JP2012045901A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can carry out printout without being seen by an outsider even in a case where there is the outsider in the periphery, and an image forming system.SOLUTION: When printing concerning printing job is performed, in a case where it is determined that there is an outsider in an outsider restricted area 3a around an image forming apparatus 10a based on human detection information acquired from a detector 50a, the image forming apparatus 10a puts printing concerning printing job on hold and makes an inquiry at a management server 30 for the other image forming apparatus which can perform substitute printing. The management server detects an image forming apparatus around which there is no outsider in the outside restricted area as an image forming apparatus which can perform substitute printing based on the information obtained from each of the detecting detectors and notifies the inquiring image forming apparatus of the detection result. The image forming apparatus which receives the notification transfers printing job to the other image forming apparatus which can perform substitute printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that take into consideration that an output document is not seen by an outsider during output.

  When requesting a printer to print a confidential document from a remote terminal device, or when starting printing with a time reservation or the like, it is assumed that the person is not in front of the printer at the time of output. Therefore, as a printing method for preventing an output document from being viewed by others, there has been conventionally confidential printing in which print output is started when the user inputs a password or the like from the operation panel of the printing apparatus (see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2005-301895 A

  Even if the person is present in front of the image forming apparatus, it is preferable to avoid output when there is an outsider who is in trouble when he / she can see the output document. However, printing must be waited until an outsider leaves, and the receipt of printed matter is delayed.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of performing print output without being seen by an outsider even when the outsider is in the vicinity. It is an object.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A job reception unit that receives a print job;
A printing unit for performing printing related to the print job;
A person identification information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information of a person within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus;
When performing printing related to the print job in the printing unit, if it is determined that there is an outsider within the predetermined range based on the specific information acquired from the person specifying information acquisition unit, the print job A controller that puts such printing on hold and inquires an external device for other image forming apparatuses capable of proxy printing;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, when printing is performed, it is determined whether or not there are outsiders around. If there are outsiders, the external apparatus is inquired about other image forming apparatuses that can perform proxy printing. The external device may be a management server or other image forming apparatus. “When printing” includes printing at the start of printing and printing. When printing is in progress, printing is suspended and printing thereafter is stopped.

[2] When the control unit receives a notification of an image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing as a response to the inquiry from the external apparatus, the control unit determines whether to perform proxy printing with the notified image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the image forming apparatus includes:

  In the above invention, the final determination as to whether or not proxy printing can be performed by an image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing, or selection of which image forming apparatus should perform proxy printing when there are a plurality of proxy printing capable image forming apparatuses, etc. Accept from.

[3] a transfer unit that transfers the print job to another image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the control unit causes the other image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing to transfer the held print job to the transfer unit.

  In the above invention, the suspended print job is transferred to the proxy printing destination image forming apparatus.

[4] having a warning part;
When the control unit determines that there is an outsider within the predetermined range based on the specific information acquired from the person specific information acquisition unit when performing printing related to the print job in the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the warning unit performs a warning.

  In the above-described invention, a warning is displayed to indicate that an outsider is present, and attention is urged.

[5] Person information indicating one or more persons who are not determined to be outsiders is registered in association with the print job,
The control unit performs the determination by comparing the person information registered in association with a print job with the specific information acquired from the person specifying information acquisition unit [1] to [4] ] The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the above invention, one or a plurality of outsiders can be registered for each print job. It is possible to flexibly set a person who is permitted to browse (a person who is not an outsider).

[6] The person specifying information acquisition unit acquires person specifying information from an external detection device that detects a person within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus. [1] to [5] The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the said invention, the information regarding a person's detection and specification is acquired from an external detection apparatus.

[7] A user authentication unit is provided,
The control unit includes the image forming apparatus that is acquired from the detection apparatus when there is an outsider among the persons authenticated by the user authentication unit or from the number of persons authenticated by the user authentication unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein it is determined that there is an outsider when the number of persons within a predetermined range is large.

  In the said invention, the detection apparatus should just detect the number of persons, and a person identification is performed by a user authentication part.

[8] having at least two image forming apparatuses, a detection device provided corresponding to each image forming apparatus and detecting a person within a predetermined range of the image forming apparatus, and a management server,
When the image forming apparatus determines that there is an outsider within a predetermined range of the image forming apparatus based on the person detection information acquired from the detection apparatus when performing printing related to the print job, Suspending printing related to the print job, querying the management server for other image forming apparatuses capable of proxy printing,
The management server that has received the inquiry detects an image forming apparatus having no outsider within a predetermined range as an image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing based on information acquired from the detection apparatus, and the detection result To the inquiring image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus that has received the notification transfers the print job to the notified other image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention, when an outsider is in the vicinity, the outsider is assisted to perform proxy printing with another image forming apparatus that is not in the vicinity. Without waiting for the outsider to leave, it is possible to print output with security.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first operation example of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a management server of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a detection device of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second operation example of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third operation example of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows an example of a warning screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fourth operation example of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management server of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an installation example of an image forming system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 5 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, a management server 30, and a detection apparatus 50.

  In the installation example of FIG. 1, the first image forming apparatus 10a is installed in one corner of the first living room R1, the second image forming apparatus 10b is installed in the other corner of the first living room R1, and the second living room R2 A third image forming apparatus 10c is installed. The management server 30 is provided in a separate room such as a management room.

  The detection device 50 is provided in the vicinity of each image forming device 10, and a predetermined range around the corresponding image forming device 10 (a predetermined range including the image forming device 10, this range being an outsider restricted area 3. )) To detect and identify people. The detection device 50a corresponding to the first image forming apparatus 10a corresponds to the outsider restricted area 3a, and the detection device 50b corresponding to the second image forming apparatus 10b corresponds to the outsider restricted area 3b. The detecting device 50c to be used has the outsider restricted area 3c as a detection area.

  The detection devices 50 are connected to the corresponding image forming devices 10 and the management server 30 so as to communicate with each other. Each image forming apparatus 10 is communicably connected to the management server 30.

Here, the image forming apparatus 10 is a printer or a multifunction machine having a function of forming and outputting an image on recording paper. In this example, the image forming apparatus 10 scans a copy job that optically reads a document and prints the duplicate image on recording paper, and stores the image data of the read document as a file or transmits it to an external terminal. This is a multifunction device having a function of executing a job such as a print job for forming an image relating to print data received from a terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a PC) such as a job or a personal computer on a recording sheet and printing it out.

  When there is an outsider around the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming system 5 inquires the management server 30 about another image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing (no outsider is around), and performs proxy printing. A function of transferring a print job to another possible image forming apparatus 10 and performing printing is provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 connected to the CPU 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, A scanner unit 14, a printer unit 15, an operation display unit 16, an image processing unit 17, a hard disk device 18, a nonvolatile memory 21, a network I / F unit 22, and a detection information acquisition unit 23 are provided. .

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS program, on which middleware, application programs, and the like are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like. Other necessary programs are loaded from the hard disk device 18 to the RAM 13 and executed.

  The scanner unit 14 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 14 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. Optical path consisting of a moving means (including a motor) and a lens and a mirror that guides reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data A conversion unit for conversion is provided.

  The printer unit 15 functions to form and output an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer device, a separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing unit. It is configured as a so-called laser printer that performs image formation.

  The operation display unit 16 includes a display unit configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like, and a function for receiving various operations such as job input and setting from the user. It is configured with an operating unit that fulfills it. The operation unit includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like.

  The image processing unit 17 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation, rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / decompression processing, and the like.

  The hard disk device 18 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and is used for storing print data, image data, job history, and the like in addition to programs. The nonvolatile memory 21 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The network I / F unit 22 performs a function of communicating with the management server 30, a terminal device such as a personal computer, another image forming apparatus 10 and the like through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The detection information acquisition unit 23 acquires information related to human detection from the detection device 50.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the management server 30. The management server 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an input / output I / F unit 34, a nonvolatile memory 35, a hard disk device 36, and a network I / F unit 37. Further, an input device 38 such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display device 39 such as a liquid crystal display are connected via the input / output I / F unit 34.

  The ROM 32 stores a startup program and fixed data. The RAM 33 stores a program loaded from the hard disk device 36. The RAM 33 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 31 executes a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 35 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off. The hard disk device 36 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores programs, files, data, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 37 functions to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10, the management server 30, and other external devices via a network such as a LAN. The management server 30 is configured by installing a predetermined program on a general-purpose server computer having a communication function.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the detection device 50. The detection device 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a nonvolatile memory 54, a network I / F unit 55, a hard disk device 56, an intrusion information detection unit 57, and a detection information notification unit 58. The

  The CPU 51 comprehensively controls the operation of the detection device 50. The ROM 52 stores programs executed by the CPU 51 and fixed data. The RAM 53 is used as a work memory for the CPU 51. The nonvolatile memory 54 stores setting data and the like in a nonvolatile manner. The network I / F unit 55 functions to communicate the network with the management server 30, the image forming apparatus 10, and other external devices. The hard disk device 56 is a nonvolatile large-capacity storage device that stores various data.

  The intrusion information detection unit 57 functions to detect a person in the outsider restricted area 3 of the image forming apparatus 10 that the detection apparatus 50 is in charge of and to identify the person. The detection method does not matter. For example, there is a method of detecting and identifying a person by communicating with a wireless communication type ID card possessed by a person in the outsider restricted area 3 and reading information identifying the person from the ID card. . Further, a method may be used in which the outsider restricted area 3 is photographed with a camera and a person is detected and specified by image analysis, and any known method capable of detecting and specifying a person may be used.

  The detection information notification unit 58 has a function of transmitting and notifying information detected by the intrusion information detection unit 57 (the presence / absence of a person and information for identifying the detected person) to the management server 30 and the image forming apparatus 10.

  If the detection device 50 detects a person but cannot identify the person, the detection apparatus 50 notifies the person without identifying the person. For example, when one person is detected but cannot be identified, the number of detected persons “1” and the specific information “none” are notified. When two people are detected and one of them can be identified, the number of detected persons “2” and the identification information (name, user ID, etc.) of the identified one are notified.

  Note that a person in the outsider restricted area 3 may be specified by user authentication by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 includes a user authentication unit that authenticates a user by inputting a user ID or a user ID and a genuine password, a person who is authenticated by the user authentication unit of the image forming apparatus 10 It may be treated as being included in a person detected by 50. Specifically, when the detection apparatus 50 detects one person and the image forming apparatus 10 authenticates one person, it is determined that the person detected by the detection apparatus 50 is a user authenticated. When the detection device 50 detects two people and the image forming apparatus 10 authenticates one user, one of the two people detected by the detection device 50 is determined to be a user-authenticated person. The other one is determined as an unidentifiable person.

Here, an outsider determination method will be described.
A person who is not an outsider is registered in advance. For example,
(A) For each print job, information about a person (one or more people) who is not an outsider related to the print job is registered.
(B) Information of a person who is not an outsider is registered in the management server 30 or the like. In this case, there are a method for registering a person who is not an outsider for the user for each user, a method for registering a person who is not an outsider for the image forming apparatus 10 for each image forming apparatus 10, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 obtains information on a person who is not an outsider from the information source (A) or (B). Then, the following determination is performed.
(1) When even one person who cannot be identified is detected by the detection device 50, it is determined that there is an outsider.
(2) If a person who is not an outsider obtained in (A) or (B) is excluded from the persons detected and specified by the detection device 50 and one person remains, it is determined that there is an outsider. To do.

  In the configuration in which the number of persons is recognized by the detection apparatus and the authenticated user is recognized by the user authentication unit of the image forming apparatus 10, when there is even one outsider among the persons authenticated by the user authentication part, or When the number of people detected by the detection device is larger than the number of people authenticated by the user authentication unit, it may be determined that there is an outsider.

  Next, operations of various cases of the image forming system 5 will be described.

<When an outsider is detected at the start of printing>
FIG. 1 shows a case where an outsider P2 enters the outsider restricted area 3a of the first image forming apparatus 10a when the printer P1 performs printing with the first image forming apparatus 10a (before printing is started). Shows the operation. In this case, the printed matter of the printer P1 may be seen by the outsider P2, and it is difficult to ensure security. Therefore, the image forming system 5 operates as follows.

  When the first image forming apparatus 10a starts printing related to the print job of the printer P1, the first image forming apparatus 10a enters the outsider restricted area 3a around the apparatus by the above-described method based on the information acquired from the detection apparatus 50a. Determine if there are any outsiders. If there are no outsiders, printing is performed.

  If there is an outsider, the first image forming apparatus 10 a puts the printing related to the print job on hold, and inquires the management server 30 about the image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing. The management server 30 collects information from each of the detection devices 50, selects an image forming device 10 that has no outsiders (the image forming device 10 capable of proxy printing) in the outsider restricted area 3 around the own device, and uses this. The first image forming apparatus 10a as the inquiry source is notified. In this example, it is assumed that the second image forming apparatus 10b and the third image forming apparatus 10c can perform proxy printing. In addition, when the incidental information (for example, the installed room and the processing capability / function) regarding the image forming apparatus 10 capable of proxy printing is registered, the information is also notified.

  The first image forming apparatus 10a displays a list of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of proxy printing notified from the management server 30 on the operation display unit 16 (displays supplementary information, if any), and selects a proxy printing destination from the user. Get the operation. When the proxy printing destination image forming apparatus 10 is selected, the first image forming apparatus 10 a transfers the previous print job to the selected image forming apparatus 10. Here, it is assumed that the second image forming apparatus 10b is selected as the proxy printing destination, and the first image forming apparatus 10a transfers the print job to the second image forming apparatus 10b.

  Thereafter, the printer P1 moves to the second image forming apparatus 10b and performs user authentication by inputting a user ID or the like. The second image forming apparatus 10b performs the same operation as the first image forming apparatus 10a. That is, when printing the transferred print job, it is determined whether there is an outsider, and if not, printing is performed.

  FIG. 5 shows an outsider restricted area 3b of the second image forming apparatus 10b when the outsider P3 moves to the transfer destination second image forming apparatus 10b and performs an operation to start printing. It shows the case where it has invaded.

  When the second image forming apparatus 10b starts printing related to the print job of the printer P1, the second image forming apparatus 10b enters the outsider restricted area 3b around the apparatus by the method described above based on the information acquired from the detection apparatus 50b. Determine if there are any outsiders. If there are no outsiders, printing is performed.

  If there is an outsider, printing related to the print job is put on hold, and the second image forming apparatus 10 b inquires of the management server 30 about the image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing. The management server 30 collects information from each of the detection devices 50, selects an image forming device 10 that can perform proxy printing, and notifies the second image forming device 10b that is an inquiry source of the result. In this example, it is assumed that the third image forming apparatus 10c can perform proxy printing.

  The second image forming apparatus 10b displays a list of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of proxy printing notified from the management server 30 on the operation display unit 16 (displays supplementary information, if any), and selects a proxy printing destination from the user. Get the operation. In this example, it is assumed that only the third image forming apparatus 10c is displayed and this is selected as the proxy printing destination.

  The second image forming apparatus 10b transfers the previous print job to the third image forming apparatus 10c selected as the proxy printing destination.

<When an outsider is detected during printing>
FIG. 6 shows a case where an outsider P2 enters the outsider restricted area 3a of the first image forming apparatus 10a during printing after the printer P1 starts printing with the first image forming apparatus 10a. The operation is shown.

  The first image forming apparatus 10a always copies to the outsider restricted area 3a around its own apparatus based on the information acquired from the detection apparatus 50a, etc., during printing related to the print job of the printer P1. It is determined whether or not an outsider has entered (FIG. 6A).

  When an outsider enters during printing ((b) in the figure), the first image forming apparatus 10a immediately suspends printing. Then, a warning having the contents as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the operation display unit 16. The warning content is not limited to this.

  The first image forming apparatus 10 a inquires of the management server 30 about the image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing. The management server 30 collects information from each of the detection devices 50, selects an image forming device 10 that can perform proxy printing, and notifies the inquiry to the first image forming device 10a.

  The first image forming apparatus 10a displays a list of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of proxy printing notified from the management server 30 on the operation display unit 16 (displays supplementary information, if any), and selects a proxy printing destination from the user. Get the operation. When the proxy printing destination image forming apparatus 10 is selected, the first image forming apparatus 10 a transfers the previously interrupted print job to the selected image forming apparatus 10. Here, the user can select or set in advance whether to send a print job in a mode in which printing is restarted from the beginning, or to send a print job in a mode in which printing is resumed from subsequent pages.

  In the example of FIG. 6B, the second image forming apparatus 10b is selected as the proxy printing destination, and the first image forming apparatus 10a transfers the print job to the second image forming apparatus 10b. Thereafter, the printer P1 moves to the second image forming apparatus 10b and performs user authentication by inputting a user ID or the like. The second image forming apparatus 10b checks whether or not there are outsiders around. If there are no outsiders, printing starts from the beginning in the set mode or from the following page. To do.

<For transfer to a print-only room with restricted entry>
In the installation example shown in FIG. 8, the entrance of the third living room R3 is restricted, and only a person who is authenticated by an ID card or the like can enter the room through the entrance. The detection device 50d detects a person in the third living room R3. Note that the detection device 50d may be replaced with an entry management device. That is, it may be configured to detect and identify that the authenticated person entering the room is a person in the third room R3.

  This example shows an operation when an outsider P2 enters the outsider restricted area 3a of the first image forming apparatus 10a when the printer P1 performs printing with the first image forming apparatus 10a. Yes. In this case, the printed matter of the printer P1 may be seen by the outsider P2, and it is difficult to ensure security. Therefore, the image forming system 5 operates as follows.

  When the first image forming apparatus 10a starts printing related to the print job of the printer P1, the first image forming apparatus 10a enters the outsider restricted area 3a around the apparatus by the above-described method based on the information acquired from the detection apparatus 50a. Determine if there are any outsiders. If there are no outsiders, printing is performed.

  If there is an outsider, printing related to the print job is put on hold, and the first image forming apparatus 10 a inquires the management server 30 about the image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing. The management server 30 collects information from each detection device 50, selects an image forming apparatus 10 that can perform proxy printing, and notifies the inquiry to the first image forming apparatus 10a.

  The first image forming apparatus 10a displays a list of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of proxy printing notified from the management server 30 on the operation display unit 16 (displays supplementary information, if any), and selects a proxy printing destination from the user. Get the operation. In this example, the fourth image forming apparatus 10d in the third living room R3 is selected as the proxy printing destination image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus 10a transfers the print job to the fourth image forming apparatus 10d.

  Thereafter, the printer P1 moves to the entrance of the third room R3, and inputs a user ID and the like to the entrance management device (detection device 50d) at the entrance. When authenticated, the entrance opens and the printer P1 can enter the third living room R3. The printer P1 who has entered the third room R3 goes to the front of the fourth image forming apparatus 10d and performs user authentication by inputting a user ID to the fourth image forming apparatus 10d. The fourth image forming apparatus 10d performs the same operation as the first image forming apparatus 10a. That is, when printing the transferred print job, it is determined whether or not there is an outsider based on the room entry information acquired from the detection device 50d. If there is no outsider, printing is performed. It should be restricted so that only one person can enter the third room R3. In this case, the fourth image forming apparatus 10d omits user authentication by itself, obtains information identifying the person entering the room from the detection apparatus 50d, and permits printing for the print job of the person. It only has to work.

  By providing a room dedicated to printing that is managed in this way, it is possible to perform high-security printing that completely prevents peeping from other people.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

  A print job is received and acquired from the management server 30 or another terminal device (step S101). When the output timing arrives (step S102), it is determined whether or not there is an outsider in the outsider restricted area 3 around the device (step S103). The output timing is, for example, when an output instruction is received from the user through the operation display unit 16, or when a print job is received from a terminal device or the like in the case of an immediately executed print job.

  If there are outsiders around the device (step S103; Yes), printing related to the print job is put on hold and the process proceeds to step S108. If there are no outsiders around the device (step S103; No), output (printing) related to the print job is started (step S104). It is checked whether or not there is an outsider around the device even during printing (step S105; No). If there is no outsider until the output is completed (step S106; Yes), processing is performed. Exit.

  If an outsider enters before the output is completed (step S105; Yes), printing is stopped at that time (step S107), and the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the management server 30 is inquired about the image forming apparatus 10 (proxy output destination) that can perform proxy printing. The response is received, a list of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of proxy printing is displayed on the operation display unit 16, and a selection operation of the image forming apparatus 10 serving as a proxy printing destination is received from the user (step S109). Then, the print job is transferred (transmitted) to the selected proxy printing destination image forming apparatus 10 (step S110), and the process ends.

  FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of the management server 30. When the management server 30 receives an inquiry about the proxy printing destination from any of the image forming apparatuses 10 (step S201; Yes), the management server 30 collects information related to human detection / specification from each detection apparatus 50 (step S202). In addition to collecting directly from the detection device 50, information regarding human detection / specification may be collected via each image forming device 10.

  Next, the management server 30 determines the image forming apparatus 10 having no outsider from the collected information (step S203). The management server 30 obtains information specifying a person who is not an outsider from the information source, and determines whether there is an outsider. Here, when the image forming apparatus 10 makes an inquiry, information specifying a person who is not an outsider is transmitted to the management server 30, and the presence or absence of an outsider is determined based on this information and information collected from each detection device 50. judge.

  Then, the determination result is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 as the inquiry source (step S204). The management server 30 repeats the above processing.

  The detection device 50 may be configured to detect and identify a person and send the information to the image formation device 10 and the management server 30 only when a request is received from the image formation device 10 and the management server 30. Alternatively, the detection / specification may be performed at all times, and the result may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 or the management server 30 every time the detection content changes or periodically.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and even if there is a change or addition within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. It is included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the detection device 50 is provided separately from the image forming apparatus 10, but may be incorporated in the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the management server 30 may be configured to be incorporated in any one of the image forming apparatuses 10.

  The detection device 50 may be a general-purpose device, and the image forming apparatus 10 and the management server 30 may be configured to acquire information related to human detection / specification from the general-purpose detection device 50.

  In the embodiment, the management server 30 is inquired about other image forming apparatuses that can perform proxy printing. However, whether or not there is an outsider in each of the other image forming apparatuses 10 or a part of the image forming apparatus 10. The detection / specific information of persons in the outsider restricted area 3 may be inquired and collected, and the image forming apparatus 10 without outsiders may be found by the own apparatus.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function device described in the embodiment, and can be a printer, a copying machine, or the like.

3, 3a to 3d ... Outsider restricted area 5 ... Image forming system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 10a ... First image forming apparatus 10b ... Second image forming apparatus 10c ... Third image forming apparatus 10d ... Fourth image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Scanner part 15 ... Printer part 16 ... Operation display part 17 ... Image processing part 18 ... Hard disk device 21 ... Non-volatile memory 22 ... Network I / F part 23 ... Detection information acquisition part 30 ... Management server 31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Input / output I / F unit 35 ... Non-volatile memory 36 ... Hard disk device 37 ... Network I / F unit 38 ... Input device 39 ... Display device 50, 50a to 50d ... Detection device 51 ... CPU
52 ... ROM
53 ... RAM
54 ... Non-volatile memory 55 ... Network I / F unit 56 ... Hard disk device 57 ... Intrusion information detection unit 58 ... Detection information notification unit P1 ... Printer P2, P3 ... External person R1 ... First room R2 ... Second room R3 ... 3rd room

Claims (8)

A job reception unit for receiving print jobs;
A printing unit for performing printing related to the print job;
A person identification information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information of a person within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus;
When performing printing related to the print job in the printing unit, if it is determined that there is an outsider within the predetermined range based on the specific information acquired from the person specifying information acquisition unit, the print job A controller that puts such printing on hold and inquires an external device for other image forming apparatuses capable of proxy printing;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The control unit, when receiving a notification of an image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing as a response to the inquiry from the external apparatus, inquires the user whether to perform proxy printing with the notified image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A transfer unit that transfers a print job to another image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the other image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing to transfer the held print job to the transfer unit. Has a warning section,
When the control unit determines that there is an outsider within the predetermined range based on the specific information acquired from the person specific information acquisition unit when performing printing related to the print job in the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the warning unit performs a warning. In association with the print job, personal information indicating one or more persons who are not determined as outsiders is registered,
5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the determination by comparing the person information registered in association with a print job with the specific information acquired from the person specifying information acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The person identification information acquisition unit acquires person identification information from an external detection device that detects a person within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described. With a user authentication part,
The control unit includes the image forming apparatus that is acquired from the detection apparatus when there is an outsider among the persons authenticated by the user authentication unit or from the number of persons authenticated by the user authentication unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are a large number of persons within a predetermined range from the above, it is determined that there are outsiders. At least two image forming apparatuses, a detection device that is provided corresponding to each image forming apparatus and detects a person within the predetermined range of the image forming apparatus, and a management server,
When the image forming apparatus determines that there is an outsider within a predetermined range of the image forming apparatus based on the person detection information acquired from the detection apparatus when performing printing related to the print job, Suspending printing related to the print job, querying the management server for other image forming apparatuses capable of proxy printing,
The management server that has received the inquiry detects an image forming apparatus having no outsider within a predetermined range as an image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing based on information acquired from the detection apparatus, and the detection result To the inquiring image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus that has received the notification transfers the print job to the notified other image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing.

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