a standby state after completion of the initial setting (step S201). After the ID number transmitted from the PC 11 is authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 of the server 3 in the process of step S252 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the ID number is received by the authentication information determination unit 22 (step S202). When the ID number is not received, the determination in step S202 is repeated. When the ID number is received, the user can perform various output operations of the image forming apparatus 50 from the PC 11.

  When the identification number to be printed on the printed matter is generated by the identification number adding unit 24 (step S203), the print data, information data, and print output command data transmitted by the process of step S254 in FIG. (Step S204), the print job is executed. Next, a printed matter is output by executing a print job, and the identification number generated by the process of step S203 is printed at a predetermined position of the bag containing the printed matter (step S205), and the output of the printed matter ends. It is determined whether or not printing of the identification number on the bag has been completed (step S206). The determination in step S206 is repeated until output of the printed matter is finished and printing of the identification number on the bag is finished. When the output of the printed matter is finished and printing of the identification number on the bag is finished, the bag filling unit 25 is finished. In step S207, the printed matter is packaged. Further, it is determined whether or not the print job is completed by completing the bagging of the printed material (step S208). The determination in step S208 is repeated until the print job is completed. A print job end signal indicating the end of the job is transmitted to the PC 11, and the identification number printed on the bag is transmitted to the PC 11 (step S 208), and this process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printed matter output based on the print data is packaged (step S207), and the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 and the packaged printed matter are related. The identification number identifiable by the user is added to the bag (step S205), and the identification number is notified to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 (step S208), so that the user clearly identifies the printed matter. And the safety of printed matter can be improved.

  Further, since the identification number printed on the bag containing the printed material can be printed at any position or any surface of the bag, the user can more clearly identify the printed material.

  Further, since the bag filling unit 25 packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or every predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user, the safety for the printed matter can be further improved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system to which the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. The image forming system in FIG. 7 has basically the same configuration as that in FIG. 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described below.

  In FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 70 of the store 2 includes an authentication information determining unit 22 that determines whether or not the user's personal authentication information is input when the user uses the image forming apparatus 21, and print output. Printed matter output notification unit 23 for notifying the user of an identification number, etc., which will be described later, and adding an identification number associated with the user and the printed matter output based on the print data to the print data Output storage unit having a plurality of storage trays (storage units) A to E for storing the printed matter or the bagged printed matter 71, and a storage identification number generation unit 72 that generates a storage identification number related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 and the storage tray in which the printed matter or the packed printed matter is stored. That. The personal authentication device 31 provided in the server 3 may be provided in the image forming device 70 of the store 2.

  The PC 11 in the office 1, the image forming apparatus 70 in the store 2, the server 3, and the network 4 constitute an image forming system, and data can be transmitted and received through the network 4, respectively.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, when a print output operation for outputting print data from the PC 11 in the office 1 is executed, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 70 in the store 2 to form an image. The printing operation of the device 70 is started. At the same time as the printing operation is started, an identification number to be printed on the bag for storing the printed matter generated by the identification number adding unit 24 is generated. This identification number is different from an ID number for performing personal authentication when the user uses the image forming apparatus 70, and is usually made up of code data that can be identified only by the user and includes a code different for each print output job. This code data is generated from, for example, a multi-digit random number code, or it is difficult to determine an identification number only with a multi-digit random number code when the user performs printing a plurality of times. It is generated from a combination of the output date and time and the random number code. Further, the identification number printed on the bag for storing the printed matter can be printed on any position or any surface of the bag. The printing position of the identification number can be set by the image forming apparatus 70 or the PC 11 of the office 1 and is normally transmitted to the image forming apparatus 70 as print condition setting data together with the print data.

  In addition, the bag filling unit 25 packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or a predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user.

  When the printed material is output, the image forming apparatus 70 prints an identification number on a bag that accommodates the printed material, and the bag filling unit 25 converts the printed material output from the image forming device 70 into a bag on which the identification number is printed. Accommodate. The printed matter packed in a bag is stored in a predetermined storage tray by an output storage unit 71 having a plurality of storage trays A to E, and the printed product packed in a bag is stored in a predetermined storage tray. A storage identification number is generated by the identification number generation unit 72. Thereby, the output operation of the printed matter is completed. When the output operation is completed, the image forming apparatus 70 notifies the user who has been authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 to the PC 11 that the printing has been completed by the printed matter output notification unit 23 and also a bag for wrapping the printed matter. The PC 11 is notified of the identification number and the storage identification number printed on the.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 described with reference to FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining print operation output processing executed by the PC 11 in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the user inputs personal authentication information by the personal authentication input device 12 of the PC 11 to print a print document created by the PC 11 in the office 1 (step S351). The ID number input as the personal authentication information is transmitted to the server 3 via the network 4 (step S352) and registered in advance in the personal authentication data table stored in the personal authentication device 31 inside the server 3. Authentication is performed by comparing with the ID number (step S353). When the input ID number is authenticated, the input ID number is transmitted again to the PC 11 and the image forming apparatus 70 via the network 4. As a result, the user can use the image forming apparatus 70.

  In a state where the image forming apparatus 70 is available, the PC 11 forms information data corresponding to various information related to print data, print conditions, and the like, and print output command data for performing print output via the network 4. It transmits to the apparatus 70 (step S354). Thereafter, the PC 11 determines whether or not the print job end signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus 70 has been received (step S355). If the print job end signal has not been received, the determination in step S355 is repeated to determine whether the print job If an end signal is received, a print end notification is received, and further, an identification number and a storage identification number printed on the bag of printed matter output by the print job are received (step S356), and this processing is terminated. To do.

  On the other hand, if the user ID input in step S353 is not authenticated, information indicating that authentication is not possible is returned to the PC 11 of the office 1 via the network 4, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus 70 in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 70 is normally in a standby state for various operations, that is, in a standby state after completion of the initial setting (step S301). After the ID number transmitted from the PC 11 is authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 of the server 3 in the process of step S352 in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the ID number is received by the authentication information determination unit 22 (step S302). When the ID number is not received, the determination in step S302 is repeated. When the ID number is received, the user can perform various output operations of the image forming apparatus 50 from the PC 11.

  When the identification number to be printed on the printed matter is generated by the identification number adding unit 24 (step S303), the print data, information data, and print output command data transmitted by the process of step S354 of FIG. (Step S304), the print job is executed. Next, a print job is output by executing the print job, and the identification number generated by the process of step S303 is printed at a predetermined position of the bag containing the print product (step S305). It is determined whether or not printing of the identification number on the bag has been completed (step S306). The determination in step S306 is repeated until output of the printed matter is finished and printing of the identification number on the bag is finished. When the output of the printed matter is finished and printing of the identification number on the bag is finished, the bagging unit 25 is finished. In step S307, the printed matter is packaged.

  Next, the printed matter packed in the bagging unit 25 is stored in the output storage unit 71, and the storage identification number generating unit 72 stores the printed product packed in the bag in a predetermined storage tray. Is generated (step S308). Further, it is determined whether or not the print job has been completed by storing the bagged printed material in the output material storage unit 71 (step S309), and the determination in step S309 is repeated until the print job is completed. When the job is finished, a print job end signal indicating that the print job is finished is transmitted to the PC 11, and further, the identification number printed on the bag and the storage identification number are transmitted to the PC 11 (step S310). The process ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printed material output based on the print data is packaged (step S307), and the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 and the packaged printed material are related. Then, an identification number that can be identified by the user is added to the bag (step S305), and the printed matter packed by the bag filling unit 25 is stored in a predetermined storage tray, and the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 A storage identification number associated with the storage unit in which the printed material packed in the bag is stored is generated (step S308), and the identification number and the storage identification number are notified to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 (step S310). Therefore, the user can clearly identify the printed matter and improve the safety of the printed matter, and can improve the confidentiality of the printed matter. .

  Further, since the identification number printed on the bag containing the printed material can be printed at any position or any surface of the bag, the user can more clearly identify the printed material.

  Further, since the bag filling unit 25 packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or every predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user, the safety for the printed matter can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the printed matter packed in the bagging unit 25 is stored in the output matter storage unit 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification number adding unit 24 identifies the printed matter that is not packed in the bag. A number may be added, and the printed material may be stored directly in the output material storage unit 71. The operation of the image forming apparatus 70 in this case will be described with reference to FIG. The print operation output process executed by the PC 11 is the same as the print operation output process of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the print output operation process executed by the image forming apparatus 70 in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 70 is normally in a standby state for various operations, that is, in a standby state after completion of the initial setting (step S401). After the ID number transmitted from the PC 11 is authenticated by the personal authentication device 31 of the server 3 in the process of step S352 in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the ID number is received by the authentication information determination unit 22 (step S402). When the ID number is not received, the determination in step S402 is repeated. When the ID number is received, the user can perform various output operations of the image forming apparatus 50 from the PC 11.

  When the identification number to be printed on the printed matter is generated by the identification number adding unit 24 (step S403), the print data, information data, and print output command data transmitted by the process of step S354 in FIG. (Step S404), and thereafter, print data with identification number is generated by adding the identification number generated by the processing of step S403 to a predetermined position of the printed material (step S405), and based on the print data with identification number A print job for outputting a printed matter on which the identification number is printed is executed (step S406). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the output of the printed material is completed (step S407). The determination in step S407 is repeated until the output of the printed material is completed. When the output of the printed material is completed, the printed material is stored in the output material storage unit 71. In addition, the storage identification number generation unit 72 generates a storage identification number in response to the printed matter being stored in the storage tray (step S408). Further, it is determined whether or not the print job has been completed by storing the printed material in the printed material storage device 71 (step S409), and the determination in step S409 is repeated until the print job is completed, and the print job is completed. Transmits a print job end signal indicating the end of the print job to the PC 11, and further transmits the identification number and the storage identification number printed on the printed matter to the PC 11 (step S 410), and ends this processing.

  In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 70 is installed in a place where an unspecified number of people come and go, such as a print shop or a convenience store, a lock mechanism using a storage identification number for the output storage unit 71 It is possible to add.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the image forming apparatus 70 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 110 of the store 2 includes an authentication information determining unit 22 that determines whether or not personal authentication data of the user has been input when the user uses the image forming apparatus 21, and print output. A printed matter output notification unit 23 for notifying the user of an identification number or the like when executed, and an identification number adding unit 24 for adding an identification number associated with the user and a printed matter output based on the print data to the print data; , A bagging unit 25 for bagging a printed material output based on the print data, an output material storage unit 71 having a plurality of storage trays A to E for storing the printed material or the bagged printed material, and a personal authentication device 31. A storage identification number generating unit 72 for generating a storage identification number associated with the user authenticated by the user and the storage tray storing the printed matter or the bagged printed matter, and an output matter storage unit 71 And a storage object management unit 111 for managing a printed material or the like which is stored in the storage tray together with the annexed.

  Specifically, the stored matter management unit 111 manages a plurality of lock mechanisms (not shown) in each of the storage trays A to E in order to manage the printed matter stored in the plurality of storage trays A to E or the packaged printed matter. have. The lock mechanism uses the storage identification number transmitted from the image forming apparatus 110 by the process of step S410 in FIG. 10 as a key. In a state where the printed matter or the printed matter packed in the bag is stored in the output matter storage unit 71, the user inputs a storage identification number as a personal identification number from an input device (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 110. The lock mechanism is unlocked. Thereby, the confidentiality with respect to the printed matter or the printed matter stored in the plurality of storage trays A to E can be further improved.

  In the embodiment described above, the output storage unit 71 has a plurality of storage trays A to E for storing the printed material or the bagged printed material, but is not limited thereto, and stores the printed material or the bagged printed material. It may have at least one storage tray.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a print operation output process executed by the PC in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the image forming system with which the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining print operation output processing executed by the PC in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the image forming system with which the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the printing operation output process performed by PC in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating print output operation processing executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the print output operation process executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image forming apparatus in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

4 Network 21 Image Forming Device 22 Authentication Information Discriminating Unit 23 Printed Product Output Notification Unit 24 Identification Number Adding Unit 25 Bag Filling Unit 31 Personal Authentication Device

Claims (11)

In an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a personal authentication device that authenticates a user who transmits print data via a network and forms an image based on the print data.
An identification number adding device for adding an identification number associated with a user authenticated by the personal authentication device and a printed matter output based on the print data to an image formed based on the print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printed matter output notification device that notifies the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of the printed matter. In an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a personal authentication device that authenticates a user who transmits print data via a network and forms an image based on the print data.
A bagging device for bagging the printed matter output based on the print data;
An identification number adding device for adding to the bag an identification number that can be identified by the user related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the printed matter packed in the bag;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printed matter output notification device that notifies the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of a bag in which the printed matter is packed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bagging apparatus packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or a predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user. In an image forming apparatus that can communicate with a personal authentication device that authenticates a user who transmits print data via a network and forms an image based on the print data.
A bagging device for bagging the printed matter output based on the print data;
An identification number adding device for adding to the bag an identification number that can be identified by the user related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the printed matter packed in the bag;
An output storage device that has at least one storage unit for storing the printed material, and stores the printed material packaged by the bagging device in the at least one storage unit;
A storage identification number generating device for generating a user authenticated by the personal authentication device and another identification number related to a storage unit in which the packed printed matter is stored;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printed matter output notification device that notifies the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification number adding device adds an identification number to an arbitrary position or an arbitrary surface of a bag in which the printed matter is packed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bagging apparatus packs the printed matter for each predetermined print job or a predetermined plurality of print jobs instructed by the authenticated user. An image forming method capable of communicating via a network with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data, and forming an image based on the print data,
An identification number adding step of adding an identification number associated with a user authenticated by the personal authentication device and a printed matter output based on the print data to an image formed based on the print data;
An image forming method comprising: a printed matter output notification step of notifying the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number. An image forming method capable of communicating via a network with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data, and forming an image based on the print data,
A bagging step for bagging a printed matter output based on the print data;
An identification number adding step for adding an identification number that can be identified by the user related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the printed matter packed in the bag to the bag;
An image forming method comprising: a printed matter output notifying step of notifying the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number. An image forming method capable of communicating via a network with a personal authentication device for authenticating a user who transmits print data, and forming an image based on the print data,
A bagging step for bagging a printed matter output based on the print data;
An identification number adding step for adding an identification number that can be identified by the user related to the user authenticated by the personal authentication device and the printed matter packed in the bag to the bag;
An output storage step for storing the packaged printed material in at least one storage unit;
A storage identification number generating step for generating another identification number related to a user authenticated by the personal authentication device and a storage unit in which the packaged printed matter is stored;
An image forming method comprising: a printed matter output notifying step of notifying the user authenticated by the personal authentication device of the identification number.

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