JP2008152198A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of being appropriately managed. <P>SOLUTION: Digital multifunction equipment is equipped with: an image forming means for forming an image; a cumulative means for accumulating the number of images formed by the image forming means for every user; a determination means (S11 to S14) for determining whether or not the cumulative number of images accumulated by the cumulative means exceeds a first limit number decided previously for every user; and a setting means for setting a second limit number larger than the first limit number for every user. The determination means includes a control means (S15 to S17) for controlling the image forming means so as to form the image to the second limit number and then stop image forming as predetermined operation when determining that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of limiting the number of images to be formed.

  When the image forming apparatus is used as, for example, a copying machine, first, image data of a document is read, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by an image forming unit based on the read image data. Then, after visualization with a developer such as toner, the visible image is transferred to a sheet and output.

Here, a technique relating to an image forming apparatus in which a copying operation is not permitted if a predetermined limit number in a company department or the like is exceeded is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-10969 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, in an image forming apparatus having a department management function, when it is detected that 90% of a predetermined limit count value has been reached, a predetermined operation such as performing a memory copy so as not to exceed the limit number I do. Thereafter, the user is notified of this fact, and the user is prompted to output by double-sided printing, 4-in-1 printing, or the like. In this way, when the initial number of documents is unknown, the user can cope with a request for a copying operation exceeding the limit number.
JP 2006-10969 A

  As a method for managing the number of output sheets of the image forming apparatus for each department or user, there is a method in which a limit number is set for each user in advance, and image formation is immediately stopped when the limit number is exceeded. However, according to this method, it is not possible to cope with the case where it is desired to output a small number exceeding the limit number. Then, it will be inconvenient. Further, there is a method in which only a warning is displayed when the limit number is exceeded, and image formation is possible. However, there may be a case where the limit number is greatly exceeded due to an excessive output request ignoring the warning. Then, the meaning of setting the number limit will fade.

  On the other hand, in a job requested by the user, there is a method that enables image formation even when the limit number is exceeded and stops image formation from the next job. According to this method, even if the limit number is exceeded, image formation in the job requested by the user is ensured. As a result, convenience is improved.

  However, if the requested job greatly exceeds the limit number set in advance for each user, the meaning of setting the number limit for each user will be reduced, as in the above warning display. Then, it becomes difficult to appropriately perform management for each user of the image forming apparatus, such as paper management and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) reduction for paper.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be appropriately managed.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image forming unit that forms an image; an accumulating unit that accumulates the number of images formed by the image forming unit for each user; Determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined first limit number is exceeded, and setting means for setting a second limit number larger than the first limit number for each user. Here, the determination unit includes a control unit that controls the image forming unit to perform a predetermined operation when it is determined that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number.

  Preferably, the control means includes stop means for stopping image formation. Further, it is preferable that the canceling unit stops image formation for a number exceeding the second limit number.

  More preferably, the control means includes selection means for selecting whether or not to form an image exceeding the second limit number.

  More preferably, the control means includes display means for displaying that the second limit number is exceeded.

  According to the present invention, even if the user requests image formation exceeding the first limit number set in advance for each user, the number of image formation is limited by the second limit number set for each user. The That is, by providing the first and second limit numbers for each user, the number of image formations by the user can be limited in two stages. If it does so, a possibility that an image formation may be performed exceeding a 1st limit number by a user's request | requirement reduces. Therefore, paper management and TCO reduction for each user can be performed appropriately, and the image forming apparatus can be managed appropriately.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multifunction peripheral 10 displays a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction peripheral 10, a DRAM 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and information that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has. An operation unit 13 that includes a display unit and serves as an interface with the user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10, a document feeding device 14 that automatically transports a document to a predetermined document reading position, and a document that has been transported by the document feeding device 14 An image reading unit 15 that reads the image at a predetermined reading position with a scanner, an image forming unit 16 that operates as an image forming unit that forms the image from a document read by the image reading unit 15, and image data A hard disk 17 to be stored, a FAX communication unit 18 connected to the public line 20, and a network for connecting to the network 21 And a IF (interface) unit 19.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the original data supplied from the image reading unit 15 in the DRAM 12, reads the data written in the DRAM 12, decompresses and encodes the data, and outputs it by the image forming unit 16.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 10 operates as a copier by forming an image in the image forming section 16 via the DRAM 12 using the document read by the image reading section 15. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the personal computer 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19, thereby serving as a printer. Operate. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18 to operate as a facsimile machine.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 10 is provided with accumulating means for accumulating the formed images for each user. The accumulating unit accumulates the number every time an image is formed in the digital multi-function peripheral 10 according to a user's request. From the accumulating means, it is possible to obtain the cumulative number of images formed in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 for each user.

  Here, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is provided with a number limiting function that limits the number of sheets to be formed and output for each department or user as one of the department management functions. The number limiting function is a function for performing a predetermined operation such as stopping image formation when the cumulative number reaches a limit number set in advance for each user. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a function to immediately stop image formation when a limit number predetermined for each user is exceeded, a function to perform only warning, and a function to stop image formation from the next job. The function of canceling image formation from the next job is, for example, when the limit number is set to 1000 and the cumulative number is 999 and the requested job is 5 image formations. Therefore, it is possible to form images up to 1004 sheets exceeding the limit of 1000.

  In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is provided with a number limiting function for further limiting the number of image formations when the above limit number is exceeded. The number limit described above is the first number limit function, and the number limit to be performed is the second number limit function. The second number limiting function is, for example, that the number of images to be formed is predetermined for each user in the final job, that is, the job exceeding the limit number in the first number limiting function predetermined for each user. This is a function for performing a predetermined operation such as stopping image formation when the limit number in the second number limit function is exceeded. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 can set the first and second number limiting functions for each user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for setting the first and second number limiting functions. Referring to FIG. 2, the “immediate use prohibition” button that immediately stops image formation when the first limit number is exceeded as a means for setting the first number limit function on the display screen 24 of the operation unit 13. 25a, a “prohibit use from next job” button 25b for stopping image formation from the next job when the limit number is exceeded in the job, and a warning to that effect when the limit number is exceeded. Warning "button 25c is displayed. One of the first number limiting functions is set by pressing one of the buttons 25a to 25c by the user. Although not shown, the first limit number may be set on this screen.

  Further, an in-job limit number setting screen 26 for setting the limit number in the job is displayed beside the “prohibit use from next job” button 25b as means for setting the second limit number function. The in-job limit number setting screen 26 is provided with an in-job limit number input means 27 for inputting the requested limit number in the job. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 can set a second number limiting function for each user by inputting an arbitrary number to the in-job limit number input means 27. Here, the second limit number is a total number of the first limit number and the number input to the in-job limit number input means 27 as a number larger than the first limit number. Here, the digital multifunction peripheral 10, the operation unit 13, and the like operate as setting means.

  Next, a case where a document is copied using the above-described digital multi-function peripheral 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 when copying a document in the digital multi-function peripheral 10 described above. Here, a function for canceling image formation from the next job is set as the first number limiting function. Further, the cumulative number of images formed by the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is 999, the number of image formations requested by the job is 100, the predetermined first limit number is 1000, and is input to the in-job limit number input means 27. The number is 50. In this case, the second limit number is the total number of the first limit number and the number input to the in-job limit number input unit 27, which is 1000 + 50 = 1050.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, first, a document is set, and the input of a user password is detected (in FIG. 3, step S11, hereinafter, steps are omitted). The control unit 11 can identify the user by this password. Next, the number of image formations in the job requested by the identified user is detected (S12). Thereafter, the control unit 11 calculates the total number of the accumulated number acquired from the accumulating unit and the detected number of image formations, and sets it as the accumulated number (S13). Specifically, the cumulative number is 999 + 100 = 1099.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number exceeds the first limit number (S14). Here, the control unit 11 operates as a determination unit. In this case, it is determined whether or not the calculated cumulative number “1099” exceeds the first limit number “1000”.

  If it is determined that the cumulative number exceeds the first limit number (YES in S14), it is then determined whether the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number (S15). The control unit 11 operates again as a determination unit. Here, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number “1099” exceeds the second limit number “1050”.

  If it is determined that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number (YES in S15), an image is formed as a predetermined operation until the second limit number is reached (S16). After reaching the second limit number, image formation is stopped as a predetermined operation (S17). Here, the control unit 11 operates as a stopping unit. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, it may be displayed on the display screen 28 of the operation unit 13 that the second limit number, that is, the limit number, is exceeded and the image formation is stopped. Here, the control unit 11, the operation unit 13, and the like operate as display means.

  When it is determined that the cumulative number does not exceed the first limit number (YES in S14) and when it is determined that the cumulative number does not exceed the second limit number (YES in S15), the job The number of images requested in step S18 is formed (S18).

  In this way, even if the user requests image formation exceeding the first limit number set for each user in advance, the number of image formations is limited by the second limit number set for each user. The That is, by providing the first and second limit numbers for each user, the number of image formations by the user can be limited in two stages. If it does so, a possibility that an image formation may be performed exceeding a 1st limit number by a user's request | requirement reduces. Therefore, paper management and TCO reduction for each user can be performed appropriately, and the digital multifunction peripheral 10 can be managed appropriately.

  In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number, the image formation is stopped after reaching the second limit number. After reaching the second limit number, it may be selected whether or not to continue image formation again. That is, the predetermined operation may include selection means for selecting whether to continuously form an image.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the operation unit 13 in this case. Referring to FIG. 5, as a selection means for selecting whether or not to continuously form an image after reaching the second limit number, the display screen 29 of the operation unit 13 continues the image formation “continue”. "Button 30a and a" cancel "button 30b for stopping image formation. When the second limit number is reached, this display screen 29 is displayed on the operation unit 13 so that the user can select whether to continue image formation by pressing any of the buttons 30a and 30b. it can. By doing so, the convenience can be further improved.

  In the above embodiment, if it is determined that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number, the image formation is stopped after reaching the second limit number. If it is determined that the number exceeds the second limit number, the image formation may be stopped immediately.

  In the above embodiment, the function for canceling image formation from the next job is set as the first number limiting function. However, as the first number limiting function, other number limiting functions are set. For example, the present invention is also applied to a case where a number limiting function for performing only warning is set. In this case, for example, after reaching the first limit number, only a warning notifying that the first limit number has been reached is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 13, and the number of image formations is further accumulated. When the second limit number is reached, image formation may be stopped, or the display screen shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed to select whether to continue image formation.

  In the above embodiment, the case of copying by the digital multifunction device 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which sets a 1st and 2nd number limiting function. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part at the time of copying a document. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen as which image formation was stopped. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of whether to continue image formation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 24, 28, 29 display screen, 25a, 25b, 25c, 30a, 30b buttons, 26 job limit number setting screen, 27 job limit number input means.

Claims (5)

An image forming means for forming an image;
Accumulating means for accumulating the number of images formed by the image forming means for each user;
Determining means for determining whether the cumulative number accumulated by the accumulating means exceeds a first limit number predetermined for each user;
Setting means for setting a second limit number greater than the first limit number for each user;
The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that controls the image forming unit to perform a predetermined operation when the determination unit determines that the cumulative number exceeds the second limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a stop unit that stops the formation of the image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stop unit stops forming the image for a number exceeding the second limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a selection unit that selects whether or not to form the image exceeding the second limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a display unit that displays that the second limit number is exceeded.

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