JP2006315256A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can allow a user conducting the outputting of an image to surely collect a sheet having the image formed thereon and can prevent the sheet from being left as it is. <P>SOLUTION: When a device controller 7 performs forming of an image according to image data received from external devices PC1, PC2 connected to a network NW, it carries out authentication processing of a user based on identification information received together with the image data. When the authentication is completed, the device controller 7 allows a CPU 80 to convert a user name of the authenticated user and job information registered in an HDD 81 corresponding to the user name to code information, and then synthesizes the produced code information to a predetermined area of the image data received from the external devices PC1, PC2. The CPU 80 transfers the image data synthesized with the code data to an image forming section 2, and allows an image processing section 8 to form an image on a paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs user authentication and restricts users when forming an image based on acquired image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a print system has been constructed in which a plurality of computers and an image forming apparatus such as a printer or multifunction peripheral are connected via a communication network, and data such as documents and graphics created by each computer is image-formed. The image is transferred to the apparatus, and an image based on the transferred data is formed on a sheet by the image forming apparatus. As a result, the image forming apparatus, which is a hardware resource, can be shared among a plurality of users in each computer.

Data handled by computers may include confidential data such as documents that contain trade secrets, and users who handle manuscripts on which images based on such confidential data are formed Sufficient care must be taken to prevent data leakage. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a copying apparatus that performs user authentication before using an image forming apparatus and restricts use only to registered users.
JP-A-7-28365

  In the printing system described above, since a plurality of computers are connected to the image forming apparatus, the computers and the image forming apparatus are often arranged apart from each other. Therefore, a user who has output an image with the image forming apparatus needs to reliably collect the paper on which the image is formed. If the user who has output the image forgets to collect the paper, the other user cannot determine which user has output the left paper, and the user who has output the image Is left as long as it is not collected, the paper on which the image is output is wasted. Further, it is difficult to prevent the left paper from being removed by another person, and there is a problem that data leakage cannot be prevented when the paper is removed by another person.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user who has output an image to reliably collect an image-formed sheet and to perform image formation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a sheet from being left unattended.

  Another object of the present invention is to notify a user who has output an image that the image-formed sheet is not collected, and to prevent the image-formed sheet from being left unattended. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image acquisition unit that acquires image data, an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a user, and a user based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. In the image forming apparatus, comprising: an authentication unit configured to perform authentication on a sheet; and an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit when the user is authenticated. A user table in which user identification information for identifying each user is registered, and when the user is authenticated, user identification information corresponding to the authenticated user identification information is read from the user table. Adding means for adding to the image data acquired by the image acquisition means, wherein the image forming means is based on the image data to which user specifying information is added by the adding means. Characterized in that have configured the image to be formed on the sheet.

  In the present invention as described above, when the image forming apparatus that acquires the identification information for identifying the user together with the image data and authenticates the user based on the acquired identification information authenticates the user, the authenticated use User specifying information for specifying each user corresponding to the identification information of the user is added to the image data, and an image is formed on the sheet. Therefore, not only the image data to be imaged but also user identification information for identifying the authorized user who is permitted to use is formed on the sheet.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention detects a user identification information from a reading unit that reads a sheet on which an image is formed based on image data to which the user identification information is added, and an image read by the reading unit. It is characterized by comprising detecting means and specifying means for specifying a user corresponding to the user specifying information detected by the detecting means using the user table.

  In the present invention as described above, a sheet on which an image based on image data to which user identification information for identifying a user is added is read, and user identification information is detected from the read image. The user corresponding to the user specifying information is specified. Therefore, the user who has output the image is specified by reading the sheet on which the user specifying information is formed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes means for notifying that the sheet is left with the user specified by the specifying means as a destination.

  In the present invention as described above, since the user identification information notifies the user specified by reading the image-formed sheet that the sheet is left unattended, the image-formed sheet is collected. It is possible to notify the user who has not.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes means for restricting use by a user specified by the specifying means.

  In the present invention as described above, by restricting the use by the user specified by reading the image-formed sheet, the user-specific information is provided to a user who has not collected the image-formed sheet. Can be notified.

  According to the present invention, not only image data acquired to form an image but also user identification information for identifying a user who has been authenticated and authorized to use is formed on the sheet. When a sheet is left unattended, other users can know which user has output the image of the unattended sheet, and the user who has output the image can view the image-formed sheet. It can be reliably recovered. Therefore, the executed image forming process and the image-formed sheet are not wasted, and removal of the image-formed sheet by another person can be prevented, so that data leakage can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, for example, when an image-formed sheet is left, it is possible to identify a user who has output an image by reading the left sheet. It is possible for other users other than the user to know whether or not the image has been output. Therefore, the user who has output the image can reliably collect the image-formed sheet, and the executed image forming process and the image-formed sheet are not wasted and can be prevented from being removed by others.

  According to the present invention, since the user specified by reading the left sheet is notified that the sheet is not collected, the user who has output the image can reliably collect the sheet on which the image is formed. It is possible to prevent the image output sheet from being left unattended.

  According to the present invention, by restricting the use by the user specified by reading the left sheet, the user is notified that the image-formed sheet is not collected, and the sheet is collected. This can prompt the user to prevent the image output sheet from being left unattended.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of an image forming unit. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a scanner unit 3 in the upper stage, an image forming unit 2 and a paper discharge unit 5 are arranged in parallel on the lower side, and a paper feeding unit 6 is arranged on the lower side. Has been.

  An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 4 that automatically conveys a sheet-like document is attached to the upper surface of the scanner unit 3 so as to be freely opened and closed. The ADF 4 takes in the original tray 40 for laminating originals for reading in a face-up state, the incoming rollers 41a for taking originals stacked on the original tray 40 one by one from the uppermost layer, and the incoming rollers 41a. Conveying rollers 41b and 41c and a conveying belt 41d for conveying a document to a predetermined reading position, and a conveying roller 41e and a discharging roller 41f for discharging the document to a discharge tray 42 after reading an image. The ADF 4 is configured to start taking in a document with a reading start instruction input from the operation panel 9 (see FIG. 3) as a trigger, and sequentially convey the document.

  The scanner unit 3 includes a document placement table 30 on which a document is placed face down. After the ADF 4 is opened and the document is placed on the document placement table 30, the ADF 4 is closed and the document placement table 30 is placed on the document placement table 30. The image is read while the original is stationary. An image reading mechanism including a CCD line sensor 31 is arranged below the document placing table 30 in order to read an image of the document set at a predetermined position on the document placing table 30. The image reading mechanism reads the image recorded on the lower surface of the document, and further includes a light source unit 32 and a mirror unit 33 that reciprocate in parallel along the lower surface of the document table 30, an imaging lens 34, and a CCD line sensor 31. Etc.

  The light source unit 32 condenses the reading illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp at an appropriate reading position of the document table 30 by the concave reflector, and the optical path of the reflected light from the document is changed to the surface of the document table 30. On the other hand, the reflection surface is changed by 90 ° with a mirror installed at 45 ° and guided to the mirror unit 33. The mirror unit 33 includes a pair of mirrors arranged so that the reflecting surfaces are orthogonal to each other in order to further change the optical path of the light whose optical path has been changed by 90 ° by the light source unit 32 by 180 °. When reading a document supplied from the ADF 4, the light source unit 32 reads an image while being held at a predetermined reading position. When reading a document set on the document table 30, the light source unit 32 is used as a document. It is configured to scan parallel to the surface of the mounting table 30.

  The light guided by the mirror unit 33 forms an image on the CCD line sensor 31 by the action of the imaging lens 34. The CCD line sensor 31 converts the inputted light into an analog electric signal corresponding to the light quantity and outputs it. The analog electric signal output from the CCD line sensor 31 is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter (not shown), and after correcting the light distribution characteristics of the light source at the time of document reading, sensitivity unevenness of the CCD line sensor 31, and the like. Is generated as image data. The generated image data is transferred to the image forming unit 2 as output data.

  The image forming unit (image forming unit) 2 performs a process for forming an image read from a document by the scanner unit 3 and a process for forming an image based on a print job from an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer connected to the outside. . The image forming unit 2 includes an electrophotographic process unit 20 centering on a photosensitive drum 200 that is rotationally driven. The electrophotographic process unit 20 scans an electrostatic image around the photosensitive drum 200 by scanning a light image on the charger 201 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 and the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 200. An optical scanning unit 22 for writing an image, a developing device 202 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image written by the optical scanning unit 22 with a developer, and an image stored and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 200 on a sheet (sheet). The transfer unit 203 for transferring, the developer remaining on the photoconductive drum 200 is removed, the cleaning unit 204 that enables a new image to be recorded on the photoconductive drum 200, and the charge on the surface of the photoconductive drum 200. A static elimination lamp unit (not shown) for removal is provided.

  The optical scanning unit 22 acts so that the semiconductor laser light source, the rotary polygon mirror 220 that reflects the laser light from the semiconductor laser light source, and the laser beam reflected by the rotary polygon mirror 220 scan the photosensitive drum 200 at a constant speed. It is constituted by a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with an fθ lens 221 and folding mirrors 222, 223 and the like. The optical scanning unit 22 irradiates laser light based on image data read from a document by the scanner unit 3 and image data based on a print job from an information processing apparatus such as an externally connected personal computer. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 200.

  In addition to the LSU, the optical scanning unit 22 includes a writing head in which light emitting elements such as EL (Electro Luminescence) and LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) are arranged in an array, A writing optical system comprising an imaging lens array can also be used. Write heads using LEDs are smaller in size than LSUs and are silent because there are no moving parts.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a paper feed cassette 21 for storing paper below (upstream side) of the electrophotographic process unit 20. The paper stored in the paper feed cassette 21 is placed near the paper transport path S. The sheets are separated and fed one by one by the provided pickup roller 21a. When the paper separated and fed from the paper feed cassette 21 is conveyed to the electrophotographic process unit 20, the paper is temporarily held by the registration roller 20a. The registration roller 20a aligns the leading edge of the developer image visualized on the photosensitive drum 200 and the leading edge of the image forming area of the paper based on a detection signal of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the electrophotographic process unit 20 in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 200 by starting the rotation at a predetermined timing.

  In addition, a paper feed unit 6 that is an external paper supply device is installed below the image forming unit 2, and the paper feed unit 6 contains paper feed cassettes 61 and 62 for storing a plurality of types of paper. Is provided. In the paper feed unit 6, as described above, the paper stored in the paper feed cassettes 61 and 62 is separated and fed one by one by the pickup rollers 61a and 62a provided in the paper feed cassettes 61 and 62, respectively. The sheet is conveyed to the electrophotographic process unit 20 through S. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the paper feed unit 6 includes two paper feed cassettes 61 and 62 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to two. Further, the replenishment of paper to the paper feed cassettes 21, 61, 62 can be performed by pulling out the paper feed cassettes 21, 61, 62 to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The sheet conveyed to the electrophotographic process unit 20 is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 200, and a developer image recorded and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 200 is transferred by the transfer unit 203. The sheet on which the developer image has been transferred by the transfer unit 203 is conveyed to a fixing unit 23 installed on the downstream side of the electrophotographic process unit 20. The fixing unit 23 includes a heating roller 230 and a pressure roller 231. The sheet onto which the developer image is transferred is rotated between the two rollers, and the developer image is placed on the sheet by the heat of the heating roller 230. Fix by heating.

  The sheet on which the developer image is heat-fixed by the fixing unit 23 is discharged to any one of several discharge trays provided in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the conveyance roller 55 and the switching gate 56 are controlled so that the paper to be discharged is guided to the paper discharge tray 54, so that the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 54 through the paper discharge roller 54a in a face-down state. Is done. On the other hand, when paper is discharged to the paper discharge trays 51, 52, and 53 mounted on the paper discharge unit 5, the switching gate 56 is switched and the paper is guided to the paper discharge unit 5 by the transport roller 57, thereby the paper discharge tray 51. , 52, 53.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a process control unit (PCU) substrate for controlling the electrophotographic process 20 in an upper and lower space portion of the optical scanning unit 22 and an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to acquire image data from the outside. An image provided with an image control unit (ICU) substrate for performing predetermined image processing on the image data acquired by the printer control unit 24 that accommodates a substrate and the like and the interface substrate, and causing the optical scanning unit 22 to scan and record the image. The control unit 25 includes a power supply unit 26 that supplies electric power to these various substrates and each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a scanner unit 3, an image forming unit 2, a device control unit 7, an image processing unit 8, an operation panel 9, a communication unit 10 serving as an interface for communicating with the outside, and the like. As an element.

  The image processing unit 8 includes a CPU 80, a HDD 81, an SDRAM 82, a PROM (program ROM) 83, a DRAM 84, and the like that have a clock and execute various arithmetic processes, and are connected to each other via a bus 8a. Yes. The bus 8 a includes a CCD line sensor (denoted as CCD in FIG. 3) 31 of the scanner unit 3, an electrophotographic process unit (denoted as LSU in FIG. 3) 20 composed of LSU of the image forming unit 2, and a communication unit 10. A NIC 10a and a FAX modem 10b are further connected.

  The image processing unit 8 is connected to the device control unit 7, and the CPU 80 sequentially executes control programs stored in advance in the PROM 83 in accordance with control from the device control unit 7. In the PROM 83, a control program for controlling each part of the hardware included in the image forming apparatus 1, data necessary for control, a table, and the like are stored in advance. In the SDRAM 82, DRAM 84, and HDD 81, various data generated when the CPU 80 executes a control program to control each part of the hardware, setting information set on the operation panel 9, and each component of the image forming apparatus 1. Setting information related to the operation and various data input from the outside are temporarily stored.

  The HDD 81 receives image data that is input from the scanner unit 3 or the communication unit 10 and is to be image-formed by the image forming unit 2, image data that is to be transmitted to the outside by facsimile communication or data communication via the communication unit 10, and the like. Remember. The image data stored in the HDD 81 is read to the image forming unit 2 at a timing according to the control of the CPU 80 and sent to the optical scanning unit 22 of the image forming unit 2. The image processing unit 8 configured as described above controls input of image data from the scanner unit 3 and input control of image data from the outside via the communication unit 10 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 7. Data input / output control to the HDD 81, output control of image data to the image forming unit 2 or the communication unit 10, and the like are performed.

  The operation panel 9 includes an input unit 9a that receives an operation instruction from the user and a display unit 9b that displays information to be notified to the user. The input unit 9a includes various hardware keys, and accepts a function switching operation, setting value input in each function, a process execution start instruction, and the like. The display unit 9b includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation status of the image forming apparatus 1, various setting values input through the input unit 9a, and the like. Further, a touch panel type software key may be arranged in a part of the display unit 9b to accept a selection operation by the user.

  The scanner unit 3 is connected to the image processing unit 8, reads an image of a document by an optical image reading mechanism, and sequentially transfers the read image data to the image processing unit 8. The CPU 80 of the image processing unit 8 stores the image data transferred from the scanner unit 3 in, for example, the HDD 81 in units of pages (in units of one original document), and then transfers the image data to the image forming unit 2 under the control of the device control unit 7. To do. The number of pages (number of pages) read by the scanner unit 3 is stored in the SDRAM 82, for example.

  The communication unit 10 includes a NIC 10a for connecting to a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) as a communication line, and a FAX modem 10b for connecting to a public switched telephone network PSTN. The NIC (image acquisition means) 10a performs data communication with external devices PC1 and PC2 such as personal computers connected via the network NW according to control by the device control unit 7, and transmits and receives image data, for example. . Further, the FAX modem 10b performs facsimile communication with an external facsimile apparatus connected via the public switched telephone network PSTN according to control by the device control unit 7.

  The image forming unit 2 receives the image data acquired by the scanner unit 3, the image data developed from the print data received via the NIC 10a, the image data received via the FAX modem 10b, and the like via the image processing unit 8. Acquire and form an image based on the acquired image data on a sheet.

  The device control unit 7 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily holds data generated during the operation of the CPU, and the like. The CPU of the device control unit 7 controls operations of the image forming unit 2, the image processing unit 8, the operation panel 9, the communication unit 10, and the like by loading a control program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it. . The device control unit 7 controls the hardware units according to instructions or information input by the user by operating the keys of the input unit 9a of the operation panel 9 so that the entire apparatus functions as the image forming apparatus of the present invention. At the same time, information related to the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and information to be notified to the user are displayed on the display unit 9b.

  The operation of each part of the hardware when the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration is used as a copying machine, a printer, a network scanner, and a facsimile machine will be described below. First, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine, the device control unit 7 performs predetermined processing on the image data sequentially read from the original by the scanner unit 3 by the image processing unit 8 and then transfers the image data to the image forming unit 2. Then, the printing process is performed based on information such as density and paper size set in advance by operating the operation panel 9.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, the device control unit 7 uses the image processing unit 8 to convert the image data received from the external devices PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW via the NIC 10a of the communication unit 10. After performing predetermined processing, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit 2 and printing processing is performed based on information such as density and paper size set in advance.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network scanner, the device control unit 7 performs predetermined processing on the image data sequentially read from the original by the scanner unit 3 by the image processing unit 8 and then sends it to the NIC 10 a of the communication unit 10. Then, after establishing communication with the transmission destination set in advance by operating the operation panel 9 via the network NW, transmission is performed to the transmission destination. When the image data read by the scanner unit 3 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted via the network NW, the device control unit 7 adds the header information of the e-mail to the image data read from the original by the image processing unit 8. After the addition, the data is transferred to the communication unit 10.

  Further, when performing facsimile transmission using the image forming apparatus 1 as a facsimile apparatus, the device control unit 7 reads image data read from a document by the scanner unit 3 or image data received from the external devices PC1 and PC2 via the NIC 10a. After the image processing unit 8 performs predetermined processing, the image data is transferred to the FAX modem 10b of the communication unit 10, and is transmitted via the public telephone exchange network PSTN with a destination facsimile apparatus set in advance by operating the operation panel 9. After establishing the connection, it transmits to the destination.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs facsimile reception, the image processing unit 8 performs predetermined processing on image data received from an external facsimile apparatus connected to the public switched telephone network PSTN via the FAX modem 10b. The image is transferred to the image forming unit 2 and printing processing is performed based on information such as preset density and paper size.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used only by a user who is permitted in advance when performing image forming processing based on image data received from the external apparatuses PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW. Restricted to allow. Specifically, in the HDD 81 of the image processing unit 8, for each user who is permitted to use the image forming apparatus 1, a user name, an IP address assigned to the external apparatuses PC 1 and PC 2 to be used, and an e-mail address. A user table as shown in FIG. 4A is stored.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives image data from the external apparatuses PC1 and PC2 via the network NW, the user name and the IP address are used as identification information for identifying each user. To get through. When the image forming apparatus 1 acquires image data, a user name, and an IP address via the NIC 10a, the CPU 80 of the image processing unit 8 acquires the acquired user name and IP address of the HDD 81 according to the control by the device control unit 7. The user is authenticated based on whether or not it is already registered in the user table.

  When the acquired user name and IP address are registered in the user table, the CPU 80 transfers the image data received from the external devices PC1 and PC2 to the image forming unit 2, assuming that the user can be authenticated, An image forming process is performed by the image forming unit 2. If the user name and IP address acquired via the NIC 10a are not registered in the user table, the CPU 80 determines that the user cannot be authenticated and addresses the external devices PC1 and PC2 indicated by the acquired IP address. , Notify that usage is not permitted.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs a user name, an e-mail address, and job information for each job when performing an image forming process (job) based on image data received from the external apparatuses PC1 and PC2. Are registered in the job table as shown in FIG. Specifically, when the CPU 80 authenticates the user based on the user name and IP address acquired via the NIC 10a and performs image forming processing by the image forming unit 2, the CPU 80 stores new job information in the job table. Register with. Note that the job information includes the number of pages of image data to be processed, the time at which the image data to be processed was received or the time at which the job was executed, the device ID of the image forming apparatus 1 that executes the job, and the like. It is.

  Further, the PROM 83 of the present embodiment stores a control program for causing the CPU 80 to execute processing for encoding various data into code information such as a barcode. When the user is authenticated by the CPU 80 and the image forming process is performed by the image forming unit 2, the CPU 80 reads each information registered in the job table, converts it into code information, and converts the generated code information to the external device PC1. , Operates as an adding means for combining (adding) the image data received from the PC 2 to a predetermined location. Thereafter, the CPU 80 transfers the image data obtained by combining the code information to the image forming unit 2, and the image forming process by the image processing unit 2 is performed.

  For example, user information and job information in the information registered in the job table may be used as each piece of information (user specifying information) converted into code information to be added to the image data. Further, the information is not limited to such information, but only the user name, only the e-mail address, the user name and e-mail address, each of these information, job information, etc. may be used. Any information that can be specified is acceptable.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image formed on a sheet based on code information. The CPU 80 may convert each information registered in the job table into a one-dimensional barcode as shown in FIG. 5A, or a two-dimensional barcode (QR code) as shown in FIG. Or may be converted into an ID code using numbers as shown in FIG. In this way, by converting each information registered in the job table into code information and adding it to the image data to be processed, not only the image data to be processed but also the user who has instructed the execution of the processing of the image data. User specifying information for specifying can also form an image on a sheet.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which synthesize | combines code information with image data by a watermark using a watermark technique. In this case, since the code information added to the image data does not affect the image data, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality. Furthermore, the user name and e-mail address registered in the job table may be combined with the image data without being converted into code information. In this case, it is possible to intuitively determine which user has output the image using the sheet on which the image is formed.

  As described above, when a sheet on which an image based on image data to which code information corresponding to each user is added is left on the discharge trays 51, 52, 53, 54 of the image forming apparatus 1, Each user causes the scanner unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 to read a sheet left unattended.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the scanner unit (reading unit) 3 reads a sheet on which an image based on the image data in which the above-described code information is added at a predetermined position is read, the CPU 80 of the image processing unit 8. The code information is extracted from the acquired image data. The PROM 83 of the image processing unit 8 stores a control program for causing the CPU 80 to execute processing for decoding the code information into various types of information. The CPU 80 extracts from the image data acquired by the scanner unit 3. It operates as detection means for decoding the code information and detecting the user identification information.

  Next, the CPU 80 compares the detected user identification information with the registration information in the job table of the HDD 81, so that the job based on the image data to which the detected user identification information is added is executed by the image forming apparatus 1. It operates as a specifying means for specifying the user who has output the left paper. In addition, when the CPU 80 can confirm that the left sheet is an image output by the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 80 can execute the job based on the time indicated by its own clock and the processing time indicated by the job information. Calculate the elapsed time since execution.

  Here, the HDD 81 of the image processing unit 8 has a neglect level table as shown in FIG. 6A in which neglect levels are registered in association with the number of sheets to be neglected and the neglect time (elapsed time). It is remembered. In accordance with this, the CPU 80 that has calculated the elapsed time specifies the leaving level for the paper that has been left based on the number of pages indicated by the job information and the calculated elapsed time. Then, the CPU 80 executes a predetermined process for the user who has output the left paper as an image according to the specified leaving level.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the leaving level is set to six levels of level 0 to level 5 in the present embodiment, and the CPU 80 does nothing for the sheet having the leaving level of 0. Absent. For sheets with a neglect level of 1, the CPU 80 sends an e-mail (notice mail) notifying that the image-formed sheet is left to the corresponding user. Further, for a sheet with a leaving level of 2, the CPU 80 sends an e-mail (warning mail) warning that the sheet on which the image is formed is left and is promptly collected to the corresponding user. .

  For paper with a leaving level of 3, the CPU 80 sets the next job from the corresponding user to be postponed, and the paper on which the image is formed is left unattended, and postponing the next job is set. An e-mail (notification e-mail) notifying the user is sent to the corresponding user. The CPU 80 is set so as to prohibit the color printing by the corresponding user for the paper whose leaving level is 4, and the paper on which the image is formed is left and the color printing is prohibited. An e-mail (notification e-mail) notifying that is sent to the corresponding user. The CPU 80 is set so as to prohibit the printing process by the corresponding user for the sheet having the neglected level 5, and the sheet on which the image is formed is left and the prohibition of the printing process is set. An e-mail (notification e-mail) notifying that is sent to the corresponding user.

  Note that the contents of the notice mail, the warning mail, and the notification mail are stored in advance in the PROM 83, and the CPU 80 reads the contents of each mail from the PROM 83 and transmits them to the corresponding user's e-mail address. , Each content can be notified. Further, the CPU 80 registers the setting contents in, for example, the user table of the HDD 81 and sets the image data via the network NW when performing post-setting of the job, setting of prohibition of color printing, and prohibition of printing processing. At the time of the authentication process when received, along with user authentication, the job is postponed for each user to determine whether color printing prohibition or print processing prohibition is set.

  Furthermore, when the prohibition of color printing and the prohibition of printing processing are set after the job, each user collects the left paper according to the notification mail, and then appropriately operates the operation panel 9. As a result, the CPU 80 can delete each setting content registered in the user table of the HDD 81 and cancel each setting under the control of the device control unit 7.

  Hereinafter, an image forming process based on image data received from the external apparatuses PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW by the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. Note that the following processing is executed by the device control unit 7 controlling each hardware unit as described above according to a control program stored in the ROM built in the device control unit 7.

  When the device control unit 7 receives an instruction to execute an image forming process via the network NW, whether or not the user name and IP address received together with the image data to be processed are already registered in the user table of the HDD 81. Based on the above, the user is authenticated (S1). When the device control unit 7 cannot authenticate the user (S2: NO), that is, when the user name and IP address received from the outside are not registered in the user table, the IP address received by the CPU 80 is displayed. Is notified to the external device indicated by that the use is not permitted (S3).

  When the device control unit 7 can authenticate the user (S2: YES), the device control unit 7 reads an e-mail address corresponding to the received user name from the user table, and the image to be executed together with the user name and the e-mail address. Job information indicating the forming process is registered in the job table of the HDD 81 (S4). Next, the device control unit 7 uses the CPU 80 to convert the user name and job information (user specifying information) registered in the job table into code information such as a one-dimensional barcode (S5), and the generated code Information is added to the image data to be processed (S6).

  Further, the device control unit 7 causes the CPU 80 to transfer the image data to which the code information is added to the image forming unit 2, and causes the image processing unit 2 to execute the image forming process (S7). Thereby, for example, a sheet on which an image based on code information as shown in FIG. 5A is formed can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, a reading process of a sheet on which an image based on the image data to which the code information as described above is added will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the reading process by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. Note that the following processing is executed by the device control unit 7 controlling each hardware unit as described above according to a control program stored in the ROM built in the device control unit 7.

  Each user of the image forming apparatus 1 causes the scanner unit 3 to read the left sheet when the sheet is left on the discharge trays 51, 52, 53, 54. For example, when the device controller 7 reads a sheet placed on the document table 30 by the scanner unit 3 (S11), the CPU 80 of the image processor 8 extracts code information from the acquired image data (S12). . The device control unit 7 converts the code information extracted from the image data into user identification information by the CPU 80 (S13), and the job is executed based on the time indicated by the clock of the CPU 80 and the processing time indicated by the job information. The elapsed time since then is calculated (S14).

  Next, the device control unit 7 uses the CPU 80 to specify the abandonment level for the sheet read by the scanner unit 3 based on the content of the abandonment level table based on the number of output sheets indicated by the job information and the calculated elapsed time (S15). . The device control unit 7 determines whether or not the specified neglect level is 0 (S16), and if it is determined that it is 0 (S16: YES), the above-described processing is terminated without performing anything. .

  If the device controller 7 determines that the specified neglect level is not 0 (S16: NO), the device controller 7 determines whether the identified neglect level is 1 (S17) or if it is 1 (S17). : YES), the CPU 80 creates a notice mail notifying that the image-formed paper is left unattended, and sends it to the e-mail address indicated by the job information (S18), and the process is terminated.

  When it is determined that the specified neglect level is not 1 (S17: NO), the device control unit 7 determines whether the identified neglect level is 2 (S19), or when it is determined to be 2 (S19). : YES), the CPU 80 creates a warning e-mail warning that the sheet on which the image is formed is left and collects it immediately, and sends it to the e-mail address indicated by the job information (S20), and ends the process. To do.

  When the device controller 7 determines that the specified leaving level is not 2 (S19: NO), the device controller 7 determines whether or not the specified leaving level is 3 (S21), and determines that it is 3 (S21). : YES), the CPU 80 sets the next job from the user indicated by the job information to be postponed (S22) and notifies that the image-formed paper has been left and the postponement of the next job has been set. A notification mail to be created is created and transmitted to the e-mail address indicated by the job information (S23), and the process is terminated.

  If the device control unit 7 determines that the specified neglect level is not 3 (S21: NO), the device control unit 7 determines whether the identified neglect level is 4 (S24), or if it is 4 (S24: YES), the CPU 80 is set to prohibit the color printing by the user indicated by the job information (S25), and the fact that the paper on which the image is formed is left and the color printing is prohibited is set. A notification mail to be notified is created and transmitted to the e-mail address indicated by the job information (S26), and the process ends.

  Further, when the device control unit 7 determines that the specified leaving level is not 4 (S24: NO), that is, when the specified leaving level is 5, the CPU 80 prohibits the printing process by the user indicated by the job information. (S27), a notification mail is generated to notify that the sheet on which the image is formed is left and the prohibition of the printing process is set, and is sent to the e-mail address indicated by the job information. (S28), the process ends.

  As described above, when image data is formed on a sheet by adding code information corresponding to each user to image data received from the outside via the network NW, the image-formed sheet is left unattended. By allowing the image forming apparatus 1 to read the left paper, it is possible to know which user has output the image, and the user who has output the image reliably collects the paper on which the image has been formed. can do. As a result, the executed image forming process and the paper on which the image has been formed are not wasted, and removal of the left paper by another person can be prevented, and data leakage can be prevented.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment has been described with respect to the configuration that restricts users when performing image forming processing based on image data received from the external apparatuses PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW. The user may also be restricted when performing image forming processing based on image data read from the document. In this case, an image based on the user specifying information for specifying the user may be formed on the sheet.

  In the above-described embodiment, each piece of information (user specifying information) registered in the job table is converted into code information and added to the image data to be processed, and the image data to which the code information is added. The configuration has been described in which the sheet on which the image based on the above is formed is read by the scanner unit 3 to identify the user who has output the sheet. However, when the user identification information is converted into an ID code using numbers, for example, and added to the image data, the user can input the ID code formed on the sheet from the operation panel 9 of the image forming apparatus 1. It can also be configured to specify the user who has output the paper by inputting.

  Also, the image forming apparatus 1 inputs from the operation panel 9 a mode for identifying the user who has output the paper by reading the left paper with the scanner unit 3 and the ID code formed on the left paper. By doing so, it is possible to switch between modes for specifying the user.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of an image formation part. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a user table, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a job table. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image formed on a sheet based on code information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an abandonment level table. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reading processing by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reading processing by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming part (image forming means)
3 Scanner section (reading means)
8 Image processing unit 80 CPU (addition means, detection means, identification means)
10 communication unit 10a NIC (image acquisition means, identification information acquisition means)

Claims (4)

Image acquisition means for acquiring image data, identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a user, means for authenticating a user based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and a user In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data acquired by the image acquiring unit when
A user table in which user identification information for identifying each user in association with the identification information is registered;
When the user is authenticated, the user specifying information corresponding to the authenticated user identification information is read from the user table and added to the image data acquired by the image acquisition means, and adding means,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit is configured to form an image on a sheet based on the image data to which the user specifying information is added by the adding unit. Reading means for reading a sheet on which an image based on the image data to which the user specifying information is added is formed;
Detecting means for detecting the user specifying information from an image read by the reading means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a user corresponding to the user specifying information detected by the detecting unit using the user table.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for notifying that the user has been left as a destination specified by the specifying means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for restricting use by a user specified by the specifying means.

Images