JP2009255405A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce demerits due to a time lag till a printing operation in a secure printing environment. <P>SOLUTION: In the case of registering a secure printing job, it is judged whether the number of sheets to be printed in the secure printing job is more than the allowable number of sheets as a value obtained by subtracting the number of sheets not printed yet in the secure printing job from the upper limit number of sheets. When judging that the number of sheets in the secure printing job is equal to or less than the allowable number of sheets, the printing operation in the secure printing job is allowed, and the secure printing job is stored in a RAM 67. Regarding the secure printing job allowed to print the sheets not printed yet, even when the allowable number of sheets becomes equal to or less than the number of sheets to be printed after receiving the allowance, the printing operation in the authentication state can be carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of reducing demerits due to a time lag until printing even when secure printing is performed.

Conventionally, there has been a function for registering a print job transmitted from a personal computer to a printer in association with authentication information such as a password or ID, and starting printing by a user inputting authentication information from the printer input unit. . This is a so-called secure printing function. In secure printing, even if a print job is sent from a personal computer, actual printing is not performed unless the user inputs the authentication information before the printer. Therefore, there is an advantage that there is no worry that the print result is taken away by other users.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-164545

  However, in secure printing, as described above, the user needs to send a print job to the printer and then go to the printer to input authentication information. That is, until the authentication information is input, the printer waits for printing with the print job registered in the printer. For this reason, there is a time lag from when a print job is registered in the printer until printing is started.

  At this time, if there is a time lag before the authentication information is input by the printer, another user may print during that time. For this reason, in a printer that is subject to printing restrictions such as the number of prints, for example, when a print job is registered, the maximum number of prints is not exceeded, but the maximum number of sheets is exceeded by other users' printing. Is not printed. As described above, if printing restrictions are set, it may be inconvenient for a user who performs secure printing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that reduces a disadvantage caused by a time lag from registration of a secure print job to printing in secure printing and does not impair user convenience.

  To achieve this object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a secure print job stored in association with authentication information among print jobs is stored based on an authentication result of the authentication information. In the image forming apparatus that starts printing, an allowable number of sheets obtained by subtracting the number of unprinted secure print jobs and the number of printed print jobs from the set upper limit number And a permission unit that permits printing of the print job within a range of the allowable number based on whether or not the printing job is exceeded, and a printing unit that prints the print job based on permission by the permission unit. To do.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein, when the permission unit determines that the number of printed sheets of the secure print job has exceeded the allowable number before authentication, The print job is not stored.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising erasing means for erasing the unprinted secure print job based on a job erasure condition.

  The invention described in claim 4 further comprises a judging means for judging whether or not the allowable number of sheets is lower than a threshold value in the invention of claim 3, wherein the allowable number of sheets is lower than the threshold value by the judging means. If it is determined that the job has been deleted, the erasing unit erases the secure print job based on the job erasure condition.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising changing means for changing the upper limit number of sheets, wherein the permission is changed when the upper limit number of sheets is changed by the changing means. The means permits printing of the unprinted secure print job within a range in which the sum of the number of the print jobs printed at the time of authentication and the number of unprinted secure print jobs to be printed does not exceed the upper limit number. It is characterized by that.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any of the first to fifth aspects, when the permission means determines that the allowable number has been exceeded, the user is notified of the error and the allowable number. It is characterized by having an informing means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a print job is determined based on whether or not the printable allowable number derived by subtracting the number of unprinted secure print jobs and printed print jobs from the set upper limit number is exceeded. Printing is permitted within the allowable number of sheets, and a print job is printed based on the permission. Since the print job permitted to be printed can be printed regardless of the allowable number at the time of authentication, the printing is guaranteed at least for the permitted amount. Therefore, the image forming apparatus in which the upper limit number of sheets is set for printing can reduce demerits due to a time lag from registration to printing in secure printing.

  In addition to the effect described in claim 1, the invention described in claim 2 does not store the secure print job when it is determined that the number of secure print jobs exceeds the allowable number. If it is not, printing of the secure print job is guaranteed, and a situation in which printing is only halfway can be avoided.

  In addition to the effect described in claim 1 or 2, the invention described in claim 3 deletes an unprinted secure print job based on the job deletion condition. Therefore, a secure print job that is not printed indefinitely after printing is permitted. It is possible to prevent the allowable number of sheets from being pressed.

  In addition to the effect described in claim 3, the invention described in claim 4 deletes the secure print job based on the job deletion condition when the allowable number of sheets falls below the threshold value. It is possible to prevent the job from being deleted.

  In addition to the effect described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the invention described in claim 5 is the number of sheets printed at the time of authentication and printed for an unprinted secure print job when the allowable number is changed. Printing is permitted as long as the sum of the number of sheets does not exceed the changed upper limit number. Therefore, printing corresponding to the change of the upper limit number of sheets can be performed.

  In addition to the effect described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the invention described in claim 6 notifies the user of the error and the allowable number when it is determined that the allowable number is exceeded. When the job is sent to the image forming apparatus, the user can know whether or not printing is possible, and the user does not know that printing is impossible for the first time at the time of authentication.

[Schematic configuration of MFP]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 1 to which an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The multifunction device 1 includes an image forming unit 7 including a feeder unit 3 and an image forming unit 5 (see FIG. 2), and an automatic transport document reading unit (hereinafter referred to as “reading unit 9”) as an image reading device. I have.

  On one end side of the reading unit 9 (in the lower right side of the drawing in FIG. 1), an operation unit 11 that can be operated by a user is provided.

  The operation unit 11 includes a mode selection switch 13, a start key 15, various operation buttons 17, a numeric keypad 19, and a liquid crystal display display unit 21.

  The mode selection switch 13 can select any one of the function modes (modes that enable the respective operations such as the printer function, the scanner function, and the copy function) installed in the multifunction machine 1. Various operation buttons 17 are buttons for selecting various settings. For example, the secure print mode can be selected. The start key 15 is a switch for starting an operation in response to a request from the user. For example, when the start key 15 is pressed (turned on) in the copy mode, the copy of the document is started.

The numeric keypad 19 is a button for inputting a character string to the multifunction device 1. In addition, the display unit 21 is configured to display various settings, and numbers input with the numeric keypad 19 can also be displayed here.
[Configuration of image forming unit]
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the main part of the multifunction machine 1 as viewed from the axial direction of the paper feed roller 23 and the like. In FIG. 2, the right side of the paper is the front of the multifunction machine 1, and the left side of the paper is the rear of the multifunction machine 1. Become.

  The casing 25 of the image forming unit 7 includes a feeder unit 3 for feeding the paper P, an image forming unit 5 for forming a predetermined image on the fed paper P, and the like. In addition, a paper discharge tray 27 used for holding the paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 and discharged is disposed above the image forming unit 5.

  The feeder unit includes a sheet feeding cassette 29, a swingable sheet pressing plate (not shown) provided in the sheet feeding cassette 29, and a sheet feeding roller 23 provided above the front end side end of the sheet feeding cassette 29. Etc.

  Each paper feed cassette 9 is detachably mounted on the lower side in the casing 25, and is used for stacking and storing paper P therein. In the paper feed cassette 29, the uppermost paper P is sequentially fed by the paper feed roller 23, and the fed paper P is registered by the registration rollers 31 through the transport path, and then the image forming unit. Sent to 5.

  The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 33, a process unit 35, a fixing unit 37, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 33 is provided in the upper portion of the casing 25, and a polygon mirror 39, a lens that is driven by a polygon motor to rotate a laser beam based on predetermined image data emitted from a laser light emitting unit. 41, is passed through or reflected by the reflecting mirror 43, and is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 45 in the process unit 35 described later by high-speed scanning.

  The multifunction device 1 is provided with a process unit 35 that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming unit 7. The process unit 35 is filled with a photosensitive drum 45, a scorotron charger 47, a transfer roller 49, a developing roller 51, a layer thickness regulating blade 53 pressed against the developing roller 51, a toner supply roller 55, and toner (developer). The toner box 57 is provided.

  The photosensitive drum 45 is disposed at a side position of the developing roller 51 so as to be able to rotate in the clockwise direction so as to face the developing roller 51.

  The scorotron charger 47 is a scorotron charger for positive charging, and is arranged at a predetermined interval so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 45.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 45 is first positively charged uniformly by the scorotron charger 47 as the photosensitive drum 45 rotates, and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 33. Then, an electrostatic latent image based on predetermined image data is formed.

  Next, the electrostatic charge formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 45 when the positively charged toner carried on the developing roller 51 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 45 by rotation of the developing roller 51. Supplied to the latent image.

  The transfer roller 49 is disposed below the photoconductive drum 45 so as to face the photoconductive drum 45 and is supported to be rotatable counterclockwise. The visible image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 45 is transferred to the paper P while the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 45 and the transfer roller 49.

  The fixing unit 37 is disposed on the downstream side (rear side) in the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the process unit 35, and is disposed opposite the heating roller 59 for heating and melting the toner on the transferred sheet. And a pressing roller 61 that presses the fed paper toward the heating roller 59.

  In such a fixing unit 37, the heating roller 59 heats and presses the toner transferred on the paper P in the process unit 41 while the paper P passes between the heating roller 59 and the pressing roller 61. To fix.

  Further, the heating roller 59 conveys the paper P after image fixing to the discharge roller 63. The discharge roller 63 discharges the fed paper P onto the paper discharge tray 27.

Although not shown, the multifunction machine is connected to the main body of the personal computer via a cable serving as a connection means. The connection means between the multifunction device and the personal computer is not limited to a cable, and may be connected via a network such as a LAN or a wireless communication means such as infrared communication. In the present invention, the electrophotographic method is used for the image forming unit, but other image forming methods used in an ink jet printer or the like may be used.
[Hardware structure of MFP]
Next, a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described using a block diagram. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine.

  The multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 11 that receives various input operations, an image forming unit 5 that performs image data reading, printing, and fixing by a fixing unit 37, a display unit 21 that displays settings, and the like. A ROM 65 and a RAM 67, which are areas, a CPU 69, and a printer port I / F 73 connected to a personal computer (personal computer) are provided, and each is connected via a bus 75.

  The ROM 65 stores an execution program for operating the multi-function device 1, and the CPU 69 stores the processing result in the RAM 67 according to the program read from the ROM 65, while controlling the image forming unit 5 through a control circuit (not shown). Control to the display unit 21, the operation unit 11 and the like is executed.

  The printer port I / F 73 is an interface for connecting the multifunction device 1 and a personal computer. A print job transmitted from the personal computer is sent to the multi function device 1 via the printer port I / F 73. In this embodiment, the multifunction device 1 is connected to a plurality of personal computers (a personal computer 71a, a personal computer 71b, a personal computer 71c, and a personal computer 71d).

The CPU 69 corresponds to a permitting unit, an erasing unit, a determining unit, a changing unit, a notifying unit, and a printing unit of the present invention. Further, the image forming unit 5 works as an auxiliary to the printing unit. Furthermore, the display unit 21 works as an auxiliary to the notification means.
[Operations during secure printing]
Next, the processing operation of the multifunction machine 1 when performing secure printing will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 4A is a flowchart related to the process of the CPU 69 when registering a secure print job, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart related to the process when the secure print job is printed by the authentication process. The secure print job registration process is started when a user ID and password for secure printing are transmitted from the personal computer by the user's operation of the personal computer.

  In S1, a user ID and a password are received from a personal computer used by the user. The ID and password are information for identifying the user in the multifunction machine 1 and are information used for performing an authentication process to be described later. The user ID and password correspond to the authentication information of the present invention. The user ID may be an individual ID or a department ID assigned to each person or department, and the administrator applies a print restriction by registering a user ID that permits or does not allow the MFP 1 to perform printing processing. be able to. The password is information set by the user when registering the secure print job. In this embodiment, a user ID and a password are used as authentication information used at the time of authentication, but either one may be used.

  Thereafter, the print data of the print job sent from the personal computer is received in S2. In S3, the print job is stored in the RAM 67 in association with the user ID and password received in S1, and registration of the secure print job is completed. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, a print job stored in association with a password and a user ID in the secure print mode is specifically referred to as a secure print job.

  Next, authentication processing for a registered secure print job will be described. In S4 of (b), authentication processing is performed for the secure print job. Specifically, the authentication process is the same as the user ID and password, which are authentication information associated with the secure print job stored in the RAM 67, and the user ID and password input from the operation unit 11 of the multifunction device 1. Refers to checking what to do. The authentication process starts when a secure print mode is requested by the operation unit 11 of the multifunction device 1.

  In S4, it is determined whether the user ID and password have been input by the user operating the numeric keypad 19 for printing a secure print job. Whether or not it has been input may be determined by whether or not the user has input the user ID and password from the numeric keypad and the start key 15 has been pressed. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on whether or not the requested number of digits have been input.

  Further, the user ID and password stored in the card or the like instead of the input from the numeric keypad may be read by a magnetic method or the like. If it is determined that the user ID and password have not been input (S4: NO), the system waits for input. If it is determined that the input has been made (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S5.

  In S5, the password and user ID input in S4 are compared with the password and user ID associated with the secure print job to determine whether or not they match. If it is determined that the two do not match (S5: NO), the user is notified that the authentication has not been performed correctly in S6. Specifically, it is conceivable to display a text indicating an error on the display unit 21 or to notify by voice.

  When it is determined that the authentication results in S5 match (S5: YES), printing of the secure print job corresponding to the input user ID and password is permitted. In S7, an authorized secure print job is selected. As a selection method, the names of the permitted secure print jobs are displayed as a list on the display unit 21, the secure print job to be printed is selected by operating the operation unit 11, and determined by the start key 15. A method can be considered. If it is determined that a secure print job is not selected (S7: NO), the process waits until a secure print job is selected.

  If it is determined that a secure print job has been selected (S7: YES), the process proceeds to S8. In S8, the image forming unit 5 performs print processing for the selected secure print job. When the printing process ends, the secure print job printed in S9 is erased from the RAM 67, and the process ends.

As described above, in secure printing, authentication information is associated with a print job sent from a personal computer, and printing is permitted by performing authentication with the multifunction device at the time of printing. Cannot print. In addition, since authentication is performed before the MFP, there is no concern that another user can take away the print result as in normal print processing.
[Printing a print job when the number of copies is limited]
Next, printing of a print job when the number of sheets that can be permitted to be printed on the MFP is limited will be described with reference to a flowchart. Here, “the number of sheets that can be printed is limited” means that the number of sheets that can be printed by the administrator 1 is set by the administrator, and the total number of printed sheets exceeds the set number of sheets. Printing becomes impossible. Hereinafter, the number of printable sheets set by the administrator is referred to as the upper limit number. The set upper limit number is stored in the RAM 67. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for registering a print job in the multifunction device 1.

  First, in S20, it is determined whether the print job transmitted to the multifunction device 1 is a secure print job. When a print job is transmitted together with authentication information such as a password and a user ID (S20: YES), it is regarded as a secure print job, and the process proceeds to S21. When only the print job is transmitted (S20: NO), it is regarded as a normal print job, the process proceeds to S31, and print processing is performed based on the print job. The printing process based on the print job will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In S21, it is determined whether or not the secure print job exceeds the allowable number of printable sheets. Here, the allowable number of printable sheets will be described. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the upper limit number and the allowable number. In this embodiment, the set upper limit number of sheets is 100, and the secure print job (hereinafter referred to as an unprinted print job) that has been permitted to be printed by the MFP 1 but is not stored in the RAM 67 without being printed. It is assumed that there are 20 sheets (referred to as a secure print job). Further, it is assumed that the number of already printed print jobs is 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the allowable number is calculated by counting not only the number of already printed jobs but also the number of unprinted secure print jobs and subtracting it from the upper limit number. In the case of FIG. 6, the allowable number is 60 sheets. That is, in S21, the allowable number of sheets calculated by this method is compared with the number of sheets printed by the secure print job to be registered, and if the number of printed sheets does not exceed the allowable number, printing is permitted. Note that the number of print jobs that have already been printed and the number of unprinted secure print jobs are counted and stored in the RAM 67.

  If the number of printed sheets exceeds the allowable number, for example, if 80 secure print jobs are to be registered for the allowable number of 60 sheets (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S22 and an error is detected for the personal computer 71a. Notify that. Specifically, a message such as “cannot be registered” may be displayed in a pop-up on the display of the personal computer 71a. Further, the calculated allowable number may be displayed. Thereafter, in S23, the secure print job to be registered is deleted from the RAM 67.

  If it is determined in S21 that the number of printed sheets does not exceed the allowable number (S21: NO), printing is permitted and the process proceeds to S24. In S24, the allowable number is updated. There are various methods for updating the allowable number of sheets. Here, the number of secure print jobs is added to the reservation counter. The reservation counter is a storage area for the number of unprinted secure print jobs in the RAM 67.

  Here, 20 sheets of newly registered secure print jobs are added, and there are 40 unprinted secure print jobs. By this processing, the allowable number is updated to 40. Of course, the allowable number of sheets may be stored in the RAM 67, and the allowable number of sheets may be updated by subtracting the number of prints of the unprinted secure print job permitted to be printed in S21 from the original allowable number of sheets.

  If the number of secure print jobs exceeds the allowable number in S21, printing may be permitted within the allowable number range without notifying an error. That is, when 100 secure print jobs are sent where the allowable number is 40, printing is permitted for 40 sheets without deleting the secure print job. In this case, the allowable number is 0.

  Next, print processing of a print job when the upper limit number of sheets is set for printing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU 69 when a print job is registered in the multifunction device 1.

  First, in S30, it is determined whether or not the print job to be printed is a secure print job. As a determination method, it can be determined whether the multi-function device 1 has performed the authentication process. If the job is a secure print job, it is determined whether the user ID and password input at the operation unit 11 match the user ID and password stored in the RAM 67 as shown in S4 to S7 of FIG. Authentication processing is performed. If it is a normal print job, authentication processing is not performed.

  If the print job is a normal print job (S30: NO), the print job is received in S31, and it is determined in S32 whether or not the upper limit number is exceeded depending on the number of print jobs. Specifically, the number of printed jobs stored in the print number counter is compared with the number obtained by subtracting the value of the reservation counter from the upper limit number, and the number of sheets obtained by subtracting the number of the reservation counter from the upper limit number is compared. Allow printing if it is larger. In this embodiment, since print data is sent one by one in the case of a normal print job, S32 is performed every time print data for one sheet is sent. If the allowable number has not been exceeded (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S33 to print one sheet.

  It should be noted that all print data may be temporarily stored in the RAM 67 in S31. In that case, the same process as in S22 may be performed to determine whether the number of printed sheets exceeds the allowable number.

  Next, in S34, the allowable number is updated. Specifically, the number of printed sheets for one sheet is added here. As a result, the number of printed print jobs is added, so that the allowable number is indirectly updated. Of course, the allowable number may be stored in the RAM 67 and updated directly from there.

  In step S35, it is determined whether all printing has been completed. If all printing has not been completed (S35: NO), the process returns to S32 and the same determination is repeated again. If all printing is completed (S35: YES), the process is terminated.

  S32 to S35 are repeated, and when the number of printed sheet counters is equal to or smaller than the upper limit sheet number minus the reserved counter value (S32: YES), the process proceeds to S36 to notify the personal computer 71b of an error.

  If the print job is a secure print job in S30 (S30: YES), one of the print numbers of the secure print job is printed in S37. In S38, the counter is updated. Here, the value of the printed sheet counter that stores the number of printed sheets and the number of reserved counters are updated. That is, every time a single sheet is printed, the printed sheet counter is incremented by one. Next, in S39, one reservation counter is subtracted.

  In step S40, it is determined whether printing of the secure print job requested for printing is completed. If data to be printed still remains (S40: NO), the process returns to S37 to perform printing, and the update of the allowable number is repeated. If it is determined that all printing has been completed (S40: YES), the process proceeds to S41 to delete the selected secure print job from the RAM 67, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, when secure printing is performed in the multifunction device 1 in which the upper limit number is set, the allowable number and the secure number derived by subtracting the number of unprinted secure print jobs and printed print jobs from the set upper limit number It is determined whether printing is permitted based on the number of printed sheets.

Since the secure print job permitted to be printed can be printed regardless of the allowable number at the time of authentication, printing of the registered unprinted secure print job is guaranteed at least within the range of the allowable number. Even if the allowable number of sheets is reduced by printing a normal print job after registering the secure print job, it does not affect whether or not the registered unprinted secure print job can be printed.
[Secure printing when the upper limit is changed]
Next, a secure print operation when the upper limit number of sheets is changed as a print limit by the administrator of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. For management reasons, it is conceivable that the administrator of the multifunction peripheral changes the limit of users who can print and the value of the upper limit number initially set by the administrator authority. Since the printing restrictions have been changed, it is necessary to reflect those restrictions on the unprinted secure print job registered in the multifunction peripheral before the change.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of authentication for secure printing when the user permitted to use and the upper limit number of sheets are changed by the administrator. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the upper limit number initially set is 100 as shown in FIG. 6 but is changed to 30 by the administrator authority. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, 20 unprinted secure print jobs and 20 already printed print jobs are stored in the reservation counter and the print number counter, respectively.

  In FIG. 8, in S50, it is determined whether the user ID and password input from the operation unit 11 of the multifunction machine 1 correspond to a user prohibited by the administrator. If it is determined that the user ID is prohibited from printing (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S51 to notify the display unit 21 of an error. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S52, where the number of prints of the user's unprinted secure print job is subtracted from the reservation counter as an update process of the allowable number. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S 53 where the user's secure print job is erased from the RAM 67.

  In the present embodiment, there are 20 unprinted secure print jobs and 20 print jobs that have already been printed, so the total number is 40. The upper limit has been changed to 30. Therefore, the secure print job is not printed and is erased from the RAM 67.

  If it is determined in S50 that the user is not a user who is prohibited from printing (S50: NO), the process proceeds to S54 and the user is allowed to select a secure print job to be printed. The process waits until a secure print job to be printed is selected by the user's operation of the operation unit 11 (S54: NO). When a secure print job to be printed is selected (S54: YES), the process proceeds to S55 and a print request is made. It is again determined whether printing is permitted for the secure print job.

  Whether or not printing is permitted is determined by whether or not the total number of printed print jobs and the total number of printed unprinted secure print jobs exceeds the changed upper limit number. If the total number exceeds the upper limit number (S55: NO), it means that all the unprinted secure print jobs requested for printing due to the change in the upper limit number cannot be printed. Notify the user that it is not possible.

  When it is determined that the total number does not exceed the upper limit number (S55: YES), printing is permitted and printing of the secure print job permitted in S57 to S58 and updating of the counter are performed. Here, as the update process, the reservation counter and the print number counter are updated. The processes of S57 and S58 are performed as long as it is determined in S59 that printing has not been completed (S59: NO).

When all printing is completed (S59: YES), the process proceeds to S53, the secure print job selected in S54 is erased from the RAM 67, and the process is terminated. When the upper limit number of printable sheets is changed by the above operation, it is determined whether or not to permit printing again in the print authentication. Therefore, even if the upper limit number is changed to a state where secure printing is impossible, it can be reflected in secure printing without ignoring the intention of the administrator who changed the upper limit number.
[Processing when secure print job deletion conditions are set]
Next, a process when an erasure condition for erasing from the RAM 67 under certain conditions is set for a registered secure print job will be described. This process prevents the secure print job from being stored in the RAM 67 without being printed after being registered.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when an erasing condition is set. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the unprinted secure print job is erased when a certain time has elapsed since the secure print job is registered as the erase condition, and this time is referred to as a timeout time. This erasure process is targeted for registered secure print jobs.

  In S61, it is determined whether or not a timeout time has elapsed for the registered secure print job. Specifically, it may be determined whether or not the count from the time when the secure print job is registered has reached a value corresponding to the set timeout time.

  If it is determined that the timeout period has not elapsed (S61: NO), the secure print job registration is maintained. If it is determined that the timeout period has elapsed (S61: YES), the process proceeds to S62 to notify the user of a timeout error. Specifically, a process such as displaying an error message on the display unit of the multifunction device 1 may be performed.

  In step S63, the number of prints of an unprinted secure print job determined to have timed out as an update process for the allowable number is subtracted from the reservation counter. Next, the secure print job determined to have timed out in S64 is erased from the RAM 67, and the process ends.

  With the above processing, it is possible to erase an unprinted secure print job based on the set erase condition, and it is possible to prevent an unprinted secure print job from being registered indefinitely. It is also possible to prevent the allowable number of sheets from being pressed by an unprinted secure print job.

Note that the erasure condition is not limited to the time-out period, and may be a condition such that when a predetermined number or more of unprinted secure print jobs are registered, the oldest ones are erased in order.
[Processing to ease secure print job deletion conditions]
When an erasure condition is imposed on an unprinted secure print job as described above, the secure print job is erased based on the erasure condition. However, for example, when a timeout time is set, even if the printing can still be permitted sufficiently, an unprinted secure print job is deleted when the timeout time is reached. Here, a process for relaxing the erasure condition for secure printing when there is a surplus in the remaining number of prints will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when the erasure conditions for secure printing are relaxed. In S70, a secure print job is registered. Specifically, the process of FIG. 5 is performed. Next, in S71, it is determined whether or not there is a surplus in the allowable number. Specifically:

  First, the surplus number of sheets is set as a threshold value lower than the upper limit number. For example, when the upper limit number is 100 sheets, 20 sheets, which is 20% of the upper limit sheet number, is set as the remaining power sheet number. Further, when the allowable number of sheets is calculated by the above-described method and the allowable number of sheets is less than the surplus number of sheets, it is determined that there is no room for the allowable number of sheets that can be permitted to be printed. Impose erasure conditions. Conversely, if the allowable number is still larger than the surplus number, it is not necessary to impose an erasing condition.

  If it is determined in S71 that there is a surplus in the allowable number (S71: YES), the current state is maintained without imposing an erasure condition. If the allowable number of sheets is reduced by the normal printing job and becomes less than the remaining number of sheets (S71: NO), the process proceeds to S72, and the erasure condition is imposed on the unprinted secure print job. Specifically, a timeout time is set.

  If the time after the job registration has not passed the time-out period in S72 (S72: NO), the process returns to S71 to determine again whether the allowable number of sheets has sufficient power. If the timeout time has elapsed (S72: YES), the process proceeds to S73 to notify the user of a timeout error.

  Thereafter, in S74, the number of unprinted secure print jobs that have timed out as the update processing of the allowable number is subtracted from the reservation counter. Thereafter, in S75, the unprinted secure print job that has timed out is deleted from the RAM 67, and the process ends.

  By setting the surplus number of sheets as the allowable number by the above processing, when there is a surplus in the allowable number of sheets, the erasing condition is relaxed as a result without imposing the erasing condition of the unprinted secure print job.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a maximum number of prints is set for a multifunction machine capable of secure printing, an unprinted secure print job and a print completed from the set number of secure prints and the set maximum number Printing is permitted based on the allowable number of sheets derived by subtracting the number of print jobs. Therefore, printing of the registered unprinted secure print job is guaranteed at least within the range of the allowable number of sheets.

  In addition, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, A various improvement deformation | transformation is possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is applied as the image forming apparatus, but a laser printer or an inkjet printer alone may be used. In that case, it is necessary to have a configuration (having an operation unit such as a numeric keypad) capable of secure printing with respect to the printer as in this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the password, ID, secure print job, upper limit number of sheets, and the like are stored in the RAM 67, but may be stored in the ROM 65, which is also a storage unit, or an HDD (not shown).

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 1 to which an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a main part of the multifunction machine 1 as viewed from the axial direction of a paper feed roller 23 and the like. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine. (A) It is a flowchart regarding the process in the case of registering a secure print job.

(B) It is a flowchart regarding a process in case secure printing is performed.
10 is a flowchart for registering a secure print job in a multifunction peripheral when an upper limit number of sheets is set. It is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the upper limit number of sheets and the allowable number of sheets. 10 is a flowchart when a print job is printed when an upper limit number is set. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of authentication for secure printing in a case where a user permitted to use and an upper limit number of sheets are changed by an administrator. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the erasing condition is set. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing when erasing conditions for secure printing are relaxed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 5 Image formation part 11 Operation part 21 Display part 67 RAM
69 CPU
71 PC

Claims (6)

In the image forming apparatus that starts printing of the secure print job based on the authentication result of the authentication information, the secure print job stored in association with the authentication information among the print jobs.
Based on whether or not the number of sheets printed by the print job exceeds an allowable number derived by subtracting the number of unprinted secure print jobs and the number of printed print jobs from a set upper limit number of sheets Permission means for permitting printing of a job within the range of the allowable number of sheets;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the print job based on permission by the permission unit.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secure print job is not stored when the permitting unit determines that the number of prints of the secure print job exceeds the allowable number before authentication. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit that erases the unprinted secure print job based on a job erasure condition. A determination means for determining whether the allowable number of sheets is less than a threshold;
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the determination unit determines that the allowable number of sheets is less than the threshold value, the erasing unit deletes the secure print job based on the job erasing condition. . Changing means for changing the upper limit number of sheets;
When the upper limit number is changed by the changing unit, the permission unit determines that the sum of the number of print jobs printed at the time of authentication and the number of unprinted secure print jobs to be printed exceeds the upper limit number. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing of the unprinted secure print job is permitted within a limited range. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies a user of an error and the allowable number when the permission unit determines that the allowable number is exceeded. Image forming apparatus.

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