JP2007076130A - Image forming method, image forming device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a use-limiting function for authorizing only a proper person to use an output medium, in an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: Management information for managing a document data body including information which can control a sheet to be a use-limited sheet or not is preliminarily formed on a sheet which needs to be limited in use, using character information, a bar code, ID information, an information embedding technology and a radio tag. A print control unit 300 reads the management information to decide whether the output medium requested for use needs to be prohibited for use or not, and controls the image forming processing of the image to be outputted to the output medium based on the decided result. A usability deciding section 306, for instance, upon deciding the sheet to be the use-limiting sheet, stops the image forming processing for forming the print data to be an output of a page in the output job on the use-limiting sheet, and allows the sheet to be discharged as it is without any printing thereupon. A notification section 308 informs a user of the fact. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming technique for forming an image on a predetermined output medium (recording medium) such as a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction machine having the functions thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique that makes it possible to print other image information on an output medium on which predetermined information is already printed.

  For example, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer device, a facsimile device, or a multifunction device having these functions, as an output medium such as printing paper, such as printing on paper on which a fixed form is described or used paper once used Various things can be used.

  For example, in an image forming apparatus, it is impossible to avoid a mis-image due to image disturbance or a user error caused by a machine, and paper is wasted. For this reason, various mechanisms for effectively using paper resources have been proposed. As a typical example, the back side of used paper is often used.

  However, when a confidential document on which confidential information is printed or a discarded document that should have been cut out is reused as a used paper, for example, the confidential document itself is used as an information output medium. An erroneous operation such as printing some information may occur. As a result, information leakage can be a problem.

  On the other hand, various document management techniques suitable for handling public documents and confidential documents have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-310668 JP 05-324438 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-015899 JP 2002-245075 A JP 2003-062476 A JP 2003-196429 A

  For example, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, an unnecessary document is determined by registering a document body and a document discard date, comparing the document discard date with an unnecessary document search date, and determining the determined unnecessary document. I try to delete it. This eliminates the need for complicated manual management of documents, eliminates the possibility of accidentally discarding necessary documents, or increases the use efficiency of the storage device because only necessary documents remain. can get.

  Further, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 2, a link information table that represents a replication relationship between a new document created by duplication and a document that is the source of duplication is stored in a database. When replication history display is specified together with the specification of the document to be searched, the link information table is searched and all the documents linked to the specified document and information indicating the link relationship between those documents are read and displayed. Processing to display on the screen. As a result, since the duplicate document group created by changing a part of the original document or the contents of the duplicate document has been changed, it is possible to easily know the document group whose contents need to be changed accordingly. As a result, it will be possible to support document disposal decisions.

  In the mechanism described in Patent Document 3, a server for storing and retrieving documents is prepared. Then, the server receives a document search request from the client, displays the document name that meets the conditions on the display unit of the client, and if the document is a corresponding document, acquires the document form stored in the common document information management table. . If the document form is a paper document, the management information unique to the paper document such as the storage location, inquiry destination, and lending information stored in the paper document information management table is retrieved and displayed on the display unit of the client. In this case, the corresponding electronic document itself is displayed on the display unit of the client. Also, the scheduled disposal date is held in the common document information management table, and the document is discarded based on this date. Thereby, a user can obtain a necessary document immediately without being aware of the document form. In addition, the burden on the document manager can be reduced and unnecessary documents stored in large quantities can be easily discarded.

  Further, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 4, a paper document to be discarded is captured, the image of the captured paper document is read, the printed characters and the drawing image of the paper document that has been read are set to an unreadable state, and unreadable The paper document in the state is stored in the storage means, and the read image is transmitted via the communication medium. In other words, a document discard device that scans a discarded document and makes the image invisible after scanning is prepared. . And it connects with a filing apparatus via a document disposal apparatus and a communication medium. Thereby, the troublesomeness of image reading can be solved.

  In the mechanism described in Patent Document 5, the document description information is transferred to the confidential document management system and stored in a predetermined storage area before the document is cut by the shredder. Thereafter, when a transmission request for document description information is received, the document description information read from the storage area is transferred to the confidential document browsing terminal based on the transmission request. With such a mechanism, the document can be safely stored without being leaked by discarding the document, so that a high security management level can be maintained and the space required for storing the confidential document can be reduced.

  Further, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 6, the document information can be selected and browsed, the discard can be reserved by selecting a folder having a long lifetime, or the transfer to the saved information can be prohibited by specifying the regular folder. Build a database server. Since the folder information includes information on the year of occurrence and storage period, the target folder can be automatically extracted in the discarding process or takeover process, and by changing the storage folder information of the document data at the time of discarding or taking over It can also be excluded. As a result, the official document is digitized, and further processing such as takeover and disposal can be performed easily and in a manner convenient for the user.

  However, although the mechanisms described in Patent Documents 1 to 6 can manage the confidential document not to be copied or scanned, the confidential document itself is used as an information output medium, and some information is printed thereon. Management of misoperation is not possible.

  In addition, in the case of a sheet on which a fixed form is described, a form sheet that can be used may be determined for each department. In this case, it is necessary to realize a use restriction function that allows only appropriate department members to use these form sheets.

  However, none of the mechanisms described in Patent Documents 1 to 6 can realize a use restriction function that allows only an appropriate person to use the output medium.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows prohibiting the use of paper that should be prohibited from being used among output media to be used.

  In the image forming technology according to the present invention, use of an output medium that satisfies a predetermined condition is prohibited from being used. Specifically, for an output medium for which use is requested, it is determined whether use prohibition of the output medium is required, and based on the determination result, an image to be output to the output medium is determined. The formation process was controlled.

  Here, a typical example of what satisfies the predetermined condition to be prohibited from use is a case where confidential information is printed when the back side of the used paper is reused. Of course, it is not limited to the case where the back side of the used paper is reused, and it is sufficient if it is necessary to place a use restriction that only an appropriate person is allowed to use the output medium.

  The inventions described in the dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the image forming technique according to the present invention. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is suitable for realizing the image forming technique according to the present invention by software using an electronic computer (computer). Note that the program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be provided by distribution via wired or wireless communication means.

  For example, when the image forming process is stopped, it is better to notify the user to that effect. The user who has received this notification can complete the entire output job by issuing an output instruction for the page again as necessary.

  In addition, when the image forming process is stopped, nothing is output (printed) to the use restricted medium in the conveyance process in order to prevent the output medium in the conveyance process from remaining in the apparatus. It is better to discharge directly.

  Also, at this time, it is discharged into a storage unit for restricted-use medium instead of a normal storage unit such as a discharge tray from which a medium on which image formation processing has been normally performed is discharged, or cut to a disposal processing device. It is good.

  Further, on the surface side where the predetermined information is recorded, unreadable information that does not make sense even if read by a human or a machine is recorded as additional information, or the surface side where the predetermined information is recorded or It is preferable to record readable information that prompts disposal on the back side.

  In addition, with respect to a page for which the image forming process is canceled because it hits the restricted use medium, the next output medium is automatically conveyed so that the image forming process for the canceled page is performed on the usable output medium. It is good to make it.

  According to the present invention, for an output medium that has been requested to be used, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to prohibit the use of the output medium, and based on the determination result, the output processing target image is transferred to the output medium. Since the image forming process is controlled, it is possible to realize a use restriction function that allows only an appropriate person to use the output medium.

  As a result, for example, when important information is written on the front side when the back side of used paper is used as the print side, the use of that paper is prohibited to prevent information leakage. Can do. Alternatively, when form papers that can be used are determined for each department, use of those form papers can be permitted only to appropriate department members.

  In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to limit the users who can use the output medium, and as an additional effect, it is possible to prevent a user from handling a confidential document or a discarded document by mistake. is there. In the output medium that is about to be used, there are things related to personal information such as telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, and other important information, and it is not desirable to allow unlimited viewing. If the used paper is used, the use of the paper can be prohibited for an inappropriate user.

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

<Configuration of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming system 1 includes an image input terminal 3 and an image output terminal 7.

  The image input terminal 3 creates a digital document (hereinafter simply referred to as a document) DOC and performs processing such as editing. For example, a personal computer 3a, a color scanner 3b, a digital camera 3c, or a hard disk device or magneto-optical disk It can include any number of image input sources, such as a data storage device 3d, such as a device or an optical disk device, or a fax device 3e.

  Each of the image input terminals 3 incorporates an application program for creating a document DOC. For example, electronic data representing the document DOC prepared on the image input terminal 3 side is described in an image format (for example, JPEG, BMP, PNG, etc.) that can be processed by the image output terminal 7.

  Further, for example, a document file created by the personal computer 3a is printed in a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) in which enlargement, rotation, deformation, etc. of figures, characters, etc. can be freely controlled in order to be printed out by a printer, for example. It is sent to the image output terminal 7 as the described data. The image output terminal 7 that has received the PDL data renders the image data for each output unit (for each page) before printing, and then outputs the raster data to the image output unit (printer engine unit).

  The image output terminal 7 is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. For example, the image output terminal 7 is a so-called multi-function machine having a copying function, a page printer function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function, and is configured as a digital printing apparatus. ing.

  The image output terminal 7 is roughly a controller having an image reading unit 10 for reading a document, an image processing function for performing desired image processing on input image data, and a control function for controlling the operation of the entire terminal. Based on image data from the unit 20 and the controller unit 20, an image output unit 30 that forms and outputs a visible image on a predetermined output medium, and output from either the built-in paper feed tray 82 or the manual feed tray 83 A paper feed unit 80 that conveys printing paper as a medium to the image output unit 30 is provided. The output medium is not limited to paper but may be any medium that can print out information, and includes, for example, OHP films.

  The controller unit 20 is provided on a processing substrate 39 disposed at a boundary portion between the image reading unit 10 and the image output unit 30. Each of the paper feed trays 82 may be configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body during normal use (for example, except during maintenance), or may be detachable. Good.

  Examples of the built-in paper feed tray 82 include A4, B4, and A3 sizes, used paper (reused paper; back paper), colored paper, and the like (A4 (normal paper) 82a and B4 (normal paper) in the figure). 82b, A4 (used paper) 82c three-stage configuration), a plurality of stages are arranged. Each paper feed tray 82 is not fixedly used as a used output medium or an unused output medium, but is used in an image input terminal such as the operation panel unit 15a of the image output terminal 7 or a personal computer. It is possible to freely set the purpose of use of the paper type (here, whether it is a used output medium) by software setting via a user interface such as an operation menu screen (for example, by a printer driver). It can be done.

  For example, in the figure, the paper feed tray 82c is set as used paper (A4), but immediately from the tray setting menu screen (see FIG. 2B described later) of the operation panel unit 15a, the paper feed tray 82b is immediately set. Can be set as a tray for used paper. A plurality of paper feed trays (for example, 82b and 82c) can be set for used paper.

  Each built-in paper feed tray 82 has a print paper size detection unit 88 for detecting the size of the print paper as an output medium. The print paper size detector 88 optically detects the leading edge of the print paper, for example, at a position corresponding to the size of the print paper to obtain a size detection signal, and sends the size detection signal to the controller unit 20.

  The image output terminal 7 can be connected to an external device via a connection cable or a network. For example, the connection cable 90 is a personal computer using a CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) type LAN (Local Area Network; for example, IEEE802.3) or a gigabit based LAN (hereinafter collectively referred to as a wired LAN 8). It is connected to an image input terminal 3 such as 3a. The wired LAN 8 can be a wireless LAN.

  Alternatively, it is connected to an image input terminal 3 such as a FAX apparatus 3 e via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 9. Instead of the general subscriber telephone network (PSTN) 9, facsimile may be exchanged using ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network) or other communication media including the Internet.

  The image output terminal 7 can be connected to, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394 standard device 3f or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 standard device 3g. Thus, digital image data can be received from these devices 3f and 3g. Alternatively, the image output terminal 7 can be controlled remotely via these devices 3f and 3g.

  With such a configuration, as described above, the image output terminal 7 is not limited to the print function of the image read by the image reading unit 10, that is, the copy function, but from the image input terminal 3 such as a personal computer via the connection cable 90. A so-called print function for printing an image based on acquired document data or an image file, or a function for printing out based on FAX data or other image data acquired via a telephone line or other communication interface is also provided. Become.

  The image reading apparatus 10 also has a platen cover function, and has a document feeder (ADF (automatic document conveying) apparatus) 12 having no circulation function for conveying and discharging a document to a reading position on a reading table (platen glass) (not shown). A user interface unit 15 having an operation panel unit 15a for displaying guidance information for using the device, predetermined information processing results, management information, and the like, and an operation key unit 15b for receiving various instruction inputs from the operator to the device; have. An ID card insertion slot 17 for performing user authentication is provided below the operation panel 15a and on the front side of the apparatus. It should be noted that a user interface device 16 having a large user interface or a maintenance screen used in place of or together with the operation panel unit 15a and the operation key unit 15b may be provided.

  The image reading unit 10 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, an image on a document is read by irradiating light to the document sent to the reading position by using a full width array of CCD solid-state imaging devices. The red, green and blue analog video signals representing the read image are converted into digital signals and sent to the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  When the reading is completed in this way, the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20 performs black (K), yellow (based on the red, green, and blue image data R, G, and B from the image reading unit 10. Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on / off binarized toner signals are obtained, and the respective toner signals are output to the image output unit 30.

  The image output unit 30 includes an image forming unit 32, a double-sided copying unit 34, a paper discharge unit 36 having a plurality of paper discharge trays 36a from which normal transport paper (recorded paper) is discharged, and use restriction setting ( For example, the use-restricted paper storage unit 37 as a dedicated paper storage unit for storing the transport paper that has been set to prohibit use) separately from the paper discharge tray 36a from which normal transport paper is discharged, and the paper is cut. It includes a waste processing device 38 such as a shredder and one or a plurality of processing substrates 39 (illustrated by a plurality in the figure). It is an example of the use restriction sheet storage unit 37 and the use restriction medium storage unit. The restricted use paper storage unit 37 and the disposal processing device 38 are configured integrally with the paper discharge unit 36.

  In this example, the use-restricted paper storage unit 37 and the disposal processing device 38 are configured integrally with the paper discharge unit 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By providing a conveyance path between them, an interlocked movement may be made as if they were integrated. In any case, it is only necessary to realize a discharge process operation that is distinguished from a normal discharge process (discharge process) for discharging a normal sheet to the discharge tray 36a.

  The image forming unit 32 converts the image represented by the image signal obtained by the image reading apparatus 10 into an electrophotographic type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an ink jet type, or a similar conventional image forming process, A visible image is formed (printed), that is, copied on plain paper or thermal paper. For this reason, the image forming unit 32 includes, for example, a raster output scan (ROS) based print engine for operating the image output terminal 7 as a digital printing system.

  The processing board 39 includes not only a processing unit for the image output unit 30 (particularly an image processing unit and a control unit) but also a circuit for performing various processes of the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20 and the entire image output terminal 7. Is installed. For example, the document feeder 12, which is a resource built in the image output terminal 7, the operation panel unit 15a, an image reading unit (scanner unit) (not shown) of the image reading unit 10, an image forming unit 32, a duplex copying unit 34, paper discharge A circuit for controlling the unit 36 or the paper feed tray 82 is mounted. The processing board 39 is mounted with a semiconductor storage medium, and stores, for example, a processing program for a copying application, a printer application, a facsimile (FAX) application, or another application.

  For example, the image reading apparatus 10 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, by using a full-width array of a CCD solid-state imaging device and irradiating light on a document sent to a reading position, an image on the document is obtained. The analog video signal representing the read image is converted into a digital signal and sent to the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  In synchronization with the reading of the image reading apparatus 10, when a sheet is fed from any one of a plurality of (A 4, B 4, A 3) sheet feeding trays 82 to the image output unit 30, the image of the image output unit 30 is displayed. The forming unit 32 forms a visible image on one surface of the paper based on the K, Y, M, and C toner signals sent from the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  The duplex copying unit 34 turns over the sheet on which the image is formed on one side, and feeds the sheet to the image forming unit 32 again. As a result, an image read by the image reading device 10 is formed on the other side of the sheet, and double-sided copying is completed.

  The paper discharged from the image forming unit 32 or the double-sided copied paper is sorted sequentially or page by page by the paper discharge unit 36.

<User interface configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user interface unit 15. As shown in FIG. 2A, the user interface unit 15 informs the user of the state of the image output terminal 7, guidance information for using the image output terminal 7, predetermined information processing results, management information, etc. An operation panel unit 15a as a display unit for displaying a message to the user in order to accept various settings by the user, and an operation key unit 15b as a key input unit for instructing operations Prepare. The operation panel unit 15a includes not only a display function but also a touch sensor function for instructing an operation. The operation panel unit 15a and operation key unit 15b are controlled by a panel controller (not shown).

  The operation key unit 15b includes a numeric keypad 610 for inputting a set number such as the number of copies and a copy magnification, a clear key 620 for returning the set number to a preset standard value, a set value set in the image output terminal 7 Is provided with a reset key 622 for returning to a preset standard value, a start key 630 for starting the copying operation, and a stop key 632 for stopping the copying operation.

  Further, the operation key unit 15b includes a mode setting key 642 for selecting and setting a normal mode (single-sided mode), a double-sided mode, or a reusable mode as a copy mode, and an image to that effect when all the originals have been read. A read completion key 646 for inputting to the output terminal 7 is provided. A display LED 650 is provided for displaying whether the mode set by the mode setting key 642 is in the normal / double-sided / reusable state.

  Further, as the operation key portion 15b, a tray selection key 670 including a tray selection up key and a down key is provided. The display LED 672 indicating the size of paper stored in the tray set by the tray selection key 670, the display LED 674 indicating whether or not the tray is set for used paper, and the tray selection are in the automatic mode. A display LED 676 indicating that this is provided.

  Thereby, even when the user specifically designates the paper feed tray, the paper to be printed should not be printed, for example, a confidential document (mainly the back side) on which confidential information is recorded, or disposal It is possible to set whether or not to use a document (mainly its back side) as printing paper. For example, depending on the content of the document, whether it is an internal or personal document, an external document, or an official document, you may want to use used paper, or you may or may not use it. Can be directed to. Of course, the same response can be achieved by setting the reuse mode while setting the tray selection to the automatic mode.

  Note that when using used paper, the back side is often used mainly, so here we will explain that the back side of the used paper is used in the reuse mode. Not only printing on the back side of the used paper, but also predetermined information can be printed out mainly on the unprinted portion on the printed surface side, that is, it can be superimposed and printed on the front surface.

  Information instructed from each key of the operation key unit 15 b is notified to the controller unit 20 via the panel controller of the user interface unit 15.

  The operation panel unit 15a is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and various menu (GUI: Graphical User Interface) screens corresponding to various modes of the image output terminal 7 are displayed on the display screen. For example, a basic screen for specifying magnification setting, double-sided / single-sided selection, job memory setting, and a function setting screen for setting a reuse mode using used paper are displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a tray setting menu screen can also be displayed on the operation panel unit 15a. In this tray setting menu screen, the user uses the paper feed trays A (82a), B (82b), and C (82c) as used output media or unused output media. Can be used by freely setting the purpose of use of the tray corresponding to the paper type (black circle in the figure is valid).

  As for the manual feed tray 83, the user can freely adjust the direction in which the paper is placed each time it is used. Therefore, in addition to the tray set as used paper in the paper feed tray 82, the manual feed tray 83 is also used. It can be a tray in which used paper is used.

<Output Control Processing Specific to this Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a chart summarizing the output control processing unique to this embodiment. More specifically, the printing surface instruction (indicated by one side / both sides or whether the job uses used paper) indicated in the job contents and the state of the tray selection mode specified by the user interface unit 15 The feed control and print control performed by the controller unit 20 are summarized. As described above, the tray in which used paper is used can be not only the paper feed tray 82 but also the manual feed tray 83.

  The controller unit 20 selects an appropriate tray according to the state of the printing surface instruction and the tray selection mode (including whether or not the used paper can be selected depending on the presence / absence of the reuse mode) specified by the user interface unit 15. Select to execute print output processing.

  In the tray selection mode in the figure, “depending on the selection of the paper type” means that the received print job (image forming job) follows whether or not the job uses the used paper. When the reuse mode, which is a job that uses used paper, is specified as the job content, the tray selection mode depends on the selection of the paper type, and the tray that uses the used paper has priority. For example, the tray fixing mode In this case, the user can specify only the tray that contains the used paper. In the automatic selection mode, only the tray that contains the used paper is selected.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the controller unit 20 is fed (conveyed) from the sheet feeding unit 80 not only when the job content is in the reuse mode but also when the used sheet is used as a printing sheet. It is determined whether or not the printing paper is a usage-restricted paper that should be restricted from being reused (meaning prohibited here), such as confidential documents with confidential information already recorded. The normal print output process (image forming process) using the restricted use sheet is stopped. The use restriction sheet is an example of a use restriction medium.

  Here, “normal print output processing” means image formation processing for forming print data (output processing target image) of a certain page in an output job on a sheet. Further, when the output job extends over a plurality of pages, only the page corresponding to the use-restricted paper is canceled, and the normal output process may be performed for the page corresponding to the printable used paper. When used paper is used, the back side is often used, but this is not a limitation. Predetermined information is printed out mainly on the unprinted part of the printed front side. Including overprinting.

  Note that such determination processing and output control (including both paper feed control and print control) are performed only when the used paper is used as printing paper, for example, in an in-house or personal document. Depending on the content of the document, whether it is an external document or an official document, it may be necessary to specifically indicate whether you want to use, may or should not use used paper. This is because it may be considered only when the used paper is used as printing paper. In other states, that is, when the used paper is not used, the throughput can be improved by omitting such processing.

  In determining whether or not the sheet is a restricted sheet, the management information for managing the document data main body including information for controlling whether or not printing on the sheet is performed at least for the restricted sheet is used. Including paper information (an example of medium information) on the entire surface or a part of paper, character information, barcode (including two-dimensional information such as QR code), ID information, information embedding technology, wireless tag (RFID; Radio frequency IDentification), etc., and paper information including its management information during paper conveyance using various methods such as optical, chemical, magnetic, electrical, or electromagnetic Management information is extracted after reading it in a non-contact manner, and it is preferable to determine whether printing is possible or not by analyzing the extracted management information.

  The reading method using an optical method is an image reading method in which character information, barcode, ID information, or paper information including management information in the form of information embedding technology is transparent as image information on a printing paper. Similar to the section 10, this is a method of reading paper information by scanning a paper in the conveyance process with light.

  In the reading method using chemical methods, when a special material that does not exist in normal air is applied to the printing paper, the concentration measuring device in the device detects the molecule of the special material above the specified concentration. This is a method for reading paper information.

  The reading method using the magnetic method is a method of acquiring paper information by reading the magnetic information using a magnetic sensor when paper information including management information is penetrated into the printing paper as magnetic information. It is. When magnetic information is transparent on the printing paper, the same mechanism as the magnetic card can be used, but a plurality of metal wires are arranged side by side, and code information representing the paper information and each metal wire are arranged in the same manner as a barcode. It is also possible to use a technique for matching the magnetization state of each.

  The reading method using an electrical method is a method of reading paper information by detecting specific voltage and current values when a conductive material is adhered to the printing paper.

  The reading method using an electromagnetic method is recorded on a tag using non-contact power transmission technology such as radio waves and electromagnetic waves when paper information including management information is transparently printed in the form of a wireless tag. This is a method for acquiring paper information by reading information that is stored.

  A sheet on which management information is not formed can be determined as a reusable sheet because management information cannot be extracted during the sheet conveyance process. Even if the paper has management information formed, it is not determined immediately that it is a restricted use sheet, but by analyzing its contents, it is still possible to use a truly restricted use sheet at the time of output processing. It is good to judge whether there is. In this way, for example, if deadline data relating to the deadline for the document data body (typically, expiration date information indicating a deadline that requires confidentiality) is embedded in the management information, use restriction sheets until a certain point where confidentiality is required. By prohibiting reuse, the paper can be used as reusable paper after the expiration date.

  By using character information, barcodes, information embedding technology, wireless tags, etc., the management information is formed on the paper, so that information for controlling whether printing on the paper is embedded is embedded in the management information itself. However, information for controlling whether or not printing can be performed can be registered in the server.

  In the former case, there is an advantage that whether image output is possible or not can be controlled by the image output terminal 7 alone. On the other hand, in the latter case, ID information for associating a sheet with information for controlling whether or not to print on the sheet is preferably embedded in the sheet as management information. In this case, it is possible to control whether or not printing can be performed by asking the server for information for controlling whether or not printing is possible on the paper, based on the read ID information. However, such a latter mechanism cannot control whether or not the image output terminal 7 alone can output, increasing the system cost and also causing a decrease in processing speed.

  In addition, when the normal print output process is stopped, it is preferable to notify the user that this is the case, that is, that the conveyed product cannot be printed. For example, the information is displayed on the operation panel 15a of the image output terminal 7 or notified to the user by sound information from a speaker. Alternatively, the user is sent to the image input terminal 3 side using e-mail or other communication method (for example, peer-to-peer communication method) and displayed on the user interface screen of the image input terminal 3, or the user by sound information by a speaker. Notify As a peer-to-peer communication method, for example, a LAN message transmission / reception service using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) can be used. In this way, the user can know that an output process has not been performed for a certain page in the job that has issued the output instruction. The user who has received this notification can complete the entire output job by issuing an output instruction for the page again as necessary.

  More preferably, after the normal print output process is stopped, nothing is output (printed) and discharged as it is on the back side of the restricted use paper in the conveyance process. This prevents the paper from becoming jammed.

  Further, at this time, it is preferable to discharge the sheet to the use restriction sheet storage unit 37 dedicated to the use restriction sheet, not the sheet discharge tray 36a from which the normal transport sheet (recorded sheet) is discharged. As a result, when a non-printable sheet is conveyed, the conveyed object (usage-restricted sheet) is conveyed to a specific location (usage-restricted sheet storage unit 37), thereby preventing the sheet from being jammed. And can be stored in a location different from the paper discharge tray 36a. As a result, the use-restricted paper stored in the use-restricted paper storage unit 37 can be managed separately from the paper that has been printed and output as usual (paper stack as the output result). Can be prevented from being reused.

  Alternatively, after the normal print output process is stopped, the use-restricted paper in the conveyance process is sent as it is to the discard processing device 38 without being output (printed) as it is, and is cut (shred) into a non-rereadable state. . As a result, the paper can be prevented from becoming jammed, and can be managed separately from the paper that has been printed out as usual (paper stack as the output result), and cannot be re-read. Since it is discarded in the state, it is possible to prevent the use restriction sheet from being used again. As a result, information leakage can be prevented almost certainly.

  In addition, after the normal print output process is stopped, the restricted use sheet in the conveyance process is reversed using the duplex copying unit 34, and on the front side of the restricted use sheet on which confidential information is recorded, Instead of forming print data to be output, unreadable information that does not make sense when read by a human or machine, such as a solid image of the same color on the entire surface or arbitrary characters and figures, is recorded as additional information. The subsequent discharge destination may be any one of the paper discharge tray 36a, the restricted use paper storage unit 37, and the disposal processing device 38 as long as the paper can be prevented from becoming jammed. By doing so, the unreadable information is superimposed on the recorded confidential information and printed, and thereafter, the confidential information becomes unreadable. As a result, information leakage can be prevented more reliably. Further, as an additional effect, it becomes possible to reuse the sheet on which the unreadable information is superimposed.

  In this case, other information different from the output processing target image is formed as additional information on the surface on which the predetermined information on the use-restricted paper has already been recorded. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Additional information may be formed on the back surface opposite to the recorded surface. By forming the additional information, it is only necessary to prevent leakage of information already described on the use restriction sheet.

  In addition, in an output job, for a page for which normal print output processing is canceled due to hitting a restricted-use paper, the next paper is automatically transported to perform output processing on the printable used paper. It is good to make it. At that time, if the job is composed of a plurality of pages, immediately after the next printing paper is conveyed, the image forming process is performed on the page of the output target image to be stopped, and then The first continuous processing method for performing the image forming process for the next page, and the image forming process for the next page is performed after the next printing paper is conveyed, and is canceled after the processing of the final page is completed. Any one of the second continuation processing methods for performing the image forming process for the page of the output processing target image that has been performed may be employed.

  The first continuation processing method has the advantage that the page order of the sheet stack, which is the final product, does not get out of order, although the image processing such as drawing development (rendering) and the link control of transfer and paper transport processing can be complicated. . On the other hand, in the second continuous processing method, although the page order of the sheet stack as the final result is out of order, link processing of image processing such as drawing development and transfer and paper transport processing can be performed as usual, and high-speed processing is possible. There is an advantage that inconvenience does not occur sometimes.

<Example menu screen for printer job>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen when a print instruction is issued in the image input terminal 3 as a user terminal. This menu screen is displayed on a predetermined display device via an OS (Operating Systems) by the printer driver, and the user can set information necessary for printing on this menu screen.

  For example, as the information and setting contents displayed in FIG. 4, the name of the currently available printer or the image output terminal 7 as the print server that is uniquely determined, the user ID that is also uniquely defined, From now on, it is possible to set the print page range so that the job (file) name of the document to be printed, the paper size to be printed, the number of prints, and the print within the designated page can be performed. When the printer name (including the image output terminal 7) is designated and the property button BT47 is pressed, detailed settings on the printer side such as page assignment (N-up), enlargement / reduction, or color / monochrome can be performed.

  In addition, a print form menu part is provided as a part unique to the present embodiment. This printing mode menu portion is equivalent to a part of the user interface unit 15 shown in FIG. 2, and uses a normal mode (single-sided mode), a double-sided mode, or used paper as a printing paper as a printing mode. A tray selection button BT50 including mode setting buttons BT40 and BT41 for selectively setting the reuse mode, a tray selection up button BT50a, and a down button BT50b is provided. Further, a button BT52 serving also as a display unit for setting the automatic mode as a tray selection is provided. When this button BT52 is clicked, the display section is highlighted to indicate that the tray selection is in the automatic mode.

  Also, tray setting information (size and information about the purpose of use) is received from the image output terminal 7, and based on this tray setting information, a display unit indicating the paper size stored in the tray selected by the tray selection button BT50. An LD 50 and a display unit LD 52 that indicates whether or not the tray is set for used paper are provided.

  As a result, the user can grasp the tray setting state of the image forming apparatus (image output terminal 7 side) also on the user terminal side, and the confidential information is recorded even when the paper feed tray is specifically instructed. It is possible to set whether to use paper that should not be printed as printed paper, such as a confidential document (mainly the back side). For example, depending on the content of the document, whether it is an internal or personal document, an external document, or an official document, specifically indicate whether you want to use, may or should not use used paper can do. Of course, the same response can be achieved by setting the reuse mode while setting the tray selection to the automatic mode.

  In the printing mode menu portion, the user instructs the printing surface instruction, the paper feed tray (fixed / automatic), and the presence / absence of the reuse mode in the same manner as the instruction via the user interface unit 15 of the image output terminal 7. To do. In response to this instruction, the controller unit 20 receives the print surface instruction and the tray selection mode (from the image output terminal 7 side) in the same manner as shown in FIG. The appropriate tray is selected according to the state (including whether or not it can be selected) and the print output process is executed.

  Here, an instruction unit and a display control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus are provided by a printer driver which is software that presents an operation screen to the user and controls the image forming apparatus (image output terminal 7) based on the instruction input. Although configured, the instruction unit and the display control unit that perform the above-described processing may be realized by a hardware circuit without depending on software. Since such a hardware circuit configuration can be easily realized by those skilled in the art, the illustration of the configuration is omitted.

<Print control using management information>
5 to 7 illustrate print control processing using management information. FIG. 5 is a block diagram focusing on the function of performing management information formation processing on the image input terminal 3 side in the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing of an application program for creating a document DOC prepared in the host-side device 100 that functions as the image input terminal 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of an apparatus configuration for executing management information extraction processing and print control using the management information.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming system 1 converts document data created by a document creation tool such as word processing software into a page description language (PDL) and outputs a multi-value gradation signal representing an image. The image output unit 30 (also referred to as an image forming unit or a print engine) that forms the main part of the image forming apparatus after the PDL data is sent to the printer side and rendered on the printer side. It is a form of passing to.

  The image forming system 1 is a terminal used by a general user, and includes a host side device 100 (corresponding to the image input terminal 3 in FIG. 1) such as a personal computer (client PC) that generates document data, and the host side device 100. A printer 200 (corresponding to the image output terminal 7 in FIG. 1), which is an example of an image forming apparatus that performs print output processing based on the output document data, is connected by the network 2 (corresponding to the wired LAN 8 in FIG. 1). Configured.

  The host-side device 100 is an interface that functions as an interface between the data generation unit 110 that generates image data such as documents and graphics, the central control unit 120 that controls the operation of each unit of the host-side device 100, and the printer 200. Part 130. In the data generation unit 110, for example, an application program for generating data such as a document or a graphic is incorporated.

  This application program also includes an application for adding management information for managing the document data body to the document body using character information, barcode, ID information, information embedding technology, wireless tag, etc. Is done. That is, the host-side apparatus 100 also functions as an image forming apparatus that outputs an image to a predetermined output medium using the printer 200, and uses medium information indicating whether or not use of the output medium is necessary as an output medium. Means for forming is provided as application software.

  The central control unit 120 incorporates an OS (operating system) that is software for controlling the entire host-side device 100 and a printer driver that is software for controlling the printer 200.

  Thereby, the host side apparatus 100 implement | achieves predetermined processing by software based on a program. That is, a program is read from a CD-ROM or the like that stores a program for configuring each functional unit for executing predetermined processing and installed in a hard disk device (not shown), and the program is read from the hard disk device and a CPU (not shown) By executing predetermined processing procedures, each function can be realized in software.

  The program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means. In addition, these programs and storage media storing the programs may be provided as versions of existing systems, application programs, or printer drivers. Alternatively, it may be provided as an optional program corresponding to a part of functions such as a patch file for realizing each functional part as software.

  For example, a drawing command having an instruction type such as an image drawing command, a graphic drawing command, or a font drawing command is sequentially input to the printer driver from an application program incorporated in the host-side device 100. The printer driver converts the drawing command into a print command understandable by the printer 200 and outputs the print command to the interface unit 130. The print command input to the interface unit 130 is transmitted to the printer 200 through the network 2. The printer 200 prints an image on paper (image output) according to the received print command.

  For example, a print command is passed to the printer 200 in a page description language (PDL) format in which enlargement, rotation, and deformation of figures and characters can be freely controlled. Image data created in PDL is composed of a command and a data string in which drawing commands and data representing images, figures, and characters in arbitrary positions in a page are arranged in an arbitrary order. On the side of 200, in order to print in accordance with the received print command, image data is rendered (drawn and developed) for each output unit (one page) before printing.

  Here, in an application program for creating a document DOC (hereinafter referred to as document data generation software 113) prepared in the host-side device 100, a configuration for causing a computer to function as a management information adding unit is shown in FIG. A document image generation module 114 that generates a document image corresponding to the document data body D1, and a management information addition module 115 that adds management information for managing the document data body D1 to the document indicated by the image. Is done. Of course, the management information addition module 115 is not limited to a configuration in which a computer functions as a management information addition unit in software processing, but management information addition made up of hardware elements such as mechanical parts and circuit parts. It is good also as a part.

  Here, the management information for managing the document data body may be described at least on a sheet that needs to be restricted, and it is not necessary to form the management information on all sheets. Further, as described above, the management information only needs to include information (reuse control information) that can control whether or not at least used paper is used as restricted-use paper. For example, it may be described directly as to whether to use restricted-use paper, or a unique name such as a file name that associates the document information with information indicating whether to use restricted-use paper in the ID information. It may be a document ID. Further, the expiration date of the document data main body may be set as a management condition, and a mechanism may be determined for determining whether to use the restricted use sheet based on whether the expiration date has been reached.

  When management information is added to a document body using character information, barcode, ID information, information embedding technology, or the like, application software can be used. On the other hand, when using a wireless tag, for example, data is stored in a tag (information holding device) having a size of about several centimeters excellent in environmental resistance, and a non-contact power transmission technology such as radio waves and electromagnetic waves is used. It is necessary to communicate with the reader. Therefore, in order to record the management information on the tag, a processing circuit for setting (writing) the management information in the information holding device provided on the sheet is required, so that the management information adding unit configured by hardware elements It becomes.

  For example, when the management information is added to the document body using the information embedding technique, the document data generation software 113 is added to the document indicated by the image as the management information addition module 115 as shown in FIG. An information embedding technique generation module 116 for generating information embedding technique data to be included is included.

  The information embedding technique generating module 116 generates information embedding technique data of, for example, a frequency axis method or a spatial axis method according to the input management information. That is, when the document data generation software 113 accepts the document data body D1 and the management information D2 for managing the document data body, the information embedding technique generation module 116 causes the information embedding technique generation module 116 to manage the information embedding corresponding to the management information D2. Embedded technology data D3 is generated, and a document DOC, which is image data including the information embedding technology data D3, is output to the printer 200.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the document DOC output by the document data generation software 113, that is, the image of the document (image) formed on the printing paper is printed on the printing paper by the printer 200, for example, character information and drawings. Is formed as a document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data main body D1. In addition, the document image DOC_D1 formed on the printing paper includes an information embedding technology addition area DOC_3 that is an image area in which the information embedding technique data D3 is added to the document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1. It is.

  Note that the document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document DOC is not limited to the image including the information embedding technology additional area DOC_3, for example, the document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1, the character information corresponding to the management information, It may be composed of an image such as a barcode or ID information. That is, the image corresponding to the management information may constitute an inseparable image (document) corresponding to the document data body D1 together with the document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1.

  The document DOC is formed such that a document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1 is formed on a print sheet including a wireless tag (IC tag), and data corresponding to management information is recorded in the wireless tag. May be.

  In the above description, the case where the management information forming process is performed on the image input terminal 3 side has been described. However, by providing the management information adding module 115 or the management information adding unit in the printer 200, the management information can be managed on the printer 200 side. Information formation processing can also be performed. In this case, for example, the document DOC is generated by receiving the document data body that is the image read by the image reading unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the management data set via the user interface unit 15 or the like, A configuration for outputting to printing paper can be adopted.

  The printer 200 is capable of writing and reading at any time, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 212 that controls the operation of each unit of the printer 200 via a system bus, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 213 that is a read-only storage unit. In addition, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 215 which is an example of a volatile storage unit and a RAM (described as NVRAM) 216 which is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit are included. The NVRAM 216 can store temporary data, for example. In this case, the NVRAM 216 functions as a temporary data storage unit.

  In the above description, the “volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in which the stored contents are lost when the main power supply of the apparatus is turned off. On the other hand, the “nonvolatile storage unit” means a storage unit in a form that keeps stored contents even when the main power of the apparatus is turned off. Any memory device can be used as long as it can retain the stored contents. The semiconductor memory device itself is not limited to a nonvolatile memory device, and a backup power supply is provided to make a volatile memory device “nonvolatile”. You may comprise as follows. Further, the present invention is not limited to a semiconductor memory element, and may be configured using a medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. For example, a hard disk device can be used as a nonvolatile storage unit.

  In addition, the printer 200 includes an instruction input unit 223 having a keyboard, a mouse, and the like as a function unit that forms a user interface, and a display output unit 224 that presents predetermined information such as a guidance screen and a processing result during operation to the user. Have.

  The printer 200 includes an interface unit 230 that performs an interface function with the host-side device 100 such as a host computer, and an image processing unit 240 that is an embodiment of the image processing device according to the present invention.

  The image processing unit 240 interprets PDL data, an interpreter unit (PDL interpretation unit) 250, and a rendering unit (drawing unit) 270 that generates bitmap data by rendering and developing based on an interpretation command received from the interpreter unit 250. And have.

  The printer 200 also supplies a print control unit 300 that controls the print output process, a print engine unit 310 that executes the print output process according to a command from the print control unit 300, and feeds paper from the paper supply unit 80 to the print engine unit 310. And a paper conveyance control unit 320 (corresponding to the paper feeding unit 80 in FIG. 1). A printer engine interface unit 340 is provided between the print engine unit 310 and the system bus.

  When performing printing, the print control unit 300 activates the print engine unit 310 and the paper conveyance control unit 320 and supplies bitmap data for an output unit to the print engine unit 310. The paper transport control unit 320 takes in paper from a predetermined paper feed tray or manual feed tray 83 of the paper feed tray 82 shown in FIG. 1 based on an instruction from the print control unit 300 and passes the paper to the print engine unit 310. In parallel with this, the print engine unit 310 uses the bitmap data supplied via the printer engine interface unit 340, specifically, the bitmap data generated by the rendering unit 270 as an output medium. An image is formed on printing paper and output.

  Here, the print control unit 300 is a control function unit that controls the image forming processing operation in the controller unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is fed (conveyed) from the sheet feeding unit 80 as a configuration unique to the present embodiment. If the printing paper to be used is a usage-restricted paper such as a confidential document in which confidential information is recorded, it is determined whether it should be prohibited from unlimited use (preferably determined during the transport process). Is provided with a function unit for stopping the normal print output process using the restricted use paper.

  For example, the printer 200 is provided with a management information extraction unit, which is a functional unit for extracting management information, corresponding to the data generation unit 110. The management information extraction unit is also configured by a computer through software processing. The management information extraction unit is not limited to be configured to function as an extraction unit, but may be a hardware component such as a mechanical component or a circuit component.

  Specifically, the print control unit 300 includes a paper information acquisition unit (an example of a medium information acquisition unit) 302 that reads paper information including management information that has been formed on a print paper that is being conveyed, and a paper information acquisition unit 302. And a management information extraction unit 304 that extracts management information from the read sheet information. Also, the print control unit 300 analyzes the management information extracted by the management information extraction unit 304, performs a determination on the management condition, and performs print output processing according to the determination result to the print engine unit 310 and the paper transport control unit 320. A usability determination unit 306 to be executed, and a notification unit 308 that notifies the user that the conveyed product cannot be printed when the normal print output process is stopped.

  The paper information acquisition unit 302 is formed on the entire surface or a part of the paper using character information, barcode (including two-dimensional information such as QR code), ID information, information embedding technology, wireless tag, and the like. It is only necessary to be able to read the paper information including the management information, and various methods such as optical, chemical, magnetic, or electrical are used for the paper information including the management information during paper conveyance. Anything can be used as long as it can be read by using.

  In addition, when management information is added to the document body using character information, barcode, ID information, or information embedding technology, the computer is made to operate on the computer with the application software for the management information. Although it can function as the acquisition unit 302 and the management information extraction unit 304, when a wireless tag is used, a processing circuit that reads and analyzes the management information written in the information holding device provided on the sheet is required. Therefore, the paper information acquisition unit 302 and the management information extraction unit 304 are configured by hardware elements.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the image forming unit 32 includes different print engine units 310Y corresponding to output toner colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). A tandem configuration in which 310M, 310C, and 310K are arranged in cascade is used, and an image is transferred onto printing paper using an intermediate transfer belt 314.

  In this configuration, a latent image is first recorded on the photoconductors 312Y, 312M, 312C, and 312K, and then developed with each corresponding color toner, and the developed visible image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 314 (particularly, primary transfer). (Also called). Thereafter, the visible image transferred to the intermediate transfer body belt 312 is fed by the secondary transfer unit 316 while the printing paper is sandwiched between the transfer roller 316a and the intermediate transfer body belt 314, thereby providing a paper feed tray. 82 (also referred to as secondary transfer) on the printing paper fed from 82 or the manual feed tray 83. The visible image transferred to the printing paper is fixed on the printing paper by being heated by the fixing unit 318. In the intermediate transfer belt 314 after the secondary transfer, excess toner is removed by a cleaner 319 in preparation for the next print output process.

  In providing the paper information acquisition unit 302 in the image forming unit 32 having such a configuration, it is preferable that the secondary transfer is performed in the middle of the paper transport path (paper path) from the normal paper feed tray 82 or the manual feed tray 83. A non-contact sensor 317 is preferably installed as a component of the paper information acquisition unit 302 at a position before transfer by the unit 316.

  The sensor 317 only needs to be able to read the paper information including the management information already formed on the printing paper in the conveyance process, and as a matter of course, the sensor 317 having specifications suitable for the form of forming the paper information is used. For example, when paper information including management information is added to a document body using character information, barcode, ID information, or information embedding technology, the same scanner as that that reads the information is used. It is good. In addition, when using a wireless tag, a configuration using an electromagnetic technique for reading information recorded on the tag using a non-contact power transmission technology such as radio waves and electromagnetic waves is required.

  Further, the sensor 317 is configured to be able to read not only the printing surface (back surface in this example) of the printing paper currently being conveyed but also information on the opposite surface (printed surface in this example). Is good. For this purpose, the sensors 317a and 317b are preferably arranged separately on the front and back surfaces. Note that the information on the front and back sides may be read by one sensor by, for example, reading the information on the opposite side in a watermark.

  For example, when adding management information to a document body using an information embedding technique, the management information extraction unit 304 accepts paper information D5 (corresponding to the document DOC) from the paper information acquisition unit 302, The information embedding technique data D3 is extracted from the sheet information D5, and the sheet information D5 and the information embedding technique data D3 are passed to the availability determination unit 306.

  The usability determination unit 306 analyzes the information embedding technology data D3 received from the management information extraction unit 304, determines the management condition indicated by the information embedding technology data D3, and print engine unit 310 according to the determination result. And the paper conveyance control unit 320 are controlled.

  For example, in an apparatus that prints an image on an output medium such as paper or an OHP film, such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, the management information formed on the output medium is analyzed before printing on the output medium. When the management information is formed on the printing paper fed (conveyed) from the paper supply unit 80 and the analysis result is determined to be use-restricted paper, printing of an output target of a page in the output job is performed. The image forming process for forming data on use-restricted paper is stopped. That is, regardless of whether printing on the output medium is started or not, the printing operation is interrupted in the middle of the printing process. At this time, for example, nothing is output (printed) on the back side of the use-restricted sheet in the conveyance process and is discharged as it is.

  In order to discharge without outputting (printing) anything, for example, in the image forming unit 32 configured as shown in FIG. 7, the paper feed tray 82 (FIG. 7A) and the manual feed tray 83 (FIG. 7) are used. The visible image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 314 may be prevented from being transferred by the secondary transfer unit 316 onto the printing paper fed from (B). For this purpose, the transfer roller 316 a provided in the secondary transfer unit 316 is preferably separated from the intermediate transfer belt 314. The toner image that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 314 without being secondary transferred in the secondary transfer unit 316 is removed by the cleaner 319 in preparation for the next print output process.

  When the output job extends over a plurality of pages, printing is stopped only for the page that hits the use-restricted paper, and normal output processing is performed for the page that hits the printable used paper. Also, in the output job, for pages where normal print output processing was canceled due to hitting restricted-use paper, normal output processing is performed on printable used paper by automatically transporting the next paper. To do.

  In the case of a sheet on which no management information is formed, the management information extraction unit 304 determines that the sheet is a reusable sheet because the management information cannot be extracted during the sheet conveyance process. Further, the usability determination unit 306 does not immediately determine that the management information is formed, but is a use-restricted sheet. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet is truly restricted use paper. For example, if deadline data relating to the deadline for the document data body D1 (typically, expiration date information indicating a deadline that requires confidentiality) is embedded in the management information, the use restriction sheet is used until a certain point where confidentiality is required. While prohibiting reuse, it can be used as reusable paper after the expiration date.

  In addition, the notification unit 308 notifies the user 200 of the printer 200 (image output terminal 7) or the image input terminal connected to the network that the transported object cannot be printed when the normal print output process is stopped. The user interface unit 3 notifies the user with display information or audio information using images and characters. In this way, it is possible to know that an output process has not been performed for a certain page in the job that has issued the output instruction. If necessary, the user can complete the entire output job by issuing an output instruction for the unoutput page again.

  In addition, after the normal print output process is stopped, the use restriction sheet in the conveyance process is discharged to the dedicated use restriction sheet storage unit 37. Alternatively, readable information that prompts immediate disposal (particularly cutting) is recorded on the back side of the restricted use paper. Alternatively, nothing is output (printed) on the use-restricted sheet, and is sent to the discard processing device 38 for cutting. In any of these cases, as a result, information leakage can be reliably prevented, and the use restriction sheet can be prevented from being reused again.

  In addition, unreadable information that cannot be read by humans or machines, such as a solid black image, may be recorded on the front side of the restricted use paper. In this case, the restricted use paper can be reused, and even if the output result is reused and taken out to the outside, important information is crushed by unreadable information, so information leakage is almost impossible. It can be surely prevented.

<Image Forming Function; First Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram relating to the image formation control function of the first embodiment in the image output terminal 7 having the above configuration. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an output example of additional information.

  The output control unit 400 that controls the image forming function of the first embodiment includes the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c provided in the image output terminal 7 in addition to the print control unit 300 and the paper transport control unit 320 described above. For each of the above, a tray type reception unit (an example of a storage unit type reception unit) 410 for setting a tray type that is a purpose of use of the tray corresponding to whether or not the loaded paper type is used paper is provided. Yes.

  The tray type reception unit 410 may be provided as a part of a functional part that controls the operation panel unit 15a. The tray type reception unit 410 uses the output trays 82a, 82b, and 82c as used output media or as unused output media for each of the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c via the user interface such as the operation panel unit 15a. A tray type setting instruction (container setting instruction) J1 to be used, that is, a setting instruction for a paper type to be used is accepted, and the contents of the instruction are notified to the print control unit 300 and the paper conveyance control unit 320.

  In addition, the output control unit 400 includes a job reception unit 420 that receives the contents of a print job via a user interface (specifically, the operation panel unit 15a of the image output terminal 7).

  The job reception unit 420 identifies whether the job content is single-sided processing or double-sided processing, and print surface information J2 for distinguishing single-sided / double-sided information, which is the information, from the print control unit 300 and the paper transport control unit 320. A print output processing content specifying unit 422 to be notified, a method of determining a paper feed tray that can be used in actual processing are specified from the job content, and the tray selection mode information J3 that is the information is specified by the print control unit 300 and the paper transport control unit. A tray selection mode specifying unit 424 for notifying 320.

  Print surface information J2 extracted by the print output processing content specifying unit 422 from the job received by the job receiving unit 420 via the user interface such as the operation panel unit 15a is input to the paper transport control unit 320, and the tray selection is performed. The tray selection mode information J3 extracted by the mode specifying unit 424 is input.

  As the designation of the tray selection mode, an aspect of designating a tray fixing mode in which the tray to be used is specifically set and an automatic paper feeding mode in which tray selection is left to the apparatus (specifically, the paper conveyance control unit 320) are designated. And a tray type selection mode, which is an indirect tray designation mode through designation of usable paper types (used paper or unused paper).

  In the print job mode, the paper conveyance control unit 320 sets the state of paper setting to the tray obtained through the paper type setting unit 410 (whether the loaded paper type is used paper) and the tray selection mode. The tray switching control (tray selection) and the paper conveyance control (feeding from the selected tray) are performed within a range that does not cause inconvenience in the print job.

  That is, the sheet conveyance control unit 320 includes a tray type setting instruction (accommodating unit setting instruction) J1 indicating the tray type received by the tray type receiving unit 410, and the job content received by the job receiving unit 420 (specifically, print surface information). Based on J2 and the tray selection mode information J3), the feeding of the printing paper to the print engine unit 310 of the image forming unit 32 is controlled by switching the paper feed tray or controlling the driving of the conveyance roller.

  For example, when the tray to be used is specifically designated, the output control unit 400 executes the print output process only when the designated tray is not inconvenient for the print job. If tray switching is allowed, a print output process is executed after a tray that does not inconvenience the print job is automatically selected by the paper transport control unit 320. As described above, by providing the tray type reception unit 410 and the paper conveyance control unit 320, it is possible to switch between using and not performing printing using the used paper for each device.

  Here, the print control unit 300 includes a tray type setting instruction (accommodating unit setting instruction) J1 indicating a tray type received by the tray type receiving unit 410, and a job content received by the job receiving unit 420 (specifically, print surface information). Based on J2 and the tray selection mode information J3), it is determined whether or not the image forming process uses the used paper as the printing paper. Only during the image forming process that uses the used paper as the printing paper, it is determined whether or not the printing paper fed (conveyed) from the paper supply unit 80 is a usage-restricted paper, and the usage-restricted paper. In this case, the print engine unit 310 and the paper conveyance control unit 320 are controlled to stop the normal print output process (image forming process) using the use-restricted paper.

  Further, when the used paper is a use-restricted paper, the output control unit 400 has, for example, a solid image of the same color on the entire surface, arbitrary character information, It has an additional information output control unit 440 for recording unreadable information such as graphics that does not make sense when read by humans or machines as additional information.

  In the print job mode, the print control unit 300 sets the state of the paper setting for the tray (whether the loaded paper type is used paper) obtained through the paper type setting unit 410 and the state of the tray selection mode. The used paper information J4, which is the information on the paper selected within a range that does not cause inconvenience to the print job, is passed to the additional information output control unit 440.

  The additional information output control unit 440 controls the print control unit 300 so that the paper in the conveyance process is a used paper and should not be printed (for example, the back side of a confidential document or a discarded document), In other words, when the use sheet information J4 indicates that the sheet is a restricted use sheet, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a solid black solid image is used in the area DOC_D5 including the document image DOC_D1, or As shown in (B), unreadable information that does not make sense even if it is read by a human or machine by using arbitrary character information or graphic information in the area DOC_D5 including the document image DOC_D1 is recorded on the front side. The print control unit 300 and the paper transport control unit 320 are controlled so as to be superimposed on each other.

  When inserting the print output process of unreadable information on the front side into the print job, the double-sided copying unit 34 is first left unprinted with the paper in the conveyance process under the control of the additional information output control unit 440. In addition, the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20 prepares recording information corresponding to the unreadable information on the image data, and causes the intermediate transfer belt 314 to transfer the unreadable information. Thereafter, the unreadable information transferred to the intermediate transfer body belt 312 is fed by the secondary transfer unit 316 while the printing paper is sandwiched between the transfer roller 316a and the intermediate transfer body belt 314. Transfer to the surface. In this way, the unreadable information can be formed in the same way as the normal image forming process using the same means as the normal image forming means, and a dedicated mechanism is not required and the cost is increased. There is no problem and productivity problems and printing page count processing problems hardly occur.

  Note that it is sufficient that the additional information is formed on the use restriction sheet so that leakage of information described on the use restriction sheet can be prevented. For example, as shown in FIG. In addition, readable information such as a message requesting immediate disposal (cutting) processing may be formed as additional information on the back surface opposite to the recorded surface. Although illustration is omitted, readable information such as a message requesting immediate disposal (cutting) processing may be formed as additional information by using a blank portion of the recorded surface. Since the user who has read this message immediately cuts the sheet in accordance with the instruction, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being taken out, so that information leakage can be prevented almost certainly.

  When inserting the print output process of the readable information on the back side into the print job, under the control of the additional information output control unit 440, first the conveyance of the paper in the conveyance process is temporarily stopped and the controller unit 20 In the image processing function unit, recording information corresponding to the readable information is prepared on the image data, and the readable information is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 314. Thereafter, the conveyance of the paper once stopped is restarted, and the readable information transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 312 is transferred between the transfer roller 316a and the intermediate transfer belt 314 by the secondary transfer unit 316. The printing paper is transferred to the back surface of the printing paper by feeding while sandwiching the printing paper. In this way, the readable information can be formed in the same manner as the normal image forming process using the same means as the means for forming the normal image, and a dedicated mechanism is not required and the cost is increased. It does not occur, and the problem of productivity and the problem of counting the number of printed pages hardly occur.

  It is not limited to such a mechanism. For example, unreadable information can be superimposed and recorded on the front side information as additional information, or readable information such as a message can be recorded on the back surface (or the margin on the front surface) as additional information. A dedicated print head may be provided. The arrangement position may be, for example, between the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 316 and the unillustrated paper discharge unit 36 in the image forming unit 32 having the configuration shown in FIG.

<Processing Procedure of Image Forming Function; First Embodiment>
10 and 11 are flowcharts for explaining the image forming control function of the first embodiment, and are flowcharts for explaining the image forming function focusing on the point of using the used paper as the printing paper. The processing starts when a print instruction is issued to the image output terminal 7 (printer 200) by pressing the start key or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a print job (a copy job in this flow) is started, and the tray type reception unit 410 receives instructions for automatic paper feed (no paper feed type designation) and duplex printing job from the client. In this case (S100), the paper transport control unit 320 automatically feeds trays other than the paper feed tray set with used paper among the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c as selection candidates. The paper used for printing is switched and fed (S102).

  If you select a paper tray other than the one that has used paper for automatic paper feeding (without specifying the paper type) for double-sided printing, unless the user is actively instructing to use the used paper, This is to prevent the used paper from being used. In addition, since double-sided printing cannot be performed normally when used paper is used, if automatic paper feeding is set during double-sided printing, the used paper is not used.

  When the tray type reception unit 410 receives an instruction for automatic paper feed (with used paper usage permission) and a single-sided print job from the client (S100-NO, S110), the paper transport control unit 320 uses the used paper. The paper used for printing is switched and fed so that automatic feeding is performed with a tray including the paper feed tray set as the selection candidate (S112). Select a tray that includes a paper feed tray with used paper set for single-sided printing and automatic paper feeding (with used paper usage permission) when the user permits the use of used paper. This is because the used paper can be used. That is, with single-sided printing, normal printing can be performed even when used paper is used. In this case, all trays including a paper feed tray in which used paper is set can be used.

  Further, when a print job using used paper (used paper print job) is instructed, when switching to a double-sided print job halfway (S120), the output control unit 400 instructs the tray selection (tray automatic) According to the selection or tray fixing, paper type designation, etc., the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, 82c are automatically switched to a tray capable of double-sided printing or single-sided forced printing (S122, S124). It is good to set in advance. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to select one of the two when switching to both sides and switched according to the option.

  For example, when the tray automatic selection is set, the paper is switched to a tray containing unused paper that can be printed on both sides and fed. Also, if the specified tray is a used tray when the job is based on a tray fixing instruction, switching to a duplex printing job will start from the specified used tray. By feeding two sheets of used paper and enabling printing (forced single-sided printing) on the new print side, printing on both sides is enabled. If there is no specific instruction on the tray and it is set to automatic, but the paper type is set to used paper, when switching to a duplex printing job, the paper is automatically fed from the used tray. Then, printing on both sides of the new printing surface using two used papers (forced single-sided printing) is enabled. This makes it possible to print without inconvenience even when the tray being used is a tray for used paper during a duplex printing job.

  Next, the usability determination unit 306 of the print control unit 300 determines the used paper based on the tray type setting instruction (container setting instruction) J1 and the job content (printing surface information J2 and tray selection mode information J3). It is determined whether or not the image forming process is used as printing paper (S130). When the used paper is used as printing paper (S130-YES), the availability determination unit 306 is fed from the paper feed unit 80 in cooperation with the paper information acquisition unit 302 and the management information extraction unit 304 (conveyance). ) Is determined in the conveyance process whether the print sheet to be used is a restricted use sheet or not, and the print engine unit 310 and the sheet conveyance control unit 320 execute a print output process corresponding to the determination result.

  Specifically, the paper information of the printing paper fed (conveyed) from the paper supply unit 80 is read by the paper information acquisition unit 302 (S132), and the management information included in the paper information is extracted by the management information extraction unit 304. (S134). When the management information is formed on the printing paper fed (conveyed) from the paper supply unit 80, the availability determination unit 306 analyzes the management information extracted by the management information extraction unit 304, and is conveyed It is determined whether the used paper is set as a use-restricted paper that cannot be used at the time of the output process (in this example, a reusable paper) (S140).

  If the used paper is not set as the use-restricted paper, the print control unit 300 prints the print data of the processing target page in the output job onto the printable used paper. And the sheet conveyance control unit 320 (S140-NO, S142).

  On the other hand, when the used paper is set as the restricted use paper, the print control unit 300 performs the print output process (image forming process) for forming the print data of the processing target page in the output job on the restricted use paper. Stop (S140-YES, S144). Preferably, not only the print output process is stopped, but also the required process is performed (S146).

  Then, the output control unit 400 executes the print output process while selecting the appropriate paper feed tray 82 and performing the feed control as described above until the print job for all pages is completed ( S150). That is, if the print job is for a plurality of pages, only the page that hits the restricted use sheet is canceled (S144), and the normal output process is performed for the page that hits the printable used sheet. (S142). Further, in a print job, with respect to a page for which normal print output processing has been stopped due to hitting a restricted use sheet, the next sheet is automatically conveyed (S148), and when the next sheet is not a restricted use sheet, A normal output process is performed on the used printable paper (S142).

  Here, as a required process (S146) that is performed when the output process is stopped because it hits the use-restricted sheet, for example, as shown in pattern 1 in FIG. The user is notified by the display information or voice information using images and characters in the user interface unit 15 of the printer 200 (image output terminal 7) and the user interface unit of the image input terminal 3 that the print output process is stopped. Notification is made (S200). In this way, for example, the user can be notified that the confidential document has been conveyed.

  Further, together with this notification, nothing is output (printed) on the back side of the use-restricted sheet in the conveyance process, and the sheet conveyance control unit 320 directly discharges it to the sheet discharge tray 36a (S204). In this case, it is possible to easily know that the sheet in the sheet stack is a use-restricted sheet by discharging the sheet by rotating the direction of the sheet by 90 degrees or by slightly shifting the sheet to the side. It is good to do so. Thereby, the user's hand can easily remove the use-restricted paper that is not actually printed on the back side from the paper stack on the paper discharge tray 36a that is the print job result.

  Alternatively, as in pattern 2 shown in FIG. 11B, along with the notification by the notification unit 308 (S200), the sheet is conveyed without outputting (printing) anything on the back side of the restricted use sheet in the conveyance process. The control unit 320 causes the paper to be discharged to a specific storage location, specifically, a use-restricted paper storage unit 37 dedicated to use-restricted paper, instead of the paper discharge tray 36a from which normal transport paper (recorded paper) is discharged (see FIG. S206).

  Alternatively, as in pattern 3 shown in FIG. 11C, together with the notification by the notification unit 308 (S200), the use-restricted paper in the conveyance process is reversed using the duplex copying unit 34, and confidential information is recorded. Instead of forming print data to be output on the front side of the restricted use paper, that is, printed information, for example, recording a solid black image or printing arbitrary character information, etc. Unreadable information that does not make sense when read by a human or machine is recorded (S212).

  Thereafter, the paper transport control unit 320 discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 36a in the same manner as the pattern 1 shown in FIG. 11A (S214) or the same as the pattern 2 shown in FIG. Then, it is discharged to the use restriction sheet storage unit 37 dedicated to the use restriction sheet (S216). When pattern 1 is adopted, as described above, the paper in the paper stack is discharged by rotating the paper orientation by 90 degrees or by slightly shifting the paper horizontally. It is better to be able to easily know that is a restricted use sheet.

  Alternatively, as in pattern 4 shown in FIG. 11D, along with the notification by the notification unit 308 (S200), the sheet is conveyed without outputting (printing) anything on the back side of the restricted use sheet in the conveyance process. The control unit 320 causes the waste processing device 38 to discharge the normal transport paper (recorded paper) instead of the paper discharge tray 36a (S224). The discard processing device 38 cuts the use restricted paper (S226).

<Order of page processing after transporting the next sheet>
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining modes of feeding control and print output processing until a print job for all pages is completed when the print job extends over a plurality of pages. As described above, with respect to a page for which normal print output processing is canceled because it hits a restricted use sheet, the next sheet is automatically conveyed (S148), so that the next sheet is not a restricted use sheet. Sometimes, a normal output process is performed on the printable used paper (S142). By doing so, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the print job is stopped halfway because it hits the restricted use sheet.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 12A, when hitting a restricted use sheet, even if the entire job is incomplete, the print output process for that page is included, and the subsequent print output process for all pages. May be stopped. In this case, the user who receives the notification from the notification unit 308 may take a necessary measure.

  On the other hand, when the processing is continued by conveying the next sheet when it hits the restricted use sheet (S146), if the job is composed of a plurality of pages, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition, it is possible to adopt a first continuation processing method in which the print output process is immediately performed on the next sheet for the page that hits the restricted use sheet, and then the process proceeds to the print output process for the next page. In this case, the output process for all pages is performed in an appropriate order on the printable used paper without special user notification. However, it is necessary to shift the order of image processing such as drawing development (rendering) on the document DOC, transfer, and paper conveyance processing by one page, and the link control thereof may be complicated. Therefore, when high-speed processing is required There are some difficulties.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12 (C), the print output process is skipped for pages hitting restricted-use sheets, and the process proceeds to the print output process for the next page, and the print output process for all pages is performed. After completion, it is also possible to adopt a second continuation processing method in which the process proceeds to the print output process for the skipped page, that is, the print output process for the skipped page is performed again at the end. In this case, it is preferable to link the paper discharge tray 36a with the function of discharging paper in correspondence with the page order. In this case, the output results in the proper order can be acquired by sequentially stacking the sheets extracted from the corresponding paper discharge trays 36a. In addition, since link control between image processing such as drawing development and transfer and paper conveyance processing can be performed as usual, no inconvenience occurs even during high-speed processing.

  On the other hand, in the second continuous processing method, when the paper discharge tray 36a is not linked to the function of discharging the paper in correspondence with the page order, the page order of the sheet stack as the final product on the paper discharge tray 36a is out of order. Therefore, it is better to notify the user. Alternatively, when the user notification is not performed, the paper is rotated by 90 degrees and discharged at the time of the discharging process at the time of the output processing of the skipped page, or the paper is discharged with a slight shift to the side. Then, it is preferable to notify that the page output to the last page is out of order. Thereby, a page order can be rearranged appropriately by a user's hand. Of course, since link control between image processing such as drawing development and transfer and paper conveyance processing can be performed as usual, no inconvenience occurs even in high-speed processing.

  As described above, according to the processing of the output control unit 400 according to the first embodiment, the types of paper stored in the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c provided in the image output terminal 7 are used paper. Since it can be set to switch whether or not there is, the used paper tray can be switched automatically during single-sided printing, and automatic paper feed control is automatically controlled during double-sided printing (double-sided copying) Can be done.

  When executing a job, first, the job contents such as whether it is a job using used paper, whether it is a single-sided job or a double-sided job, and the usage purpose set for the tray are used. Based on this, a tray to be actually used is determined, and thereafter, control is performed so as to perform feeding and image formation of the paper stored in the determined tray. For example, feeding from a used paper tray Even when a single-sided print job and a double-sided print job are switched in the middle of a single-sided print job using used paper, the print output process always uses appropriate paper. Can be performed.

  Further, since the tray type is set via the user interface such as the operation panel unit 15a, special settings such as a mechanical setting for the tray and a sensor for detecting the setting such as switching the magnet mounting position are provided. A simple structure (unique mechanism) is not required, and the setting state can be switched freely and immediately.

  Therefore, for printing using used paper and printing using plain paper that is not used on both sides, it is only necessary to instruct the selection mode of the paper feed tray 82, and only by controlling the same printing mechanism. Print output processing (copying processing) using simple paper can be performed. Further, the change operation is simple and can be realized without incurring an increase in cost. In addition, printing using the back side of the used paper can be realized with the same productivity as plain paper printing.

  Furthermore, when the used paper is used as printing paper, whether the used paper is a restricted use paper that should be prohibited from being reused, such as a confidential document in which confidential information is recorded. If the paper is a restricted use sheet, the normal print output process (image forming process) using the restricted use sheet is stopped. For this reason, if the paper to be printed is paper that should not be printed (such as confidential documents and discarded documents), it will be detected and notified to the user, and further to the back side of the confidential documents and discarded documents. The print output process can be canceled. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations such as accidentally printing other information on the back side of confidential documents and discarded documents, and to prevent users from handling confidential documents and discarded documents by mistake. Can do.

<Image Forming Function; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram related to the image formation control function of the second embodiment in the image output terminal 7 having the above-described configuration. The output control unit 400 that controls the image forming function of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the job contents are transferred from the user terminal (image input terminal) to the printer driver (on the terminal). It is different in that it is received via an instruction from the operation screen. The designation of the tray selection mode via the job reception unit 420 is the same as in the first embodiment. It should be noted that at least used paper setting is enabled for designation of the paper feed paper type of the printer driver.

  In the print job mode based on the print data from the user terminal on the image input terminal side, the paper transport control unit 320 is in a state of paper setting to the tray obtained via the paper type setting unit 410 (the paper type to be installed is Tray switching control (tray selection and selection) within a range that is not inconvenient for the print job (printer job in this case) while following the status of the tray selection mode acquired via the job reception unit 420 and whether the paper is used. Feeding from the tray) and printing control.

  By notifying the user terminal of the correspondence between the paper types of the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c provided in the image output terminal 7, the user terminal side can specifically specify the tray to be used (tray fixing mode). The user terminal can switch whether or not to print used paper. It is also possible to switch whether or not to print used paper from the user terminal side by setting automatic paper feeding mode or specifying whether or not to use used paper together with setting of paper type setting mode.

<Processing Procedure of Image Forming Function; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the image forming control function of the second embodiment, and is a flowchart for explaining the image forming function focusing on the point that used paper is used as printing paper. For example, when other than used paper (for example, plain paper feed) is designated by the printer driver (S200), the job receiving unit 420 sets the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c provided in the image output terminal 7. Among them, the paper used for printing is switched so as to automatically feed a tray other than the used paper tray as a selection candidate (S202).

  If the used paper is designated by the printer driver (S210), the job receiving unit 420 only uses the used paper tray among the paper feed trays 82a, 82b, and 82c provided in the image output terminal 7. The paper used for printing is switched so that the paper is automatically fed (S212). Others are the same as steps S120 to S150 of the first embodiment (S220 to S250).

  As described above, according to the output control unit 400 of the second embodiment, the used paper setting can be set for specifying the paper feed paper type of the printer driver, and the setting is received by the job reception unit 420, and the paper to the tray is received. Tray switching control within a range that is not inconvenient for the print job while following the setting state (whether the loaded paper type is used paper) and the state of the tray selection mode acquired via the job receiving unit 420 (Tray selection and feeding from the selected tray) and printing control are performed, so that the same usability and effect as in the first embodiment can be enjoyed, and used paper printing can be switched from the image input terminal side. It is possible to switch whether or not to print used paper in units of jobs.

  In addition, when the used paper is used as printing paper, as in the first embodiment, if the used paper is use restricted paper, normal print output processing using the use restricted paper is performed. Since it is canceled, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations such as accidentally printing other information on the back side of confidential documents and discarded documents, and preventing users from handling confidential documents and discarded documents by mistake. Can do.

  As a result, the use / non-use of the used paper can be automatically switched by the device in accordance with the duplex / single-side instruction of the print job, so that the image input terminal 3 set at a location away from the image input terminal 7 can be used. Even when printing is performed based on print data, it is possible to use used paper for business printing, and if the used paper is restricted-use paper, the print output process is automatically stopped. For example, it is possible to appropriately control the processing flow in consideration of the paper setting state of the tray, whether or not it is a restricted use sheet, and the job contents.

  For example, you can use used paper for in-house or personal documents, and do not use used paper for external or official documents, and the appropriate paper will be used to print, Since print output processing is prohibited when the used paper is a confidential document or a disposal section document, even if the used paper is reused, the tray selection and paper type (in this case, especially restricted-use paper) In combination with the job mode, it is possible to flexibly operate a print output process using an appropriate sheet, and the usability is improved.

<Image Forming Function; Third Embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram relating to the image formation control function of the third embodiment in the image output terminal 7 having the above configuration. In the first and second embodiments described above, when printing on the back side of used paper, if the used paper is a use-restricted paper, the printing process is stopped so that the user can In this third embodiment, when printing on the surface (front side) on which predetermined information is recorded in advance, the use of the paper is restricted. If it is a sheet, the printing process is stopped.

  For example, use restricted information such as paper with confidential information or standard paper with company logo, address, phone number, etc., and text information or unprinted areas on the front side. This is a mode suitable for printing graphic information, that is, for superimposing printing on the surface of a printed use-restricted sheet.

  The output control unit 400 that controls the image forming function of the third embodiment includes an authentication processing unit 450 that performs user authentication in addition to the components of the first or second embodiment. The authentication processing unit 450 receives user authentication information from the user of the image output terminal 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when an ID card is inserted into an ID card insertion slot 17 provided on the front side of the apparatus below the operation panel unit 15a, the ID card is described. Read user information. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the user ID input on the operation screen by the printer driver is received. Then, the user verification information is checked against a pre-registered personal information database to determine whether the user is a legitimate user or whether the printing process using the use restriction sheet is permitted. The authentication result information J5 indicating the determination result is notified to the print control unit 300.

  The print control unit 300 performs print output processing for a user who has been properly authenticated by the authentication processing unit 450 based on whether or not print processing using a use-restricted sheet defined for the user is possible. To control.

  In the case of the present embodiment, it is not essential to read and determine whether or not it is a restricted use sheet in the conveyance process. For example, it is defined that the confidential paper that has been printed or the standard paper on which the company logo, address, telephone number, or the like is written is to be accommodated in the paper feed tray 82c, for example, based on the information on the paper feed tray setting. It is possible to determine whether or not it is a restricted use sheet. When the paper feed tray 82c containing the restricted use sheet is set as the tray selection mode, the use permission / inhibition determining unit 306 cooperates with the authentication processing unit 450 to perform print processing using the contained restricted use sheet. Is determined for the user, and for each use-restricted sheet, whether or not a processing request is accepted is controlled depending on whether or not the user can be permitted to use it.

  In the case where a plurality of types of restricted use sheets are mixedly accommodated in the same sheet feed tray 82, the use of restricted use sheets can be performed by reading the sheet information during the sheet transport process as in the first and second embodiments. If the type is specified, it is possible to control whether or not a processing request is accepted for each use-restricted sheet depending on whether or not the use is permitted.

  For example, for a user for whom proper authentication has not been obtained by the authentication processing unit 450, all processing requests are rejected, and processing requests for only authorized users with proper authentication are accepted. Further, even if the user is a regular user, when printing processing on the surface of the restricted use sheet is requested, the use can be permitted for each restricted use sheet (for each tray selection mode in this example). Whether or not to accept a processing request is controlled depending on whether or not there is.

  In this way, for example, a printed confidential document or a standard paper on which a company logo, address, telephone number, etc. are written is stored in, for example, the paper feed tray 82c, and is printed in a free area on the printed surface side. When printing character information or graphic information, it is determined whether or not the use of the paper is a processing request from a user who is unfavorable, and if the user is an inappropriate user, the fact is notified to the user, Furthermore, the print output process for the unprinted portion of the surface of the paper can be stopped.

  For example, it is possible to allow only appropriate users to use the paper for exclusive use in the accounting department for each use-restricted paper, such as prohibiting the use of paper by other departments. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations such as accidentally superimposing other information on the surface of confidential documents and standard documents, and inappropriate users mistakenly use restricted forms such as confidential documents and standard documents. It can be prevented from being handled.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the user interface part. 6 is a chart summarizing output control processing unique to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen at the time of issuing a printing instruction in an image input terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram focusing on the function of performing management information formation processing on the image input terminal side in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the process of the application program for document preparation prepared for the host side apparatus which functions as an image input terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an apparatus configuration for executing management information extraction processing and print control using management information. 3 is a functional block diagram related to an image formation control function of the first embodiment in an image output terminal. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an output of additional information. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an image formation control function according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an image formation control function according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a mode of feeding control and print output processing until a print job for all pages is completed. It is a functional block diagram in connection with the image formation control function of 2nd Embodiment in an image output terminal. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an image formation control function according to a second embodiment. It is a functional block diagram in connection with the image formation control function of 3rd Embodiment in an image output terminal.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system, 3 ... Image input terminal, 7 ... Image output terminal (image forming apparatus), 8 ... Wired LAN, 10 ... Image reading part, 15 ... User interface part, 20 ... Controller part, 30 ... Image output part 32 ... Image forming unit 34 ... Double-sided copying unit 36 ... Discharge unit 36a ... Discharge tray 37 ... Restricted paper storage unit 38 ... Disposal processing device 39 ... Processing substrate 80 ... Paper feeding unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 82 ... Paper feed tray, 83 ... Manual feed tray, 100 ... Host side apparatus, 110 ... Data generation part, 113 ... Document data generation software, 114 ... Document image generation module, 115 ... Management information addition module, 116 ... Information embedding technique Generation module 200 ... Printer (image forming apparatus) 240 ... Image processing unit 300 ... Print control unit 302 ... Paper information acquisition unit 304 ... Physical information extraction unit, 306... Usability determination unit, 308 .. Notification unit, 310... Print engine unit, 312 .. Photoconductor, 314... Intermediate transfer belt, 316. Control unit, 340 ... Printer engine interface unit, 400 ... Output control unit, 410 ... Paper type setting unit, 420 ... Paper type reception unit, 440 ... Additional information output control unit, 450 ... Authentication processing unit

Claims (15)

An image forming method for outputting an image to a predetermined output medium,
An image forming method characterized by prohibiting the use of an output medium that satisfies a predetermined condition among requested output media. An image forming apparatus that outputs an image to a predetermined output medium,
For an output medium that has been requested to be used, an output for determining whether or not the use of the output medium needs to be prohibited, and based on the determination result, an output for controlling an image forming process of the output processing target image on the output medium. An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit. The output control unit determines whether or not the output medium paper to be fed is a use-restricted medium that should be prohibited from unlimited use, and if it is a use-restricted medium, the use-restricted medium is determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a print control unit that cancels the image forming process. The print control unit
A medium information acquisition unit that reads information of an output medium in a conveying process;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: an availability determination unit that determines whether the medium is a use-restricted medium based on information on the output medium read by the medium information acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print control unit includes a notification unit that notifies that the image forming process on the use-restricted medium is stopped. The output control unit includes an additional information output control unit configured to form other information different from the output processing target image on the use-restricted medium in which the image forming process has been stopped. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The image according to claim 6, wherein the additional information output control unit forms other information different from the output processing target image on a surface on which the predetermined information in the use restricted medium has already been recorded. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print control unit discharges the use-restricted medium in which the image forming process is stopped. In addition to the output medium on which image formation processing has been normally performed, a use restriction medium storage unit that stores the use restriction medium on which image formation processing has been stopped,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output control unit causes the use-restricted medium for which the image forming process has been stopped to be discharged to the use-restricted medium storage unit. It has a cutting part that cuts the discharged output medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output control unit discharges the use-restricted medium in which the image forming process has been stopped to the cutting unit. The output control unit discharges the use-restricted medium for which the image forming process has been stopped, and then transports the next output medium to perform an image forming process for the output processing target image that has been stopped. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. In the case where the job is composed of a plurality of pages, the output control unit causes the image forming process to be performed on the page of the output processing target image that is immediately stopped after the next output medium is conveyed, and thereafter The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an image forming process for the next page is performed. When the job is composed of a plurality of pages, the output control unit causes the image forming process for the next page to be performed after the next output medium is transported, and is stopped after the processing of the last page is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein image forming processing is performed on a page of the output processing target image. An image forming apparatus for outputting an image to a predetermined output medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising: means for forming, on the output medium, medium information indicating whether use prohibition of the output medium is necessary. A program for performing processing for outputting an image to a predetermined output medium using a computer,
The computer,
A program for determining whether or not use of the output medium is required for an output medium requested to be used, and causing the output medium to function as an output control unit that controls output processing based on the determination result.

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