JP2008207462A - Image forming device and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience for a user by effectively preventing the confusion caused by leaving recording sheets on a sheet delivery tray of an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device 1 detects ID data recorded in the recording sheets left on the tray (S101) and sends the notice for checking the necessity of the recording sheets to the user specified by the ID data (S102, S103). If the response is received from each client PC (S104, S105), the image forming device 1 prepares a classification managing table (S106) and transmits the information whether the recording sheet is necessary to a management device 114 (S107). The information of necessity or un-necessity includes a user's name, user's answer and notice time. The management device 114 receiving the information of necessity or un-necessity prepares a necessity or un-necessity history table (S109) and updates a summary table (S110). A message for giving an attention or warning on the left recording sheets is transmitted to the user having a summary value of the summary table not less than a predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a printing system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that sorts recording paper according to the necessity of recording paper on which image formation has been performed, and a printing system including the image forming apparatus. .

  An image forming apparatus that is connected to a terminal device such as a personal computer (PC) via a network or the like and forms (prints) image data transmitted from the terminal device has become widespread. When printing image data created by the terminal device, the user operates the terminal device to transmit a print command to the image forming apparatus. In response to the print command, the image forming apparatus prints on the recording paper based on the image data transmitted from the terminal device, and discharges the printed matter to a predetermined discharge tray.

Usually, the user confirms whether or not the printed matter is discharged to the discharge tray by directly viewing the discharge tray of the image forming apparatus. If the paper is discharged, the user takes out his / her printed matter from the paper discharge tray.
If the user forgets to remove the printed material from the paper discharge tray at this time, and the printed material is left in the paper output tray for a long time, it will be mixed with the newly printed material and it will be troublesome to separate them. Problem arises.

  In order to solve such a problem, an apparatus is known in which a printed material is moved to a separate tray provided separately when the printed material is left in a paper discharge tray for a predetermined time or longer. However, in such an apparatus, there is a problem that the number of paper discharge trays is required by the number of users, and the size of the image forming apparatus is increased in order to cope with a large number of users. Further, if the image forming apparatus is not increased in size, there arises a problem that it is limited to a small number of users corresponding to a small number of paper discharge trays.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that prevents the output printed matter from being confused as much as possible even when the number of users to be used is larger than the number of paper discharge trays. Here, the printing apparatus includes a plurality of output trays as print output destinations, a common output tray, and communication means for performing information communication with the counterpart user. Then, the printing apparatus discharges the recording paper to the output tray determined based on the information from the user, and notifies the other party of a reminder message when there is recording paper in the output tray after a predetermined time has elapsed. Further, after notifying the message, when a recording sheet is still in the output tray after a predetermined time has elapsed, the recording sheet is moved to the common output tray, and the user is notified of the movement. It is intended to prevent confusion between outputs by such appropriate notification and movement.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-300781

  As described in Patent Document 1, when a printed recording paper is left in the paper discharge tray for a predetermined time or longer, a device that notifies the user and moves the recording paper to a predetermined tray provided separately is used. Regardless of the necessity, since it is moved to a predetermined tray after a lapse of a predetermined time, even the really necessary recording paper is judged as unnecessary recording paper, and is moved to the predetermined tray at a time, which is inconvenient for the user. There was a case.

  That is, in Patent Document 1, in order to effectively prevent the confusion caused by the left recording paper on the paper discharge tray, the recording paper cannot be sorted according to the user's needs. Furthermore, by collecting information related to the necessity of recording paper and managing the information for each user, and further counting by time zone and device for image formation, You can't warn or warn you to remove it. That is, the idea of effectively preventing confusion caused by unrecorded recording paper by managing information related to the necessity of recording paper and transmitting a message to the user has not been presented in the prior art.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, sorts printed recording paper according to the needs of the user, manages information on the necessity of the recording paper, An image forming apparatus and a printing system capable of effectively preventing confusion caused by unrecorded recording paper on a paper discharge tray and improving user convenience by notifying a user according to the message Is intended to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first technical means of the present invention records image data and ID data that can identify user information for instructing to print the image data, based on the transmitted job for instructing printing. An image forming unit that forms an image on paper and records it, a stacking unit that deposits recording paper recorded by the image forming unit, an ID reading unit that reads ID data of the recording paper deposited on the stacking unit, and an ID reading unit Confirmation means for confirming the necessity of the recording paper for the user who transmitted the job based on the read ID data, and a separation means for separating and conveying the recording paper according to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means; And a management device for recording and collecting information on the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the image forming means generates job name information in association with user information included in the job, records the job name information as ID data on a recording sheet, and confirms the information. Extracting job name information from the ID data read by the ID reading means, identifying user information associated with the extracted job name information, and confirming the necessity of the recording paper based on the identified user information It is characterized by.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the confirmation means transmits a notification for confirming the necessity based on the user information that transmitted the job, and the recording paper is recorded according to a response to the notification. It is characterized by confirming the necessity.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the management device classifies the transmitted jobs on the basis of the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means. It is characterized by counting the number of jobs.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the job classified by the management device based on necessity is further classified and classified for each user information specified by the ID data according to a predetermined time zone. It is characterized by counting the number of jobs.

  According to a sixth technical means, in the first technical means, when the management apparatus receives a new job instructing printing by the image forming apparatus, the total number of jobs is calculated using user information included in the job. If there is user information with the total number of jobs that are referred to and the total number of the predetermined items is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a predetermined message is notified to the external device that has transmitted the job including the user information. It is what.

  According to a seventh technical means, in the sixth technical means, when the management device refers to the aggregate value of the number of jobs using the user information included in the job, the record is recorded out of the number of jobs classified and aggregated. If there is user information whose total number of predetermined items of a job that requires paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message including caution information to be careful not to leave the recording paper is notified as a predetermined message It is what.

  According to an eighth technical means, in the seventh technical means, when the management device refers to the aggregate value of the number of jobs by using the user information included in the job, the record is included in the number of jobs classified and aggregated. If there is user information whose total number of predetermined items for jobs that do not require paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message containing warning information different from the warning information is notified as a predetermined message Is.

  A ninth technical means is a printing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses are communicably connected, and each image forming apparatus instructs the transmitted printing. Based on the job, the image forming means for forming the image data and the ID data capable of specifying the user information for instructing the printing of the image data to form an image on the recording paper, and the recording paper recorded by the image forming means are deposited. An accumulating unit, an ID reading unit that reads ID data of the recording paper deposited on the accumulating unit, and a confirmation unit that confirms the necessity of the recording sheet to the user who transmitted the job based on the ID data read by the ID reading unit And a separation means for separating and conveying the recording paper according to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means, and the management device responds to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means. It is obtained by and recording aggregation acquires information from the image forming apparatus.

  According to a tenth technical means, in the ninth technical means, for each job transmitted to the image forming apparatus by the management apparatus, information relating to the necessity of the recording paper and the image forming apparatus designated as the job output destination. The identification information and the user information specified by the ID data are received, and based on the necessity of the recording paper, for each user information specified by the ID data, for each identification information of the image forming apparatus and for a predetermined time period Separately, the number of jobs is classified and tabulated.

  According to an eleventh technical means, in the tenth technical means, when the management apparatus receives a new job instructing printing, the management apparatus acquires user information included in the job from the image forming apparatus and acquires the user information. The user information is used to refer to the aggregate value of the number of jobs, and if there is user information whose total count is greater than or equal to the predetermined number of the total number of jobs, the external device that sent the job containing the user information In contrast, a predetermined message is notified.

  According to a twelfth technical means, in the eleventh technical means, when the management device refers to the aggregate value of the number of jobs by using the user information included in the job, the record is recorded out of the number of jobs classified and aggregated. If there is user information whose total number of predetermined items of a job that requires paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message including caution information to be careful not to leave the recording paper is notified as a predetermined message It is what.

  A thirteenth technical means is the recording of the number of jobs classified and totaled when the management device refers to the total value of the number of jobs using the user information included in the job in the twelfth technical means. If there is user information whose total number of predetermined items for jobs that do not require paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message including warning information different from the caution information is notified as a predetermined message Is.

  According to the present invention, the printed recording paper is sorted according to the user's necessity, information on the necessity of the recording paper is managed, and a message is notified to the user according to the recording paper leaving condition. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and a printing system that can effectively prevent confusion caused by the left recording paper on the paper discharge tray and improve the convenience for the user.

  In addition, by connecting a plurality of image recording devices to a management device via a communication line, the management device can manage information on the necessity of recording paper, and can notify a message, so that one management device is effective. Thus, it becomes possible to manage the state of the recording paper of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 of this example is applied to the image forming apparatus and printing system of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus 1 is roughly composed of an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a post-processing device 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 2 includes a document table 11 made of transparent glass, a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 12 for automatically supplying a document onto the document table 11, A document image reading unit for scanning and reading an image of a document placed on the document placement table 11, that is, a scanner unit 13 is configured.

  The RADF 12 is a known device that automatically feeds a plurality of documents set on a predetermined document tray one by one onto the document placement table 11 of the scanner unit 13. The RADF 12 includes a conveyance path for a single-sided document, a conveyance path for a double-sided document, a conveyance path switching unit, and the like, and causes the scanner unit 13 to read one or both sides of a document according to a user's selection.

  The scanner unit 13 includes a lamp reflector assembly that exposes the surface of the document and a first reflection mirror that guides a reflected light image from the document to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 17 that converts an image of the reflected light into an electrical image signal. The scanning unit 14, the second scanning unit 15 having the second and third reflection mirrors mounted thereon, and an optical lens body 16 for forming a reflected light image on the CCD 17. The first scanning unit 14 travels along the document placement table 11 from left to right at a constant speed V, and the second scanning unit 15 is controlled to travel in the same direction at a speed of V / 2.

The image reading unit 2 sequentially places the documents to be read on the document placing table 11 by operations related to the RADF 12 and the scanner unit 13. At the same time, the scanner unit 13 is moved along the lower surface of the document table 11 so that the image of the document placed on the document table 11 is sequentially formed on the CCD 17 line by line to read the document image.
Image data obtained by reading a document image with the scanner unit 13 is subjected to various processes, temporarily stored in a memory (not shown), and output from the memory to the image forming unit 3 in accordance with an output instruction. The image forming unit 3 reproduces the image data output from the memory as a visible image on the photosensitive drum 22, and then the image is transferred onto a recording sheet to form a toner image.

  The image forming unit 3 includes a laser writing unit (LSU) 21 and an electrophotographic process unit 20 for forming an image. The laser writing unit 21 includes a semiconductor laser that emits laser light according to image data read from a memory or image data transferred from an external device such as a personal computer, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser light at a constant angular velocity, and the like. And an f-θ lens that corrects the laser beam deflected at the angular velocity and scans the photosensitive drum 22 of the electrophotographic process unit 20 at a constant velocity.

  The electrophotographic process unit 20 has a charging device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, a cleaning device 26, and a charge eliminating device arranged around the photosensitive drum 22 according to a well-known aspect, and further on the downstream side of the photosensitive drum 22. The fixing device 27 is arranged.

The paper feed unit 4 includes first to third cassettes 31 to 33 and a manual feed tray 35. The first cassette 31 is a tandem tray that accommodates a first paper feed tray and a second paper feed tray, and both paper feed trays can be pulled out from the apparatus body at the same time.
The second cassette 32 and the third cassette 33 accommodate a third paper feed tray and a fourth paper feed tray, respectively. That is, four paper feed trays are accommodated in three cassettes (31 to 33). The paper feed / conveyance units 36 and 37 include a paper feed roller, a conveyance roller, and a registration roller for conveying the recording paper to a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer device 25. In the four paper feed trays in the first to third cassettes 31 to 33, recording sheets are stacked and stored for each size.

  Further, in this example, a large capacity cassette 34 is added to the paper feed unit 4 as an optional fifth tray. An elevator urged upward is provided inside the large-capacity cassette 34, and recording paper is deposited on the elevator. Then, the uppermost portion of the stacked recording paper comes into contact with the paper feed roller, and the paper feed roller rotates, so that the recording paper is separated and sent out, and joins the paper feed conveyance unit 36 of the apparatus main body. Since the large-capacity cassette 34 is a large-capacity tray, it can accommodate the standard paper of the most frequently used, for example, A4 size.

When the user selects a desired paper feed tray from these paper feed trays, the recording paper is sent out one by one from the paper feed tray, and sequentially electrophotographic via the transport path of the paper feed transport units 36 and 37. It is conveyed toward the process unit 20.
A recording paper discharge path 28 is provided downstream of the fixing device 27 in the recording paper conveyance direction via a conveyance roller 61. The recording paper discharge path 28 is branched into a paper discharge conveyance path 41 of the post-processing device 5 and a refeed conveyance section 42 for duplex copying.

  In the laser writing unit 21 and the electrophotographic processing unit 20, image data read from the memory is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 by scanning the laser beam with the laser writing unit 21. . The toner image visualized by the toner of the developing device 24 is electrostatically transferred by the transfer device 25 onto the surface of the recording paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 4 and fixed by the fixing device 27.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, when the image forming unit 3 receives a print request from the user, the image forming unit 3 prints image data for printing on the recording paper and also prints ID data on the edge of the recording paper.
The ID data includes job name information of a print request. Here, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically generates a job name when receiving a job, and stores a user name included in the job in association with the job name at this time. Then, ID data that can specify the job name is generated, and the ID data is printed on the edge of the recording paper. By reading this ID data later, the user name can be extracted from the job name that can be specified from the ID data.

  The recording paper on which the print image data and the ID data are printed in this way is sent from the fixing device 27 to the post-processing device 5 or selectively conveyed to the refeed conveyance unit 42 for duplex copying. The At this time, the printed recording paper is once conveyed toward the inner tray 63 by the reversing roller 62, and at this time, the reversing roller 62 is reversed without completely discharging the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is reversely conveyed in the reverse direction, that is, toward the refeed conveyance unit 42 and the post-processing device 5. The recording paper conveyance path is switched by operating the switching gates 65 and 64. When the recording paper discharge destination is designated to the internal tray 63, the recording paper is discharged to the internal tray 63 by the reverse roller 62.

  The recording paper sent to the post-processing device 5 is subjected to predetermined processing such as sorting or stapling processing as necessary, and is discharged to the post-processing tray 71. The post-processing tray 71 is provided with a pusher 72 for extruding and discharging the recording paper, whereby the recording paper is further transferred to the temporary discharge tray 73.

The recording paper temporarily held in the temporary discharge tray 73 is discharged to the separation tray 43 by the pusher 74 provided in the temporary discharge tray 73 and is accumulated.
The sorting tray 43 includes a tray lifting / lowering means 461 configured by driving rollers (motors) and belts for raising and lowering the sorting tray 43, and a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper on the sorting tray 43. 481 is attached. Similarly, the first sorting tray 44 for sorting according to the necessity of the recording paper is provided with a tray lifting / lowering means 462 and a recording paper sensor 482, and the second sorting tray 45 has a tray lifting / lowering means 463. And a recording paper sensor 483.

  The post-processing device 5 is provided with an ID data reading unit 47 for reading the ID information recorded on the recording paper. The ID data reading unit 47 is a line sensor or area sensor constituted by a CCD of an image sensor, and is provided at a position where ID data at the end of the recording paper discharged to the sorting tray 43 can be read. Here, the ID data reading unit 47 is fixed at a fixed position of the post-processing device 5 and allows the sorting tray 43 itself to move up and down to read the ID data at the end of the recording paper. The ID data reading unit 47 corresponds to the ID reading means of the present invention.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 appropriately moves the recording paper deposited on the sorting tray 43 to the reading position of the ID data reading unit 47 using the tray lifting / lowering means 461. Then, job name information is extracted from the read ID data, and the user name information associated with the job name information is used to confirm the necessity of the recording paper for the user. In other words, the necessity of the recording paper is confirmed for the user who transmitted the job.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 exchanges information with the user corresponding to the ID data read by the ID data reading unit 47 to confirm the necessity of the printed matter. For example, from the image forming apparatus 1, a mail inquiring the necessity of printed matter is notified to the user address associated with the user name, displayed on a display or the like on an external device, and response information input for the display Is received by the image forming apparatus 1.

  At this time, a part of the image data included in the job related to the ID data may be attached to the mail transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1. Accordingly, in the external device that has received the notification, the user can determine the necessity while confirming a part of the image data, and the convenience can be improved.

Then, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the recording paper from the sorting tray 43 to the first sorting tray 44 if necessary, according to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the response to the mail or the like. Transport from the tray 43 to the second sorting tray 45.
When transporting the recording paper from the sorting tray 43 to the sorting trays 44 and 45, the sorting gate 49 in the transport path is operated to transport the recording paper to the sorting trays 44 and 45 set according to necessity. At this time, the recording paper attracting roller 75 attracts and feeds the recording paper accumulated on the sorting tray 43 from the upper side to the conveyance path.

  When the recording paper is transferred from the temporary discharge tray 73 to the sorting tray 43, the recording paper is not transferred to the sorting tray 43 during the sorting process of the recording paper deposited on the sorting tray 43. To do. The temporary discharge tray 73 pushes the recording paper by the pusher 74 and transfers the recording paper to the sorting tray 43 when the sorting process is not performed in the sorting tray 43.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration in which the ID data reading unit 47 is fixed and the sorting tray 43 is moved up and down to read the ID data, but the ID data reading unit 47 is lifted and lowered on the sorting tray 43. The ID data may be read.

2 to 5 are diagrams for explaining an operation example when the image forming apparatus performs separation conveyance from the sorting tray to the sorting tray. In each figure, P is a recording sheet to be conveyed.
When the recording paper P is transported from the sorting tray 43 to the sorting trays 44 and 45 according to the necessity of the recording paper P, the sorting tray 43 is first lowered to the lowest position as shown in FIG. The separation tray 43 is raised until the ID data of the uppermost recording paper P 43 can be confirmed by the ID data reading unit 47. Here, the ID data reading unit 47 reads ID data formed on the uppermost recording paper, refers to the sorting management table, and determines whether or not the recording paper P is necessary.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper feeding roller 75 is used to feed the uppermost recording paper P from the sorting tray 43.
If the recording paper P is necessary for the user, the sorting gate 49 is operated as shown in FIG. 4 to switch the transport path from the sorting tray 43 to the direction of the first sorting tray 44. Then, the recording paper P is conveyed to the first sorting tray 44.

On the other hand, if the recording paper P is not a recording paper necessary for the user, the sorting gate 49 is operated as shown in FIG. 5 to switch the transport path from the sorting tray 43 to the direction of the second sorting tray 45. Then, the recording paper P is conveyed to the second sorting tray 45.
If there is further recording paper on the sorting tray 43 after these feeding, the sorting tray 43 is raised again until the ID data of the recording paper can be confirmed by the ID data reading unit 471, and the same operation as described above is performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of ID data printed on a recording sheet.
In the recording paper P, the ID data is synthesized and printed on any one of the three edges except for the leading edge in the paper discharge direction (recording paper conveyance direction) indicated by the arrow in the drawing. When the ID data is combined with the leading edge of the recording paper, it is easy to cause the winding of the fixing. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid the leading edge and perform composite printing on the three edge portions other than the leading edge. Of course, the ID data may be printed on the leading edge of the recording paper as required. In this example, since ID data is read from the rear side surface of the recording paper P deposited on the sorting tray 43, ID data is imaged on the rear side R with respect to the paper discharge direction of the recording paper.

  The ID data is, for example, a barcode, and the image forming apparatus can specify the job name of the job. The ID data reading unit 47 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads the ID data from the side of the recording paper on which the ID data as described above is formed and deposited. The printed portion of the ID data is thicker than the recording paper by the amount of toner, and a slight amount of toner has penetrated into the recording paper. Therefore, in a state where a plurality of recording sheets are stacked, the barcode portion is overlapped on the rear end surface, and the rear end surface is scanned by the ID data reading unit 47, whereby the barcode can be read more accurately.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are assigned to the portions corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an input unit 101 that receives a print request (job) from an external device such as a PC via a network, a main control unit 102 that controls the entire apparatus, ID data data, an e-mail address, and the like. And a storage unit (memory) 103 that stores user information.

  The main control unit 102 is connected to each sub-control unit, that is, the print control unit 104, the mechanism control unit 105, the ID data reading control unit 106, the confirmation unit 107, the display control unit 108, the separation control unit 109, and the management device 114. The overall control of the apparatus is performed by supervising each sub-control unit.

  When the input unit 101 receives a print request from the user, the print control unit 104 controls the image forming unit 110 to print image data on the recording paper and print ID data data on the edge of the recording paper. The recording paper is discharged to the sorting tray 43 via the post-processing tray 71 and the temporary discharge tray 73. For example, when a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses after the recording paper is left on the sorting tray 43, the mechanism control unit 105 controls the tray lifting / lowering means 461, and the ID data reading control unit 106 controls the ID data reading unit. 47 is controlled to read the ID data at the edge of the recording paper.

  The confirmation unit 107 identifies the job name from the ID data read by the ID data reading unit 47, extracts the user name, and registers it in the sorting management table. Then, according to the sorting management table, the user is notified for confirming the necessity of the recording paper. In this case, the confirmation unit 107 controls the communication control unit 110 and operates the communication unit 111 according to the control by the communication control unit 110 to transmit the notification for the confirmation. The communication unit 111 is configured as a unit that enables e-mail transmission and reception for a destination according to a user address, for example. Further, the confirmation unit 107 registers the necessity of the recording paper in the sorting management table based on the response from the user.

The display control unit 108 controls the display unit 112 such as an LCD to display various information.
Further, the sorting control unit 109 controls the sorting unit 113 and transports the recording paper on the sorting tray 43 to the predetermined sorting trays 44 and 45 according to the necessity of the recording paper registered by the checking unit 107. The sorting means 113 includes a recording paper feeding roller 75 for feeding recording paper from the sorting tray 43, a sorting gate 49 for switching the recording paper transport path and the transport path, a first sorting tray 44, a second sorting tray 45, each tray. Tray raising / lowering means 461-463 and the like.

The management device 114 manages information related to the necessity of the recording sheet confirmed by the confirmation unit 107. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the management apparatus in more detail.
The management device 114 includes a communication unit 115 for exchanging data by communicating with the output control unit 102 and other sub-control units of the image forming apparatus 1, and information regarding the necessity of recording paper from the confirmation unit 107 (required). Unnecessary table), and based on the necessity, the job instructed to the image forming apparatus is classified and the total table update unit 116 that counts the number of the jobs, the total table storage unit 117 that stores the total table, and the total Message notifying means 118 for notifying a predetermined message with reference to the aggregation table stored in the table storage means.

  The tabulation table updating unit 116 tabulates the number of jobs for each user for each necessity of recording paper. Further, the number of cases to be tabulated for each user may be further tabulated for a predetermined time zone such as morning or afternoon. Here, an unnecessary / unnecessary history table representing an unnecessary / unnecessary history of the recording paper is created using the unnecessary / unnecessary information received from the confirmation unit 107, and the number of jobs is totaled based on the unnecessary / unnecessary history table. The total value is stored in the total table storage unit 117 as a total table. The unnecessary / necessary history table is also stored in the total table storage unit 117. The update of the total table by the total table updating unit 116 can be appropriately executed at a predetermined timing such as once a day.

When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a new job, the message notification unit 118 receives a job notification including user information included in the job, and refers to the total table stored in the total table storage unit 117 according to the job notification. To do. Then, the message notification means 1218 uses an external device such as a terminal device to which the job is transmitted when the total number of predetermined items such as necessary information, users, and time zones in the total table is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. On the other hand, a message including warning information for warning to remove unrecorded recording paper promptly and warning information for warning not to perform unnecessary print output is generated, and the main body of the image forming apparatus via communication means 115 Forward to department. The transferred message is transmitted to the destination external device via the communication unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 1.
The management device 114 according to the present embodiment is built in or attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and manages information regarding the necessity of recording paper in one image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a job table used for the sorting and sorting process of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The job table is stored and held in a memory such as the storage unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 1. When a job is transmitted from an external device or the like and a print request is generated, the job name and user name are converted into a table. To remember.

In this case, in the image forming apparatus 1, when a job is transmitted from an external device such as a PC, user name information included in the job is extracted, a job name is generated, and the job name and user name are extracted. Are registered in the job table. The job name at this time is generated by assigning serial numbers (JOB1, 2, 3,...) In the order of job reception, for example.
In this example, it is assumed that JOBs (jobs) 1 to 7 by users A to G have been executed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state example of the sorting tray immediately before detection of the left recording paper. The example in FIG. 10 does not show the table stored in the memory, but is for explaining an example of the state of the recording paper on the sorting tray 43. For example, a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) after all printing is completed. ) Indicates the state when it has passed. In this example, it is shown that the recording paper on which an image is formed by JOBs 1, 5, 6, and 7 is left on the separation tray 43 even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the printing is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sorting management table. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a job, the image forming apparatus 1 prints the transmitted image data on a recording sheet, and records the job name generated according to the job as ID data on the recording sheet. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the ID data from the unrecorded recording paper on the sorting tray 43 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of printing. Then, referring to the job table shown in FIG. 9, the user name is extracted from the job name that can be specified by the read ID data. These job name and user name are registered in a sorting management table as shown in FIG. In the sorting management table, for example, an item “Notify / Notify Mail” and an item “User Response” are set. In the stage of FIG. 11A, all the mail notifications in the sorting management table are “not yet”.

  The user registered in the sorting management table is notified by e-mail to confirm whether or not a recording sheet is necessary. Address information for mail notification is stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 1 in association with the user name. Then, according to the reply from the user to the mail, the sorting management table is updated as needed. The updated sorting management table is, for example, as shown in FIG. Here, one of “required”, “unnecessary”, and “no answer” is registered as the user's answer.

  In this case, if “necessary”, the recording paper on the sorting tray 43 is conveyed to the first sorting tray 44 because it is necessary. On the other hand, in the case of “unnecessary”, the recording paper is conveyed to the second sorting tray 44 because it is unnecessary. Also, in the case of “no answer”, the recording paper is regarded as unnecessary. For example, the answer is determined as “necessary”, “unnecessary”, or “no answer” after a predetermined time has elapsed since the mail was transmitted. When the recording paper sorting is actually finished, the corresponding sorting management table is cleared from the memory.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail notified to the user. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 specifies the user name from the job name of the ID information of the recording paper that has been left in the sorting tray 43 for a predetermined time or longer, and uses the address stored in accordance with the user name for mail. Make a notification.
In this example, the notification email 120 contains the text “Output paper is left in the paper output tray. Please come to pick it up as soon as possible. A check box 121 for replying whether it is necessary / unnecessary is prepared.

  Further, the notification mail 120 describes the serial number 122 that matches “n” in the sorting management table, and further describes the job name 123 and the user name 124. At this time, part of the image data of the corresponding job (for example, the first page of data in the image) 125 may be attached to the notification mail 120. Thus, the user who has confirmed the notification mail 120 can more reliably and easily determine the necessity of the image by visually recognizing the part 125 of the image data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of necessary / unnecessary information transmitted to the management apparatus based on information in the sorting management table. As described above, in the sorting management table, one of “necessary”, “unnecessary”, and “no answer” information is described for each job. The confirmation unit 107 of the image forming apparatus transmits information on the necessity (necessary information) to the management apparatus 114. Information transmitted from the confirmation unit 107 to the management apparatus 114 includes a user name, a user answer (required / unnecessary / no answer), and a notification time. The notification time indicates the time when the above information is notified to the management apparatus 114. This time information may be acquired on the management device 114 side. The time when the ID data is read from the recording paper may be used as the notification time.
The management device 114 creates and stores a necessity / unnecessary history table as shown in FIG. 13 based on the necessity / unnecessary information transmitted by the confirmation unit 107.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a tabulation table managed by the management apparatus. FIG. 14A shows a tabulation table of information where the necessity of recording paper is “necessary”, and FIG. 14B shows recording paper. Is a summary table of information whose necessity is “unnecessary”.
The management device 114 creates a tabulation table as shown in FIG. 14 by using the necessity history management table created according to the necessity information acquired from the confirmation unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 1. As the tabulation table, a tabulation table regarding information where the recording paper is “necessary” as shown in FIG. 14A, and a tabulation table regarding information where the recording paper is “unnecessary” as shown in FIG. Create

  In the tabulation table of FIG. 14A, the number of cases where the necessity of the recording sheet is “necessary” is tabulated and managed for each user name, and in the tabulation table of FIG. 14B, recording is performed for each user name. Count and manage the number of cases where the need for paper is “unnecessary”. In any management table, the total number of cases is managed by time zone.

  The time zone information is assigned to either the morning or afternoon time zone according to the notification time information included in the unnecessary history information. When the time information at the time of acquisition of ID data in the image forming apparatus is used as the time information of the unnecessary / unnecessary history table, the time information is tabulated. In this example, morning and afternoon are set as the time zones, but these time zones can be arbitrarily set as appropriate.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining data transmission / reception control processing according to the present invention. In this example, it is assumed that there are a client PC (1) and a client PC (2) as the terminal device 201 that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus. From these terminal apparatuses 201, a job for instructing printing to the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted. Data transmission / reception is performed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the management apparatus 114. In this example, the image forming apparatus 1 and the management apparatus 114 are separately considered. However, as described above, the management apparatus 114 is built in or attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and is integrally configured. Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the state of data transmission / reception between the main unit including the main control unit and confirmation unit of the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus 114 is shown.

  The image forming apparatus 1 detects ID data of all the recording sheets left on the sorting tray when a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of printing (S101). Then, the job name is specified from the detected ID data, the user name is specified from the job name and registered in the sorting management table, and the registered user is notified of the necessity (necessary / unnecessary) of the recording paper. (S102, S103). In this example, it is assumed that confirmation notifications are transmitted to the client PC 1 and the client PC 2 respectively.

  In each client PC, the user confirms the confirmation notification and returns a response to the image forming apparatus 1 (S104, S105). Upon receiving the response, the image forming apparatus 1 creates a sorting management table according to the response content (S106). If there is no response even after a predetermined time has passed after the confirmation notification, information indicating no response is registered in the sorting management table. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the necessary information on the recording paper to the management apparatus 114 based on the sorting management table (S107). The unnecessary information includes information such as a user name, a user answer (required / unnecessary / no answer), and a notification time as described above. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 sorts and transports the recording sheets on the sorting tray based on the necessity (necessary / unnecessary) of the recording sheets determined by the response to the confirmation notification (S108).

  On the other hand, the management apparatus 114 that has received the above-described necessity information creates and stores a necessity / unnecessary history table (S109). Based on the stored unnecessary / necessary history table, the tabulation table is updated at a predetermined timing (S110). The aggregation table does not need to be updated in real time, and is updated at a timing such as once in the morning, for example.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a transmission process of attention / warning information generated based on the aggregation table.
The management device 114 transmits caution information or warning information for the user under a predetermined condition using the aggregation table created by the above processing. FIG. 16 illustrates processing when a new print instruction is transmitted from the client PC 1, which is one of the terminal devices 201, to the image forming apparatus 1. Also in this example, the image forming apparatus 1 and the management apparatus 114 are considered separately.

  It is assumed that the management device 114 has already held a tabulation table based on past necessary / unnecessary history information by the above-described processing. Here, when a new job instructing printing is transmitted from the client PC 1 to the image forming apparatus (S111), the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a job notification for notifying that the job has been received to the management apparatus 114. (S112). Here, the management apparatus 114 determines whether or not the total value of the user who transmitted the print job matches a predetermined condition based on the job notification (S113). The job notification includes the user name included in the job.

The following conditions can be set as the predetermined conditions.
So for that user,
1-1. Whether the total number of “unnecessary” is greater than or equal to the specified number.
1-2. Whether the number of “unnecessary” tabulations (subtotal value) is greater than or equal to the predetermined number for the time zone corresponding to the current time.
2-1. Whether the total number of “required” is greater than or equal to the predetermined number.
2-2. Whether the total number of “required” (subtotal value) is greater than or equal to the predetermined number for the time zone corresponding to the current time.
Is a predetermined condition. All of these conditions may be set, or one or more of them may be set. Moreover, the predetermined number of each condition may differ for every condition, and may be the same.

  The management apparatus 114 notifies the client PC 1 of a message prepared in advance when the user who has transmitted a job from the client PC 1 to the image forming apparatus satisfies the predetermined condition by the determination process (S114). As the message, there are prepared a message for warning that the left recording paper should be removed promptly, and a message including warning information for warning not to perform unnecessary print output. A warning message is transmitted as a message relating to the total value of “unnecessary” recording sheets of the predetermined conditions 1-1 to 1-2, and “required” of the predetermined conditions 2-1 to 2-2. As a message relating to the total value of the recording paper, a warning message is transmitted. Messages are not limited to these caution messages and warning messages, but weight these messages by differentiating the messages for “unnecessary” aggregated values and “necessary” aggregated values. Is preferred.

The client PC 1 that received the message displays the warning or caution message on the screen (S115). The message display method is not limited, but as a preferred example, the message is displayed on the printer driver setting screen.
When a job instructing printing is transmitted from the client PC to the image forming apparatus 1 in S111, the user opens a printer driver setting screen on the client PC and confirms the print setting. A job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 by pointing a print instruction button (such as “OK”) on the setting screen.

  Here, the management apparatus 114 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is met from the job notification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1, and transmits a warning or caution message to the client PC 1 if the condition is met. At this time, the message is displayed on the setting screen of the printer driver in a state where the print instruction button is pressed on the client PC. The message may be displayed as it is until the user inputs an instruction, or may be displayed for a predetermined time and then disappear. This allows the user to confirm a warning or caution display regarding the job while the printer driver setting screen is open.

  A display example of a warning / caution message transmitted from the management apparatus will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting screen before a warning / caution message is displayed. When the user transmits a job instructing printing from the client PC to the image forming apparatus 1, the printer driver setting screen 300 as shown in FIG. 17 is opened, the print settings are confirmed, and the OK button 301 is then pointed. To do. Here, the client PC transmits a job including print image data to the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display screen example of a warning message transmitted from the management apparatus. When a job is transmitted from the client PC to the image forming apparatus 1, if it is determined that the management apparatus 114 is a user who should transmit a warning message based on the job notification, a predetermined warning message is sent from the management apparatus 114. The warning message 302 is displayed on the printer driver setting screen 300 by being transmitted to the client PC. In this example, a warning message 302 “Check print data so as not to perform unnecessary print output” is displayed.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display screen example of a caution message transmitted from the management apparatus. When it is determined that the management device 114 is a user who should transmit a caution message based on the job notification when a job is transmitted from the client PC, the management device 114 transmits a predetermined caution message to the client PC. The warning message 303 is displayed on the printer driver setting screen 300. In this example, a warning message 303 “Please remove the recording sheet immediately after printing” is displayed.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and shows a main processing procedure of recording paper sorting processing according to the user's needs. The processing in this example is performed according to a job transmitted from an external device or the like, and is started after the printing is completed.

  Here, first, the recording paper temporarily stored in the temporary discharge tray 73 is transferred to the sorting tray 43 (step S1). The transfer of the recording paper from the temporary discharge tray 73 to the sorting tray 43 is executed when the recording paper deposited on the sorting tray 43 is not sorted.

In the sorting tray 43, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of all printing, the recording paper left on the sorting tray 43 is registered in the sorting management table (step S2). Here, the ID data is read from the recording paper as described above, the user name is specified from the job name, and is registered in the sorting management table. The sorting management table is set as shown in FIG. 10A, and is stored and held in a storage unit such as a memory.
Then, the user registered in the sorting management table is notified that the recording paper is left on the sorting tray 43 (step S3). This notification is executed by e-mail or the like as described above.

  And it waits until predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes, passes from said notification and waits for the response with respect to notification (step S4). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the sorting management table is updated based on the response to the notification (response content, presence / absence of response, etc.) (step S5). The updated sorting management table is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Then, based on the sorting management table, the unnecessary information on the recording paper is transmitted to the management device (step S6). Then, the recording paper is sorted and conveyed on the separation toilet 43 (step S7). Here, according to the necessity / unnecessity of the recording paper determined according to the response to the notification, the recording paper deposited on the sorting tray 43 is sorted and conveyed to predetermined sorting trays 44 and 45. Thereafter, the sorting management table is cleared (step S8).

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another example of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The recording paper discharge / conveying process (step S1 in FIG. 20) in the image forming apparatus will be described in more detail. The processing in this example starts when the image forming apparatus receives image data to be printed.

  First, print processing of print image data is performed, and the recording paper on which an image is formed by printing is discharged to the temporary discharge tray 73 (step S11). Then, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed (step S12). If printing has been completed, it is further determined whether or not sorting processing is being performed (step S13). The sorting process is a process for sorting and conveying the recording paper loaded on the sorting tray 43 as described above. If the sorting process is in progress, the process waits as it is. If the sorting process is not in progress, the pusher 74 pushes the recording paper in the temporary discharge tray 73 to the sorting tray 43 (step S14).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing still another processing example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The confirmation processing (step S2 in FIG. 20) in the image forming apparatus will be described in more detail. The process of this example starts after the image forming apparatus finishes the printing process. First, the timer count t is set to 0 (step S21). Then, the recording paper sensor 481 of the sorting tray 43 determines whether there is a recording paper on the sorting tray 43 (step S22). If there is no recording paper on the sorting tray 43, the process returns to step S21. If there is recording paper on the sorting tray 43, whether or not the timer count t has passed a predetermined time t0, that is, t> t0. It is determined whether or not (step S23). Here, for example, t0 = 10 minutes is set, and it is determined whether or not the recording paper is left on the sorting tray 43 for longer than 10 minutes.

  If t> t0 is not satisfied, the process returns to step S22 again to determine whether there is a recording sheet on the separation tray 43. If t> t0, the ID data reading unit 471 is moved to the lowest position of the recording sheet. (Step S24), and the ID data of the recording paper is read (step S25). Here, the tray raising / lowering means 461 is operated to raise and lower the sorting tray 43 so that the ID data reading unit 47 can read the ID data printed on the recording paper on the sorting tray 43.

  As a result of the ID data reading process, it is determined whether or not ID data is read (step S26). If there is no ID data read, it is further determined whether or not there is ID data immediately before. (Step S32). Here, “immediately before” refers to reading of ID data at the previous position when the sorting tray 43 is lowered and the ID data reading unit 47 is moved upward in the recording paper. The amount of movement of the ID data reading unit 47 is appropriately determined in advance, for example, the amount is set to 0.1 mm.

  If there is no ID data immediately before in step S32, the ID data reading unit 47 is moved in the upper surface direction of the recording paper (step S33). The amount of movement at this time is, for example, 0.1 mm as described above. In this case as well, the position of the ID data reading unit 47 with respect to the recording paper is raised by actually lowering the sorting tray 43 by the tray lifting / lowering means 461.

  Then, the ID data reading unit 47 determines whether or not it has been raised to the uppermost position of the sorting tray 43 (step S34). If it is the uppermost position, the process is terminated. The reading process of the ID data of the recording paper is executed at the position.

On the other hand, if there is read data of ID data in step S26, it is further determined whether there is ID data immediately before (step S27). In this case as well, it is determined whether or not ID data has been obtained by the ID data reading process at the previous position before the movement.
If there is no ID data immediately before, the process proceeds to step S33, and the ID data reading unit 47 is moved in the upper surface direction of the recording paper. If there is ID data immediately before, the obtained ID data is compared with the previous ID data (step S28).

Then, as a result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the ID data immediately before and this time (step S29). If there is a change, the user is specified from the ID data (step S30).
Then, the user name and job name are registered in the sorting management table (step S31). The job name can be specified from the ID data as described above, and the user name corresponding to the job name can be specified from the job table.

  In step S33, the ID data reading unit 47 is moved in the upper surface direction of the recording paper. Even if the ID data does not change in step S29, the process proceeds to step S33, and the ID data reading unit 47 is moved in the upper surface direction of the recording paper.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing still another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The sorting and conveying process in step S7 of FIG. 20 will be described in more detail.
In the sorting and conveying process, first, the sorting tray 43 is lowered to the lowest position (step S41). Then, the sorting tray 43 is raised until the ID data of the uppermost recording sheet on the sorting tray 43 can be confirmed by the ID data reading unit 47 (step S42).

  Here, the ID data reading unit 47 detects the ID data formed on the uppermost recording paper (step S43), specifies the job name from the detected ID data, and uses the specified job name to sort the management table. Is referred to (step S44). In the sorting management table, the necessity (necessary / unnecessary) of the recording paper is registered according to the response from the user. Thus, it is determined whether or not a recording sheet corresponding to the job name from which the ID data is detected is necessary (step S45).

  If the recording paper from which the ID data is detected is necessary, the sorting gate 49 is operated to switch the transport path from the sorting tray 43 to the first sorting tray 44 (step S36). Then, the recording paper feeding roller 75 is used to perform paper feeding from the sorting tray 43 (step S47).

  If the recording paper on which the ID data is detected is not necessary, the sorting gate 49 is operated to switch the transport path from the sorting tray 43 to the second sorting tray 45 (step S49). Then, the recording paper feeding roller 75 is used to perform paper feeding from the sorting tray 43 (step S50).

  After these sheet feedings, it is further determined whether or not there is a recording sheet on the sorting tray 43 (step S48). If there is no recording sheet, the process ends. If there is a recording sheet, the process returns to step S42 to separate the sheet. The sorting tray 43 is raised until the ID data of the uppermost recording paper on the tray 43 can be confirmed by the ID data reading unit 47.

In the above example, necessary recording paper is conveyed to the first sorting tray 44 and unnecessary recording paper is conveyed to the second sorting tray 45 according to the necessity of the recording paper. Needless to say, the tray may be set in reverse.
Further, a plurality of sorting trays may be additionally provided so that the sorting and sorting can be performed in the order of importance of the recording paper. In this case, when the importance of the recording paper is confirmed with respect to the user who transmitted the job, the importance of the recording paper is registered in the sorting management table according to the confirmation result, and the recording paper deposited on the sorting tray 43 is separated. Referring to the sorting management table, the recording paper may be sorted and conveyed to a sorting tray set for each importance level.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the management apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrates an example of determination processing for a job notification transmitted from the image forming apparatus. The management apparatus refers to the total column of the aggregation table based on the user name included in the job notification (step S51). The total column to be referred to is a predetermined item determined in advance, and here is the total value of the total number of counts for each user in each required or unnecessary total table.

  And it is discriminate | determined whether the total value of the referred sum column is more than predetermined number (step S52). Although the predetermined number can be arbitrarily set, for example, it is set to 10. If the target total column is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process is terminated, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a message is notified to the client PC corresponding to the user name (step S53). Here, a warning or caution message is notified depending on whether the total value is “necessary” or “unnecessary” on the recording paper.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the process of the management apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrates another example of the determination process for the job notification transmitted from the image forming apparatus. The management device refers to the time zone subtotal column of the tabulation table based on the user name and the current time included in the job notification (step S61). The time zone subtotal column referred to here is a subtotal column of the time zone to which the current time belongs. And it is discriminate | determined whether the total value of the referred subtotal column is more than predetermined number (for example, 10 cases) (step S62). If the total value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process is terminated, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a message is notified to the client PC corresponding to the user name (step S63). Here, a warning or caution message is notified depending on whether the total value is “necessary” or “unnecessary” on the recording paper.

Next, an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 26 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention.
In the embodiment of the printing system, the management apparatus 114 is configured separately from the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 through a communication line so as to be able to transmit and receive information. The communication line may be a line that realizes a local network such as a LAN, may be a public line network such as a telephone line, or may be a mixture of these. In this configuration, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 (image forming apparatus (1), image forming apparatus (2)...) Can be connected to the management apparatus 114 via a communication line. Necessary information on the recording paper of the forming apparatus 1 can be managed.

  The function of each element of the image forming apparatus 1 is the same as the example of FIG. That is, in each image forming apparatus 1, ID data is given to the end of the recording paper as described above, and the ID data is read from the recording paper left on the sorting tray 43. Then, the job name is specified from the read ID data, the user name is specified from the specified job name, and a notification for confirming the necessity of the recording paper is transmitted to the user according to the job name. Each image forming apparatus 1 sorts and conveys the recording paper left on the sorting tray 43 according to the response to the confirmation notification. In the image forming apparatus 1, the sorting management table is updated according to the response, and the necessary information on the recording paper is transmitted to the management apparatus 114 according to the updated sorting management table. Detailed repetitive explanations of the unnecessary confirmation processing of the left recording paper in the image forming apparatus 1, the sorting conveyance process, the generation / update process of the sorting management table, the transmission process of the unnecessary information to the management apparatus, and the like are omitted. .

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management apparatus applied to the printing system according to the present invention. The management apparatus 114 is configured as a server apparatus that is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 via a communication line. The communication unit 115 is used for transmitting and receiving information to and from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1. A display means 119 for displaying various information and data is provided.
The tabulation table updating unit 116 tabulates the number of jobs for each user based on the necessity of recording paper (necessary / unnecessary). Here, the number of cases to be counted for each user is further counted for each predetermined time zone such as morning or afternoon, and is counted for each image forming apparatus based on the identification information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  Here, the tabulation table updating unit 116 creates a necessity history table that represents the necessity history of the recording paper using the necessity information received from the confirmation unit 107 of each image forming apparatus 1, and stores the necessity history table in the necessity history table. Based on the number of jobs. The total value is stored in the total table storage unit 117 as a total table. The unnecessary / necessary history table is also stored in the total table storage unit 117.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a new job, the message notification unit 118 receives a job notification including user information included in the job, and refers to the total table stored in the total table storage unit 117 according to the job notification. To do. Then, the message notification means 1218 displays the terminal to which the job has been transmitted when the total number of predetermined items such as by unnecessary information, by user, by time zone, and by image forming apparatus in the total table is equal to or greater than the predetermined number. Generates a message including warning information to alert external devices such as apparatuses to remove unrecorded recording paper promptly and warning information to warn not to perform unnecessary print output, and via communication means 115 Send to the destination external device.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating another example of the necessary / unnecessary information transmitted to the management apparatus based on the information of the sorting management table. The confirmation unit 107 of each image forming apparatus 1 does not need the MFP name, which is identification information of the image forming apparatus (MFP in this case), in addition to the user name, user response (required / unnecessary / no response), and notification time. The information is transmitted to the management device 114 as information. The identification information of the image forming apparatus such as the MFP name can be obtained from the designation information of the image forming apparatus added to the image data when the image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 from a client terminal such as a PC. In the image forming apparatus 1, the identification information of the image forming apparatus is included in the unnecessary information transmitted to the management apparatus 114.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another example of a tabulation table managed by the management apparatus. FIG. 29A shows a tabulation table of information where the necessity of recording paper is “necessary”, and FIG. An aggregation table of information indicating that the necessity of recording paper is “unnecessary” is shown.
The management device 114 creates a tabulation table as shown in FIG. 29 using the necessity management table created according to the necessity information acquired from each image forming device 1. In the management table of FIG. 29A, the number of cases where the necessity of recording paper is “necessary” is totaled and managed for each user name, and in the management table of FIG. 29B, recording is performed for each user name. Count and manage the number of cases where the need for paper is “unnecessary”. In any of the management tables, the total number is managed for each time zone, and further managed for each identification information (here, MFP name) of the image forming apparatus included in the unnecessary information.

The management device 114 transmits caution information or warning information for the user under a predetermined condition using the aggregation table created by the above processing.
Here, when a new job instructing printing is transmitted from the client PC to an arbitrary image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a job notification for notifying that the job has been received to the management apparatus 114. . The job notification includes user name information and identification information (MFP name) of the image forming apparatus designated by the job. Here, the management device 114 determines whether or not the total value of the user who transmitted the print job matches a predetermined condition based on the job notification.

In this embodiment, any one or more of the following conditions can be set as the predetermined condition. So for that user,
1-1. Whether the total number of “unnecessary” is greater than or equal to the specified number.
1-2. Whether the number of “unnecessary” totals (subtotal value) in the image forming apparatus specified in the job is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.
1-3. Whether the number of “unnecessary” tabulations (subtotal value) is greater than or equal to the predetermined number for the time zone corresponding to the current time.
2-1. Whether the total number of “required” is greater than or equal to the predetermined number.
2-2. Whether the number of “necessary” totals (subtotal value) in the image forming apparatus specified in the job is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.
2-3. Whether the total number of “required” (subtotal value) is greater than or equal to the predetermined number for the time zone corresponding to the current time.
Is a predetermined condition.

  The management apparatus 114 notifies the client PC of a message prepared in advance when the user who has transmitted a job from the client PC to the image forming apparatus 1 satisfies the predetermined condition by the determination process. As in the above-described embodiment, the message uses a message that warns that the number of left recording sheets exceeds a predetermined number and a message that warns that the number of left recording sheets exceeds a predetermined number.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the process of the management apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrates still another example of the determination process of the job notification transmitted from the image forming apparatus. The management device 114 refers to the device subtotal column of the tabulation table based on the user name included in the job notification and the image forming device designated as the output destination (step S71). And it is discriminate | determined whether the total value of the referred device subtotal column is more than predetermined number (for example, 10 cases) (step S72). If the total value is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process is terminated. If the total value is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a message is notified to the client PC corresponding to the user name (step S73). Here, a warning or caution message is notified depending on whether the total value is “necessary” or “unnecessary” on the recording paper. Transmission processing of these messages in the management apparatus 114 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

  In the above example, the total value is referred to for each image forming apparatus for each user. However, the total value may be referred to for each user as shown in FIG. 24, or for each user as shown in FIG. You may make it refer to the subtotal value according to time zone. Moreover, you may perform these several processes simultaneously.

  As described above, in the present printing system, the management apparatus 114 connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 via communication lines acquires and collects unnecessary information related to the unrecorded recording paper of each image forming apparatus 1 and adds new information. Based on the job notification, a process for determining whether the message is acceptable and transmitting a predetermined message is performed. As a result, a single management device 114 can manage information relating to the necessity of recording sheets of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 and can notify a message.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation example when sorting and conveying to a sorting tray from a sorting tray. It is another figure for demonstrating the operation example when carrying out classification conveyance from a classification tray to a sorting tray. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation example when sorting and transporting from the sorting tray to the sorting tray. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation example when sorting and transporting from the sorting tray to the sorting tray. It is a figure which shows an example of ID data printed on the recording paper. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating in more detail the structure of a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the job table used for the classification sorting process of the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a sorting tray immediately before detection of an abandoned recording sheet. It is a figure which shows an example of a classification management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the mail notified to a user. It is a figure which shows an example of the necessity information transmitted to a management apparatus based on the information of a classification management table. It is a figure which shows the example of the total table managed by a management apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission / reception control process of the data in this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission process of the warning and warning information produced | generated based on a total table. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting screen before a warning / caution message is displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the warning message transmitted from the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the caution message transmitted from the management apparatus. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 12 is a flowchart showing still another example of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing still another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the management apparatus in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a process of the management apparatus in this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of embodiment of the printing system by this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the management apparatus applied to the printing system by this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the necessity information transmitted to a management apparatus based on the information of a classification management table. It is a figure which shows the other example of the total table managed by a management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the further another example of the process of the management apparatus in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image reading part, 3 ... Image forming part, 4 ... Paper feed part, 5 ... Post-processing apparatus, 11 ... Original placing table, 12 ... RADF, 13 ... Scanner unit, 14 ... 1st scan Unit: 15 ... second scanning unit, 16 ... optical lens body, 17 ... CCD, 20 ... electrophotographic process section, 21 ... laser writing unit, 22 ... photosensitive drum, 23 ... charging device, 24 ... developing device, 25 ... Transfer device 26 ... Cleaning device 27 ... Fixing device 28 ... Recording paper discharge path 31 ... First cassette 32 ... Second cassette 33 ... Third cassette 34 ... Large capacity cassette 35 ... Tray 36 37... Paper feed transport unit, 41... Paper discharge transport path, 42... Refeed paper transport unit, 43 .. Sorting tray, 44... First sort tray, 45 ... Second sort tray, 47. Sorting 61 ... Conveying roller, 62 ... Reversing roller, 63 ... Internal tray, 64,65 ... Switching gate, 71 ... Post-processing tray, 72 ... Pusher, 73 ... Temporary discharge tray, 74 ... Pusher, 75 ... Recording paper Call roller, 120 ... notification mail, 121 ... check box, 101 ... input unit, 102 ... main control unit, 103 ... storage unit, 104 ... print control unit, 105 ... mechanism control unit, 106 ... ID data reading control unit, 107 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 108 ... Display control unit 109 ... Classification control unit 110 ... Communication control unit 111 ... Communication unit 112 ... Display unit 113 ... Classification unit 114 ... Management device 115 ... Communication unit 116 ... Total Table update means, 117 ... Total table storage means, 118 ... Message notification means, 119 ... Display means, 122 ... Serial number, 1 3 ... Job name, 124 ... User name, 125 ... Part of image data, 201 ... Terminal device, 300 ... Printer driver setting screen, 301 ... OK button, 302 ... Warning message, 303 ... Caution message, 461 ... Tray lift Means, 462... Tray lifting means, 463... Tray lifting means, 481... Recording paper sensor, 482... Recording paper sensor, 483.

Claims (13)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet and records the image data and ID data that can specify user information for instructing the printing of the image data based on the transmitted job instructing the printing;
Stacking means for depositing recording paper recorded by the image forming means;
ID reading means for reading the ID data of the recording paper deposited on the accumulation means;
Confirmation means for confirming the necessity of the recording paper for the user who sent the job based on the ID data read by the ID reading means;
Sorting means for sorting and conveying the recording paper according to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means;
A management device for recording and collecting information on the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the confirmation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit generates job name information in association with user information included in the job, records the job name information as the ID data on the recording paper,
The confirmation unit extracts job name information from the ID data read by the ID reading unit, specifies user information associated with the extracted job name information, and records the recording paper based on the specified user information. An image forming apparatus characterized by confirming the necessity.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit transmits a notification for confirming the necessity based on user information that transmitted the job, and the recording paper according to a response to the notification. An image forming apparatus characterized by confirming the necessity.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management device classifies the transmitted job based on the necessity of the recording sheet confirmed by the confirmation unit, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the number of jobs is counted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management device further classifies the job classified based on the necessity for each user information specified by the ID data according to a predetermined time period. An image forming apparatus that counts the number of completed jobs. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image forming apparatus receives a new job instructing printing, the management apparatus uses the user information included in the job to count the number of jobs. Refer to
If there is user information in which the total number of the predetermined items is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of the total number of jobs, a predetermined message is notified to the external device that has transmitted the job including the user information. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the management device refers to the total value of the number of jobs using the user information included in the job, among the number of jobs classified and totaled, If there is user information in which the total number of the predetermined items of the job requiring the recording paper is equal to or more than the predetermined number, a message including caution information to be careful not to leave the recording paper is notified as the predetermined message. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the management device refers to the total value of the number of jobs using user information included in the job, If there is user information in which the total number of predetermined items of a job that does not require the recording paper is a predetermined number or more, a message including warning information different from the warning information is notified as the predetermined message. An image forming apparatus. A printing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatuses are communicably connected,
Each of the image forming apparatuses forms an image on recording paper and records the image data and ID data that can specify user information for instructing to print the image data based on the transmitted job instructing printing. Means,
Stacking means for depositing recording paper recorded by the image forming means;
ID reading means for reading the ID data of the recording paper deposited on the accumulation means;
Confirmation means for confirming the necessity of the recording paper for the user who sent the job based on the ID data read by the ID reading means;
Sorting means for sorting and conveying the recording paper according to the necessity of the recording paper confirmed by the checking means,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the management device acquires information relating to the necessity of the recording sheet confirmed by the confirmation unit from the image forming apparatus and records and aggregates the information. 10. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein for each job transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the management apparatus identifies information relating to the necessity of the recording sheet and identification of an image forming apparatus designated as a job output destination. Receiving information and user information specified by the ID data;
Based on the necessity of the recording paper, for each user information specified by the ID data, the number of jobs is classified and tabulated for each identification information of the image forming apparatus and for a predetermined time period. Printing system to do. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein when the image forming apparatus receives a new job instructing printing, the management apparatus acquires user information included in the job from the image forming apparatus, and Refer to the total value of the number of jobs using the acquired user information,
Printing is characterized in that if there is user information whose total number of predetermined items is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of total jobs, a predetermined message is notified to an external device that has transmitted a job including the user information. system.   12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the management device refers to the job count that is classified and tabulated when referring to the job job count using user information included in the job. If there is user information in which the total number of predetermined items of a job that requires recording paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message including caution information to be careful not to leave the recording paper is notified as the predetermined message A printing system featuring.   13. The printing system according to claim 12, wherein the management apparatus refers to the job count that is classified and tabulated when referring to the job job count value using user information included in the job. If there is user information in which the total number of predetermined items of a job that does not require recording paper is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a message including warning information different from the attention information is notified as the predetermined message. Characteristic printing system.

Images