JP2007083427A - Image processor, system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent processing by an image processing means from being interrupted in the way by use limitation even when a desired job is regulated by use limitation. <P>SOLUTION: In use limitation processing, a control section 101 compares a scheduled number (n) of print sheets with an available number N1 of sheets and a warning number N2 of sheets (step S9). If n<N1, current scheduled number (n) of print sheets can be printed with available number N1 of sheets on current state and thereby print processing is started. Since print processing can be executed after completing a determination processing (n<N1) in use limitation processing, the available number N1 of sheets is not reached in the way of printing and such a trouble as printing is interrupted in the way can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, system, and method in which usage limit values are set in advance for each user or group.

  An image processing device has a multifunction device that has one of the functions of a fax machine, a scanner, a copy machine, and a printer. In an organization such as a company, a usage limit value is set for each user or group for the number of copies printed by this multifunction device. By doing so, waste of resources was suppressed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 7-319646 A JP 2003-323283 A

However, in each patent document, a usage limit value (for example, the number of printed sheets) is monitored for each user, and when the usage limit value exceeds the number of printed sheets, the printing process is automatically prohibited. It was. For this reason, only a printed matter that has been printed only halfway may be provided to the user.
As described above, since the user does not know how the use limit value of the user affects the desired job before work, it is extremely inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and prevents the processing by the image processing unit from being interrupted due to the use restriction even when the use job is restricted by the use restriction. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, system and method.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus employed by the present invention includes an image processing unit that processes image data, a receiving unit that receives designation of a job, and the image for a job that is received by the receiving unit. Based on the processing amount of the processing means, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit, and based on the determination result, the usage restriction processing means starts processing of the image processing means. It is characterized by that.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to another invention includes an image processing unit that processes image data, a receiving unit that receives job designation, and an image that receives a job from the receiving unit. Based on the normal processing means that the processing means starts processing and the processing amount of the image processing means for the job received by the receiving means, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit, Use restriction processing means for starting the processing of the image processing means based on the determination result; and selection means for allowing a user to select one of the normal processing means and the use restriction processing means. It is characterized by that.

By configuring in this way, the usage restriction processing means starts the processing of the image processing means when the processing amount in the image processing means can be processed within the predetermined usage restrictions. The processing operation is started after reliably determining whether or not processing is possible in the image processing means. In other words, the processing operation of the image processing means is not started at a stage where it is not determined whether the processing in the image processing means is possible within the usage restrictions.
By adopting this invention, when the use of the image processing means is restricted, it is determined whether or not the processing is interrupted in advance when the processing amount has reached the use restriction. Interruption in the middle of processing can be prevented. For example, due to usage restrictions, when the image processing unit is configured to form an image on a substrate, it is possible to avoid a problem that the printing is interrupted before all the sheets are printed.

  In the image processing apparatus described above, the usage restriction processing unit uses a usage value detecting unit that detects a processing amount in the image processing unit as a usage value, and uses the usage limitation as an available value indicating a remaining amount of the usage value. Storage means for storing each user, identification information input means for inputting information for identifying the user, and identifying the user according to the information input to the identification information input means, corresponding to the specified user Reading means for reading the available value to be read from the storage means, and processing start means for starting the processing of the image processing means when the usage value is equal to or less than the available value read by the reading means. preferable.

  In the above-described image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus further includes a possible value update unit that updates the available value, and the possible value update unit is used when the process is performed in the image processing unit. Preferably, a value is subtracted from the available value.

  In the above-described image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit that receives print data output from the image processing unit and forms an image on a printed material, and the usage value is a number of printed sheets of the printed material in the image forming unit. Preferably, the available value is the number of printable sheets for each user.

In the image processing apparatus described above, when the usage value exceeds the usable value read by the reading unit by the processing start unit, a repair processing unit is provided that takes action on the usage value or the usable value. Is preferred.
In the above-described image processing apparatus, the storage unit stores an alarm value smaller than each available value for each user together with the available value, and the usage value detected by the usage value detecting unit is the read-out value. It is preferable to provide notifying means for notifying that the usage value is close to the usage limit value when the usage value is between the read available value and the warning value.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system employed by the present invention includes the above-described image processing apparatus and a server apparatus that exchanges data with the image processing apparatus. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing method employed by the present invention includes an image processing step for processing image data, a reception step for receiving job designation, and the image for the job received by the reception step. Based on the processing amount of the processing step, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit, and based on the determination result, a restriction processing start step for starting the processing of the image processing step, It is characterized by having.

  In order to achieve the above object, another image processing method adopted by the present invention includes an image processing step for processing image data, a reception step for receiving job designation, and a job by the reception step. Based on the normal processing start step in which the image processing step starts processing and the processing amount of the image processing step for the job received in the receiving step, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit. And, based on the determination result, a restriction processing start step for starting the processing of the image processing step, and a selection means for causing the user to select one of the normal processing start step or the restriction processing start step; , Provided.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the usage restriction processing means starts the processing of the image processing means when the processing amount in the image processing means can be processed within a predetermined usage restriction. Thus, the processing operation of the image processing unit is started after reliably determining whether or not the image processing unit can perform processing within the usage restriction. In other words, the processing operation of the image processing means is not started at a stage where it is not determined whether the processing in the image processing means is possible within the usage restrictions.
By adopting this invention, when the use of the image processing means is restricted, it is determined whether or not the processing is interrupted in advance when the processing amount has reached the use restriction. Interruption in the middle of processing can be prevented. For example, due to usage restrictions, when the image processing unit is configured to form an image on a substrate, it is possible to avoid a problem that the printing is interrupted before all the sheets are printed.

<Embodiment>
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral 100, client terminals 200A, 200B,... 200N and an administrator terminal 300 connected via a network 400. The multi-function device 100 has copy, scanner, printer, and fax functions.

  In describing this embodiment, as an example of its application, a case where the system 1 according to this embodiment is used in-house will be described. In this case, the network 400 is a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The client terminal 200 and the administrator terminal 300 are configured by a personal computer or the like. In the terminals 200 and 300, print data for causing the multifunction device 100 to print the data is generated.

<1. Configuration of MFP 100>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. The MFP 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an image reading unit 103, an image forming unit 104, an image processing unit 105, a communication unit 106, a UI (User Interface) unit 107, and a counter unit 108. And comprising.

  The control unit 101 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various programs stored in the storage unit 102. By executing, the operation of each part of the multifunction peripheral 100 is controlled. Here, the “program” includes firmware for performing basic control of the multifunction peripheral 100 and software for executing print processing and the like shown in FIG. The storage unit 102 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and includes a correspondence table 102A (see FIG. 3) used for a usage restriction process and a predetermined table in addition to various programs for performing an operation process and a personal authentication process as a normal multifunction machine. The number of sheets ΔN and the like are stored.

Here, the correspondence table 102A is shown in FIG. In the correspondence table 102A, the use limit number N0 and the printable number N1 are stored for each user ID registered in advance. Here, the use limit sheet number N0 is obtained by setting the limit sheet number of the printed material P output from the image forming unit 105 in the multifunction peripheral 100 for each authentication ID. For example, N0A printing is permitted in the initial stage for the authentication ID “A”.
The usable number N1 is a number that is subtracted from the use restriction number N0 each time the user outputs the printed matter P at the image forming unit 105 and permitted to be used at this stage. When n sheets are printed by the processing of the image forming unit 105, N1 = N1−n, and the printed matter P is sequentially updated each time it is output. For example, printing of N1A (N1A <N0A) sheets for the authentication ID “A” is permitted at this stage. Further, in accordance with a command from the administrator client 300, the user-possible number N1 is reset to the use limit number N0 at the beginning of the month.

Further, the predetermined number ΔN is a predetermined number for prompting notification before the scheduled printing number n exceeds the usable number N1. It may be set individually for each authentication ID or may be fixed to a fixed value.
In addition, a storage area called a confidential box is formed in the storage unit 102, and data that cannot be processed for some reason among the data processed in the multifunction machine 101 is stored in the confidential box.

  The image reading unit 103 includes a platen, a light source, a mirror, a lens, and a light receiving element (not shown), and generates an image signal by optically reading the document D placed on the platen. The image reading unit 103 is also provided with an automatic document feeder (not shown) that automatically moves the document D onto the platen. The generated image signal is subjected to various image processing in the image processing unit 105 and converted into image data. The image forming unit 104 includes a photoconductor (not shown), a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer belt, and the like. An image based on the image data is formed (that is, printed) on the surface of a recording material such as paper, and printed matter P Is output.

  The image processing unit 105 includes a plurality of LSIs (Large Scale Integration) and performs various image processing. This image processing includes, for example, image rotation, density conversion, image formation mode conversion, and the like performed by a user instruction in addition to AD conversion, γ conversion, and shading correction for generating image data from an image signal. These image processes include LSIs corresponding to the respective processes. In the image processing unit 105, an image signal or image data is supplied to the LSI corresponding to the type of image processing. The image processing unit 105 receives print data (electronic document) transmitted from the client terminal 200 or image data read by the image reading unit 103 and transfers the processed image data to the image forming unit 104.

The communication unit 106 is an interface for connecting to the network 400, and exchanges data with the client terminal 200 and the administrator terminal 300 via the network 400. Further, the communication unit 106 serves as an interface for transmitting image data to an external fax machine (not shown) via the network 400 when the multifunction peripheral 100 is operated as a fax machine.
The UI unit 107 is an interface for displaying and outputting various types of information to the user and receiving input from the user, and includes various buttons, a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and the like.

  The counter unit counter unit 108 counts the number of documents D read by the image reading unit 103, and transmits the count result to the control unit 101.

In the MFP 100, when operating as a copier, upon receiving an instruction from a user input from the UI unit 107, the control unit 101 causes the image reading unit 103, the image processing unit 105, and the image forming unit 104 to operate. The printed matter P is output based on the original D. When the multifunction peripheral 100 is operated as a scanner, the control unit 101 operates the image reading unit 103, the image processing unit 105, and the communication unit 106 in response to an instruction from the user input from the UI unit 107. For example, the image data of the document D is transmitted to the client terminal 200.
Further, when the MFP 100 is operated as a printer, for example, the control unit 101 operates the communication unit 106, the image processing unit 105, and the image forming unit 104 in response to an instruction from a client transmitted from the client terminal 200. The printed matter P based on the print data transmitted from the client terminal 200 is output. Further, when the MFP 100 is operated as a fax machine, the control unit 101 operates the image reading unit 103, the image processing unit 105, and the communication unit 106 in response to an instruction from the user input from the UI unit 107. The image data of the document D is transmitted to another fax machine.

<2. Operation of print processing>
Next, the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  This processing will be described by taking as an example a case where the multifunction peripheral 100 functions as a copier.

  When the multifunction peripheral 100 is operated as a copy machine, a copy instruction is received by the user operating the UI unit 107. Upon receiving this copy instruction, the control unit 101 displays a menu for selecting between normal processing and use restriction processing on the UI unit 107 and prompts input of the instruction. Here, the normal process is a process for printing without being restricted by the use restriction. Each time the document reading unit 103 sequentially reads the document D, the read image signal is converted into image data by the image processing unit 105. Based on this image data, the image forming unit 104 outputs the printed matter P. As described above, in the normal process, the printed matter P of the read original D is quickly output.

Then, the user selects normal processing or usage regulation processing. In the case of the present embodiment, a case where the user selects “use restriction processing” will be described.
First, the multifunction peripheral 100 displays a screen for performing authentication processing on the display unit of the UI unit 107 in order to acquire the user authentication ID. At this time, the means for acquiring the authentication ID may be input of human body information such as a personal identification number, fingerprint, voiceprint, retina, etc., and the multifunction peripheral 100 using a known personal authentication technique according to this input. The authentication ID stored in the storage unit 102 is read (step S1).

Next, the control unit 101 reads the usage limit number N0 and the usable number N1 from the authentication ID acquired in step S1 with reference to the correspondence table 102A (step S2), and temporarily stores them in the storage unit 102.
The control unit 101 displays an inquiry about the number of copies to the user on the display unit of the UI unit 107. As a result, the number of print copies b input from the user is acquired (step S3) and temporarily stored in the storage unit 102.

The control unit 101 operates the image reading unit 103 to start reading the document D to be printed (step S4), and stores the image signal in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 increments the number of documents D by “1” by the counter unit 108 to obtain the number of read sheets a (step S5).
The automatic document feeder of the image reading unit 103 has a limit on the number of documents D to be placed. For this reason, when the control unit 101 operates the image reading unit 103, a switch “next document” is displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 107. When the user operates this switch, a large amount of documents D can be read at a time, and the process is executed in one process.
The control unit 101 is repeated until there is no document D read by the image reading unit 103 (step S6; NO). When there is no document D to be read (step S6; YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to the next step. The control unit 101 calculates the planned number of prints (usage value) n scheduled to be printed in the current printing by n = a × b (step S7).

Next, the control unit 101 reads the predetermined number ΔN from the storage unit 102 and generates an alarm number N2 (N2 = N1−ΔN) (step S8).
Further, the control unit 101 compares the usable sheet number N1 and the alarm sheet number N2 with the scheduled print sheet number n (step S9).
First, when n <N2 in this determination process, the control unit 101 does not exceed the number of scheduled prints n exceeding the number of alarms N2, and a sufficient number of sheets for printing the n sheets remains in the usable number N1. The image processing unit 105 generates image data from the image signal stored in the storage unit 102, and the image forming unit 104 prints n sheets of printed matter P based on the image data (step S10).
Further, the control unit 101 updates the usable number N1 (step S11). That is, N1-n is set to a new usable number N1, and updated to the storage unit 102.

  On the other hand, in the determination process of step S9, if N2 ≦ n <N1, the current printable number N1 can be printed with the current printable number N1, but the available number N1 is then set to the predetermined number ΔN. This is displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 107 by displaying a message such as “The remaining number of available sheets is less than ΔN. Please print yourself!” The user is notified (step S12).

Further, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit of the UI unit 107 whether to print or not, and waits for an instruction from the user (step S13). If the current printed matter P is important, the user instructs printing (step S13; YES). If the printed matter P is not so important, the user gives an instruction to cancel printing (step S13; NO). Such a determination for the user can be made by the display in step S12.
In the case of a print instruction (step S13; YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to the processing after step S10. In the case of a print stop instruction (step S13; NO), the control unit 101 performs this use restriction process. End.

  On the other hand, in the determination process of step S9, if N1 <n, the control unit 101 cannot print the scheduled print number n with the available number N1 of the current stage, and this is displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 107. A message such as “The number of sheets to be printed this time does not remain in your usable number!” Is displayed to notify the user (step S14).

The control unit 101 displays a message prompting printing “Do you want to print?” On the display unit of the UI unit 107, and waits for an instruction from the user (step S15). If the current printed matter P is important, the user instructs printing (step S15; YES), and if it is not so important, instructs the user to cancel printing (step S15; NO).
In the case of a print instruction (step S15; YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to a relief process in step S16. In the case of a print stop instruction (step S13; NO), the control unit 101 performs this use restriction process. Terminate.

Next, the relief process will be described with reference to FIG.
This process is executed when the usable number N1 is smaller than the scheduled printing number n. There are two types of relief processing: printing regulation processing that is performed by limiting the printing target and proxy printing processing that receives the number of sheets usable by other users.
First, the control unit 101 displays a message “Which print regulation process or proxy printing process to execute?” On the display unit of the UI unit 107, and receives an instruction from the user (step S21). .

  When the user selects the print regulation process in the determination process of step S21 (step S21; print regulation), the control unit 101 displays “Which print regulation process to execute?” On the display unit of the UI unit 107. Is displayed, followed by “print copy limit / print page designation / print range designation” and receives an instruction from the user (step S22).

  In the determination process of step S22, when the user selects the print copy limit (step S21; X), the control unit 101 performs the print copy limit process (step S23). In this process, the number of copies b input from the user in step S3 in the process of FIG. 4 is changed. As a result of the change, the setting is made so that the scheduled printing number n is equal to or less than the usable number N1.

  On the other hand, when the user selects print page designation in the determination process in step S22 (step S22; Y), the control unit 101 performs a print page designation process (step S24). In this process, a page required by the user is designated from the read image data. The user sets the scheduled printing number n of the specified page to be equal to or less than the usable number N1.

Further, when the user selects printing range designation in the determination processing in step S22 (step S22; Z), the control unit 101 performs printing range designation processing (step S25). In this process, a page required by the user in the read image data is designated as a print range. The user sets the scheduled printing number n in the designated printing range to be equal to or less than the usable number N1.
Then, after the processing of these steps S23 to S25 is completed, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S10 in FIG. 4 and outputs a printed matter P, and then updates the available number N1 in step S11 and ends this printing processing. To do.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the proxy printing process in the determination process in step S21 (step S21; proxy printing), the control unit 101 stores the image data read in the confidential box provided in the storage unit 102. (Step S26).

After that, the control unit 101 is in trouble because the “identification ID XXX is not available and cannot be printed because it cannot be printed on the client terminal 200 and the administrator terminal 300 via the communication unit 106. "?" Is transmitted (step S27).
As a result of this message, when another user has applied for proxy printing, the authentication ID of the other user is input (step S28). This input method may be notification via a network or input by directly operating the UI unit of the multifunction peripheral 100.

Next, the control unit 101 reads the proxy usable sheet number N3 from the authentication ID of another user from the correspondence table 102A (step S29), and determines whether or not the proxy usable sheet number N3 ≧ the scheduled print sheet number n. (Step S30).
In this determination process, if N3 ≧ n (step S30; YES), printing is possible, so the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG.
On the other hand, if N3 <n in the determination process of step S30 (step S30; NO), the process returns to step S21 to perform this relief process again.
After step S29, the proxy usable number N3 from another user may be added to the user usable number N1 to obtain the proxy usable number N3. As a result, printing can be performed even among users who have a small remaining number of available pages.

<3. Effects of the embodiment>
As described above, in the use restriction process of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, the image reading unit 103 calculates the scheduled print number n from the number of copies of the original D and the number of copies, and compares the planned print number n with the printable number N1. Thus, printing is started when n <N1. In other words, the printing process is not started when the scheduled printing number n is calculated and the determination process is not completed. As a result, the processing was interrupted when the scheduled number of prints reached the usable number, and it was determined whether or not processing was possible in advance, and the number of printed sheets would exceed the usable number. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing from being interrupted in the middle of the printing process, and it is possible to avoid the problem that the printing is interrupted before all the sheets are printed.

In the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment, when printing is performed, the user can be notified that the usable number N1 of the user is decreasing, so that the user can use the usable number N1. To grasp.
Further, when the scheduled printing number n exceeds the usable number N1, printing is not started, but printing limited to the printed material P by relief processing or printing by proxy is possible, and the printed material P is not printed during printing. It is possible to prevent interruption.
In this multifunction device 100, it is possible to effectively restrict printing while improving the convenience of the multifunction device 100 by eliminating problems such as printing stopping during printing. .

<4. Modification>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various aspect is possible.
The MFP 100 has a function for performing personal authentication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 1, an authentication server 500 is connected to the network 400 and personal information is transmitted to the authentication server 500. Thus, the authentication ID may be read out, or the correspondence table 102A may be stored in the authentication server 500 and the usable number N1 corresponding to the authentication ID may be read out from the authentication server 500.

In the embodiment, the case where the multifunction peripheral 100 is operated as a copier has been illustrated, but it is needless to say that it may be a scanner / fax / printer. Note that when the multifunction peripheral 100 is caused to function as a printer, processing for calculating the number of readings a (steps S4 to S6 in FIG. 4) is omitted.
Further, the limited use number N0 and the usable number N1 described in the correspondence table 102A are not distinguished between black and white and color, but can be distinguished. At this time, it is only necessary to define the number of black and white and color separately for each of the limited usage number N0 and the usable number N1.
In the above-described embodiment, the usage limit number and the usable number are defined for each user. However, the usage limit number and the usable number are not limited to each user, but are set for each group such as a company department. It may be done.

  The print regulation process of the relief process described in the embodiment is not limited to the process of the embodiment. Even if printing is performed from the beginning in the reading order of the document X in the range of the printable number N1, even pages or odd pages. In this case, N-UP printing for printing a plurality of images on one page may be performed.

  The proxy printing process of the relief process described in the above embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where the proxy usable number N3 of the proxy user is used instead of the usable number N1, but is stored in the confidential box. The content of the image data may be monitored by the client terminal 200 used by another user, and if the other user desires image data, the printing process may be performed.

  Note that the usage range of the system 1 is not limited to being used inside the company, but also applied outside the company. In the case where the present invention is applied to an outside use range, the network 400 may be the Internet, and the authentication server 500 may be managed by a business operator.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the corresponding | compatible table used for embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process by embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process following FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing system 100 ... Multifunction machine 101 ... Control part 102 ... Storage part 102A ... Correspondence table 103 ... Image reading part 104 ... Image forming part 105 ... Image processing part 106 ... Communication part 107 ... UI part, 108 ... counter part, 200 ... client terminal, 300 ... administrator terminal, 400 ... network, 500 ... authentication server.

Claims (10)

Image processing means for processing image data;
Accepting means for accepting job specification,
Based on the processing amount of the image processing unit for the job received by the receiving unit, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit, and the processing of the image processing unit is performed based on the determination result. An image processing apparatus comprising: a use restriction processing unit to be started. Image processing means for processing image data;
Accepting means for accepting job specification,
A normal processing unit in which the image processing unit starts processing upon receiving a job by the receiving unit;
Based on the processing amount of the image processing unit for the job received by the receiving unit, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit, and the processing of the image processing unit is performed based on the determination result. Usage restriction processing means to start;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit that allows a user to select one of the normal processing unit and the usage restriction processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The usage restriction processing means includes:
Utilization value detection means for detecting a processing amount in the image processing means as a utilization value;
Storage means for storing the use restriction for each user as an available value indicating the remaining amount of the use value;
Identification information input means for inputting information for identifying a user;
A reading unit that identifies a user according to information input to the identification information input unit, and reads out an available value corresponding to the identified user from the storage unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing start means for starting processing of the image processing means when the usage value is less than or equal to the usable value read by the reading means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.
Possible value updating means for updating the available value,
The possible value updating means subtracts the usage value spent for the processing from the available value when the processing is performed in the image processing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
Receiving image data output from the image processing unit and forming an image on a printing material;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use value is a number of printed sheets of the printing material in the image forming unit, and the usable value is a printable number of sheets for each user. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a repair processing unit that performs a treatment on the usage value or the available value when the usage value exceeds the available value read by the reading unit by the processing start unit. . The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The storage means stores an alarm value less than each available value for each user together with the available value,
When the usage value detected by the usage value detection unit is between the usable value read by the reading unit and the warning value, a notification unit is provided to notify that the usage value is close to the usage limit value. An image processing apparatus. An image processing system comprising: the image processing apparatus according to claim 1; and a server apparatus that exchanges data with the image processing apparatus. An image processing step for processing image data;
A reception step for accepting job specification;
Based on the processing amount of the image processing step for the job received by the receiving step, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit. Based on the determination result, the processing of the image processing step is determined. An image processing method comprising: a restriction process start step for starting the process. An image processing step for processing image data;
A reception step for accepting job specification;
A normal processing start step in which the image processing step starts processing upon receiving the job in the reception step;
Based on the processing amount of the image processing step for the job received by the receiving step, it is determined whether or not the processing amount can be processed within a predetermined usage limit. Based on the determination result, the processing of the image processing step is determined. A restriction processing start step for starting
An image processing method comprising: a selection unit that allows a user to select one of the normal process start step and the restriction process start step.

Images