JP2008049629A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent the spread of illegal use of an image forming apparatus by specifying the moving destination when the image forming apparatus is illegally moved. <P>SOLUTION: When it is detected that the image forming apparatus 100 is illegally moved, the apparatus creates an error report from second report data 119b, different from a first report data 119a, for creating the error report which is output upon the occurrence of error and a printing section 104 prints the error report. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input print data.

  As an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, a technique has been proposed that corresponds to a case where the image is illegally moved due to theft or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a copier management apparatus that prohibits a copying operation of a copier when it is detected that the copier has moved from the installation position. In particular, in this copying machine management apparatus, when access is not permitted from the host computer, it is detected that there has been a movement and the printing operation is stopped to prevent unauthorized use.

JP-A-8-194413

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, since it is not possible to specify a destination including a theft destination only by stopping the printing operation when it is detected that the user has moved, the unauthorized user is traced. There was a problem that could not be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that can specify a destination and effectively prevent abuse expansion.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input print data, and an unauthorized movement detection unit that detects that the image forming apparatus has been illegally moved. When the illegal movement detecting unit detects that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved, the first report data that is different from the first report data that is normally used to generate an error report that is output when an error occurs is generated. And a control unit that generates and outputs an error report based on the report data of No. 2.

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when it is detected that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved, based on the second report data different from the first report data normally used, Since an error report is created and output, a special contact information or the like can be described in the error report. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a thief or the like who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus visually recognizes an error report created based on the second report data and contacts the contact address described therein. Based on what has been done, it is possible to assist the identification of the thief and the destination.

  In the present invention, it is possible to specify an illegal destination of the image forming apparatus, and effectively prevent abuse expansion.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  This embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input print data. In particular, this image forming apparatus can detect unauthorized movement from a proper installation location, and can assist in specifying the movement destination.

  First, the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to an information processing apparatus 500 such as a personal computer via a predetermined communication line 501. The information processing apparatus 500 transmits state confirmation data and print data for confirming the state of the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 501. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits status information to the information processing apparatus 500 based on the received status confirmation data, or to a recording sheet as a recording medium based on the received print data. To form an image. Examples of the communication line 501 include various networks such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) constituted by so-called Ethernet (registered trademark) and a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11. Any line such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a printer line conforming to IEEE 1284, or the like can be applied.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main processing unit 101 that comprehensively controls each unit, a boot processing unit 102 that performs boot processing of the image forming apparatus 100, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory. ) 103, a printing unit 104 that performs print processing, and a hard disk (HDD) 105 as a large-capacity nonvolatile memory.

  The main processing unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. By executing various programs, various processes for performing print processing while comprehensively controlling each unit. I do. The detailed configuration of the main processing unit 101 will be described later.

  The boot processing unit 102 is connected to a later-described system management unit 113 in the main processing unit 101, and performs a boot process for the image forming apparatus 100. In the image forming apparatus 100, when the boot processing by the boot processing unit 102 is completed, the subsequent control is taken over by the system management unit 113. The boot processing unit 102 is connected to the RAM 103, and develops each program in the main processing unit 101 on the RAM 103.

  The RAM 103 is connected to the main processing unit 101 so as to be accessible from each unit in the main processing unit 101 and is connected to the boot processing unit 102. The RAM 103 functions as a work area when the main processing unit 101 or the boot processing unit 102 executes various processes, and print data input from the information processing apparatus 500 or print data in a format that can be processed by the main processing unit 101. Various types of data such as intermediate data converted from are stored in a volatile manner. Various data stored in the RAM 103 is read by the main processing unit 101 and the boot processing unit 102.

  The printing unit 104 is connected to the system management unit 113 in the main processing unit 101, and performs initialization processing and printing processing in accordance with the initialization instruction and printing instruction from the system management unit 113. In addition, when an error such as opening of a cover that forms the appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 or jamming of a recording sheet occurs during the initialization or printing, the printing unit 104 notifies that fact to the system management unit 113. Notify Further, the printing unit 104 is connected to the image forming unit 112 and the setting value management unit 116 in the main processing unit 101, and records from the setting value management unit 116 in response to a print instruction from the system management unit 113. In addition to acquiring paper size information and paper feed information, raster data is acquired from the image forming unit 112, and printing processing is performed based on these information. When the printing unit 104 performs electrophotographic printing processing, the printing unit 104 forms an image on a recording sheet using charged toner, and thermally fixes the toner image formed on the recording sheet. By doing so, it is configured as a series of members for producing printed matter. The printing unit 104 is configured as a series of members that produce a printed matter by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet in the case of performing an inkjet printing process.

  The hard disk 105 is connected to the hard disk control unit 118 in the main processing unit 101, and stores large-capacity data such as print data and font data used for printing. Then, the hard disk 105 performs an initialization process, a read process, and a write process in accordance with an initialization instruction, a read instruction, and a write instruction from the hard disk control unit 118.

  Next, the configuration of the main processing unit 101 will be described.

  The main processing unit 101 includes an interface unit 111 that controls communication with the information processing apparatus 500, an image forming unit 112 that creates raster data that can be printed by the printing unit 104, and the image forming apparatus 100. A system management unit 113 that controls each unit according to the state, a job management unit 114 that manages a print job, an operation panel unit 115 as a user interface, and setting values of information for setting the environment of the image forming apparatus 100 are set. The setting value management unit 116 to be managed, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 that detects that the image forming apparatus 100 has been illegally moved, the hard disk control unit 118 that controls the hard disk 105, the first report data 119a, and the first report data 119a. And a data storage unit 119 for storing two report data 119b. Of these units, the units other than the operation panel unit 115 and the data storage unit 119 are configured as programs stored in the flash ROM.

  The interface unit 111 is an interface for connecting to the information processing apparatus 500 based on the communication method of the communication line 501 and receives data including print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 500. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the print data is roughly classified into a print information command including information such as a printing method and print job data including information such as print job information, a recording paper size, and the number of copies. Configured. When the interface unit 111 receives print data from the information processing apparatus 500, the interface unit 111 analyzes the print information command, and supplies print job data to the image forming unit 112 if the printing method is normal printing. The interface unit 111 supplies print job data to the job management unit 114 when the printing method is different from normal printing such as confidential printing or spool printing. Further, the interface unit 111 is connected to the setting value management unit 116, and when the print information command is an environment setting command, the interface unit 111 analyzes this and supplies the obtained environment information to the setting value management unit 116. .

  The image forming unit 112 edits and develops the print job data supplied from the interface unit 111 to create raster data, and supplies the raster data to the printing unit 104. The image forming unit 112 is connected to a data storage unit 119 in which first report data 119a and second report data 119b described later are stored, and the first report data 119a or the second report data is stored. Raster data is created based on 119 b and supplied to the printing unit 104.

  The system management unit 113 includes a boot processing unit 102, a printing unit 104, an interface unit 111, an image forming unit 112, a job management unit 114, an operation panel unit 115, a setting value management unit 116, an unauthorized movement detection unit 117, and a hard disk control unit. When the boot processing by the boot processing unit 102 is completed, the subsequent control is performed, and each unit is controlled by issuing an initialization instruction and a process execution instruction to each unit. Here, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 refers to initialization, standby, printing, or an error state. In addition, the system management unit 113 manages the state of the image forming apparatus 100 such as an error that has occurred in each unit and a job state change, and instructs each unit to respond to the state change. For example, the system management unit 113 controls the initialization process and the printing process of the printing unit 104 by issuing an initialization instruction and a printing instruction to the printing unit 104, and also performs the printing unit 104 during initialization and printing. When a notification that an error has occurred is received from, each unit is controlled in accordance with the content. In addition, the system management unit 113 notifies the operation panel unit 115 of an instruction to display state information, and displays the state information on the operation panel unit 115 to notify the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The job management unit 114 manages a print job from when the image forming apparatus 100 receives print data from the information processing apparatus 500 until the printing process by the printing unit 104 is completed. Specifically, the job management unit 114 is connected to the hard disk control unit 118, and when print job data different from normal printing such as confidential printing or spool printing is received, the print job data is transferred to the hard disk The data is supplied to the control unit 118 and stored in the hard disk 105. Further, the job management unit 114 reads the corresponding print job data from the hard disk 105 via the hard disk control unit 118 when confidential printing or spool printing is started.

  The operation panel unit 115 can display information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 100 (Liquid Crystal Display; LCD), various menu operations, switches and buttons for canceling the current status, and the like as a user interface. It consists of a predetermined display / operation device (not shown). The user inputs a command to the image forming apparatus 100 by operating a switch or the like while confirming information displayed on the LCD of the operation panel unit 115. The operation panel unit 115 receives a command from the user input in this way, and supplies a control signal indicating the content of the command to the system management unit 113. The operation panel unit 115 displays menu setting value information acquired from the setting value management unit 116 when the user operates the menu. Furthermore, the operation panel unit 115 displays status information of the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an instruction from the system management unit 113, for example.

  The setting value management unit 116 is connected to the printing unit 104, the interface unit 111, the image forming unit 112, the job management unit 114, the operation panel unit 115, the setting value management unit 116, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117, and the hard disk control unit 118. The setting values of information for setting the environment of the image forming apparatus 100 such as the recording paper size, the paper feed tray to be used, and the menu setting values to be displayed on the operation panel unit 115 are set as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only). It is stored in a non-volatile memory such as “Memory” and managed. For example, the setting value management unit 116 stores the value of the environment information supplied from the interface unit 111 in the nonvolatile memory. The set value management unit 116 changes the set value stored in the nonvolatile memory to the passed set value in response to a request for changing the set value from each unit. For example, when the setting value management unit 116 receives a change request from the unauthorized movement detection unit 117, the setting value management unit 116 changes the value of unauthorized movement information stored in the nonvolatile memory. Note that the unauthorized movement information does not need to be stored in the nonvolatile memory, and is assumed to be stored in the RAM 103 here. Further, the set value management unit 116 sets the set value information currently set in response to an inquiry about the set values of the environment of the image forming apparatus 100 such as the recording paper size and the paper feed tray from each connected unit. Read from nonvolatile memory and return its value. Furthermore, the set value management unit 116 reads a value stored in the RAM 103 (or non-volatile memory) in response to an inquiry about unauthorized movement information from each connected unit, and returns the value. In response to an inquiry about setting value information of various menus from the operation panel unit 115, the setting value management unit 116 reads the currently set setting value from the nonvolatile memory and returns the value. Furthermore, when the print management method is different from normal printing such as confidential printing or spool printing, the setting value management unit 116 receives a print job data from the job management unit 114 when the job management unit 114 receives the print job data. In response to the data storage request, the print job data is stored in the hard disk 105 via the hard disk control unit 118. Note that the storage location of the print job data is not limited to the hard disk 105 as long as it is a nonvolatile memory, and may be the nonvolatile memory of the setting value management unit 116. However, confidential print job data is required for confidential printing and is likely to have a large capacity, so it is desirable to store it in a large-capacity nonvolatile memory.

  The unauthorized movement detection unit 117 detects whether or not the image forming apparatus 100 has been illegally moved from a valid installation location when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on. Then, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 supplies the value of unauthorized movement information indicating whether or not unauthorized movement has occurred to the setting value management unit 116 and stores it in the RAM 103 or the nonvolatile memory.

  The hard disk control unit 118 controls the hard disk 105 to store, for example, large-capacity data such as print job data and font data used for printing in the hard disk 105 and read data stored in the hard disk 105. . Specifically, the hard disk control unit 118 is connected to the setting value management unit 116, and stores the print job data supplied from the job management unit 114 in the hard disk 105 under the control of the setting value management unit 116. Let Also, the hard disk control unit 118 reads the corresponding print job data from the hard disk 105 and supplies it to the job management unit 114 when confidential printing or spool printing is activated under the control of the setting value management unit 116. Further, the hard disk control unit 118 acquires initialization information and the like from the setting value management unit 116 when the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, and initializes the hard disk 105 based on this.

  The data storage unit 119 stores first report data 119a and second report data 119b. Here, the first report data 119a and the second report data 119b are services for performing maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 when an error occurs, such as when the life of a consumable such as a toner cartridge or an image drum is reached. This is original data for printing an error report for prompting the user to contact the center (service call). The first report data 119 a and the second report data 119 b stored in the data storage unit 119 are read by the image forming unit 112.

  The image forming apparatus 100 configured by each unit performs the following processing.

  First, processing at power-on will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 4, the boot processing unit 102 is activated and initialized in step S101. In the image forming apparatus 100, in step S102, the main processing unit 101 is activated, performs initialization, and ends a series of processing.

  The image forming apparatus 100 performs such processing when the power is turned on, and initializes the boot processing unit 102 and the main processing unit 101.

  Next, boot processing (initialization processing) by the boot processing unit 102 in step S101 in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the boot processing unit 102, in step S103, each device driver, specifically, the ROM 103, the flash ROM of the main processing unit 101, the EEPROM of the setting value management unit 116, the interface unit 111, Also, the driver of the operation panel unit 115 is initialized.

  Subsequently, in step S104, the boot processing unit 102 confirms the validity of the flash ROM configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Here, any method may be used to confirm the validity. Here, the checksum value of the main processing program area is stored as the validity check data, and the boot processing unit 102 checks the main processing program area. It is assumed that the validity of the flash ROM is confirmed by calculating the sum and comparing it with the validity check data.

  If the boot processing unit 102 determines that the flash ROM is valid, in step S105, for example, as shown in FIG. In step S106, the boot processing unit 102 transfers the right to execute processing to the main processing unit 101, and ends the series of boot processing. On the other hand, if the boot processing unit 102 determines that the flash ROM is not valid, the boot processing unit 102 shifts the processing to step S107, displays status information such as “program error” on the operation panel unit 115, and causes the system to go down. .

  The image forming apparatus 100 performs such boot processing by the boot processing unit 102 when power is turned on.

  Next, initialization processing by the main processing unit 101 in step S102 in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the main processing unit 101 initializes the system management unit 113 in step S108, initializes the set value management unit 116 in step S109, and in step S110, the interface unit. 111 is initialized. Further, the main processing unit 101 initializes the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 in step S111, initializes the image forming unit 112 in step S112, and initializes the printing unit 104 in step S113. Further, the main processing unit 101 initializes the job management unit 114 in step S114, initializes the operation panel unit 115 in step S115, and initializes the hard disk control unit 118 and the hard disk 105 in step S116. I do.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when the boot processing by the boot processing unit 102 is performed, the initialization processing by the main processing unit 101 is performed and the image forming apparatus 100 becomes operable.

  Next, the initialization process of the system management unit 113 in step S108 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, the system management unit 113 initializes the system management unit 113 itself in step S <b> 117, such as securing variables and memory to be used as the system management unit 113.

  Subsequently, in step S118, the system management unit 113 displays status information such as “initializing” on the operation panel unit 115, and issues an initialization instruction to each unit in step S119. In step S120, the system management unit 113 shifts to a standby state until the initialization of each unit is completed. As a method of waiting for the completion of initialization of each part, a method of confirming the completion of initialization of each part by periodically monitoring the initialization flag of each part may be used, and the message post function of the operating system is used. Then, the system management unit 113 may be activated by a task switch. Here, the method of waiting for the completion of initialization of each unit is not particularly limited.

  When the initialization of each unit is completed, the system management unit 113 instructs each unit to shift to a standby state in step S121, and then operates status information such as “printing is possible” in step S122. The display is displayed on the panel unit 115, and the series of initialization processing ends.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the initialization process of the system management unit 113 can be performed according to such a series of procedures.

  Next, the initialization process of the set value management unit 116 in step S109 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the set value management unit 116 initializes the set value management unit 116 itself in step S123, such as securing variables and memory to be used as the set value management unit 116.

  Subsequently, in step S124, the setting value management unit 116 sets an initial value (“no unauthorized movement”) as unauthorized movement information stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  In step S125, the setting value management unit 116 notifies the system management unit 113 that the initialization is completed, and the series of initialization processing ends.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the setting value management unit 116 can be initialized according to such a series of procedures.

  Next, the initialization process of the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 in step S111 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 initializes the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 itself in step S126, such as securing variables and memory used as the unauthorized movement detection unit 117.

  Subsequently, in step S127, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 acquires management host specifying information for specifying the management host (information processing apparatus 500) that manages the image forming apparatus 100 from the setting value management unit 116. In step S128, an operation permission request signal for requesting operation permission is transmitted to the acquired management host.

  Subsequently, in step S129, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 confirms whether or not an operation permission signal indicating permission of operation has been received from the management host. Here, if the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 receives the operation permission signal, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 proceeds to step S131. If the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 fails to receive the operation permission signal, the image forming apparatus 100 is unauthorized. In step S130, the setting value management unit 116 is requested to set the unauthorized movement information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the setting value management unit 116 to “with unauthorized movement”. Then, the process proceeds to step S131. In response to this, the setting management unit 116 sets the unauthorized movement information to “with unauthorized movement”.

  In step S131, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 notifies the system management unit 113 that the initialization is completed, and ends the series of initialization processes.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117 can be initialized according to such a series of procedures. In this example, communication with the management host that manages the image forming apparatus 100 is detected, and unauthorized movement of the image forming apparatus 100 is detected based on whether or not the operation permission signal is received. You may make it perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, or detect a movement using an optical sensor, GPS (Global Positioning System), etc. FIG.

  Next, initialization processing of the hard disk control unit 118 and the hard disk 105 in step S116 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, the hard disk control unit 118 initializes the hard disk control unit 118 itself, such as securing variables and memory used as the hard disk control unit 118 in step S132.

  Subsequently, in step S133, the hard disk control unit 118 acquires information such as the number of partitions of the hard disk 105, the size of each partition, and file system information of each partition from the setting value management unit 116, and initializes the hard disk 105. Do.

  In step S134, the hard disk control unit 118 notifies the system management unit 113 that initialization has been completed, and the series of initialization processing ends.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the hard disk control unit 118 and the hard disk 105 can be initialized according to such a series of procedures.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 completes the initialization process as described above, the image forming apparatus 100 is ready to print. When performing a printing process, the image forming apparatus 100 performs a process according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 100, when print data is received from the information processing apparatus 500 via the communication line 501 by the interface unit 111 in step S135, as shown in FIG. Notify the management unit 113.

  Subsequently, the system management unit 113 instructs the image forming unit 112 to edit the received print data. In response to this, in step S136, the image forming unit 112 reads the print data received by the interface unit 111, edits the print data, and supplies the created raster data to the printing unit 104. In addition, the image forming unit 112 notifies the system management unit 113 that editing has been completed.

  In step S137, the printing unit 104 prints and outputs the raster data supplied from the image forming unit 112 on a recording sheet in response to a printing instruction from the system management unit 113, and ends a series of processing.

  The image forming apparatus 100 can perform print processing based on the print data received from the information processing apparatus 500 according to such a series of procedures.

  Finally, a series of processing when error report printing is performed when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Here, for convenience of explanation, a case will be described in which black toner, which is one of the consumable items, has run out and a toner low state has occurred, but error report printing is performed to prompt the user to make a service call. Needless to say, any error can be used.

  First, in the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 14, when the toner low state of black toner is detected by the printing unit 104 in step S138, the system management unit 113 is notified of this.

  Subsequently, in step S139, the system management unit 113 notifies each unit that a toner low state of black toner has occurred. In response to this, each unit executes necessary processing.

  Further, in step S140, the operation panel unit 115 displays status information such as “black toner toner low has occurred” in response to the notification from the system management unit 113. In step S <b> 141, the image forming apparatus 100 prints an error report by the image forming unit 112 and the printing unit 104, and ends a series of processes. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 performs error report printing according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in the figure, when the image forming unit 112 receives a notification indicating the occurrence of the toner low state of the black toner from the system management unit 113 in step S142, the image forming unit 112 sends unauthorized movement information to the setting value management unit 116. Inquire and obtain the unauthorized movement information. In step S143, the image forming unit 112 determines whether or not there has been an unauthorized movement based on the acquired unauthorized movement information.

  Here, if the image forming unit 112 determines that there is no unauthorized movement, in step S144, the data from which the error report printing is based on the first report data 119a stored in the data storage unit 119. And the process proceeds to step S146. On the other hand, if the image forming unit 112 determines that there has been an unauthorized movement, the process proceeds to step S145, and error report printing is performed from the second report data 119b stored in the data storage unit 119. Is read, and the process proceeds to step S146.

  In step S146, the image forming unit 112 performs processing such as an error number, a firmware version of the CU (main processing unit 101), a firmware version of the PU (printing unit 104), and the like for the data read in step S144 or step S145. For example, raster data for printing an error report having the contents as shown in FIG. 16 or 17 is created. The error report shown in FIG. 16 is an example created based on the first report data 119a, and the error report shown in FIG. 17 is an example created based on the second report data 119b. As the error report, the information other than the contact information of the service call may be the same as that shown in FIG. 16 and that shown in FIG. 17, and these are shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. There may be information that does not exist.

  In step S147, the image forming unit 112 supplies the created raster data to the printing unit 104. In response to this, the printing unit 104 prints the supplied raster data on a recording sheet and discharges it, and ends a series of processing. Here, the case where a jam or the like of the recording paper occurs is not described, but in the image forming apparatus 100, when a recoverable error such as a jam occurs and the error is canceled, In the same manner as the normal printing process as shown in FIG. 13, the reprinting process is performed.

  Here, in the error report shown in FIG. 16, a normal contact address is described by a telephone number, a facsimile number, or the like as a service call contact address. On the other hand, in the error report shown in FIG. 17, the image formation is performed at a special contact address described only when the image forming apparatus 100 is illegally moved, for example, at the place where the image forming apparatus 100 was installed before theft. The administrator who managed the apparatus 100 is described. That is, the first report data 119a is data that is normally used to create an error report when a normal error such as the life of a consumable item occurs, and the second report data 119b is the image forming apparatus 100. This data is used only when an illegal movement is detected. In other words, the error report printed based on the second report data 119b can be viewed only by a thief who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, a thief or the like who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 100 visually recognizes the error report printed based on the second report data 119b and contacts the contact address described therein. In the event that the thief or destination is identified.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, when an unauthorized movement is detected, the contact address printed on the error report is changed to a special contact address. Therefore, it is possible to assist the identification of the thief who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 100 and the destination, and to effectively prevent the spread of misuse.

  Next, an image forming apparatus shown as the second embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus shown as the second embodiment realizes a specifying method different from the specifying method of the illegal movement destination by the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the information processing apparatus 500 via a predetermined communication line 501, and in addition to the boot processing unit 102, the RAM 103, the printing unit 104, and the hard disk 105 described above. , A main processing unit 201 that controls each unit in an integrated manner is provided.

  The main processing unit 201 includes the interface unit 111, the image forming unit 112, the system management unit 113, the operation panel unit 115, the setting value management unit 116, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117, the hard disk control unit 118, and the data storage unit 119. In addition, it includes a job management unit 211 that manages print jobs, a data analysis unit 212 that analyzes print job data for confidential printing, and a data creation unit 213 that creates new confidential print job data. The job management unit 211, the data analysis unit 212, and the data creation unit 213 are configured as programs stored in the flash ROM together with other units.

  Similar to the job management unit 114 described above, the job management unit 211 manages print jobs from when the image forming apparatus 200 receives print data from the information processing apparatus 500 until the printing process by the printing unit 104 is completed. To do. In particular, the job management unit 211 issues a data analysis instruction to the data analysis unit 212 when processing confidential print job data. When the job management unit 211 recognizes that the print job data is data such as an address book as a result of the analysis by the data analysis unit 212, the job management unit 211 corrects the content of the print job data with respect to the data creation unit 213. To instruct.

  The data analysis unit 212 is connected to the job management unit 211, and performs advance analysis of print job data for confidential printing in accordance with an instruction from the job management unit 211. Then, the data analysis unit 212 notifies the job management unit 211 of the analysis result.

  The data creation unit 213 is connected to the job management unit 211 and corrects the print job data for confidential printing in accordance with an instruction from the job management unit 211. Then, the data creation unit 213 supplies the created corrected print job data to the job management unit 211.

  When performing confidential printing processing, the image forming apparatus 200 configured by each unit performs processing according to a series of procedures as illustrated in FIG.

  First, the image forming apparatus 200 performs user authentication. That is, in the image forming apparatus 200, as shown in the figure, in step S201, the user operates the operation panel unit 115 to select a confidential print menu, and selects a confidential print job to be printed. In step S202, a predetermined password is input using the operation panel unit 115.

  In response to this, in step S203, the operation panel unit 115 compares the input password with the password of the selected confidential print job, and determines whether or not they match.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 200, when it is determined that the passwords do not match, a series of processing is terminated without performing any printing processing, and a predetermined standby screen is displayed on the operation panel unit 115. In the image forming apparatus 200, when it is determined that the passwords do not match, the process may be returned to step S202, and the process of inputting the password again may be performed several times. In the image forming apparatus 200, authentication using fingerprint authentication or an IC card may be employed as an authentication method.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 200, when the passwords match, the operation panel unit 115 notifies the system management unit 113 of the confidential print information that has been successfully authenticated. In response, the system management unit 113 In step S204, confidential print information is supplied to the job management unit 211, and an instruction is given to execute confidential print processing indicated by the confidential print information.

  Subsequently, the job management unit 211 reads out print job data corresponding to the confidential print information supplied from the system management unit 113 from the hard disk 105 via the hard disk control unit 118. In step S205, the data analysis unit 212 determines that the print job data read from the hard disk 105 by the job management unit 211 includes personal information such as “Sato xx” and “Suzuki xx” as shown in FIG. Analyze whether it is included or not. At this time, for example, the data analysis unit 212 stores personal information in a memory or the like in advance as a table, and the personal information is included based on whether or not there is data that matches the data in the table. Analyzes whether or not. Note that the print job data shown in the figure is for performing printing in which personal information such as an address book is listed as shown in FIG. 21, for example.

  Here, if it is analyzed that the print job data does not include personal information, the job management unit 211 supplies the print job data to the image forming unit 112 in step S208, and the process proceeds to step S209. Transition. On the other hand, when it is analyzed that the print job data includes personal information, the job management unit 211 instructs the data creation unit 213 to create print job data as shown in FIG. 22, for example. Note that the print job data shown in the figure is for performing printing in which the personal information of the fictitious person such as “Yamada xx” is added to the personal information shown in FIG. 21 as shown in FIG. is there. In response to this, the data creation unit 213 creates temporary data obtained by correcting the original print job data in step S206 and supplies the temporary data to the job management unit 211. In step S <b> 207, the job management unit 211 supplies the temporary data supplied from the data creation unit 213 to the image forming unit 112.

  In response to this, in step S209, the image forming unit 112 edits the print job data supplied from the job management unit 211 to create raster data, and supplies the generated raster data to the printing unit 104. In step S210, the printing unit 104 prints the supplied raster data on a recording sheet and discharges it, and ends a series of processes.

  Here, the personal information of the fictional character is described in the print result shown in FIG. That is, in the image forming apparatus 200, when confidential printing is performed, a printing process is performed in which personal information of a fictitious person is added. In other words, the image forming apparatus 200 creates a state in which only a legitimate user can know that personal information of a fictional person has been added. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 200, when a thief or the like who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 200 visually recognizes the printing result and contacts a fictitious person described therein, the thief or destination is specified. It becomes possible to do. In addition, as a fictitious person, the administrator who specifies a theft person may be determined in advance, for example.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 200 shown as the second embodiment of the present invention, it is a case where an illegal movement is detected, and the image forming apparatus 200 remains stored in the hard disk 105 of the image forming apparatus 200. When confidential printing related to personal information is executed, based on the print job data created by the data creation unit 213, the image forming apparatus 200 is illegally moved by performing printing with the addition of fictitious personal information. It is possible to assist the identification of the thief and the destination to be used, and to effectively prevent the spread of misuse.

  Next, an image forming apparatus shown as a third embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus shown as the third embodiment realizes a specifying method different from the specifying method of the illegal movement destination by the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment and the second embodiment. is there. Accordingly, in the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the image forming apparatus 300 is connected to the information processing apparatus 500 via a predetermined communication line 501 and is connected to another information processing apparatus 502 such as a personal computer via the Internet network 503. It is connected. Here, the information processing apparatus 502 is assumed to be a legitimate management host of the image forming apparatus 300, and the information processing apparatus 500 attempts to transmit print data at a location where the image forming apparatus 300 has been illegally moved. It is assumed that the management host is illegal.

  In addition to the above-described boot processing unit 102, RAM 103, printing unit 104, and hard disk 105, the image forming apparatus 300 includes a main processing unit 301 that comprehensively controls each unit.

  The main processing unit 301 includes the image forming unit 112, the system management unit 113, the job management unit 114, the operation panel unit 115, the setting value management unit 116, the unauthorized movement detection unit 117, the hard disk control unit 118, and the data storage unit 119. In addition, an interface unit 311 that controls communication performed between the information processing apparatuses 500 and 502 and a setting value management unit 313 that manages setting values of information for setting the environment of the image forming apparatus 300 are provided. The interface unit 311 and the set value management unit 313 are configured as programs stored in the flash ROM together with other units.

  Similar to the interface unit 111 described above, the interface unit 311 receives data including print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 500. In particular, the interface unit 311 includes a mail creation unit 312 that creates and transmits a predetermined electronic mail. When the mail creation unit 312 detects unauthorized movement of the image forming apparatus 300, the mail creation unit 312 creates an electronic mail that describes host identification information such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address of a management host that has transmitted print data. When such an interface unit 311 detects unauthorized movement of the image forming apparatus 300, the interface unit 311 acquires host specifying information of the management host that has transmitted the print data, and supplies it to the setting value management unit 313. Further, the interface unit 311 transmits the electronic mail created by the mail creating unit 312 to a transmission destination (a legitimate information processing apparatus 502 or the like) registered in advance via the Internet network 503.

  Similar to the setting value management unit 116 described above, the setting value management unit 313 stores a setting value of information for setting the environment of the image forming apparatus 300 in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM and manages the setting value. In particular, the set value management unit 313 includes a host identification information storage unit 314 that stores host identification information such as a MAC address that identifies a management host included in the print data analyzed by the interface unit 311, and the image forming apparatus. A contact storage unit 315 that stores contact data such as an e-mail address as an e-mail transmission destination when 300 unauthorized movements are detected; The set value management unit 313 stores the host identification information of the management host supplied from the interface unit 311 in the host identification information storage unit 314 and also stores contact data indicating the destination of the e-mail. Stored in 315.

  When performing the printing process, the image forming apparatus 300 configured of each unit performs processing according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 25 instead of the series of procedures shown in FIG. Do.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 300, when print data is received from the information processing apparatus 500 via the communication line 501 by the interface unit 311 in step S301, as shown in FIG. Notify the management unit 113.

  Subsequently, in step S302, the interface unit 311 inquires and acquires the unauthorized movement information from the setting value management unit 313. Based on the obtained unauthorized movement information, whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 has been illegally moved. Determine.

  If the interface unit 311 determines that there is no unauthorized movement, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the interface unit 311 determines that there has been an unauthorized movement, the interface unit 311 proceeds to the creation and transmission processing of the email in step S303.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 26, the interface unit 311 analyzes the print data to acquire host specifying information for specifying the management host that has transmitted the print data, and the host in the set value management unit 313 in step S306. It is stored in the specific information storage unit 314. In step S307, the interface unit 311 acquires contact data registered in advance from the contact storage unit 315 in the setting value management unit 313.

  Subsequently, in step S308, the interface unit 311 generates an e-mail for reporting the host identification information acquired in step S306 to the contact acquired in step S307, to the mail generation unit 312. To instruct. In response to this, the mail creating unit 312 creates an e-mail in which the host specifying information is described.

  In step S309, the interface unit 311 transmits the electronic mail created in step S308 to the contact acquired in step S307.

  In the image forming apparatus 300, when such an e-mail creation and transmission process is performed by the interface unit 311, the system management unit 113 instructs the image forming unit 112 to edit the received print data. In response to this, the image forming unit 112 reads the print data received by the interface unit 311 in step S304 in FIG. 25, edits the print data, and supplies the created raster data to the print unit 104. In addition, the image forming unit 112 notifies the system management unit 113 that editing has been completed.

  In step S305, the printing unit 104 prints and discharges raster data supplied from the image forming unit 112 on a recording sheet in response to a printing instruction from the system management unit 113, and ends a series of processing.

  The image forming apparatus 300 performs a printing process based on the print data received from the information processing apparatus 500 according to such a series of procedures.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 300 shown as the third embodiment of the present invention, when print data is received when an unauthorized movement is detected, the management host that has transmitted the print data By transmitting the host identification information to the contact information registered in advance, it is possible to assist in identifying the thief who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 300 and the destination based on the host identification information. Can be effectively prevented from spreading.

  Finally, an image forming apparatus shown as the fourth embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus shown as the fourth embodiment realizes a specifying method different from the specifying method of the illegal movement destination by the image forming apparatus shown as the third embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the image forming apparatus 400 is connected to the information processing apparatus 500 via a predetermined communication line 501 and also connected to the information processing apparatus 502 via the Internet network 503. The image forming apparatus 400 includes, in addition to the boot processing unit 102, the RAM 103, and the hard disk 105 described above, a main processing unit 401 that performs overall control of each unit and a printing unit 402 that performs printing processing.

  The main processing unit 401 includes the above-described image forming unit 112, job management unit 114, operation panel unit 115, setting value management unit 116, unauthorized movement detection unit 117, hard disk control unit 118, data storage unit 119, interface unit 311; In addition to the setting value management unit 313, the system management unit 411 controls each unit according to the state of the image forming apparatus 400. The system management unit 411 is configured as a program stored in the flash ROM together with other units.

  Similar to the system management unit 113 described above, when the boot processing by the boot processing unit 102 is completed, the system management unit 411 takes charge of subsequent control, and issues an initialization instruction and a process execution instruction to each unit. To control. In particular, the system management unit 411 includes a write instruction unit 412 that instructs to write host specific information to a consumable such as a toner cartridge or an image drum. When the system management unit 411 detects an unauthorized movement of the image forming apparatus 400, the system management unit 411 instructs the printing unit 402 to write host specific information to the consumables via the write instruction unit 412. .

  Similar to the printing unit 104 described above, the printing unit 402 performs initialization processing and printing processing according to the initialization instruction and printing instruction from the system management unit 411. In particular, the printing unit 402 includes a consumable writing unit 403 that writes host identification information for a consumable. Such a printing unit 402 writes the host specifying information for the consumable in accordance with the writing instruction in the system management unit 411.

  When performing the printing process, the image forming apparatus 400 configured by each of these units performs processing according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG. 28 instead of the series of procedures shown in FIG. Do.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 400, when print data is received from the information processing apparatus 500 via the communication line 501 by the interface unit 311 in step S401, as shown in FIG. Notify the management unit 411.

  Subsequently, in step S402, the interface unit 311 inquires and acquires the unauthorized movement information from the setting value management unit 313. Based on the obtained unauthorized movement information, whether or not the image forming apparatus 400 has been illegally moved. Determine.

  If the interface unit 311 determines that there is no unauthorized movement, the process proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if the interface unit 311 determines that there has been an unauthorized movement, the interface unit 311 proceeds to the process of writing the host identification information to the consumable in step S403.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 29, the interface unit 311 obtains host specifying information for specifying the management host that transmitted the print data by analyzing the print data in step S406, and the host in the set value management unit 313. The information is stored in the specific information storage unit 314 and a notification to that effect is sent to the system management unit 411. The system management unit 411 instructs the printing unit 402 to write the host identification information on the consumables via the write instruction unit 412.

  In response to this, the printing unit 402 reads the host specifying information from the host specifying information storage unit 314 in the setting value management unit 313 and instructs the consumable writing unit 403 to write the host specifying information to the consumable. put out. In step S407, the consumable writing unit 403 writes the host specifying information in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM mounted on a toner cartridge or an image drum.

  In the image forming apparatus 400, when the host specific information is written into the consumables by the interface unit 311, the system management unit 411, and the printing unit 402, the system management unit 411 sends the image forming unit 112 to the image forming unit 112. Instruct to edit the received print data. In response to this, the image forming unit 112 reads the print data received by the interface unit 311 in step S404 in FIG. 28, edits the print data, and supplies the created raster data to the printing unit 402. In addition, the image forming unit 112 notifies the system management unit 411 that the editing has been completed.

  In step S405, the printing unit 402 prints the raster data supplied from the image forming unit 112 on a recording sheet and discharges it according to a printing instruction from the system management unit 411, and ends a series of processing.

  The image forming apparatus 400 performs print processing based on print data received from the information processing apparatus 500 according to such a series of procedures.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 400 shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when print data is received when an unauthorized movement is detected, the management host that has transmitted the print data has received it. By writing the host identification information on the consumable item, when the consumable item is collected through a recycling route or the like, the thief who has illegally moved the image forming apparatus 400 based on the written host identification information or the movement It is possible to assist in identifying the destination and effectively prevent the spread of abuse.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in the first embodiment described above, the description has been made assuming that the content of the error report is changed based on the first report data 119a and the second report data 119b. The same content as the error report may be switched and displayed on the part. That is, the present invention can be applied as long as it outputs information different from an error report that is output when a normal error occurs when an unauthorized movement is detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus that performs processing such as print output to a predetermined recording sheet based on the input print data has been described. However, the present invention is an apparatus that performs image formation. Any device can be applied, and for example, it is suitable to be applied to a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or an apparatus having a combination of other functions.

  Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of print data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of status information of the image forming apparatus displayed on an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing performed when power is turned on in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when performing a boot process in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a flash ROM in an image forming apparatus shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining a mode that the main process program of flash ROM was expand | deployed to RAM. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when performing an initialization process by a main processing unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for describing a series of processing when performing initialization processing of a system management unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when performing initialization processing of a setting value management unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when performing an initialization process of an unauthorized movement detection unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when performing initialization processing of a hard disk control unit and a hard disk in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when performing printing processing in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for describing a series of processes when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when error report printing is performed in the image forming apparatus shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the error report produced based on 1st report data. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the error report produced based on 2nd report data. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when confidential printing processing is performed in the image forming apparatus shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of print job data including personal information. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the printing result printed based on the print job data shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of print job data created by a data creation unit in the image forming apparatus shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the printing result printed based on the print job data shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus shown as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when performing a printing process in the image forming apparatus shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when creating and sending an e-mail in the image forming apparatus shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus shown as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when performing printing processing in the image forming apparatus shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart for describing a series of processing when performing host specific information writing processing on consumables in the image forming apparatus shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300, 400 Image forming apparatus 101, 201, 301, 401 Main processing unit 102 Boot processing unit 103 RAM
104, 402 Printing unit 105 Hard disk 111, 311 Interface unit 112 Image forming unit 113, 411 System management unit 114, 211 Job management unit 115 Operation panel unit 116, 313 Setting value management unit 117 Unauthorized movement detection unit 118 Hard disk control unit 119 Data Storage unit 119a First report data 119b Second report data 212 Data analysis unit 213 Data creation unit 312 Mail creation unit 314 Host specific information storage unit 315 Contact destination storage unit 403 Consumables writing unit 412 Write instruction unit 500, 502 Information Processing device 501 Communication line 503 Internet network

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input print data,
An unauthorized movement detection unit for detecting that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved;
A second different from the first report data normally used to create an error report that is output when an error occurs when the unauthorized movement detecting unit detects that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that generates and outputs an error report based on the report data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a printing unit that prints the error report based on the second report data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display the error report based on the second report data. A data analysis unit that analyzes print job data for confidential printing;
Data creation that corrects the content of the print job data and creates new print job data when the confidential print job data is recognized as data including personal information as a result of analysis by the data analysis unit With
The control unit is a case where the unauthorized movement detection unit detects that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved, and when confidential printing related to personal information remaining in the image forming apparatus is executed, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fictitious personal information is added and printed based on new print job data created by the data creation unit. A host specification information acquisition unit for acquiring host specification information for specifying a host that has transmitted the print data;
A host identification information storage unit for storing the host identification information acquired by the host identification information acquisition unit;
A destination storage unit for storing a destination of the host identification information;
A mail creation unit that creates an email describing host specific information of a host that has transmitted the print data;
The control unit, when the unauthorized movement detection unit detects that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved, the transmission destination acquired from the transmission destination storage unit the host identification information acquired from the host identification information storage unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the e-mail for reporting to the e-mail is generated by the e-mail generation unit and transmitted. A host specification information acquisition unit for acquiring host specification information for specifying a host that has transmitted the print data;
A consumable writing unit that writes the host specifying information acquired by the host specifying information acquiring unit to the consumable,
The control unit causes the consumable writing unit to write the host identification information to the consumable when the illegal movement detecting unit detects that the image forming apparatus has illegally moved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.