JP2012125961A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem: in a case where a user performs a large amount of printing, if the number of printed sheets reaches the limit number of printed sheets in the midst of printing, printing operation is automatically stopped before reaching the number of printed sheets required by the user.SOLUTION: When the number of printed sheets reaches the limit number of printed sheets for the user in the midst of printing of printing data (S105), a CPU 31 interrupts printing (S106), and carries out printing restart processing. In the printing restart processing, the CPU 31 requires log-in by other users (S206). When accepting the log-in by other users (S211), the CPU 31 restarts the interrupted printing by using the number of printable sheets for the other users (S215).

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus in which a print limit number can be set for each user.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printing apparatuses having an authentication function such as a user ID and a department code are known for performing printing such as copying. In addition, there is disclosed a print limit number set for each user ID, and the print operation is stopped when the print limit number exceeds the set print limit number. (Patent Document 1)

JP 2002-055576 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the user is performing a large amount of printing, if the print limit number is reached in the middle of printing, the printing operation automatically stops before reaching the number of prints requested by the user. . In that case, there is a problem that the requested number of prints cannot be printed unless the user resets the print limit number by the administrator or the like and resends the print data.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and continues printing without going through the administrator even if there is an unexpected interruption in printing due to reaching the print limit number during printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can be used.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, which has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems, includes a printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium based on print data, a user authentication unit that performs user authentication, A printing apparatus that allows a plurality of users to log in multiple times by logging in to another user while the user has been logged in by the user authentication means, and printing provided for each user And control means for executing printing by the printing means within a range not exceeding the total remaining number of print restriction sheets of a plurality of users who have logged in by the user authentication means in accordance with the restriction number.

  According to this printing apparatus, printing is executed within a range that does not exceed the total remaining number of print limits set by a plurality of users who have logged in to the print apparatus, so that the print limit number is reached during printing. Even if the printing is interrupted unexpectedly, printing can be continued without using an administrator.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reaches the print limit number during printing of the logged-in user. The control unit includes an interruption unit that interrupts printing by the printing unit, and when the printing is interrupted by the interruption unit, the control unit requests the login of another user to request the login of the multiple users. Printing by the printing means is continued within a range that does not exceed the total remaining number of print limit sheets.

  According to this printing apparatus, even if there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number during printing, printing can be continued without any trouble by requesting another user to log in. .

  A printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control means is in a state where the user is logged in by the user authentication means, The user authentication unit is permitted to restrict or log in to the user authentication unit, and the permission unit permits the other user to log in when printing is interrupted by the interruption unit. If the printing is not interrupted by the interrupting means, the other user is restricted from logging in.

  According to this printing apparatus, unnecessary multiple logins can be prevented by allowing other users to log in only when there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number during printing. .

  A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the control means stores the remaining print limit number of the other users who have logged in multiple times. When the number is equal to or greater than the number of prints of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, printing by the printing unit is continued.

  According to this printing apparatus, since it is ensured that the remaining number of print limit sheets of other users who have logged in multiplely is equal to or greater than the number of print sheets of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, After restarting, it is possible to prevent the printing from being interrupted again.

  A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the remaining number of print limit sheets of the other users who have logged in multiple times. And a notification means for notifying the log-in request of a user other than the other user when the number of prints of the remaining print data whose printing is interrupted by the control means is smaller.

  According to this printing apparatus, when the remaining number of print limit sheets of other users who log in multiple times is smaller than the print number of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, the number of prints equal to or greater than the print number of the remaining print data is printed. By notifying that another user having the remaining number of the limited number is logged in, it is possible to prevent the printing from being interrupted again after the printing is resumed.

  A printing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the user information relating to the remaining number of print restriction sheets provided for each user is provided. And another user having the remaining number of print limit sheets equal to or greater than the number of prints of the remaining print data whose printing has been interrupted by the control unit based on the user information stored in the storage unit And a display means for displaying at least the user name.

  According to this printing apparatus, by displaying at least the user names of other users having the remaining number of print limit sheets equal to or greater than the number of print data of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, the user can easily make multiple logins. The user can be determined, and convenience can be improved.

  A printing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the control means logs out another user who has logged in multiple times. Then, the printing by the printing unit is continued.

  In response to another user's login request, a user whose printing is interrupted may cause another user to log in by operating the printing apparatus. In this case, if the printing is continued immediately after the other user is authenticated, there is a possibility that the printing result may be seen by the other user. According to this printing apparatus, by continuing printing after another user logs out, it is possible to prevent the printing result from being seen by other users due to continuation of printing.

  A printing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, wherein the printing method of the print data by the printing unit is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Determining means for determining whether or not the multiple login is performed only when the printing unit of the print data is determined to be double-sided printing by the determination means in a state where the multiple login is performed. Printing by the printing unit is continued after the user logs out.

  In response to another user's login request, a user whose printing is interrupted may cause another user to log in by operating the printing apparatus. In this case, if double-sided printing is continued immediately after the other user is authenticated, an image is printed on both sides of the recording medium, so that other users may see the print result. was there.

  According to this printing apparatus, only when the determination unit determines that the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing, double-sided printing is performed by continuing printing by the printing unit after another logged-in user logs out. It is possible to avoid leakage of confidential information on one side facing upward.

  According to this invention, even if there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number during printing, printing can be continued without going through the administrator.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a table which shows the user management information concerning embodiment. 6 is a table showing print limit sheet number management information according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print restart process in the print control process shown in FIG. 5. FIG.

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

<Overall configuration of printer>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer (printing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes an image forming unit 10 that forms an image on a sheet (recording medium). Further, on the upper side of the image forming unit 10, an operation panel 40 having a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display and a button group including a start key, a stop key, a numeric keypad, and the like is provided. Display and user input operations are possible.

  A paper feed tray 91 is provided below the image forming unit 10, and a paper discharge tray 92 is provided above the image forming unit 10. The image forming unit 10 takes out the sheets placed on the paper feed tray 91 one by one, conveys the sheets to the process unit, and transfers the toner image formed in the process unit onto the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing device, and the toner image is thermally fixed on the sheet. Then, the sheet after fixing is discharged to a discharge tray 92.

<Electrical configuration of printer>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 100 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 34, a paper discharge sensor 35, a network interface 36, the image forming unit 10, and an operation panel 40. I have.

  The CPU 31 controls each component of the printer 100 while storing the processing result in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 in accordance with a control program read from the ROM 32 and signals sent from various sensors.

  The ROM 32 stores various control programs for controlling the printer 100, various settings, initial values, and the like.

  The RAM 33 is used as a temporary storage area for various control programs and print data, and as a work area for analyzing print data described in PDL (page description language) and developing it into a bitmap image. .

  The NVRAM 34 stores the tables shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a user management table for managing users registered in advance in the printer 100. This table includes information on a user name, a login state (login or logout), and a user's login reception (login can be accepted or login cannot be accepted).

  FIG. 4 is a print limit number management table for managing the print limit number for each user. This table includes information on the user name, the print limit number X, the print cumulative number Y, and the printable number Z. The print limit number X is the upper limit of the number of pages of print data that can be printed in advance for each user shown in FIG. The accumulated print number Y is the number of pages of print data that the user has printed so far. The printable sheet number Z is a value obtained by subtracting the accumulated print sheet number Y from the print limit sheet number X (that is, Z = X−Y), and is the number of pages of print data that can still be printed by the user. These tables are used in the print control process, and will be described in detail later.

  In addition, a paper discharge sensor 35 is provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge port of the paper discharge tray 92 of the printer 100 to detect that paper has been discharged. The paper discharge sensor 35 outputs a detection signal when it detects that the leading edge of the printed paper has passed through the discharge port. Using this detection signal, the CPU 31 measures the number of pages of print data transmitted by each user at a time as a count value N and stores it in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34. Further, based on the count value N, the CPU 31 updates the accumulated print sheet number Y and the printable sheet number Z in the print limit sheet number management table.

  In the present embodiment, the “number of prints” of the above-described print limit number X, print cumulative number Y, and printable number Z is the same unit as the number of pages of print data (except for Nin1 printing). For example, when the print data printing method is double-sided printing, the printer 100 completes single-sided printing, the leading edge of the paper passes through the discharge port, and the paper discharge sensor detects this paper. And measure. When printing on the other side is completed, the sheet passes through the discharge port and is discharged to the discharge tray 92, and the CPU 31 measures one sheet. That is, when the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing, the number of printed sheets is measured as two by passing through the discharge port twice.

  In addition, when the print data printing method is double-sided printing, the number of printed sheets is measured as one by passing through the discharge port only once or passing through the discharge port twice. Alternatively, the number of printed sheets can be measured as one sheet. Further, when the printing method of the print data is Nin1 printing, “one side” of the paper may be measured as one sheet instead of the number of pages of the print data.

  The network interface 36 is connected to a communication line such as a LAN, and enables connection to an external device such as a computer in which a driver for the printer 100 is incorporated. The printer 100 can exchange print data via the network interface 36.

<Print control processing>
In the printer 100, a print limit number X that can be printed for each user is set in advance. When the accumulated print number Y reaches that value, printing is interrupted, and printing exceeding the print limit number X is performed by another user. Is executed within the range of the printable sheet number Z. Hereinafter, print control processing in the printer 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The print control process is repeatedly executed while the printer 100 is turned on. First, the CPU 31 determines whether print data has been received via a communication line such as a LAN (S101). The determination is repeated until print data is received (S101: No). If it is determined that print data is received (S101: Yes), the print data is temporarily stored in the RAM 33.

  Next, user information such as the name of the user who transmitted the print data is acquired from the header of the print data, and it is authenticated whether the user who transmitted the print data is a user registered in advance in the printer 100 (S102). . Specifically, the print data includes, as a header, a user name logged in to an external device such as a computer, and the CPU 31 acquires the user name acquired from the header and the above-described user management table. Matches with user name.

  When the user who transmitted the print data is not a user registered in the printer 100 If the print data is transmitted by a user who is not registered in the printer 100 (S102: No), the CPU 31 does not print the image data. The data is deleted from the RAM 33 (S111), and the print control process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the user who transmitted the print data is a user registered in the printer 100 (S102: Yes), the CPU 31 shifts to the login state of the user and sets the user who has shifted to the login state as a count target. (S103). More specifically, the CPU 31 initializes the counter value N to 0, and counts the number of printed sheets from when the logged-in user starts printing to when it stops.

  Next, the CPU 31 obtains the print limit number X and the cumulative print number Y of the user to be counted from the print limit number management table stored in the NVRAM 34 (S104).

  The CPU 31 compares the acquired current print accumulated number Y with the print limit number X (S105). When the current print accumulated number Y reaches the print limit number X (Y = X) (S105: No), the image forming unit 10 stops the printing operation and displays a message indicating that printing is interrupted, Alternatively, an external device such as a computer that has transmitted the print data is notified (S106), and the process proceeds to a print restart process described later (S107).

  On the other hand, if the current print cumulative number Y does not reach the print limit number X (Y <X), that is, if this user can continue printing (S105: Yes), the image forming unit 10 uses the print data. The generated bitmap image is printed for one page (S108), and the CPU 31 increments the counter value N (S109). The printed bitmap image is deleted from the RAM 33.

  As described above, the CPU 31 uses the count value N to update the user's print cumulative number Y and printable number Z in the print limit number management table. More specifically, the accumulated print sheet number Y is added by the count value N (ie, Y = Y + N), and the printable sheet number Z is subtracted by the count value N (ie, Z = Z−N).

  If the CPU 31 determines that printing of all the print data has been completed (S110: Yes), the CPU 31 terminates this print control process, and determines that printing of all the print data has not been completed (S110: No). The process proceeds to S105, and the processes of S105 to S110 are repeated until printing of all print data is completed.

<Print resume processing>
Hereinafter, the print resuming process of S107 in the print control process of FIG. 5 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the printing resumption process is started, the CPU 31 completes the generation of the unprinted, that is, the bitmap image of the remaining print data when the printing is interrupted in S106 (S201). More specifically, the CPU 31 analyzes print data described in PDL (page description language) and develops it into a bitmap image.

  When the generation of the remaining bitmap image is completed, it is determined whether there is another user who can print all the remaining bitmap images (S202). Here, the CPU 31 searches the print limit number management table stored in the NVRAM 34 and determines whether there is a user having a printable number Z equal to or more than the number M of pages of the remaining print data (bitmap image). When the generation of all the bitmap images is completed, the CPU 31 can calculate the page number L of the print data, and the remaining page number M of the print data is calculated from the page number L of the print data. (M = L−N). Note that when the print data is received, the CPU 31 is incremented each time a page image L is generated with a page number L set to 0 as an initial value.

  When the CPU 31 determines that there is no other user who can print the remaining print data (S202: No), the print data cannot be printed and the printing operation of the image forming unit 10 is stopped. The display unit of the operation panel 40 or an external device such as a computer that has transmitted the print data is notified that printing is to be stopped (S203). Then, the CPU 31 deletes the generated bitmap image from the RAM 33 (S204), and ends this print control process.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that there are other users who can print the remaining print data (S202: Yes), the operation panel 40 displays a list of user information related to those users, for example, the user name and the printable sheet number Z. Or an external apparatus such as a computer that has transmitted the print data is notified (S205).

  Then, a request to log in another user who can print is notified to the display unit of the operation panel 40 or an external device such as a computer which has transmitted the print data (S206).

  Here, the currently logged-in user has another user log in based on the notified list of user information. The CPU 31 waits until another user logs in (S207: No). For example, another user performs a login operation such as inputting a user name on the login request screen displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 40. Note that the login operation may be performed using the computer being used by the user who transmitted the print data.

  If it is determined that another user has performed the login operation (S207: Yes), it is determined whether the other user who performed the login operation is a user registered in advance in the printer 100 (S102 in FIG. 5). S208).

  If the CPU 31 determines that the user who transmitted the print data is not a user registered in the printer 100 (S208: No), the CPU 31 returns to S205, and until it determines that another user who has performed the login operation is a registered user. The process of S208 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that the user who transmitted the print data is a user registered in the printer 100 (S208: Yes), the CPU 31 uses the print limit number management table stored in the NVRAM 34 to determine the other The user's print limit number X, accumulated print number Y, and printable number Z are obtained (S209).

  Next, the printable sheet number Z of the other user acquired in S209 is compared with the page number M of the remaining print data, and the printable sheet number Z with which the other user can complete printing of the remaining print data is determined. If not (S210: No), the process returns to S205, and until another user who is a registered user and has a printable sheet number Z equal to or more than the number M of pages of the remaining print data performs a login operation. The process of S210 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the other user has a printable number of sheets that can complete the printing of the remaining print data (S210: Yes), the authentication of the other user is completed and the multiple login state is entered. Then, instead of the currently logged-in user, the other user is set as a count target (S211). More specifically, the CPU 31 initializes the counter value to 0, and counts the number of printed sheets from when the other user starts printing until it stops.

  Then, the CPU 31 determines whether the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing (S212). Note that the CPU 31 acquires the print method of the print setting information included in the header of the print data.

  When the printing method of the print data is single-sided printing (S212: No), the CPU 31 indicates that the printing of the printing data is resumed, or an external device such as a computer that has transmitted the printing data. (S213), the process proceeds to S109 in FIG. 5 to complete the printing of the remaining print data.

  When the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing (S212: No), the CPU 31 does not immediately resume printing of the print data, but requests to log out to another user who is currently logged in on the display unit of the operation panel 40. Display or notify an external device such as a computer that has transmitted the print data (S213).

  The CPU 31 continues to display a logout request screen on the display unit of the operation panel 40 or an external device such as a computer that has transmitted the print data until another user who is currently logged in logs out (S214: No). If the CPU 31 determines that another user currently logged in has logged out (S214: Yes), the display unit of the operation panel 40 or the computer that has transmitted the print data indicates that printing of the print data is to be resumed. (S213), the process proceeds to S108 in FIG. 5 to complete printing of the remaining print data.

<Specific example>
Hereinafter, specific examples of executing the above print control processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E and FIGS. 4A to 4C. 3B to 3D show examples of state transition of each user according to the number of pages of the remaining print data when printing is interrupted due to the limited number of prints in the print control process. FIG. 3E is an example showing the state of each user after resuming printing. 4B and 4C are examples of changes in the number of printed sheets for each user when printing is interrupted due to the limited number of prints and after printing is resumed and printing is completed. Details of the user state transition and the number of printed sheets will be described later.

  Here, an example will be described in which user A reaches the print limit number X during printing and requests multiple logins to user B and user C. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is assumed that user A is currently logged in and user B and user C are logged out. Also, as shown in FIG. 4A, the user A's print limit number X, print accumulation number Y, and printable number Z are 1000, 990, and 10, respectively, and user B's print limit number X, print accumulation number Y, and print. Assume that the possible number Z is 1000, 950, and 50, respectively, and that the user C's print limit number X, the accumulated print number Y, and the printable number Z are 1000, 900, and 100, respectively.

  According to this print control process, printing of the print data transmitted from the currently logged-in user A is continued until 10 of the printable number Z becomes 0. When the number of printable sheets Z becomes 0, printing is interrupted (see FIG. 4B).

In this case, a list of other printable user information and a request to log in another printable user are notified to the display unit of the operation panel 40 and the computer being used by the user A. User A refers to a list of other user information, and has other users who can print log in according to the number of pages of remaining print data at the time of interruption.
(Example 1) When the number of remaining print data pages is M = 40 (see FIG. 3B)
As shown in FIG. 4B, the printable sheet counts Z for user B and user C are 50 and 100, respectively. Since both the user B and the user C have the printable number of sheets Z that can complete the printing of the remaining print data, both the user B and the user C can accept the login as shown in FIG. 3B. Therefore, the user names of user B and user C are displayed in a list of other user information that can be printed.
(Example 2) When the number of remaining print data pages is M = 60 (see FIG. 3C)
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4B, the printable sheet numbers Z of the user B and the user C are 50 sheets and 100 sheets, respectively. Since user B does not have the printable number of sheets Z sufficient to complete the printing of the remaining print data, as shown in FIG. 3C, user B cannot accept login. On the other hand, since user C has a printable number of sheets that can complete printing of the remaining print data, user C can accept login as shown in FIG. 3C. Therefore, the user names of user B and user C are displayed in a list of other user information that can be printed.
(Example 3) When the number of remaining print data pages is M = 120 (see FIG. 3D)
As shown in FIG. 4B, the printable sheet counts Z for user B and user C are 50 and 100, respectively. Since neither the user B nor the user C has the printable number of sheets Z that can complete the printing of the remaining print data, neither the user B nor the user C can accept the login as shown in FIG. 3D. Therefore, it is displayed that there is no user who can print in the list of other printable user information.

  Here, in (Example 1), assuming that user B has logged in multiple times, as shown in FIG.

  Further, when the interrupted printing is resumed by the login of the user B and the printing of the remaining print data is completed, as shown in FIG. 4C, the accumulated print number Y and the printable number Z of the user B are set to 950 and 50, respectively. Become.

<Effect>
According to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, even if there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number X during printing, printing is continued without any trouble by requesting another user to log in. can do.

  Also, according to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, when the number of printable sheets Z of other users who have logged in multiple is equal to or more than the number M of pages of remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, printing by the image forming unit 10 is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing from being interrupted again by reaching the print limit number X of another user after resuming printing.

  Also, according to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, when the number of printable sheets Z of other users who have logged in multiplely is less than the number M of remaining print data pages for which printing has been interrupted, the remaining print data pages By notifying that another user having a printable sheet number Z of several M or more is logged in, after printing is resumed, printing is prevented from being interrupted again by reaching the print limit sheet number X of another user. be able to.

  In addition, according to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, by logging in another user who has a printable number of pages equal to or greater than the number of pages M of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted, It is possible to prevent an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the user's print limit number X again.

  In addition, according to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, the user can easily display by displaying at least the user names of other users having the printable number of sheets Z equal to or more than the number of pages M of the remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted. Other users who can log in multiple times can be determined, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the printer 100 of the present embodiment, when there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number X during printing, it is possible that another user operates the printer 100 and logs in. It is done. In this case, if double-sided printing is continued immediately after the other user is authenticated, the image is printed on both sides of the paper, so there is a possibility that the other user can see the print result. It was. According to the printer 100 of this embodiment, only when it is determined that the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing, by continuing to print after another user who has logged in multiple times logs out, It is possible to avoid leakage of confidential information on one side.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this Embodiment is only a mere illustration and does not limit this invention at all. Therefore, the present invention can be variously improved and modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to a printer, and can be applied to any apparatus having at least a printing function, such as a multifunction machine. The image forming method of the process unit is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an ink jet method.

  In the above embodiment, the print control process for printing print data transmitted to an external device such as a computer has been described as an example. However, the present invention may be applied to a copy process. In this case, any printing apparatus having a reading function in addition to the printing function can be applied. In this case, a login operation may be performed on the operation panel 40 of the printer 100. If the printing is interrupted due to the limited number of prints in S106 in FIG. 5, the CPU 31 scans all originals with the reading device instead of generating a bitmap image from the remaining print data in S201 in FIG. A bitmap image may be generated from the read data.

  In the above embodiment, when the cumulative number of prints Y reaches the print limit number Z, printing is interrupted and another user's login is requested. If the configuration is understood, another user may be requested to log in without interrupting printing. Specifically, if an external device such as a computer calculates the number of pages L of the print data before sending the print data to the printer 100 and adds it to the header of the print data, the CPU 31 causes the printer 100 to The page number L can be obtained from the header before generating a bitmap image from the print data. Then, the CPU 31 compares the printable sheet number Z of the logged-in user with the page number L of the print data. If the printable sheet number Z is smaller than the page number L, the CPU 31 may request another user to log in. After another user has logged in multiple times, the printable sheet number Z of the other user is acquired, and when the total number of printable sheets Z of these users who have logged in multiple is greater than the page number L of the print data, The printing of the print data may be started.

  As a result, printing is executed within a range that does not exceed the total remaining number of print limit sheets (printable sheet number Z) set for a plurality of users who have logged in to the printer 100. Even if there is an unexpected interruption of printing due to reaching, printing can be continued without going through the administrator.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 100 does not allow multiple logins in principle while a certain user is logged in, but only when there is an unexpected print interruption due to reaching the print limit number X during printing. May be allowed to log in. Thereby, unnecessary multiple logins can be prevented.

  In S205 of FIG. 6, the CPU 31 displays a list of user information related to other users who can print the remaining print data. However, the list of user information may not be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 31 determines whether the print data printing method is double-sided printing in S212, but does not determine the print data printing method, and after another user logs out regardless of the printing method. Printing may be resumed. Further, instead of determining whether the print data printing method is duplex printing in S212, the type of print data may be determined. In this case, if the print data is confidential print data such as a secure printer function, printing is resumed after another user logs out. If the print data is general print data other than confidential print data, printing is resumed as it is. Let me.

  Accordingly, by continuing printing after another user logs out, it is possible to prevent the printing result from being seen by other users due to continuation of printing.

  In the above embodiment, the user may log in from an external device such as a computer, or may log in by inputting to the operation panel 40 of the printer 100. Further, when the printer 100 includes a personal authentication device such as a card reader, it is possible to log in only by holding an ID card or other identification card over the printer 100.

10 Image forming unit 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 NVRAM
40 Operation panel 36 Network I / F
100 printer

Claims (8)

Printing means for printing an image on a recording medium based on the print data;
User authentication means for authenticating a user,
A printing apparatus in which a plurality of users can log in multiple times by logging in another user while the user is logged in by the user authentication means,
Control means for executing printing by the printing means within a range not exceeding the total remaining number of print restriction sheets of a plurality of users who have logged in by the user authentication means, according to the print restriction number provided for each user;
A printing apparatus comprising:
The control means includes interruption means for interrupting printing by the printing means when the printing limit number is reached during printing of the logged-in user,
When the printing is interrupted by the interrupting unit, the control unit requests another user to log in, and the control unit does not exceed the total remaining number of the printing limit sheets of the plurality of users who have logged in multiple times. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing by the printing unit is continued.
The control means includes permission means for permitting or restricting the user authentication means that another user logs in while the user has been logged in by the user authentication means,
The permission unit permits the other user to log in when printing is interrupted by the interrupting unit, and restricts the other user from logging in when printing is not interrupted by the interrupting unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.
The control means continues printing by the printing means when the remaining number of print limit sheets of the other users who log in multiple times is equal to or greater than the print number of remaining print data for which printing has been interrupted. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.
When the remaining number of print limit sheets of other users who have logged in multiplely is less than the number of print data remaining for which printing has been interrupted by the control means, a login request from a user other than the other user is notified. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit configured to perform notification.
A storage unit for storing user information regarding the remaining number of print limit sheets provided for each user;
Based on the user information stored in the storage unit, at least the user names of other users having the remaining number of print limit sheets equal to or greater than the number of print data of the remaining print data whose printing has been interrupted by the control means are displayed. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit continues printing by the printing unit after another user who has logged in multiple times logs out.
Determining means for determining whether the printing method of the print data by the printing means is single-sided printing or double-sided printing;
The control unit is configured to log out the other user who has logged in multiple times and log in only when the determination unit determines that the printing method of the print data is double-sided printing in the multiple login state. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the printing is continued.