JP2009010584A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that easily recognizes the execution state of a function relating to a user and prevents an unnecessary management report from being output. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a user identification information acquiring means for acquiring user identification information with which a user can be uniquely specified, when providing a function, an authentication means for authenticating the user on the basis of the user identification information, a storage means for associating the acquired user identification information with function execution information about the function having been executed and storing resultant information in the form of a function history table every time the function is executed, an extracting means for extracting the function execution information associated with the user identification information acquired during the authentication from the function history table, and an output means for outputting the extracted function execution information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that easily grasps an execution status of a function related to a user and prevents output of a useless management report.

  In general, when a function that can be provided by the image forming apparatus is executed, information related to the executed function (here, function execution information) is stored. For example, when the user transmits a document using the facsimile transmission / reception function, the image forming apparatus stores function execution information related to the facsimile transmission / reception function. The function execution information related to the facsimile transmission / reception function includes a transmission destination, a transmission date and time, the number of originals, whether a transmission error has occurred, and the like. The stored function execution information is collected and output as a management report when the user presses a predetermined operation button or when the number of the function execution information reaches a certain number. Therefore, when the user confirms the management report, it is possible to recognize the function execution information stored in the image forming apparatus and understand the function execution status of the image forming apparatus.

  However, since all stored function execution information is output when the management report is output, function execution information that does not require confirmation is also output as the management report. Therefore, the user needs to find out the function execution information related to himself / herself from the management report, which is a very troublesome work. Furthermore, when a large amount of function execution information that does not require confirmation is stored for the user, there is a problem that a large amount of unnecessary management reports are output and paper is wasted.

In order to solve the above problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, in a communication apparatus that stores a communication record when performing facsimile communication in a communication management table and outputs a communication management report indicating a list of the communication records, Selection accepting means for accepting selection of information in the communication management table, extraction means for extracting a communication record relating to the selected information from the communication management table, and output means for outputting a communication management report based on the extracted communication record Is disclosed. With the above configuration, the user outputs only a specific communication record related to the information selected by the user (for example, destination address, department number, communication result) as the communication management report. The communication status can be easily confirmed simply by looking at the communication management report.
JP-A-2005-184414.

  However, since the technique described in Patent Literature 1 does not include an item of user identification information (user ID) that can uniquely identify a user in the selection of information to be extracted, functions related to other users are output when a management report is output. Execution information was also included. Therefore, if the user proves the execution status of the function related to the user to a third party or the administrator managing the user confirms the execution status of the function related to each user, an unnecessary management report is output as described above. There was a problem to do.

  In particular, in the above communication device, there are cases where the user erroneously outputs the same management report or fails to output the management report while searching for the function execution information related to the user from the management report. In such a case, there is a problem that the function execution information related to the user is lost, and neither the user who proves the execution status nor the administrator who confirms the execution status of the function related to each user can accurately grasp the execution status of the function. was there.

  In addition, when an unspecified number uses an image forming apparatus, there is a tendency that function execution information relating to a specific user is small, output of unnecessary management reports becomes more remarkable, and a large amount of paper is wasted. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides an image forming apparatus that easily grasps the execution status of functions related to a user and prevents the output of useless management reports.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a user identification information acquisition unit that acquires user identification information that can uniquely identify a user when providing a function, and the user Based on the identification information, the authentication means for authenticating the user, and each time the function is executed, the acquired user identification information and the function execution information related to the executed function are associated and stored as a function history table. Storage means, extraction means for extracting function execution information associated with the user identification information acquired at the time of authentication from the function history table, and output means for outputting the extracted function execution information.

  Furthermore, it has an acceptance means for accepting the output start of the function execution information by the authenticated user, and the output means outputs the extracted function execution information corresponding to the authenticated user when accepting the output start.

  Furthermore, a use end detection means for detecting the end of use of the authenticated user is provided, and the output means outputs the function execution information extracted when the use end detection means detects the end.

  The extraction means extracts function execution information corresponding to the function provided from the acquisition of the user identification information until the end of use of the user is detected for the function execution information.

  The accepting means accepts selection of a function corresponding to the function execution information that the user desires to output, and the extracting means extracts only the function execution information related to the selected function.

  The function includes at least one of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a print function, and a scan function.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured to output function execution information associated with user identification information.

  Thereby, all the output function execution information becomes function execution information associated with specific user identification information. As a result, it is possible to easily check the execution status of the function related to a specific user. Moreover, since the function execution information associated with other user identification information is not output, unnecessary management reports are not output. Furthermore, when the user proves the execution status of the function related to the user or when the administrator checks the execution status of the function of each user, the output management report can be used as it is as a certificate of the execution status. .

  Further, the function execution information is output when the output start of the function execution information is received from the user.

  This makes it possible to output the function execution information in response to a user request. Therefore, when the user desires to output the management report, the user can appropriately output the report. As a result, the convenience of the image forming apparatus is improved.

  Furthermore, the function execution information is output when it is detected that the user's use has ended.

  As a result, the user can check the execution status regarding the user after the use is completed. For this reason, in the unlikely event that an executed function causes an error due to a malfunction or the like, the user can quickly deal with the error without missing the error.

  Furthermore, it is configured to output function execution information corresponding to a function provided from when the user uses the image forming apparatus to when the user ends use of the image forming apparatus.

  Thus, each time the user uses the image forming apparatus, the function execution information related to the user while the user is using is output as a management report. As a result, the user does not fail to output the management report of the user, and can prove the execution status of the function related to the user. In addition, the administrator can accurately grasp the execution status for each user by managing the management report.

  Furthermore, only the function execution information corresponding to the function that the user desires to output is output.

  This makes it possible to output the function execution information related to the function that the user wishes to confirm among the functions executed by the user among the stored function execution information. As a result, unnecessary function execution information is not output, and the user can easily check the execution status related to the function.

  In the following, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It is not the thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram in a front view showing the overall configuration of the inside of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a digital copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, or the like.

  A processing procedure in which the image forming apparatus 100 provides a copy function to the user will be described with reference to FIG. The copy function is a function for converting a document into an electrical signal as image data and performing print processing based on the image data. Further, other functions such as a facsimile transmission / reception function, a printing function, and a scanning function are realized by each driving unit used when providing the copying function. The facsimile transmission / reception function is a function for transmitting / receiving image data converted to an electrical signal via a communication line. The print function is a function for outputting image data transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus and a personal computer (PC) as a sheet. The scan function is a function for converting an original into image data as image data.

  First, when the user performs a copy function using the image forming apparatus 100, the document is placed on a document table provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 100. Subsequently, the user inputs settings related to the copy function from the operation unit 101, and presses a start key provided in the operation unit 101, so that the image forming apparatus 100 starts print processing.

  When the printing process is started, in the image reading unit 102, the light emitted from the light source 103 is reflected on the document placed on the document table. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 107 by the mirrors 104, 105, and 106. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 107, and image data corresponding to the document is generated. The image reading unit 102 is also driven when executing the scan function of the image forming apparatus.

  The image data may be transmitted / received to / from the image forming apparatus via a cable 108 connected to the side wall of the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming unit 109 is a drive unit that transfers the image data as a toner image. The image forming unit 109 is provided with a photosensitive drum 110. The photosensitive drum 110 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum 111, the exposure unit 112, the developing unit 113, the transfer unit 114, the cleaning unit 115, and the like in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The exposure unit 112 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 113 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 114. The cleaning unit 115 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 110.

  The sheet is conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 116 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 116 by a pickup roller 117 to the conveying path. Each of the paper feed cassettes 116 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on the settings relating to the image formation.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer device 114 by the conveyance roller 118 and the registration roller 119. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 114 and conveyed to the fixing device 121. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 118 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 120 provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus.

  When the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred passes between a heating roller 122 and a pressure roller 123 provided in the fixing device 121, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed to the sheet. Is done. The heat amount of the heating roller 122 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet, and the image formation is completed. The sheet is stacked and accommodated as a printed material on a paper discharge tray 124 provided on the side wall of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Through the above procedure, the image forming apparatus 100 provides the user with a copy function. Also, when the image forming apparatus 100 provides other functions, the image reading unit 102 and the image forming unit 109 are driven and provided. Among the above-described driving units, a driving unit that realizes image formation is referred to as an image forming unit (described later). In addition, a drive unit that realizes communication with other devices is referred to as communication means (described later).

  Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 101 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The user uses the operation unit 101 to input user identification information (user ID) and a password to log in, input setting conditions corresponding to the above-described functions, and output a management report. Or give instructions. When the user inputs a password or the like, the touch panel 200, operation buttons 201, and function switching buttons 202 provided in the operation unit 101 are used.

  On the touch panel 200, a password input screen, a management report output setting screen, and a function screen are displayed. The description of the input to the password input screen and the like and the password input screen to be displayed will be described later.

  The operation button 201 includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a clear key, a stop key, and a reset key. When each key is pressed, a signal related to the key can be input to the image forming apparatus and processing of the image forming apparatus can be started.

  The function switching button 202 includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to a plurality of functions such as “Copy” and “Fax”. When the button is pressed, a function screen corresponding to the button is displayed on the touch panel 200.

  Next, screens displayed on the touch panel 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3A and 3B show the password input screen. On the password input screen, a user ID item 301, a user ID input unit 302, a password item 303, a password input unit 304, an alphabet key 305, a numeric keypad 306, an OK item 307, and a cancel item 308 are displayed.

  When the user ID item 301 or the password item 303 is pressed, characters and the like can be input to the user ID input unit 302 and the password input unit 304. Further, when the alphabet key 305 and the numeric keypad 306 are pressed in combination, the characters and the like are input. When the OK item 307 is pressed, characters and the like input to the user ID input unit 302 and the password input unit 304 are transmitted to an accepting unit (described later). When the cancel item 308 is pressed, the input characters and the like are deleted. FIG. 3A shows a password input screen that requests the user to input a user ID and a password. FIG. 3B shows a password input screen that requests the user to input the correct user ID and password again.

  FIG. 4C shows the management report output setting screen. On the management report output setting screen, a function 401 for creating a report is displayed. Specifically, “Copy”, “Fax transmission”, “Fax reception”, “PC transmission”, “PC reception”, “e-mail transmission”, “e-mail reception”, and “others” are applicable. When the above item is pressed, the function execution information extracted from the function history table (described later) by the extracting means (described later) is determined. For example, when the “Fax transmission” is pressed, the extraction unit extracts function execution information associated with the “Fax transmission”.

  In addition, a report creation target period 402 is displayed. Specifically, “logged in”, “past 10 cases”, and “others” are applicable. When the item is pressed, a period for the extraction means to extract from the function history table is determined. For example, when “logged in” is pressed, the extraction unit extracts function execution information related to a function executed by the user during login. When the “past 10 cases” is pressed, the extraction means extracts function execution information related to the functions executed by the logged-in user in the past 10 cases. In addition, the current date and time 403, the OK item 307, and the cancel 308 are also displayed.

  FIG. 4D shows a function screen corresponding to the “Copy”. Here, the function screen is a screen on which information related to one function is displayed. The function screen corresponding to “Copy” includes a login user ID display 404, a logout item 405, a management report output item 406, an item 407 for setting “Copy” such as a document size, a current date 403, “ “Copy”, “Fax”, “Scan”, and “Print” are displayed.

  The login user ID display 404 displays the currently logged-in user ID. For example, in FIG. 4D, “ID AB002”, which is the currently logged-in user ID, is displayed. When the logout item 405 is pressed, the user's use is terminated and the password input screen is displayed (FIG. 3A). When the management report output item 406 is pressed, the receiving means transmits a signal to the extracting means, and a management report is output. The “Copy” or the like corresponds to a function screen related to the copy function or the like. For example, when “Copy” is pressed, a function screen corresponding to the “Copy” is displayed. Note that “Copy” is displayed in a different background color from the other items in order to indicate that the currently displayed function screen is a function screen corresponding to the copy function. For example, the background color of “Copy” is displayed in black.

  5E and 5F show screens during management report output. On the screen during the output of the management report, a description 501 of the output management report is displayed. FIG. 5E is displayed when the management report output item 406 is pressed, and FIG. 5F is displayed when the logout item 405 is pressed.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the image forming apparatus 100. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  A control circuit 600 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 602, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 603, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 604, and a driver 605 corresponding to each drive unit. The operation unit 101 and the communication interface 606 are connected by an internal bus 607. The CPU 601 uses, for example, the RAM 603 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 602, the HDD 604, and the like, and exchanges data and instructions with the driver 605 based on the execution result. The operation of each driving unit shown in FIG. Further, each means (shown in FIG. 7) other than the drive unit described later is implemented by the CPU 601 executing a program and exchanging data and instructions with the operation unit 101. The ROM 602 and the HDD 604 store programs and data for realizing each means described below. The communication interface 606 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 608, the cable 108 that connects the PC 609 and the image forming apparatus 610. The CPU 601 exchanges data with the facsimile apparatus 608, the PC 609, and the image forming apparatus 610 via the communication interface 606.

  Next, a procedure in which the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment outputs a management report based on function execution information related to a user will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a function history table. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a user ID table. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific management report.

  First, the function history table 800 recorded in the storage unit 705 will be described. In the function history table 800, as shown in FIG. 8, the job number 801 indicating the order in which the functions are executed, the user ID 802 of the user who executed the function, the function name 803 of the executed function, The date and time 804 when the function was executed, a transmission destination 805, a reception destination 806, the number of executed sheets 807, and an execution result 808 of the function are stored in association with each other.

  In particular, the function 401 for storing the report creation target is stored in the function name 803. For example, when the copy function is executed, “Copy” is stored in the function name 803. When the facsimile transmission function is executed, “Fax transmission” is stored in the function name 803. The function execution result 808 stores “OK” indicating that the function has been successfully executed and “error” indicating that the function has failed. For example, if the execution of the copy function is successful, “OK” is stored in the execution result 808 of the function.

  The function history table 800 allows the image forming apparatus to extract function execution information associated with the user.

  Next, the user ID table 900 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the user ID table 900 stores the user ID 901 and the password 902 in association with each other. The authentication unit determines whether or not the input user ID and the password match based on the user ID table 900, and authenticates the user.

  Now, a procedure in which the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment outputs a management report based on function execution information related to a user will be described. First, the accepting unit 701 displays a password input screen on the touch panel 200 provided in the operation unit 101 (FIG. 3A). The user inputs “AB002”, which is his user ID, and the password “DCFV08”. Subsequently, when the user presses the OK item 307, the user identification information acquisition unit 702 acquires “AB002” and “DCFV08”. Further, the user identification information acquisition unit 702 functions as the authentication unit, and determines based on the user ID table 900 whether or not the acquired “AB002” and “DCFV08” match.

  If “AB002” and “DCFV08” do not match, the accepting unit 701 displays a password input screen so that the user can input the correct user ID and password again (FIG. 3B, FIG. 10: S101 NO). . On the other hand, if they match, the user is authenticated, the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus, and the receiving unit 701 displays a management report output setting screen (FIG. 4C, FIG. 10: S101 YES). As a result, the user can use the image forming apparatus.

  Subsequently, the user selects an item that the user desires to output in the management report while referring to the management report output setting screen (FIG. 10: S102). FIG. 4C shows a mode in which the user presses “Fax transmission”, “PC transmission”, “e-mail transmission”, which are functions 401 for report creation, and “Logging in”, which is a period 402 for report creation. . Here, an item pressed on the management report output setting screen is set as an output target item. Further, when the OK item 307 is pressed, the receiving unit 701 transmits a signal of the output target item to the extracting unit, and the items described in the management report are fixed.

  Next, the accepting unit 701 displays a function screen (for example, a function screen corresponding to “Copy”) (FIG. 4D, FIG. 10: S103). The user sets the copy function while referring to the function screen corresponding to the “Copy”. When the user presses the start key, the image forming unit 703 starts image formation. As a result of executing the image formation, the acquired “AB002” and the function execution information related to the copy function are stored in the function history table 800 (FIG. 10: S104).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, “AB002”, “Copy”, “2007/5/31 18:50”, “6”, “OK” are stored in association with the job number “108”. Is done. Further, when the function is executed, “AB002” and the function execution information corresponding to the function are stored each time the function is executed, as in the copy function. Of course, the provision of the function is realized by the image forming unit 703 and the communication unit 704.

  When the user outputs a management report, the management report output item 406 is pressed (FIG. 10: S105). Then, the receiving unit 701 detects pressing of the management report output item 406 and instructs the extracting unit 706 to output function execution information related to the user. The extraction unit 706 that has received the instruction extracts function execution information associated with the user ID from the function execution information from when the user logs in until the management report output item 406 is pressed (FIG. 10: S106 YES).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, among the functions executed from the date and time (time) of login “May 31, 2007 18:40” to when the management report output item 406 is pressed, The function execution information 810 and 811 associated with the “AB002” is extracted. As a result, the function execution information stored during login can be output without omission.

  Further, from the extracted function execution information, the function execution information associated with the “Fax transmission”, “PC transmission”, and “e-mail transmission”, which are output target items, is extracted (FIG. 10: S107). This makes it possible to output the function execution information related to the output target item selected by the user from the stored function execution information.

  On the other hand, when there is no function execution information associated with the “AB002” in the function history table 800 or when there is no output target item, the extraction unit 706 does not extract the function execution information (FIG. 10: S106 NO). In this case, the management report is not output.

  Subsequently, the extraction unit 706 transmits the extracted function execution information to the output unit 707. Then, the output means 707 outputs a management report based on the extracted function execution information (FIG. 10: S108). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a management report 1100 in which a user name, a user ID, description items 1101 of the management report, and the extracted function execution information 1102 are described is output. The management report 1100 makes it possible to easily check the execution status of the function relating to the “AB002”. In addition, when the user proves the execution status of the function related to the user or when the administrator checks the execution status of the function of each user, the output management report can be used as it is as a certificate of the execution status. .

<Second Embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a description will be given of a procedure in which the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment outputs a management report based on the function execution information for the past 10 cases when the user logs out. To do. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific management report. Since the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 3 to 9) used in the description of the first embodiment as appropriate. explain. In the second embodiment, the portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 described in the first embodiment are duplicated, and the description thereof is omitted.

  First, the accepting unit 701 displays a password input screen on the touch panel (FIG. 3A). When the user inputs the user ID “AB002” and the password “DCFV08” and presses the OK item 307, the user identification information acquisition unit 702 functions as the authentication unit, and the above-described user ID table 900 is used to perform the above operation. A match between “AB002” and “DCFV08” is determined. If “AB002” and “DCFV08” match, the user is authenticated, and the receiving means 701 displays a management report output setting screen (FIG. 12: S201 YES → S202). As a result, the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus.

  Subsequently, while referring to the management report output setting screen, the user presses “Fax transmission”, “PC transmission”, “e-mail transmission”, and “past 10” of the output target items, and then OK. When the item 307 is pressed, the items described in the management report are confirmed (FIG. 12: S202). Then, the receiving unit 701 displays a function screen corresponding to “Copy” (FIG. 4D). Here, as described above, each time a function is executed, function execution information related to the executed function is stored in the function history table 800 (FIG. 12: S203, S204).

  When the user logs out, the logout item 405 is pressed. Then, the use end detection means 708 detects the user's use end (FIG. 12: S205), and the extraction means 706 extracts the function execution information related to the user from the logout to the past 10 cases (FIG. 12). : S206 YES → S207). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the extraction unit 706 associates with the above-mentioned “AB002” among the function execution information related to functions executed in the past from the date and time of logout “May 31, 2007 20:20”. The obtained function execution information 809, 810, 811 is extracted.

  Further, the extraction means 706 relates to the above “Fax transmission”, “PC transmission”, and “e-mail transmission” among the extracted function execution information, and the function execution information from the time of logout to the past 10 cases. To extract.

  Subsequently, the output means 707 outputs a management report based on the extracted function execution information (FIG. 12: S208). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a management report 1300 in which a user name, a user ID, the description item 1301 of the management report, and the extracted function execution information 1302 are described is output. The management report 1300 allows the user to check the execution status regarding the user after the use is completed. For this reason, in the unlikely event that an executed function causes an error due to a malfunction, the user can quickly deal with the error without missing the error. Further, the management report can be used as a certificate as described above.

  In the above two embodiments, the image forming apparatus is mainly configured to include a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a scan function, and a print function. However, the image forming apparatus includes at least one of the plurality of functions. It doesn't matter.

  In the two embodiments, the user identification information acquisition unit 702 is configured to acquire the user ID and password input on the touch panel 200. However, another device is provided to provide the user ID and the password. You may comprise so that a password may be acquired. For example, a card reader (card reader) may be installed on the side wall of the image forming apparatus, and the card may be acquired when the user causes the card reader to read the card.

  Further, in the above two embodiments, the user identification information is configured as the user ID, but other devices may be provided as the user identification information. For example, a coin vendor apparatus may be installed on the side wall of the image forming apparatus, and specific identification information may be given to a user who has inserted a coin, and the identification information may be used as the user identification information.

  In the two embodiments, the use end detection unit 708 is configured to detect the end of use as logout when it detects that the user has pressed down the logout item 405. You can log out. For example, logout may be performed when the user's card is removed from the card reader. Further, logout may be performed when the insertion of coins into the coin vendor machine is stopped. Further, when a predetermined time elapses after the user's operation unit input ends, the previously set condition is canceled and the previously registered registration screen is displayed, that is, the auto panel reset may be logged out. Absent.

  In the above two embodiments, the report creation target period 402 extracted by the extraction unit 706 is configured as “logged in” or “past 10 records”. However, the period is set to one week, one month, half month. It may be configured to be extended to one year, etc., or may be configured to increase the number of cases.

  In the two embodiments, the extraction unit 706 is configured to extract the function execution information related to the logged-in user, but the user identification information stored in the user ID table can be selected. The function execution information displayed on the touch panel 200 in a state and related to the selected user identification information may be extracted. Further, a plurality of user identification information to be selected may be selected, and function execution information related to the plurality of selected user identification information may be extracted. With the above configuration, when the administrator confirms the execution status of the function related to a specific user, the management report regarding the user can be easily output. Therefore, the administrator can easily grasp the execution status of the image forming apparatus by confirming the management report of each user, and can smoothly operate the image forming apparatus.

  Further, one image forming apparatus may be configured to have both of the two embodiments.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for facsimile machines, printers, copiers, multifunction peripherals, etc., and easily grasps the execution status of functions related to users and prevents the output of useless management reports. It is effective as an image forming apparatus.

1 is a conceptual diagram in a front view illustrating an overall configuration inside an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of a password input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a management report output setting input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen during management report output. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the image forming apparatus. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows a function history table. It is a figure which shows a user ID table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management report of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management report of 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Operation Unit 200 Touch Panel 701 Accepting Unit 702 User Identification Information Acquisition Unit (Authentication Unit)
704 Communication means 705 Storage means 706 Extraction means 707 Output means 708 Use end detection means

Claims (6)

User identification information acquisition means for acquiring user identification information that can uniquely identify a user when providing a function;
Authentication means for authenticating the user based on the user identification information;
Storage means for associating the acquired user identification information with the function execution information related to the executed function and storing it as a function history table each time the function is executed;
Extracting means for extracting function execution information associated with the user identification information acquired at the time of authentication from the function history table;
An output means for outputting the extracted function execution information;
An image forming apparatus. Furthermore, it comprises a receiving means for receiving the output start of the function execution information by the authenticated user,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the extracted function execution information corresponding to the authenticated user when the output start is received. Furthermore, a use end detecting means for detecting the end of use of the authenticated user is provided,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit outputs the function execution information extracted when the use end detection unit detects the end. The said extraction means extracts the function execution information corresponding to the function provided after acquiring the said user identification information about the said function execution information until the completion of the said user's use is detected. The image forming apparatus described in the item. The accepting means accepts selection of a function corresponding to function execution information that the user desires to output,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extraction unit extracts only function execution information related to the selected function.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function includes at least one of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a print function, and a scan function.

Images