JP2006188014A - Image forming apparatus, transmitter, and control program for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of carrying out processing suitable for a department. <P>SOLUTION: In an MFP, when a request of forming a department change application is received (YES in S301), information of combination of a user authentication name and a department authentication name is acquired based on the department management information included in the request of forming (S303). A program for changing a UI of a printer driver of a corresponding PC such that the UI has input items of the number as the number of combinations and a program for changing the function of the driver such that the driver has a function of issuing jobs of the number as the number of combinations are produced (S305, S307), and then the programs are transmitted to the PC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control program that perform department management of equipment.

  In recent years, needs for department management of information devices have been increasing for the purpose of cost reduction and billing management, and department management can be performed in various forms. Here, department management refers to, for example, managing the usage status of information equipment for each organization to which a plurality of people belong, such as departments in a company, and charging for compensation associated with the use of information equipment. . Specifically, department management with only user authentication, department management that combines user authentication and department authentication, and the like can be mentioned.

  In the conventional department management setting flow, an administrator sets a department as an information device, notifies the client of department management information, and each client sends the received department management information to its own PC (personal computer) driver. It was to set to.

  In the field of MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) drivers that are connected to the network and are expected to be used by multiple departments and multiple users, all clients can print regardless of the department management environment of the clients. Currently, drivers with the minimum possible functions are distributed.

With regard to such a technique, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a driver distribution method in which a department code is set for a driver and the driver is distributed to a client PC.
JP 2003-6134 A

  As department management forms diversify, it is becoming difficult for existing drivers to satisfy all clients in an optimal manner. For example, in a field such as an MFP, a case is assumed in which a client who belongs to a plurality of departments and holds a plurality of department authentications wants to print one copy of each document in a different department. At this time, the user needs to repeat the operation of opening the driver a plurality of times for the number of departments, setting different departments for each department, and printing. This makes the user troublesome.

  That is, referring to FIG. 18, since the above-described driver does not take into account the department management environment of the client, each time the driver is opened, the user is prompted for a user name (eg, “Tanaka”), department name (eg, “Project A”), Then, the number of prints (for example, “1”) is input to perform printing. For this reason, when printing is performed across a plurality of departments, it is necessary to open drivers corresponding to the number and input department names.

  The department management is performed by the manager of the client or the service person who sells the equipment. The client is contacted by an administrator or the like, and performs department management setting for the driver of his / her PC.

  As the form of department management has diversified, the department management settings of drivers have become more complex. There is a problem that the administrator needs to contact the client, and the client needs to set his driver.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate processing according to a department. Yes.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus receives an input unit for inputting department management information of the apparatus and a user PC connected to the apparatus based on the input department management information. A creating unit for creating a driver or driver setting change program to be transmitted to the PC and a transmitting unit for transmitting the created driver or driver setting changing program to the PC.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes storage means for storing department management information, and the creation means determines a difference between the stored department management information and the input department management information, and creates based on the difference. To do.

  Preferably, the transmission means transmits the created driver or the driver setting change program to the PC using electronic mail.

  Preferably, the department management information includes information regarding the user, and a plurality of combinations of user authentication names and department authentication names.

  Preferably, the driver has a function of inputting a processing amount in each of a plurality of departments and a function of creating a print job based on the input processing amounts in each of the plurality of departments when performing printing. And a function of transmitting a print job to the image forming apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the transmission device includes an input unit that inputs department management information of the device, a driver that transmits to the user PC connected to the device based on the input department management information, Alternatively, a creation unit that creates a driver setting change program and a transmission unit that transmits the created driver or the driver setting change program to a PC are provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus control program inputs an input step for inputting department management information of an apparatus and a user PC connected to the apparatus based on the input department management information. The computer executes a creation step for creating a driver or driver setting change program to be transmitted and a transmission step for transmitting the created driver or driver setting change program to the PC.

  According to the present invention, based on the input department management information, a driver to be transmitted to a user PC connected to the device or a driver setting change program can be created and transmitted to the PC. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a transmission apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate processing according to a department.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to the figure, the image forming system includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 1 which is a kind of image forming apparatus, and a plurality of PCs 2a to 2c. Each device is connected to a network. Four or more PCs may be connected to the network.

  With such a configuration, the MFP 1 is shared by a plurality of users on the network. Further, department management is performed with respect to the use and billing of the MFP in the network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one configuration of the PCs 2a to 2c in FIG.

  Referring to the figure, a PC includes a CPU 201 that controls the entire apparatus, a display unit 203 that displays an operation screen, a storage unit (HDD: hard disk drive, etc.) 205 that stores data to be transmitted to MFP 1, a keyboard, and the like. And an operation unit 207 including a mouse and a network I / F unit 209 that transmits and receives data to and from the network.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 1 in FIG.

  Referring to the figure, MFP 1 includes a scanning unit 101 that reads a document, a control unit 103 that controls the entire apparatus, a network I / F unit 111 that transmits and receives data via a network, a print engine, and the like. A print output unit 113 that records an image on the provided paper, a temporary memory unit 115 that stores data, an operation panel unit 109 that accepts an operation from a user, and a print processing unit 117 that transmits print data to the print output unit 113. And a reception job (job) analysis unit 119 for analyzing the contents of the job received via the network.

  By installing a driver associated with the MFP 1 in the storage unit 205 of the PC in FIG. 2, at the time of printing, the driver converts the data into print data based on the user setting, and print command (setting information) ) To create a print job and send it to the MFP 1 via the network I / F unit 209.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the print job.

  Referring to the figure, a print job includes a print command and print data. The print command includes setting information such as an IP address, a format, the number of pages, a job name, a paper size, a paper type, and user authentication. Name, department authentication name, and number of copies.

  The print job received by the MFP 1 is sent to the reception job analysis unit 119 through the network I / F unit 111. The reception job analysis unit 119 analyzes the print job, reads the user authentication name and the department authentication name from the print command in the print job, and collates with the department management information in the temporary memory unit 115. Then, only when the collation is successful, the charging information is updated, and the print data and the print command are transferred to the print processing unit 117.

  The print processing unit 117 creates the print conversion job by converting the print data based on the print command, and transfers the print conversion job to the print output unit 113. The print output unit 113 prints the print conversion job.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of department management information (department management table).

  Referring to the figure, in the department management information, No. is registered for each registered user. For each user, an IP address, an e-mail address, an upper limit number of prints, user authentication (user account), and department authentication (department account) are recorded.

  The use of the MFP is permitted only when a combination of user authentication and department authentication recorded in the department management information of FIG. 5 is input.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of billing information.

  Referring to the figure, in the billing information, the printing unit price, the number of printed sheets, and the printing price (total) are recorded for each department.

  Assume that department management information as shown in FIG. 5 is set by the administrator through the operation panel unit 109 in the MFP. It is assumed that the administrator has notified the contents of the department management information to each user.

  When installing the MFP driver on the PC, the user inputs his / her department management information in accordance with a UI (user interface) display.

  Specifically, first, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 203 of the PC.

  Here, the number of combinations registered by the user in the driver among the combinations of user authentication and department authentication permitted to be used in advance is input. Here, it is assumed that the user inputs “5”.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an input screen for a combination of a user account and a department account.

  Referring to the figure, in accordance with the input of “5” as the number of combinations on the screen of FIG. 7, five sets of user account and department account input fields are displayed on the display unit 203 of the PC. The user inputs account combination information in each input field as shown in FIG.

  Based on the input information here, the installer changes the UI and function of the driver and sets the information.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a driver UI.

  When the user prints a document in a different department and opens the driver, a driver UI as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In this UI, combinations of five sets of user accounts and department accounts input on the screen of FIG. 8 are displayed, and a column for inputting the number of printed sheets (a kind of processing amount) is displayed in each. In this UI, the user inputs a desired number for each account. Based on user settings, the driver converts the data into print data, adds setting information to the print data, and transmits the print data to the MFP. Thereby, it is possible to perform printing in consideration of department management.

  Note that the user can add, modify, and delete combinations of user accounts and department accounts by operating the “correct / add” button at the lower right of the screen in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the driver installer.

  Referring to the figure, in step S101, the installer performs network setting based on user input. In step S103, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed, and it is determined whether the user has input the number of combinations of user accounts and department accounts.

  If “YES” in the step S103, as many user account and department account input items as the number input by the user in the step S105 are displayed (FIG. 8).

  In step S107, it is determined whether a combination of a user account and a department account has been input by the user. If YES, in step S109, the function of the driver is changed to display input items for the number of combinations input by the user on the driver UI. Also, the driver is set to display the user account and department account input by the user in the input item portion.

  In step S111, when there is a print request from a plurality of departments from the user, the function of the driver is changed so as to create the requested number of jobs (the number of departments requested to be printed). .

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the driver during printing.

  Referring to the figure, the screen of FIG. 9 is displayed in step S201, and information on the number of sheets input by the user corresponding to the user account and the department account is acquired. In step S203, “0” is substituted into a variable I indicating what number of the combination is being processed. I is a variable that starts from 0 and increases by 1.

  In step S205, it is determined whether the relationship of I <N is satisfied. Here, N is the number of combinations of user accounts and department accounts set at the time of driver installation.

  If “YES” in the step S205, since there are still combinations to be processed, the process proceeds to a step S207.

  In step S207, it is determined whether the number-of-printing-sheet information input to the I-th combination is “0”. If NO, it is not necessary to perform printing for that combination, so in step S213, 1 is added to the value of I, and the process returns to step S205.

  If YES in step S207, a print job for the account is created based on the number information, user account, and department account input in the combination. In step S211, a print job is transmitted to the MFP. Then, it progresses to step S213 and the process of the following combination is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an optimal driver based on department management information can be customized and provided for each client.

  As a result, when the client wants to print the same document in different departments, it is possible to reduce the trouble of opening the driver as many times as the number of departments, setting different departments, and performing printing.

[Modification]
Note that the priority of job processing for each account and the unit price of printing may be input in the driver UI during printing. In addition, the installer may customize such a driver.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the UI of FIG.

  In this UI, the priority of job processing and the unit price of printing can be set in correspondence with the department management information. For example, the order in which processing is preferentially performed can be determined by the user placing a number from 1 to 5 in the “priority” item of the UI of FIG. That is, processing is performed in the order of the input numbers.

  Further, the user can set a unit price different from the unit price recorded in the billing information of FIG. 6 by entering the unit price in the item “Unit Price” of the UI of FIG.

  In other words, in the present modification, the installer sets so that the UI displays items for inputting the priority and unit price for the number of combinations input in step S109 of FIG. Also, in step S111, the job is created in the order of priority inputted by the driver, and the function is changed so as to charge based on the inputted unit price.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 1 used in the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

  Referring to the figure, MFP 1 includes a scanning unit 101 that reads a document, a control unit 103 that controls the entire apparatus, a network I / F unit 111 that transmits and receives data via a network, a print engine, and the like. An application for creating an application such as a print output unit 113 for recording an image on a provided sheet, a temporary memory unit 115 for storing data, an operation panel unit 109 for accepting an operation from a user, a driver, and a function change program for the driver. A creation unit 121, a mail creation unit 123 that creates a mail with a driver or software attached, and a mail transmission unit 125 that sends the created mail to a PC.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, the driver of the client user's PC can be customized based on settings of a third party such as an administrator or a service person. By customization, the UI of the driver can be changed and the driver information can be set.

  As in the first embodiment, the MFP 1 receives the print job via the network I / F unit 111 and performs printing.

  When setting department management, an administrator or a service person inputs department management information from the operation panel unit 109. When the control unit 103 receives the department management information, it acquires and collates a department management list (see FIG. 5) already recorded in the temporary memory unit 115, and detects a change. The result is notified to the application creation unit 121.

  The application creation unit 121 creates an application (or driver itself) that changes the function of the driver of each PC to a function corresponding to the newly set department management information, and transmits the application to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 notifies the mail creation unit 123 of the address of the PC that changes the function of the application and driver.

  The mail creating unit 123 creates a notification mail with the application (or the driver itself) attached. The mail transmission unit 125 transmits the notification mail via the network I / F unit 111.

  When the user receives the notification mail in the user PC, the attached application is executed. After execution, the UI and function of the driver are changed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the application creation unit 121 of the MFP 1.

  Referring to the figure, it is determined in step S301 whether there is a request for creating a department change application (driver setting change program) from control unit 103. If YES, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, information on the combination of the user authentication name and the department authentication name is acquired from the department management information included in the request for creation. In step S305, a program for changing the UI of the driver to display the input items by the number of the combinations is created.

  In step S307, a program for changing the function of the driver is created so that the driver has a function of issuing jobs for the number of the combinations.

  In step S309, a user account and a department account are set for each input item in the driver UI.

  In step S <b> 311, the created program (an application that changes the driver function to one corresponding to the set department management information) is transmitted to the control unit 103.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the control unit 103.

  In the following description, the Temp1 file is a file for overwriting and recording the department management information changed by the user (file for recording the changed information), and the Temp2 file is a file for recording the previous department management information. (Temp3 is a file that records the IP address of the user whose department management information has been changed.)

  Referring to the figure, it is determined in step S401 whether a department management button included in operation panel unit 109 has been pressed. If YES, the temporary memory unit 115 is accessed in step S403, department management information (FIG. 5) is acquired, and stored in the Temp1 and Temp2 files.

  In step S405, the department management information newly set by the user is overwritten on the Temp1 file. In step S407, the number of data in the department management list (referred to as variable I) is acquired from the Temp1 file. In step S409, it is determined whether I is not 0. If YES, in step S421, using the IP address in Temp1 as a key, whether there is an identical IP address in Temp2, and if there is, the user authentication name and department authentication name corresponding to the IP address are Temp1 And Temp2 are the same.

  When the same IP address does not exist in Temp2 (when department management information for a new IP address is set), or when the user authentication name and department authentication name corresponding to the same IP address are different between Temp1 and Temp2. In step S423, YES is determined, and in step S425, the IP address is stored in Temp3.

  In step S427, 1 is subtracted from the value of I, and the process returns to step S409.

  If “NO” in the step S409, a stored IP address (that is, an IP address in which the department management information has been changed) is acquired from the Temp3 in a step S411. Using the IP address as a key, department management information for the IP address is acquired from the Temp1 file and transmitted to the application creation unit 121.

  In step S413, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If YES, it is determined in step S415 whether an application has been transmitted from the application creation unit 121.

  If “YES” in the step S415, an e-mail address is acquired using the IP address as a key in a step S417, and the application and the e-mail address are transmitted to the mail creating unit 123.

  In step S419, the Temp1 information is overwritten on the department management list in the temporary memory unit 115, and the process returns to step S401.

  By such processing, an application for changing the function of the driver can be sent only to the user whose department management information has been changed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of a PC that has received email from the MFP.

  Referring to the figure, it is determined in step S501 whether the application change software sent from the MFP has been executed. If “YES” in the step S501, the file for determining the UI of the driver existing in the user PC is overwritten with the changed file in a step S503.

  In step S505, the file for determining the driver function existing in the user PC is overwritten with the changed file.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an effect in the second embodiment.

  As shown in the upper part of the figure, it is assumed that the initial function of the driver is provided with a function of inputting one user name, one department name, and one print number into the UI.

  When the user inputs a user name, a department name, and the number of prints, printing is performed using the account.

  Here, the department management button of the MFP is pressed, and as the department management information, the combination of the user name “Tanaka” and the account name “Project A”, the user name “Tanaka”, and the account name “Project B” are transmitted to the PC having the driver. ”, A user name“ Tanaka ”, and an account name“ ProjectB ”are input, an application for changing the driver to correspond to those accounts is created, and the corresponding PC is created. Will be sent.

  As the application is executed, the UI of the driver is changed, and the number of prints corresponding to the newly set department management information can be input as shown in the lower part of FIG. In addition, the function of the driver is changed, and a plurality of jobs are issued so as to correspond to a plurality of accounts.

  In the above description, an application for changing the driver function is created by the MFP, and the driver function is changed by transmitting it to the PC and executing it on the PC. A driver for each PC may be created by the MFP based on the department management information and transmitted to the PC. In this case, in steps S305 and S307 in FIG. 14, the driver itself is created instead of creating a program for changing the driver, and the mail sending unit 125 in FIG. 13 sends the mail with the driver attached to the PC. Will be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the driver of the client user's PC can be customized based on the setting information of the administrator or service person. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the trouble of contacting the client for the manager and the service person in the department management setting flow. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible for the client to reduce the time and effort of setting up the driver. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce human error such as omission of communication of an administrator, an input error of information of an administrator or a client, an information typing error. In an environment where department settings are frequently changed, the effect becomes remarkable.

  A program for executing the processing of the flowchart in the above-described embodiment can be provided, or the program can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card. You may decide to provide it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In the above-described embodiment, a PC is used as an example of a device connected to the MFP. However, a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, or the like can be used as the other device. Furthermore, as the image forming apparatus, a printer, a copier, a facsimile, a complex machine thereof, or the like can be used as long as it has a printing function.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows one structure of PC2a-2c of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 1 in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the specific example of printing Job. It is a figure which shows the specific example of department management information (department management table). It is a figure which shows the specific example of charging information. It is a figure which shows the screen which inputs the number of the combinations which a user registers into a driver. It is a figure which shows the input screen of the combination of a user account and a department account. It is a figure which shows the specific example of UI of a driver. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the installer of a driver performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a driver performs at the time of printing. It is a figure which shows the modification of UI of FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP 1 used in an image forming system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a mail creation unit 121 of the MFP 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part 103 performs. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a PC that receives email from an MFP. It is a figure which shows the effect in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows UI of the conventional driver.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP, 2a-2c PC, 101 Scan part, 103 Control part, 109 Operation panel part, 111 Network I / F part, 113 Print output part, 115 Temporary memory part, 117 Print processing part, 119 Reception job analysis part, 121 Application creation unit, 123 email creation unit, 125 email transmission unit, 201 CPU, 203 display unit, 205 storage unit, 207 operation unit, 209 network I / F unit.

Claims (7)

An input means for inputting department management information of the device;
Based on the input department management information, a creation means for creating a driver to be transmitted to a user PC connected to the apparatus or a driver setting change program;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the created driver or a driver setting change program to the PC. It further comprises storage means for storing department management information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit determines a difference between the stored department management information and the input department management information and creates based on the difference.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the created driver or a driver setting change program to the PC using an electronic mail.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the department management information includes information related to a user and a plurality of combinations of a user authentication name and a department authentication name. The driver is
A function for inputting the processing amount in each of a plurality of departments when printing,
A function of creating a print job based on the input processing amount in each of the plurality of departments;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of transmitting the created print job to the image forming apparatus. An input means for inputting department management information of the device;
Based on the input department management information, a creation means for creating a driver to be transmitted to a user PC connected to the apparatus or a driver setting change program;
A transmission apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the created driver or a driver setting change program to the PC. An input step for inputting department management information of the device;
A creation step of creating a driver to be transmitted to a user PC connected to the apparatus or a driver setting change program based on the input department management information;
A control program for an image forming apparatus, which causes a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting the created driver or a driver setting change program to the PC.

Images