JP2010256385A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in removal of a jam while preventing leakage of confidential information in the case where the jam occurs during printing of the confidential information. <P>SOLUTION: When a position where the jam occurs during the printing of a confidential document is located before a position where a toner image is transferred to recording paper, conveyance of paper P is stopped, and a transfer belt cleaning device removes toner on a transfer belt. Alternatively, when the position where the jam occurs is located after a position where the toner image is transferred and before a position where the image is fixed, a toner image destroying device 30 removes or paints out the toner image on the paper P, thereby destroying the toner image showing the confidential document in a printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs printing by transferring a toner image onto a recording paper, and in particular, a method for preventing leakage of confidential information when a paper jam occurs during printing of a confidential document. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus employing the above.

  A network printer is a printer that is connected to a network and is shared and used by a plurality of users via a plurality of computers connected to the same network. There are many cases in which confidential documents created by computers are printed by this network type printer. Conventionally, confidential documents when a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as “jam”) occurs in the printer while printing confidential documents. Securing of information was a problem.

  According to Patent Document 1, when a user sets a normal mode or a security mode in accordance with the density of printed matter at the time of printing and a jam occurs in the security mode, it is attached to the side of the printer in order to take out the jammed recording paper. An invention for locking the cover is described. This prevents the recording paper on which the confidential document is printed by another user from being taken out from the printer without permission.

JP 2005-319735 A JP 2001-265739 A

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, personal authentication is performed using an IC card, fingerprint authentication, or the like. When the user is authenticated as a jam removal permitted user, the cover is unlocked, and the user can remove the jam. it can. This means that the cover remains locked and the jam cannot be removed unless the user who is the jam removal-permitted user performs personal authentication and unlocks the cover. If a user who is a jam removal-permitted user cannot immediately remove the jam, the printer cannot be used for a long time, which is inconvenient for other users and also causes a decrease in printing efficiency.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an image forming apparatus that improves the convenience in removing jams while preventing leakage of confidential information when a jam occurs during printing of a confidential document. Is intended to provide.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming a toner image on an image carrier in accordance with image data transferred from an external device, and transferring the toner image onto a recording paper; A fixing unit for fixing the formed toner image on the recording paper, a printed matter storage unit for storing the recording paper after fixing, and a storage unit for storing the recording paper from the storage unit via the image forming unit and the fixing unit. A transport unit that transports the recording paper to the printed material storage unit; a determination unit that determines whether the image data is data indicating a confidential document; and a detection that detects a jam of the recording paper in the transport unit And an image destruction means for making the toner image transferred to the recording paper indistinguishable, and the image formation is performed according to the image data determined by the determination means as data indicating a confidential document. When the detecting means detects a paper jam after the stage transfers the toner image onto the recording paper and before the fixing means fixes the toner image on the recording paper, the image destruction means This makes the toner image indistinguishable.

  Conventionally, when a jam occurs during printing of a confidential document, the cover of the image forming apparatus is locked at any printing stage, and the cover is unlocked when the user's personal authentication is successful, The recording paper that caused the jam was removed. This means that the cover remains locked and the paper jam cannot be cleared unless personal authentication is successful. Accordingly, when the user cannot immediately perform personal authentication, the use of the image forming apparatus is stopped for a long time, which is inconvenient for other users and causes a reduction in printing efficiency.

  Therefore, when the position where the paper jam occurs during the printing of the confidential document is after the transfer of the toner image onto the recording paper and before the fixing process, the image destruction means makes the toner image of the recording paper indistinguishable. The toner image indicating the confidential document is destroyed in the image forming apparatus. In other words, since the contents of confidential documents do not leak to the outside, it is not necessary to lock the cover, and any user can open the cover and remove the recording paper causing the jam. . Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image destruction means wipes off the toner image transferred to the recording paper in contact with the recording paper. And a switching means for switching the position of the wiping means between a position not contacting the recording paper and a position contacting the recording paper, the wiping means being downstream from the image forming means and the fixing means Image data that is installed on the upstream side, the switching unit arranges the wiping unit as a home position at a position where the wiping unit does not come into contact with the recording paper, and the determination unit determines that the data indicates confidential documents. In response to this, the detection unit detects a paper jam between the time when the image forming unit transfers the toner image onto the recording paper and the time when the fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording paper. Come, said switching means is to place switches to position abutting said wiping means to said recording paper.

  According to this configuration, when the occurrence position of the paper jam during the printing of the confidential document is after the toner image transfer to the recording paper and before the fixing process, the image destruction unit removes the toner image of the recording paper. Thus, the toner image indicating the confidential document is destroyed in the image forming apparatus. In other words, since the contents of confidential documents do not leak to the outside, it is not necessary to lock the cover, and any user can open the cover and remove the recording paper causing the jam. . Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image destruction means fills the toner image transferred to the recording paper in contact with the recording paper. And a switching means for switching the position of the filling means between a position not in contact with the recording paper and a position in contact with the recording paper, the filling means being downstream of the image forming means and the fixing means. The switching means is disposed at a position where the filling means is not in contact with the recording paper as a home position, and the discrimination means discriminates that the data indicates a confidential document. The detection unit detects a paper jam between the time when the image forming unit transfers the toner image onto the recording paper according to the data and the time when the fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording paper. Come, said switching means is to place switches to position abutting said fill means to the recording paper.

  According to this configuration, when the occurrence position of the paper jam during the printing of the confidential document is after the transfer of the toner image onto the recording paper and before the fixing process, the image destruction unit fills the toner image on the recording paper. As a result, the toner image indicating the confidential document is destroyed in the image forming apparatus. In other words, since the contents of confidential documents do not leak to the outside, it is not necessary to lock the cover, and any user can open the cover and remove the recording paper causing the jam. . Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image forming apparatus further includes a cleaning unit that removes toner attached to the image carrier, and the determination is performed. The image forming unit forms a toner image on the image carrier according to the image data determined to be a confidential document, and the detection unit detects a paper jam before transferring the toner image onto the recording paper. Then, the conveying means stops conveying the recording paper, and the cleaning means removes the toner adhering to the image carrier.

  According to this configuration, when the occurrence position of the paper jam during the printing of the confidential document is before the toner image is transferred to the recording paper, the conveyance of the recording paper is stopped, and the cleaning unit removes the toner on the image carrier. As a result, the toner image indicating the confidential document is destroyed in the image forming apparatus. In other words, since the contents of confidential documents do not leak to the outside, it is not necessary to lock the cover, and any user can open the cover and remove the recording paper causing the jam. . Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a storage unit that stores authentication information of a user of the image forming apparatus, and a user An input receiving unit that receives an input operation; an authentication unit that performs personal authentication of the user; and a locking unit that locks or unlocks a cover that opens and closes when the recording paper in the transport unit is removed. The image forming means forms a toner image on the recording paper according to the image data determined to be data indicating a confidential document, and the fixing means fixes the toner image on the recording paper and then the detection When the means detects a paper jam, the locking means locks the cover, and then when the input accepting means accepts input of user authentication information, the authentication means is accepted by the input accepting means. Performs personal authentication by comparing the authentication information and the authentication information storage means stores the user was, when the personal authentication is successful, the locking means is intended to unlock the cover.

  According to this configuration, when the recording paper is fixed, the cover is locked, and when the user's personal authentication is successful, the cover is unlocked, so that only the unlocked user can open the cover. Therefore, it is possible to prevent confidential information printed on the recording paper from leaking outside.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a storage unit that stores authentication information of a user of the image forming apparatus; Authentication means for performing personal authentication, locking means for locking or unlocking a cover that opens and closes when removing the recording paper in the transport means, transmission means for transmitting data to the external device, and the external device Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the image forming means, wherein the image forming means forms a toner image on the recording paper according to the image data determined by the determining means as data indicating a confidential document. When the detection unit detects a paper jam after the fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording paper, the locking unit locks the cover, and then the transmission unit is the transfer source of the image data. Before A request signal for user authentication information is transmitted to an external device, the receiving unit receives the user authentication information from the external device, and the authentication unit stores the received user authentication information and the storage unit. When the personal authentication of the user is successful by comparing the authentication information to be performed and the personal authentication is successful, the transmitting means transmits the unlocking code for the cover, and the input receiving means inputs the unlocking code. The lock means unlocks the cover.

  According to this configuration, when the recording paper is fixed, the cover is locked, and when the user's personal authentication is successful, the cover is unlocked, so that only the unlocked user can open the cover. Therefore, it is possible to prevent confidential information printed on the recording paper from leaking outside.

  If the paper jam occurs during the printing of a confidential document after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper and before the fixing process, the image destruction means makes the toner image on the recording paper indistinguishable. The toner image indicating the document is destroyed in the image forming apparatus. In other words, since the contents of confidential documents do not leak to the outside, it is not necessary to lock the cover, and any user can open the cover and remove the recording paper causing the jam. . Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

The figure which showed an example of the network. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a tandem type image forming apparatus that is an example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner image destruction apparatus and its periphery. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing of a printer. FIG. 7 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the flow of the printing process of the printer shown in FIG. The flowchart which showed the flow of the personal authentication process of a printer and a personal computer. An example of a screen displayed on a personal computer display. An example of a screen displayed on a personal computer display.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network N to which an image forming apparatus 1 and a personal computer 9 are connected in the present embodiment. The network N is a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like installed at a workplace or the like, and is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and the plurality of personal computers 9. The personal computer 9 transmits various data to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network N in accordance with a user input operation. The image forming apparatus 1 performs printing according to the data transmitted from the personal computer 9.

  In the present embodiment, a color image forming apparatus will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but a monochrome image may be used. The image forming apparatus 1 can be applied to a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having various functions. In this embodiment, a tandem type is described as an example. However, any other image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier and transfers the toner image onto a recording sheet can be used. A printing method may be used.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front sectional view for explaining the internal structure. 2 and 3, the XX direction is referred to as the left-right direction, and the Y-Y direction is referred to as the front-rear direction. In particular, the -X direction is referred to as the left, the + X direction is referred to as the right, the -Y direction is referred to as the front, and the + Y direction is referred to as the rear. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 10, an image reading unit 16 for reading a document image provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 10, and various image forming processes. The basic configuration includes an input operation unit 47 having an operation key for inputting the above condition and a display panel 471 for displaying a message or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 10 includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image based on image information of a document read by the image reading unit 16, and a sheet P formed by the image forming unit 12. A fixing unit 13 that performs a fixing process on the image transferred to the sheet and a sheet storage unit 14 that stores a sheet for transfer are provided. The paper transport unit 11 transports the paper to each unit in the apparatus main body 10.

  The image reading unit 16 includes a document retainer 161 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10 so as to be openable and closable, and an optical system unit 162 disposed opposite to the document retainer 161 via a contact glass 163 in the upper housing of the apparatus body 10. And. The contact glass 163 is dimensioned to a planar shape slightly smaller than the document presser 161 in order to read the document surface of the placed document. The document presser 161 opens and closes by rotating forward and backward about a predetermined axis provided on one side of the upper surface of the housing, which is one component of the image reading unit 16.

  The optical system unit 162 includes a light source (not shown), a plurality of mirrors, a lens unit, a CCD, and the like. Then, the light from the light source is reflected on the document surface, and this reflected light is input to the CCD via these mirror and lens unit. The CCD photoelectrically converts the input reflected light and outputs it as an electrical signal.

  The paper transport unit 11 includes a paper transport path 111, a pickup roller 112, a transport roller pair 113, and a paper discharge transport path 114. The paper transport path 111 and the paper discharge transport path 114 are paths through which the paper P is transported. The conveyance roller pair 113 is a roller pair provided at an appropriate position on the paper conveyance path 111 and the paper discharge conveyance path 114. The paper P is transported through the paper transport path 111 and the paper discharge transport path 114 by driving the transport roller pair 113.

  The pickup roller 112 is a roller for feeding out the paper P one by one from the paper bundle stored in the paper tray 141. The paper P fed out from the paper tray 141 is conveyed to the image forming unit 12 by driving the conveyance roller pair 113.

  The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the paper fed from the paper storage unit 14, and in this embodiment, the image forming unit 12 is sequentially arranged from the upstream side (left side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) to the downstream side. The magenta unit 12M, the cyan unit 12C, the yellow unit 12Y, and the black unit 12K are provided.

  Each unit 12M, 12C, 12Y, 12K is provided with a photosensitive drum 121 and a developing device 122, respectively. Each photosensitive drum 121 receives supply of toner from the corresponding developing device 122 while rotating counterclockwise in FIG. Each developing device 122 is supplied with toner from a toner container (not shown).

  A charger 123 is provided at a position immediately above each photosensitive drum 121. An exposure device 124 is provided for each unit above the charger 123 and the developing device 122. Each photosensitive drum 121 is charged uniformly by the charger 123. Then, each photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light corresponding to each color based on the image data input by the image reading unit 16 from each exposure device 124 to the peripheral surface of each charged photosensitive drum 121. An electrostatic latent image is formed on each of the peripheral surfaces 121. By supplying each color toner from the developing device 122 to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  A transfer belt 125 is provided at a position below the photoconductive drum 121 so as to contact the peripheral surface of each photoconductive drum 121. The transfer belt 125 is stretched between a driving roller 125a, a driven roller 125b, a secondary transfer counter roller 125c, and other necessary rollers. The transfer belt 125 is driven by a drive roller 125 a while being synchronized with each photosensitive drum 121 while being pressed against the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by a primary transfer roller 126 provided corresponding to each photosensitive drum 121. Circulate between the rollers 125b.

  As the transfer belt 125 circulates, the magenta toner image is transferred onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 121 of the magenta unit 12M, and then the photoconductor drum 121 of the cyan unit 12C is placed at the same position on the transfer belt 125. The cyan toner image is transferred in the overcoating state, and the yellow toner image is transferred in the overcoating state to the same position on the transfer belt 125 by the photosensitive drum 121 of the yellow unit 12Y. The transfer of the black toner image by the photosensitive drum 121 of the unit 12 </ b> K is performed in an overcoated state, whereby a color toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 125. The color toner image formed on the surface of the transfer belt 125 is transferred to the paper P conveyed from the paper storage unit 14.

  A cleaning device 127 that removes and cleans residual toner on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is provided at a right position in FIG. 3 of each photosensitive drum 121. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 cleaned by the cleaning device 127 is directed to the charger 123 for a new charging process. Waste toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by the cleaning device 127 is collected in a toner collection bottle (not shown) through a predetermined path.

  A paper transport path 111 is formed from the right position of the paper storage unit 14 to the lower part of the image forming unit 12. The paper P fed out from the paper storage unit 14 is transported toward the lower position of the transfer belt 125 by driving the transport roller pair 113. A secondary transfer roller 125 d that is in contact with the surface of the transfer belt 125 is provided at a position facing the secondary transfer counter roller 125 c in the paper conveyance path 111. The toner image on the transfer belt 125 is transferred to the sheet P by the sheet P being conveyed through the sheet conveyance path 111 being pressed and sandwiched between the transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 125d.

  A transfer belt cleaning device 160 is provided near the driven roller 125b. The transfer belt cleaning device 160 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt 125 after the toner image is transferred to the paper P, and the cleaned transfer belt 125 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 121 again. The

  The toner image destruction device 30 is disposed downstream of the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 125d and the secondary transfer counter roller 125c and upstream of the fixing unit 13. The toner image destruction device 30 forms an image on the transfer belt 125 in accordance with image data that is a confidential document, and after the toner image is transferred to the paper P, it is fixed by the fixing unit 13. 1 is a device that makes a toner image formed on a paper P indistinguishable when a jam occurs in the paper 1. The toner image destruction device 30 is a device that makes the toner image indistinguishable by removing or filling the toner on the paper P. The toner image destruction device 30 will be described in detail later.

  The fixing unit 13 performs a fixing process on the toner image on the paper transferred by the image forming unit 12. The fixing unit 13 includes a heating roller 131 that includes an energization heating element such as a halogen lamp that is a heating source, a fixing roller 132 that is disposed to face the heating roller 131, and a tension roller 132 that is stretched between the fixing roller 132 and the heating roller 131. The fixing belt 133 and the pressure roller 134 disposed to face the fixing roller 132 through the fixing belt 133 are provided. The transferred paper P is pressed and nipped while being heated at the nip portion between the fixing belt 133 and the pressure roller 134, whereby the toner image on the paper P is fixed, and the stable color on the paper P is obtained. An image is formed.

  The paper P with the color image for which the fixing process has been completed passes through a paper discharge conveyance path 114 extended from the upper part of the fixing unit 13 to a paper discharge tray 15 or a security box 19 provided on the left side wall of the apparatus main body 10. It is discharged towards.

  The security box 19 is configured so that the discharged printed material can be taken in and stored without touching the human eye, and is set as a discharge destination of the printed material on which the confidential information is printed. For example, after a user creates a confidential document using the personal computer 9, transmits image data indicating the confidential document to the image forming apparatus 1 and executes a print instruction, the image forming apparatus 1 prints the confidential document. If the printed matter is unintentionally discharged to the paper discharge tray 15, the printed matter may touch another person's eyes, which causes information leakage. In order to solve this problem, the user performs security settings when issuing an instruction to print a confidential document.

  When the security setting is made (when the printed material is a confidential document), the switching guide 171 is in the direction of the dotted line under the control of the control unit described later, and the printed paper P is discharged to the security box 19. On the other hand, when there is no security setting (when the printed material is not a confidential document), the switching guide 171 is directed in a solid line by the control of the control unit described later, and the printed paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15. As described above, the security of the printed matter can be ensured by using the security box 19. The user unlocks the security box 19 using a predetermined key, personal authentication such as fingerprint authentication or ID card, and takes out the printed matter.

  The sheet storage unit 14 includes a sheet tray 141 for storing a bundle of sheets P that are detachably attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body 10. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper tray 141 is provided in two stages, but the number of stages may be three or more, or may be one.

  The sheet P is fed out from the sheet bundle stored in the sheet tray 141 one by one by driving the pickup roller 112. The fed paper P is sent to the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 125 d of the image forming unit 12 and the transfer belt 125 through the paper conveyance path 111, and is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 125. A color toner image is transferred. The movement of the paper P after the transfer process is as described above.

  An opening / closing cover 18 is provided on the entire surface and the right side surface of the apparatus main body 10. The opening / closing cover 18 is a cover that is opened in order to expose the inside of the paper transport unit 11 and the paper transport unit 11. When a jam occurs in the paper transport unit 11, the user can remove the jammed paper P by opening the opening / closing cover 18. Further, the opening / closing cover 18 is locked / unlocked under the control of a control unit described later. The locking / unlocking of the opening / closing cover 18 will be described in detail later.

  A plurality of jam detection units (not shown) are arranged in the paper transport path 11. The jam detection unit uses a photo sensor or the like, and when a jam is detected, transmits a signal to a control unit described later. The control unit determines the jam occurrence position depending on which jam detection unit has received the signal.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the toner image destruction device 30 and its periphery. The toner image destruction device 30 includes a sponge 301 and a drive device 302. The driving device 302 moves the sponge 301 in the direction of arrow A under the control of a control unit described later, and is configured by a solenoid, a clutch, or the like. The transport roller 31 is a roller that is installed in the paper transport path 111 and transports the paper P to the fixing unit 13.

  When the jam does not occur, the sponge 301 is disposed at a position where it does not contact the paper P passing through the paper transport path 111. However, the image forming unit 131 forms a toner image on the transfer belt 125 in accordance with image data that is a confidential document, and is transferred from the toner image to the paper P until it is fixed by the fixing unit 13. When a jam occurs in 1, the driving device 302 moves the sponge 301 to a position where it can contact the surface of the paper P on which the toner image is transferred. Thereafter, the transport roller 31 transports the paper P to the jam release position. During this conveyance, the sponge 301 comes into contact with the paper P, whereby the toner on the paper P is removed, and the toner image can be made indistinguishable.

  When making the toner image indistinguishable by painting the paper P, for example, a sponge 301 in which ink or the like is infiltrated into the contact surface with the paper P is installed in the toner image destruction device 30. Then, as in the case where the toner image is removed and made indistinguishable in the above, the driving device 302 moves the sponge 301 to a position where it can contact the surface of the paper P to which the toner image is transferred. Thereafter, the transport roller 31 transports the paper P to the jam release position. During this conveyance, the sponge 301 abuts on the paper P and the ink on the sponge 301 adheres to the paper P, so that the ink fills the toner image and cannot be distinguished.

  Note that the toner image destruction device 30 does not need to completely remove or paint the toner, and may remove or paint the toner to such an extent that confidential information cannot be read from the paper P.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an image memory 43, an image processing unit 44, an image forming unit 12, a paper transport unit 11, a jam detection unit 21, a toner image destruction device 30, a cover lock 46, and an input. An operation unit 47 and a network I / F unit 48 are provided.

  The storage unit 42 stores programs, data, and the like for realizing various functions provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and functions as a personal authentication information storage unit 421 in the present embodiment. The personal authentication information storage unit 421 stores a personal ID, password, ID card information, fingerprint information, and the like of a user who can instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to print a confidential document. A personal authentication unit 414 (to be described later) captures a personal ID or password input by the user to the input operation unit 47 or the personal computer 9, and based on the captured information and the information stored in the personal authentication information storage unit 421, Authenticate.

  The image memory 43 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 9 via the network I / F unit 48. The image processing unit 44 performs image processing such as image correction and enlargement / reduction on the image data stored in the image memory 43. The paper transport unit 11 takes in the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 120, and passes through the nip portion of the secondary transfer roller 125 c and the secondary transfer counter roller 125 d, the fixing unit 13, and the paper discharge tray 15 or security box. The paper P is conveyed to 19.

  The cover lock unit 46 locks the opening / closing cover 18. The input operation unit 47 includes a power key, a reset key, a numeric keypad, a display panel 471 for displaying various messages, and the like. When performing personal authentication using fingerprint authentication or an ID card, the input operation unit 47 also includes a fingerprint or ID card reader. The network I / F unit 48 includes a communication module such as a LAN board, and transmits and receives various data to and from the personal computer 9 via the network N connected to the network I / F unit 48.

  The control unit 41 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads a program stored in the storage unit 42 and executes processing, and outputs instruction signals to each functional unit, data transfer, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 is comprehensively controlled. The control unit 41 includes a security setting determination unit 411, a jam occurrence determination unit 412, a security holding control unit 413, and a personal authentication unit 414.

  The security setting determination unit 411 confirms the security level of the image data transmitted from the personal computer 9, determines whether the image data is data indicating a confidential document, and the direction of the switching guide 171 according to the determination result. Control to switch between. The user sets the security level of the document when making a print request for the document created on the personal computer 9 to the image forming apparatus 1. The personal computer 9 transmits the security level set by the user and the image data indicating the document to the image forming apparatus 1. If the security level is a level indicating a confidential document, the security setting determination unit 411 determines that the document indicated by the transmitted image data is a confidential document.

  If the security setting determination unit 411 determines that the document is a confidential document, the switching guide 171 is switched to the direction of the dotted line shown in FIG. 3 so that the printed paper P is discharged to the security box 19. If it is determined that the document is not a confidential document, the security setting determination unit 411 switches the switching guide 171 to the direction of the solid line shown in FIG. 3 so that the printed sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 15. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the printed confidential document is described as being ejected to the security box 19, but the image forming apparatus 1 has a personal ID or a condition other than this as a condition for ejecting the confidential document. A password input is accepted, or fingerprint authentication and ID card reading are performed to authenticate whether or not the user is a registered user. When the authentication is successful, the image forming apparatus 1 may discharge the confidential document for the first time. By doing so, the user can reliably obtain the printed confidential document.

  The jam occurrence determination unit 412 takes in the signal output from the jam detection unit 21 and determines the occurrence of a jam in the paper transport path 111. Further, when a jam occurs, the jam occurrence position is specified according to which jam detection unit 21 outputs the signal.

  The security holding control unit 413 controls each unit when the jam occurrence determination unit 412 determines that a jam has occurred while the confidential document is being printed. Specifically, when a jam occurs before the transfer of the toner image onto the paper P, the security holding control unit 413 causes the paper transport unit 11 to stop transporting the paper P. Next, the security holding control unit 413 drives only the driving roller 125a to cause the transfer belt cleaning device 160 to remove the toner on the transfer belt 125. By doing so, the toner image on the transfer belt 125 formed based on the image data indicating the confidential document can be erased before being transferred to the paper P, and the confidential document information is prevented from leaking outside. can do.

  If a jam occurs after the toner image is transferred to the paper P and before the fixing process by the fixing unit 13, the security holding control unit 413 transfers the toner image destruction device 30 to the paper P. Control is performed to remove or fill the toner image. Under this control, the toner image destruction device 30 performs a process of removing or filling the toner image transferred to the paper P.

  Further, when a jam occurs after the fixing process of the paper P, the security holding control unit 413 sets the cover lock unit 46 to the locked state. Then, the security holding control unit 413 causes the network I / F unit 48 to transmit a signal instructing the personal computer 9 that has transmitted the image data indicating the confidential document to display a screen that prompts the user to input a personal ID and password. The personal ID and password input to the personal computer 9 are taken in by a personal authentication unit 414 described later for personal authentication.

  When the authentication by the personal authentication unit 414 is successful, the security holding control unit 413 creates a lock / unlock code for unlocking the cover lock unit 46 and sends the confidential document to the network I / F unit 48. The lock release code is transmitted to the personal computer 9 that has transmitted the image data indicating. When the input operation unit 47 receives an input of the unlock code, the security holding control unit 413 unlocks the opening / closing cover 18. In this way, only the user who created the confidential document can unlock the open / close cover 18. Accordingly, a sheet P that may be printed with confidential information that has not been ejected due to the occurrence of a jam and that may be printed with confidential information is taken out of the apparatus without permission, and the information leaks out. Can be prevented.

  The personal authentication unit 414 fetches the personal ID and password transmitted from the personal computer 9 through the network I / F unit, and performs personal authentication by comparing with the information stored in the personal authentication information storage unit 421.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. When the control unit 41 captures image data together with a print request from the personal computer 9 via the network I / F unit 48, the security setting determination unit 411 determines whether or not the document indicated by the image data is a confidential document ( Step S11). When the document is a confidential document (step S11; YES), the security setting determination unit 411 switches the switching guide 171 to the direction of the dotted line shown in FIG. 2 so that the printed paper P is discharged to the security box 19. (Step S12). If it is determined that the document is not a confidential document (step S11; NO), the security setting determination unit 411 switches the switching guide 171 to the direction of the solid line shown in FIG. The paper is discharged (step S13).

  Then, the control unit 41 causes the image forming unit 12 to execute printing according to the image data (step S14). During the printing, the jam detection unit 21 outputs a signal indicating the occurrence of a jam (step S15; YES), and the security setting determination unit 411 determines that the document indicated by the image data transmitted from the personal computer 9 is not a confidential document. If so (step S16; NO), the controller 41 proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, when the security setting determining unit 411 determines that the document indicated by the image data is a confidential document (step S16; YES), the jam occurrence determining unit 412 determines the jam occurrence position.

  When the jam occurrence position indicates before the toner image is transferred to the paper P (step S17; NO), the security holding control unit 413 stops the conveyance of the paper P with respect to the paper conveyance unit 11, Further, only the driving roller 125a is driven, and the transfer belt cleaning device 160 is controlled to remove the toner on the transfer belt 125 (step S24). By this control, the transfer belt cleaning device 160 removes the toner on the transfer belt 125. Thereafter, the user opens the opening / closing cover 18 to remove the paper P causing the jam (step S26), and the control unit 41 detects that the jam is released and the opening / closing cover 18 is closed. Is resumed for printing (step S27).

  When the jam occurrence position is after the toner image is transferred to the paper P (step S17; YES) and before the fixing process is performed (step S18; NO), the security holding control unit 413 destroys the toner image. The apparatus 30 is controlled to remove or fill the toner image transferred to the paper P (step S25). Under this control, the toner image destruction device 30 performs a process of removing or filling the toner image transferred to the paper P. During this time, the paper transport unit 11 transports the paper P to a position where the jam can be released (a position where the paper P can be removed outside the apparatus). Thereafter, the user opens the opening / closing cover 18 to remove the paper P causing the jam (step S26), and the control unit 41 detects that the jam is released and the opening / closing cover 18 is closed. Is resumed for printing (step S27).

  Further, when the jam occurrence position is after the toner image is transferred to the paper P (step S17; YES) and after the fixing process (step S18; YES), the security holding control unit 413 performs the cover lock unit 46. Is locked (step S19). And the control part 41 transfers a process to a personal authentication process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of personal authentication processing of the image forming apparatus 1 and the personal computer 9. First, the security maintenance control unit 413 causes the network I / F unit 48 to transmit a signal instructing the personal computer 9 that is the image data transmission source to display a screen that prompts the user to input a personal ID and password (step S41). ). In response to this instruction, the personal computer 9 displays a personal ID and password input screen on the display (step S51). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 5 displayed on the display of the personal computer 9 at this time. Then, the personal computer 9 transmits the input personal ID and password to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S52). The network I / F unit 48 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives these data and outputs them to the personal authentication unit 414.

  The personal authentication unit 414 compares the personal ID and password transmitted from the personal computer 1 with the information stored in the personal authentication information storage unit 421, and performs authentication processing (step S43). When the personal authentication is successful (step S44; YES), the security holding control unit 413 creates a lock / unlock code for unlocking the cover lock unit 46, and the network I / F unit 48 The lock release code is transmitted to the personal computer 9 that has transmitted the image data indicating the confidential document (step S45). And the control part 41 transfers a process to step S21 of FIG. The personal computer 9 receives the unlock code (step S53) and displays it on the display (step S54). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 6 displayed on the display of the personal computer 9 at this time.

  When personal authentication by the personal authentication unit 414 fails (step S44; NO), the personal authentication unit 414 causes the network I / F unit 48 to transmit an error message to the personal computer 9, and the process proceeds to step S41. . The personal computer 9 displays an error message on the display and displays the personal ID and password input screen again (step S51).

  Returning to FIG. The control unit 41 causes the display panel 471 of the input operation unit 47 to display an unlock code input screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen 7 displayed on the display panel 471. When the input operation unit 47 receives an input of the unlock code (step S21), the security holding control unit 413 determines whether the unlock code is correct (step S22). When the lock release code is correct (step S22; YES), the security holding control unit 413 releases the lock of the open / close cover 18 (step S23). Thereafter, the user opens the opening / closing cover 18 to remove the paper P causing the jam (step S26), and the control unit 41 detects that the jam is released and the opening / closing cover 18 is closed. Is resumed for printing (step S27).

  If the unlock code is not correct (step S22; NO), the control unit 41 proceeds to step S20, and the personal authentication process is performed again.

  In addition, when printing is finished without jamming (or when jamming has been released but printing has been finished) (step S15; NO), the paper transport unit 11 discharges the printed paper P. Paper is supplied (step S28), and the process is terminated.

  Conventionally, if a jam occurs during printing of a confidential document, the cover is locked at any stage of printing, and the printer performs personal authentication of the user, and if the personal authentication is successful, the cover is unlocked. The user was able to remove the recording paper that caused the jam. This means that the cover remains locked and the jam cannot be released unless the designated user performs personal authentication and unlocks the cover. When the determined user cannot immediately cancel the jam, the printer is stopped for a long time, which is inconvenient for other users and causes a decrease in printing efficiency.

  Therefore, as described above, when the jam occurrence position during the printing of the confidential document is before the transfer of the toner image onto the paper P, the paper transport unit 11 stops the transport of the paper P and the transfer belt is used. The cleaning device 160 removes the toner on the transfer belt 125. Alternatively, when the jam occurrence position is after the transfer and before the fixing process, the toner image destruction device 30 removes or paints the toner image on the paper P, so that the toner image indicating the confidential document becomes the image forming device 1. Destroyed within. That is, since the content of the confidential document does not flow outside, the opening / closing cover 18 does not need to be locked, and any user can open the opening / closing cover 18 and remove the paper P that causes jamming. Can be removed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 can be immediately used, and printing efficiency can be maintained.

  Further, when the paper P is fixed, the opening / closing cover 18 is once locked, and when the user's personal authentication is successful, the opening / closing cover 18 is unlocked, so that only the unlocked user can open / close the cover 18. Therefore, the confidential information printed on the paper P can be prevented from leaking to the outside.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 111 Paper conveyance path 12 Image forming part (image forming means)
125 Transfer belt (image carrier)
13 Fixing part (fixing means)
14 Paper storage part (accommodating means)
15 Paper discharge tray (printed material storage means)
160 Transfer belt cleaning device (cleaning means)
18 Open / close cover (cover)
19 Security box (printed material storage means)
21 Jam detection part (detection means)
30 Toner image destruction device (image destruction means)
301 Sponge (wiping means, painting means)
302 Driving device (switching means)
41 control unit 411 security setting discrimination unit (discrimination means)
412 Jam occurrence determination unit (detection means)
413 Security maintenance control unit 414 Personal authentication unit (authentication means)
42 Storage Unit 421 Personal Authentication Information Storage Unit (Storage Unit)
43 Image memory 44 Image processing unit 45 Recording paper conveyance unit (conveyance means)
46 Cover lock (locking means)
47 Input operation unit (input acceptance means)
48 Network I / F part (transmission means, reception means)
9 PC (external device)
N network

Claims (6)

Image forming means for forming a toner image on an image carrier in accordance with image data transferred from an external device, and transferring the toner image to a recording paper;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper to the recording paper;
Printed matter storage means for storing the recording paper after fixing;
A transport unit that transports the recording paper from the storage unit that stores the recording paper to the printed material storage unit via the image forming unit and the fixing unit;
Determining means for determining whether the image data is data indicating a confidential document;
Detecting means for detecting jamming of the recording paper in the conveying means;
Image destruction means for making the toner image transferred to the recording paper indistinguishable, and the image forming means determines that the image forming means is data indicating a confidential document. When the detection means detects a paper jam between the time when the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper and the time when the fixing means fixes the toner image on the recording paper, the image destruction means cannot determine the toner image on the recording paper. An image forming apparatus which is to be put into a state.   The image destruction means switches between wiping means for wiping the toner image transferred to the recording paper in contact with the recording paper, and switching the position of the wiping means to a position where the wiping means is not in contact with the recording paper. The wiping means is disposed downstream of the image forming means and upstream of the fixing means, and the switching means applies the wiping means to the recording paper. A non-contact position is arranged as a home position, and the fixing unit is configured to transfer the toner image onto the recording paper according to the image data determined by the determination unit as data indicating a confidential document. When the detection means detects a paper jam before the toner image is fixed on the recording paper, the switching means switches the wiping means to a position where it contacts the recording paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 Ete is to place.   The image destruction means switches between a painting means for painting the toner image transferred to the recording paper in contact with the recording paper, and a position for contacting the position of the painting means that is not in contact with the recording paper. And a switching unit, wherein the filling unit is disposed downstream of the image forming unit and upstream of the fixing unit, and the switching unit places the coating unit on the recording paper. The non-contact position is arranged as a home position, and the fixing unit is configured to transfer the toner image onto the recording paper according to the image data determined by the determining unit as data indicating a confidential document. When the detection means detects a paper jam before the toner image is fixed on the recording paper, the switching means switches the filling means to a position where it abuts the recording paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 Ete is to place. A cleaning means for removing toner adhering to the image carrier;
The image forming unit forms a toner image on the image carrier in accordance with the image data determined by the determination unit as data indicating a confidential document, and the detection unit before transferring the toner image to the recording paper. 4. When a paper jam is detected, the conveying unit stops conveying the recording paper, and the cleaning unit removes toner adhering to the image carrier. The image forming apparatus described. Storage means for storing authentication information of a user of the image forming apparatus;
An input receiving means for receiving an input operation by a user;
An authentication means for performing personal authentication of the user;
Locking means for locking or unlocking a cover that opens and closes when removing the recording paper in the conveying means;
And the image forming unit forms a toner image on the recording paper according to the image data determined by the determining unit as data indicating a confidential document, and the fixing unit sets the toner image on the recording paper. After fixing, when the detection means detects a paper jam, the locking means locks the cover, and then when the input receiving means receives input of user authentication information, the authentication means The user authentication information received by the receiving means and the authentication information stored in the storage means are compared for personal authentication, and when the personal authentication is successful, the locking means unlocks the cover. The image forming apparatus as described in any one of 1-4. Storage means for storing authentication information of a user of the image forming apparatus;
An authentication means for performing personal authentication of the user;
Locking means for locking or unlocking a cover that opens and closes when removing the recording paper in the conveying means;
Transmitting means for transmitting data to the external device;
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the external device;
And the image forming unit forms a toner image on the recording paper according to the image data determined by the determining unit as data indicating a confidential document, and the fixing unit sets the toner image on the recording paper. After fixing, when the detection means detects a paper jam, the locking means locks the cover, and then the transmission means sends a request signal for user authentication information to the external device that is the transfer source of the image data. The receiving unit receives the user authentication information from the external device, and the authentication unit compares the received user authentication information with the authentication information stored in the storage unit to compare the user's authentication information. When the personal authentication is performed and the personal authentication is successful, the transmitting means transmits the unlocking code of the cover, and when the input receiving means receives the input of the unlocking code, Locking means image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is intended to unlock the cover.

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