JP2012131125A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately allocate, even when a user belongs to more than one group, the number of sheets to be printed for the user to the number of sheets to be printed for each group to which the user belongs.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus, which is designed to form an image on the basis of input user identification information and image forming data, includes: an input interface section 310 for inputting user identification information and image forming data; a usage-amount storage section 343 for storing the amount of a consumable used to form an image for each user identification information item; a group information storage section 344 for storing information of a group or groups a user belong(s) to, which is/are identified by a user identification information item; a usable-amount storage section 345 for setting the usable amount for each group; a group usage determination section 346 for determining the consumable usage-amount for each group according to the consumable usage for each user identification information, the group information, and the usable amount for each group; and a group usage storage section 347 for storing the consumable usage amount for each group.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of limiting the number of printed sheets for each predetermined group, for example.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, in order to reduce the cost of printing, an upper limit value for the number of prints is set in advance for each individual or department, and printing is performed when the upper limit value is reached. Has been banned. There is also a method in which even if the number of prints in the lower department reaches the upper limit, if the number of prints in the upper department has not reached the upper limit, printing is continued by obtaining permission from the upper department. .

  As such a technique, there exists a thing of patent document 1, for example. That is, in Patent Document 1, if the limit value set by the upper department setting means of the upper department to which the image data whose printing has been stopped by the lower department print stopping means is less than or equal to the limit value, permission to continue printing is issued. An image forming apparatus and method for resuming printing of stopped image data upon requesting printing and obtaining permission for printing are disclosed.

JP 2006-123290 A

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus and the method thereof have a problem that the number of printed sheets of users belonging to a plurality of departments cannot be counted correctly and an upper limit value cannot be set for a special group unit other than the departments.

  In view of the above technical problem, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately assigning the number of printed sheets of a user to the number of printed sheets of the group even if the user belongs to a plurality of groups. And an image forming system.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, an image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input user identification information and image formation data. From the input unit for inputting the identification information and the image formation data, the usage amount storage unit for storing the usage amount of the consumable used for the image formation for each user identification information, and the user identification information A group information storage unit for storing group information to which the identified user belongs, an available amount storage unit for setting the usable amount for each group, and a consumption amount for each group are determined. , A group usage determining unit for determining the usage of the consumable for each group according to the usage of the consumable for each of the user identification information, the group information, and the available for each group It is characterized in that and a group using amount storage unit that stores the amount of consumables of each group.

  An image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input user identification information and image forming data, and a consumable used for image formation in the image forming apparatus. In an image forming system comprising a management device for managing the usage amount of a product, the management device includes an input unit for inputting the user identification information and the image formation data, and a usage amount of the consumable product. A usage amount storage unit for storing each user identification information, a group information storage unit for storing group information to which a user identified by the user identification information belongs, and a usable amount for each group can be set. A storage unit for determining the amount of consumables used for each group, the amount of consumables used for each user identification information, the group information, and the usage for each group; A group usage amount determination unit that determines the usage amount of the consumables for each group according to the capacity, and a group usage amount storage unit that stores the usage amount of the consumables for each group. Yes.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention, even when the user belongs to a plurality of groups, it is possible to appropriately assign the number of printed sheets of the user to the number of printed sheets of the belonging group. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a printable sheet number setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an affiliation group setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a group management table. It is a figure which shows an example of a user management table. 6 is a flowchart for describing processing for setting a printable sheet number for each group by the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting a group to which a user belongs by the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting a group to which a user belongs by the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the printer receives a user name and a print job in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the printer receives a user name and a print job in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus and image forming system which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a printable sheet number setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an affiliation group setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a group management table. It is a figure which shows an example of a user management table. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting a printable sheet number for each group by a management apparatus in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for setting a group to which a user belongs in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for setting a group to which a user belongs in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the printer receives a user name and a print job in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the management apparatus receives an inquiry as to whether printing is possible and stores the number of printed sheets in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the management apparatus receives an inquiry as to whether printing is possible and stores the number of printed sheets in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention are not limited to the following description, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(First embodiment)

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, a computer 200 a and a computer 200 b are connected to a printer 300 as an “image forming apparatus” via a network 100, and they are in an environment where they can communicate with each other.

  The computers 200 a and 200 b transmit a user name as “user identification information” and a print job as “image formation data” to the printer 300.

  The printer 300 as an “image forming apparatus” includes an input / output interface 310 as an “input unit”, a touch panel 320, a print permission determination unit 341, a print processing unit 342, a usage amount storage unit 343, a group information storage unit 344, and can be used. An amount storage unit 345, a group usage amount determination unit 346, a group usage amount storage unit 347, and a hard disk 350, and “consumables” as “image formation” based on a print job input from the input / output interface 310. Printing is performed on the recording paper.

  In such a configuration, the input / output interface 310 is a part that receives a user name and a print job via the network 100. The touch panel 320 is used to display the printable sheet number setting screen 321 and the affiliation group setting screen 322 and to input setting items.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the printable sheet number setting screen 321.

  As shown in the figure, the printable sheet number setting screen 321 has a group code field 321a for inputting a group code for setting, a printable sheet number field 321b for inputting a printable sheet number, and a save button 321c for saving the setting. And an end button 321d for ending the setting, and a software keyboard 321e for inputting a group code and the number of printable sheets. When the group code column 321a and the printable sheet number column 321b are touched, input to the column becomes possible, and when the printable sheet number setting screen 321 is first displayed, the group code column 321a can be input.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the affiliation group setting screen 322.

  As shown in the figure, the affiliation group setting screen 322 includes a user name field 322a for inputting a user name to be set, a group code list 322b for checking a group code to which the user belongs, and an input of the user name. A software keyboard 322c to be executed, a save button 322d for saving the setting, and an end button 322e for ending the setting are configured. The group code stored in the group management table 351 is displayed in the group code list 322b. In this example, when the group code check box of the group code list 322b is touched once, the check is made, and when touched again, the check is removed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the print number measurement unit 340 is a part that measures the number of prints of a print job. The print permission determination unit 341 is a part that determines whether printing is permitted or not, depending on whether the total number of printed sheets reaches the printable number even in one of the groups to which the user who performed printing belongs. . The number of printed sheets as “consumable consumption” is the number of printed recording sheets. The total number of printed sheets is the total number of printed sheets for each group. The printable number of sheets as “usable amount” is the number of printable sheets for each group.

  The print processing unit 342 is a part that controls printing based on a print job. The usage amount storage unit 343 is a part that stores the total number of printed pages for each user in the user management table 352. In other words, the usage amount storage unit 343 is a part that stores the usage amount of the consumables used for image formation in the user management table 352 for each user identification information.

  The group information storage unit 344 is a part that stores the group code to which the user belongs in the user management table 352. The usable amount storage unit 345 is a part for setting the usable amount for each group. That is, the usable amount storage unit 345 is a part that stores the set number of printable sheets for each group in the group management table 351.

  The group usage determining unit 346 is a part that determines the usage of consumables for each group. That is, the group usage determining unit 346 determines the usage of consumables for each group according to the usage of consumables for each user identification information, the group information, and the usable amount for each group. More specifically, the group usage amount determination unit 346 is a part that calculates and determines the total number of prints of each group based on the ratio of the number of prints for each user and the standard printable number of groups to which the user belongs.

  The group usage amount storage unit 347 is a portion that stores the usage amount of consumables for each group in the group management table 351. In other words, the group usage storage unit 347 is a part that stores the total number of prints for each group in the group management table 351.

  The hard disk 350 stores a group management table 351 and a user management table 352.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the group management table 351.

  As shown in the figure, this group management table 351 has an area for storing a group code 351A, a printable sheet number 351B, a total print sheet number 351C, a number of assigned users 351D, and a standard printable sheet number 351E for each group code. is doing. The number of belonging users 351D is the number of users belonging to the group. The standard printable sheet number 351E is a value obtained by dividing the printable sheet number 351B by the number of affiliated users 351D. Here, for example, for the group code “0001”, the number of printable sheets is “150”, the total number of printed sheets is “129”, the number of belonging users is “3”, and the standard number of printable sheets is 150 ÷ 3 = “50”. ing.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the user management table 352.

  As shown in the figure, the user management table 352 has an area for storing a user name 352A, an assigned group code 352B, a total print number 352C, and a group-specific print number 352D for each user. The affiliation group code 352B is a group code to which the user belongs. When one user belongs to a plurality of groups, the group code is stored separated by commas. The number of prints by group 352D is the number of prints assigned to each group from the number of prints for each user. The group code is stored in the form of the number of printed sheets, separated for each group by a comma. Here, for example, for the user name “user10”, the group code is “0001,0002”, the number of printed sheets is “55”, and the number of printed sheets by group is “0001 = 34,0002 = 21”. .

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

  First, an operation for setting the printable number of sheets for each group by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing for setting the printable number of sheets for each group.

  When the function for setting the printable sheet number for each group is selected, a printable sheet number setting screen 321 is displayed on the touch panel 320 (S101), and the group code column 321a can be input (S102). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an input has been made with the software keyboard 321e (S103). When input is made with the software keyboard 321e (S103 branches to Yes), the currently inputable field is updated with the input contents (S104). ), The process returns to S103.

  If no input has been made on the software keyboard 321e (S103 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the group code column 321a has been touched (S105). If the group code column 321a has been touched (S105 branches to Yes). ), The group code field 321a can be input (S106), and the process returns to S103.

  If the group code field 321a has not been touched (S105 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the printable sheet number field 321b has been touched (S107), and if the printable sheet number field 321b has been touched ( S107 is branched to Yes), the printable sheet number field 321b can be input (S108), and the process returns to S103.

  If the printable number field 321b is not touched (S107 is branched to No), it is determined whether or not the end button 321d is pressed (S109). If the end button 321d is pressed (Yes in S109). Branching to), the printable sheet number setting screen 321 is closed (S110), and a series of processing is ended.

  If the end button has not been pressed (S109 branches to No), it is determined whether the save button 321c has been pressed (S111), and if the save button 321c has not been pressed (S111 branches to No). Returning to S103, when the save button 321c is pressed (S111 branches to Yes), it is determined whether a number is entered in either the group code field 321a or the printable sheet number field 321b (S112). If a number other than a number is input (S112 branches to No), an error message is displayed on the touch panel 320 (S113), and the process returns to S103.

  If a number is correctly entered in either the group code field 321a or the printable sheet number field 321b (S112 branches to Yes), the contents of the group code field 321a are added to the group management table 351, the group code 351A, The contents of the printable sheet number field 321b are stored in the printable sheet number 351B, 0 is stored in the total print sheet number 351C, the number of assigned users 351D, and the standard printable sheet number 351E (S114). Is deleted (S115), the process returns to S102, and the above process is repeated.

  Next, an operation for setting a group to which a user belongs by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining processing for setting a group to which a user belongs.

  When the function for setting the group to which the user belongs is selected, the belonging group setting screen 322 is displayed on the touch panel 320 (S201). Then, all group codes 351A are read from the group management table 351 (S202) and displayed in the group code list 322b (S203).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an input has been made with the software keyboard 322c (S204). When the input has been made with the software keyboard 322c (S204 branches to Yes), the user name input field 322a is updated with the input content (S205). , Return to S204.

  If it is not input from the software keyboard 322c (S204 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the group code check box in the group code list 322b is touched (S206), and the group code check box in the group code list 322b is checked. Is touched (S206 branches to Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a check (S207). If there is a check (S207 branches to Yes), the check is removed (S208) and there is no check. If so (branch S207 to No), check (S209) and return to S204.

  When the group code check box of the group code list 322b is not touched (S206 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the end button 322e is pressed (S210). When the end button 322e is pressed, (S210 branches to Yes), the affiliation group setting screen 322 is closed (S211), and a series of processing ends.

  If the end button 322e has not been pressed (S210 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the save button 322d has been pressed (S212). If the save button 322d has not been pressed (S212 branches to No). ), The process returns to S204. On the other hand, when the save button 322d is pressed (S212 branches to Yes), it is determined whether or not the user name field 322a is entered (S213). When the user name field 322a is not input (S213 is branched to No), an error message is displayed on the touch panel 320 (S214), and the process returns to S204.

  If the user name field 322a is entered (S213 branches to Yes), the user management table 352 is checked with the contents of the user name field 322a for the user name 352A and the group code list 322b for the group code 352B. The group codes separated by commas are separated by commas in the form of group code = 0 for all the group codes for which the total number of printed sheets 352C is checked and 0 and the group code number 352D is checked in the group code list 322b. A thing is stored (S215).

  Subsequently, the printable sheet number 351B and the number of belonging users 351D of the entry whose group code with the checked group code list 322b matches the group code 351A of the group management table 351 are read (S216). Is added to the number of assigned users 351D of the group management table 351 (S217), and the value obtained by dividing the read printable number by the number of assigned users is written to the standard printable number 351E (S218). The contents are erased (S219), the process returns to S204, and the above process is repeated.

  Next, the user name (user10) and the print job (10 printed sheets) are transmitted from the computer 200a to the printer 300 via the network 100 by the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 9, and 10. FIG.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating processing when the printer 300 receives a user name and a print job. It is assumed that the group management table 351 is in the state of FIG. 4 and the user management table 352 is in the state of FIG.

  The input / output interface 310 passes the received user name (user10) and print job to the print number measurement unit 340 (S301). The print number measurement unit 340 measures the number of prints of the received print job, and passes the user name (user10), the print job, and the number of prints (10) to the print permission determination unit 341 (S302). The print permission determination unit 341 determines whether there is an entry in which the received user name (user10) matches the user name 352A of the user management table 352 (S303). If there is no entry (S303 branches to No) ), This process is terminated.

  If there is an entry in which the received user name (user10) matches the user name 352A in the user management table 352 (S303 branches to Yes), the user name (user10) and the number of printed sheets (10 ) Is passed (S304). The group usage determining unit 346 receives the group name 352B (0001,0002) of the entry whose user name (user10) matches the user name 352A of the user management table 352, (55) of the total number of printed sheets 352C, and the group. 0001 = 34, 0002 = 21 of another print number 352D is read (S305), and for all group codes to which it belongs, the printable number 351B, the total print number 351C of the entry that matches the group code 351A of the group management table 351, The standard printable number of sheets 351E is read (S306), and the total printable number of users (55) plus the number of printable sheets (10) is multiplied by the number of standard printable sheets of each group (65) to obtain the standard printout of all groups. Calculate the value divided by the total number of possible sheets (0001 is 65 × 50 ÷ (50 + 30) = 40.625, 0002 is 65 × 30 ÷ (50 + 30) = 24.375) (S307) The integer value is set as the number of prints assigned to each group (S308).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S309). If there is no surplus number (S309 branches to No), the process proceeds to S311. If there is a surplus number that could not be assigned to (S309 branches to Yes), the calculation result of S307 is assigned in order of the group with the largest decimal point (in this example, the remainder is 65-40-24 = 1 sheet) Therefore, 0001 is 40.625 and 0002 is 24.375, so one is assigned to 0001, 41 is 0001, and 24 is 0002) (S310).

  Next, the difference between the number of prints assigned to each group and the number of prints by group (in this example, 0001 is 41-34 = 7 sheets and 0002 is 24-21 = 3 sheets) is the current total print of each group The value added to the number of sheets is set as the total number of printed sheets of each group (S311), and the group code and the total number of printed sheets of each group are returned to the print permission determining unit 341 (S312).

  The print permission determining unit 341 compares the total number of prints of each group with the number of printable sheets of each group (S313), and if the total number of prints of each group is larger (S313 branches to Yes), End the process. If both numbers are equal or the total number of printed sheets is smaller, the received user name and print job are passed to the print processing unit 342 (S314). The print processing unit 342 prints the received print job (S315), and passes the actual number of printed sheets (10) and the received user name (user10) to the usage amount storage unit 343 (S316).

  The usage amount storage unit 343 reads the total print number 352C of the entry whose user name 352A matches the user name received from the user management table 352 (S317), and uses the received print number (10) as the total print number (55). In addition (S318), the value is stored in the total number of printed sheets 352C of the user management table 352 (S319), and the user name and the number of printed sheets are passed to the group usage determining unit 346 (S320).

  The group usage amount determination unit 346 reads the group code 352B (0001, 0002) of the entry in which the received user name and the user name 352A of the user management table 352 match, the total number of printed sheets 352C, and the number of printed sheets 352D for each group (S321). ) For all the group codes to which it belongs, the standard printable sheet number 351E of the entry that matches the group code 351A of the group management table 351 is read (S322), and the number of printed sheets (10) is set as the total number of printed sheets (55) of the user. Multiply the standard number of printable sheets of each group by the added number of sheets (65) and divide by the total number of standard printable sheets of all groups (0001 is 65 x 50 ÷ (50 + 30) = 40.625, 0002 is 65 × 30 ÷ (50 + 30) = 24.375) (S323), and the integer value is set as the number of prints assigned to each group (S324).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S325). If there is no surplus number (S325 is branched to No), the process proceeds to S327. If there is a surplus number that could not be assigned to (S325 is branched to Yes), the calculation result of S323 is assigned in order of the group with the largest value after the decimal point (in this example, the remainder is 65-40-24 = 1 sheet) Therefore, 0001 is 40.625 and 0002 is 24.375, so one is assigned to 0001, and 0001 is 41 and 0002 is 24) (S326).

  Next, the difference between the number of prints assigned to each group and the number of prints by group (in this example, 0001 is 41-34 = 7 sheets and 0002 is 24-21 = 3 sheets) is the current total print of each group The value added to the number of sheets is used as the total number of prints for each group (S327), and the number of prints assigned to each group is stored in the print number 352D for each group in the user management table 352 (S328). The number is transferred to the group usage storage unit 347 (S329). The group usage storage unit 347 stores the total number of prints of the group in the total number of prints 351C of the group management table 351 (in this example, 0001 is 136 sheets and 0002 is 134 sheets) (S330), End the process.

  In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a plurality of users belong to one group has been described. However, a case where one user belongs to one group is also included. In the first embodiment, an example in which the amount of consumables used is the number of printed sheets has been described.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on a user name as input user identification information and a print job as image formation data. An input interface unit 310 as an input unit for inputting user identification information and image formation data, a usage amount storage unit 343 for storing the usage amount of consumables used for image formation, for each user identification information, A group information storage unit 344 that stores group information to which the user identified by the user identification information belongs, an available amount storage unit 345 that sets an available amount for each group, and a consumption amount of consumables for each group The use of consumables for each group is determined according to the amount of consumables used for each user identification information, the group information, and the usable amount for each group. Group amount determination unit 346 for determining the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a group using amount storage unit 347 for storing the amount of consumables for each group is provided.

  Here, the consumption amount of the consumables is the number of printed sheets, and the group usage amount determining unit 346 calculates the total number of printed sheets of each group by the ratio of the number of printed sheets for each user and the standard printable number of the group to which the user belongs. It may be determined.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, even when a user belongs to a plurality of groups, it is possible to appropriately assign the number of prints of the user to the number of prints of the group.

  (Second embodiment)

  The configurations of the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, computers 200a and 200b, printers 300a and 300b as “image forming apparatuses”, and a management apparatus 400 are connected via a network 100, and each of them can communicate freely. Yes.

  The computers 200a and 200b transmit a user name as “user identification information” and a print job as “image formation data” to the printer 300a or 300b.

  The printers 300 a and 300 b include an input / output interface 310 as an “input unit”, a print number measurement unit 340, a print permission inquiry unit 348, and a print processing unit 342, and prints input from the input / output interface 310. Based on the job, printing is performed on recording paper as “consumables” as “image formation”. In this example, it is assumed that the printer 300b and the printer 300a have the same configuration.

  The input / output interface 310 is a part that receives a user name and a print job via the network 100. The print number measurement unit 340 is a part that measures the number of prints of a print job. The print permission inquiry unit 348 is a part that notifies the management apparatus 400 of the user name and the number of prints, and inquires whether printing is permitted. The print processing unit 342 is a part that controls printing based on a print job.

  The management apparatus 400 includes an input / output interface 410, a display 420, a keyboard 430, a print permission determination unit 441, a usage amount storage unit 443, a group information storage unit 444, an available amount storage unit 445, a group usage amount determination unit 446, and a group usage. The volume storage unit 447 and the hard disk 450 are configured to permit printing based on the user name and the number of prints input from the input / output interface 410.

  The display 420 displays the printable sheet number setting screen 421 and the belonging group setting screen 422 and inputs setting items.

  Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the printable sheet number setting screen 421.

  As shown in the figure, the printable sheet number setting screen 421 has a group code field 421a for inputting a group code for setting, a printable sheet number field 421b for inputting a printable sheet number, and a save button 421c for saving the setting. And an end button 421d for ending the setting.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of the affiliation group setting screen 422.

  As shown in the figure, the affiliation group setting screen 422 has a user name field 422a for inputting a user name to be set, a group code list 422b for checking a group code to which the user belongs, and a save for saving the setting. The button 422c and an end button 422d for ending the setting are configured. In the group code list 422b, the group code 451A stored in the group management table 451 is displayed. In this example, a check is made when the check box of the group code in the group code list 422b is clicked, and the check is removed when the check is clicked again.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 11, the print permission determination unit 441 determines whether or not to permit printing depending on whether or not the total number of prints has reached the printable number even in one of the groups to which the user who performed printing belongs. It is a part to judge whether to do. The number of printed sheets as “use amount” is the number of printed recording sheets. The total number of printed sheets is the total number of printed sheets for each group. The printable number of sheets as “usable amount” is the number of printable sheets for each group. The usage amount storage unit 443 is a part that stores the total number of prints for each user in the user management table 452. In other words, the usage amount storage unit 443 is a part that stores the usage amount of consumables for each user identification information.

  The group information storage unit 444 is a part that stores the group code of the group to which the user belongs in the user management table 452. The usable amount storage unit 445 is a part that stores the set number of printable sheets for each group in the group management table 451. That is, the usable amount storage unit 445 is a part for setting the usable amount for each group.

  The group usage amount determination unit 446 is a part that determines the usage amount of consumables for each group. That is, the group usage determining unit 446 is a part that calculates and determines the total number of prints of each group based on the ratio of the number of prints for each user to the standard printable number of groups to which the user belongs. The group usage storage unit 447 stores the usage of consumables for each group. That is, the group usage amount storage unit 447 is a part that stores the total number of prints for each group in the group management table 451.

  The hard disk 450 stores a group management table 451 and a user management table 452.

  Here, FIG. 14 shows an example of the group management table 451.

  The group management table 451 includes an area for storing a group code 451A, a printable sheet number 451B, a total print sheet number 451C, an assigned user number 451D, and a standard printable sheet number 451E for each group code. The number of affiliated users 451D is the number of users belonging to the group. The standard printable sheet number 451E is a value obtained by dividing the printable sheet number 451B by the number of affiliated users 451D. For example, in the group code “0001”, the number of printable sheets is “200”, the total number of printed sheets is “158”, the number of affiliated users is “4”, and the standard number of printable sheets is “50”.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the user management table 452.

  The user management table 452 includes an area for storing a user name 452A, an assigned group code 452B, a total number of printed sheets 452C, and a group-specific number of printed sheets 452D for each user. The affiliation group code 452B is a group code to which the user belongs. When one user belongs to a plurality of groups, the group code is stored separated by commas. The group-by-group printing number 452D is the number of printings allocated for each group from the printing number for each user. The group code is stored in the form of the number of printed sheets, separated for each group by a comma. For example, for the user name “user10”, the group code is “0001,0002”, the number of printed sheets is “55”, and the number of printed sheets for each group is “0001 = 34,0002 = 21”.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

  Next, an operation for setting the printable sheet number for each group by the management apparatus 400 in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 14, and 16.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the management apparatus 400 sets the printable number of sheets for each group.

  When the function for setting the printable sheet number for each group is selected, a printable sheet number setting screen 421 is displayed on the display 420 (S401). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an input has been made with the keyboard 430 (S402). If the input has been made with the keyboard 430 (S402 branches to Yes), the display is updated with the input content (S403), and the process returns to S402. When the input is not performed on the keyboard 430 (S402 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the end button 421d is pressed (S404). When the end button 421d is pressed (S404 branches to Yes), The printable sheet number setting screen 421 is closed (S405), and the process ends.

  If the end button 421d has not been pressed (S404 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the save button 421c has been pressed (S406). If the save button 421c has not been pressed (S406 branches to No). ) Returning to S402, when the save button 421c is pressed (S406 branches to Yes), it is determined whether a number is entered in either the group code field 421a or the printable sheet number field 421b (S407). Is not input, or other than numbers are input (S407 branches to No), an error message is displayed on the display 420 (S408), and the process returns to S402.

  If numbers are correctly entered in both the group code field 421a and the printable sheet number field 421b, the group management table 451 stores the group code 451A in the group code field 421a and the printable sheet number 451B in the printable sheet number. The contents of the field 421b are stored as 0 in the total number of printed sheets 451C, the number of assigned users 451D, and the standard printable number 451E (S409), and the contents of the group code field 421a and the printable number field 421b are deleted (S410). Returning to S402, the above process is repeated.

  Next, an operation of setting a group to which a user belongs by the management apparatus 400 in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 15, 17, and 18. .

  FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts for explaining processing in which the management apparatus 400 sets a group to which a user belongs.

  When the function for setting the group to which the user belongs is selected, the belonging group setting screen 422 is displayed on the display 420 (S501). All group codes are read from the group management table 451 (S502) and displayed in the group code list 422b (S503).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an input has been made with the keyboard 430 (S504). If the input has been made with the keyboard 430 (S504 branches to Yes), the display is updated with the input content (S505), and the process returns to S504.

  If the input is not made on the keyboard 430 (S504 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the group code check box in the group code list 422b is clicked (S506), and the group code check box in the group code list 422b is checked. When is clicked (S506 branches to Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a check (S507). If there is a check (S507 branches to Yes), the check is removed (S508), if there is no check (Branch S507 to No), put a check (S509), and return to S504.

  When the group code check box in the group code list 422b is not clicked (S506 branches to No), it is determined whether or not the end button 422d is pressed (S510), and the end button 422d is pressed. (S510 branches to Yes), closes the group setting screen 422 (S511), and ends the process.

  If the end button 422d has not been pressed (S510 branches to No), it is determined whether the save button 422c has been pressed (S512). If the save button 422c has not been pressed (S512 branches to No). ), The process returns to S504. On the other hand, when the save button 422c is pressed (S512 branches to Yes), it is determined whether or not the user name field 422a is entered (S513), and the user name field 422a is entered. If not (S513: No), an error message is displayed on the display 420 (S514), and the process returns to S504.

  If it has been entered in the user name field 422a (S513 branches to Yes), the user management table 452 is checked with the contents of the user name field 422a in the user name 452A and the group code list 422b in the group code 452B. The group codes separated by commas are separated by commas in the format of group code = 0 for all group codes with the group code list 422b checked for the total number of printed sheets 452C and 0 for the total number of printed sheets 452C. A thing is stored (S515).

  Subsequently, the printable number 451B and the number of affiliation users 451D of the entry whose group code with the group code list 422b checked matches the group code 451A of the group management table 451 are read (S516). Is added to the number of affiliated users 451D (S517). Then, a value obtained by dividing the read printable number by the number of assigned users is written in the standard printable number 451E (S518). The contents of the user name column 422a are deleted (S519), and the process returns to S504 and the above process is repeated.

  Next, in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a user name (User20) and a print job (20 printed sheets) are transmitted from the computer 200b to the printer 300a via the network 100. Will be described with reference to FIGS. 11, 14, 15, and 19 to 21. It is assumed that the group management table is in the state shown in FIG. 14 and the user management table is in the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the printer 300a or 300b receives a user name and a print job.

  The input / output interface 310 of the printer 300a passes the received user name (User20) and the print job to the print number measurement unit 340 (S601). The print number measurement unit 340 measures the number of prints of the received print job, and passes the user name (User20), the print job, and the number of prints (20) to the print permission inquiry unit 348 (S602).

  The print permission inquiry unit 348 sends the received user name (User20) and the number of printed sheets (20) to the management apparatus 400, and inquires whether printing is possible (S603). In this way, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the management apparatus 400 (S604), and it waits until there is a response. Is sent to the print permission inquiry unit 348 (S605).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not printing is possible (S606), and the printing permission inquiry unit 348 terminates this processing when printing is not permitted (S606 is branched to No), and when printing is permitted (S606). Branch to Yes), and pass the user name and print job to the print processing unit 342 (S607). The print processing unit 342 prints the received print job (S608), transmits the number of printed sheets (20) actually printed and the received user name (User20) to the management apparatus 400 (S609), and performs processing. finish.

  20 and 21 are flowcharts for explaining processing when the management apparatus 400 receives an inquiry as to whether printing is possible and stores the number of printed sheets.

  The management apparatus 400 determines whether or not it is an inquiry about whether printing is possible (S701), and the input / output interface 410 of the management apparatus 400 receives an inquiry about whether printing is possible (branch S701 to Yes). The user name (for example, User 20) and the number of printed sheets (for example, 20) are passed to the print permission determination unit 441 (S702). The print permission determining unit 441 determines whether there is an entry in which the received user name (User20) matches the user name 452A of the user management table 452 (S703). If there is no matching entry (S703). Branch to No), and return permission of printing to the printer 300a through the input / output interface 410 (S715).

  If there is a matching entry (S703 branches to Yes), the user name and the number of prints are passed to the group usage determination unit 446 (S704). The group usage amount determination unit 446 assigns the group code 452B (0001,0002,0003) of the entry whose received user name (User20) matches the user name 452A of the user management table 452, the total number of printed sheets 452C, and the number of printed sheets by group. 452D is read (S705), and for all group codes to which it belongs, the printable sheet number 451B, the total print sheet number 451C, and the standard printable sheet number 451E of the entry that matches the group code 451A of the group management table 451 are read (S706). Multiply the total printable number of users (105) by the number of printable sheets (20) plus the number of printable sheets (125), and multiply by the standard printable number of sheets of each group, and then calculate the value. (0001 is 125 x 50 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) = 34.722, 0002 is 125 x 30 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) = 20.833, 0003 is 125 x 100 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) 69.444) (S707), the number of printed sheets is assigned an integer value for each group (S 708).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S709). If there is no surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S709 is branched to No), S711 is performed. If there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S709 branches to Yes), the calculation result of S707 is assigned in the order of the group with the largest decimal point (in this example, the remainder is 125-34). -20-69 = 2, 0001 is 34.722, 0002 is 20.833, 0003 is 69.444, so one is assigned to 0001 and 0002, 35 is 0001, 21 is 0002, and 69 is 0003) (S710).

  Next, the difference between the number of prints assigned to each group and the number of prints by group (in this example, 0001 is 35-29 = 6, 0002 is 21-18 = 3, and 0003 is 69-58 = 11) ) Is added to the current total number of prints of each group to obtain the total number of prints of each group (S711), and the group code and the total number of prints of each group are returned to the print permission determination unit 441 (S712).

  The print permission determining unit 441 compares the total print number of each group with the printable number of each group (S713). If the total print number is larger (S713 branches to Yes), the input / output interface 410 Then, print permission is returned to the printer 300a (S715). If they are equal or the total number of printed sheets is smaller (S713 branches to No), the print permission is returned to the printer 300a through the input / output interface 410 (S714).

  If it is not an inquiry about whether printing is possible (S701 branches to No), the number of printed sheets and the user name are passed to the usage amount storage unit 443 (S716). The usage amount storage unit 443 reads the total print number 452C of the entry whose user name 452A matches the user name received from the user management table 452 (S717), and uses the received print number (20) as the total print number (105). In addition (S718), it is stored in the total number of printed sheets 452C of the user management table 452 (S719), and the user name and number of printed sheets are passed to the group usage determining unit 446 (S720).

  The group usage determining unit 446 reads the group code 452B (0001,0002,0003), the total number of printed pages 452C, and the number of printed pages 452D for each group of the entry in which the received user name matches the user name 452A of the user management table 452. (S721) For all the group codes to which it belongs, the standard printable sheet number 451E of the entry matching the group code 451A of the group management table 451 is read (S722), and the number of printed sheets (20 ) Multiplied by the standard printable number of each group (125), and then divided by the total standard printable number of all groups (0001 is 125 x 50 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) = 34,722, 0002 is 125 x 30 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) = 20.833, 0003 is 125 x 100 ÷ (50 + 30 + 100) = 69.444) (S723), and integer values are assigned to each group Ri and against which the number of prints (S724).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S725). If there is no surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S725 is branched to No), the process proceeds to S727. When there is a surplus number that has not been assigned to each group (S725 branches to Yes), the calculation result of S723 is assigned in the order of the group with the largest value after the decimal point (in this example, the remainder is 125-34- 20-69 = 2, 0001 is 34.722, 0002 is 20.833, and 0003 is 69.444, so one is assigned to 0001 and 0002, 35 is 0001, 21 is 0002, and 69 is 0003) (S726) ).

  Difference between the number of prints assigned to each group and the number of prints by group (in this example, 0001 is 35-29 = 6, 0002 is 21-18 = 3, and 0003 is 69-58 = 11) The value added to the current total number of prints of each group is used as the total number of prints of each group (S727), and the number of prints assigned to each group is stored in the print number 452D for each group in the user management table 452 (S728). The group code and the total number of printed groups are transferred to the group usage storage unit 447 (S729). The group usage storage unit 447 stores the total number of prints of the group in the total number of prints 451C of the group management table 451 (in this example, 0001 is 158 sheets, 0002 is 117 sheets, and 0003 is 69 sheets) ( S730), a series of processing ends.

  In the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, the number of printed sheets is taken as an example of the amount of consumables used.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a printer as an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on a user name as input user identification information and a print job as image formation data. In the image forming system including 300a and 300b and a management device 400 that manages the amount of consumables used for image formation in the image forming apparatus, that is, the number of printed sheets, the management device 400 includes user identification information. And an input / output interface 410 as an input unit for inputting image formation data, a usage amount storage unit 443 for storing the usage amount of consumables for each user identification information, and a user identified from the user identification information A group information storage unit 444 for storing group information to which the user belongs, an available amount storage unit 445 for setting an available amount for each group, The amount of consumables used for each group is determined, and the amount of consumables used for each group is determined according to the amount of consumables used for each user identification information, the group information, and the usable amount for each group. An image forming system is provided that includes a group usage amount determination unit 446 that determines the usage amount and a group usage amount storage unit 447 that stores the usage amount of consumables for each group.

  Here, the usage amount of the consumables is the number of printed sheets, and the group usage amount determining unit 446 calculates the total number of printed sheets for each group based on the ratio of the number of printed sheets for each user to the standard printable number of the group to which the user belongs. It may be determined.

  Further, the consumption amount of the consumable is the number of printed sheets, and the image forming apparatus notifies the management apparatus 400 of the user identification information and the image forming data, and sets a print permission inquiry unit 348 that inquires whether printing is permitted. It may be provided.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, even when a user belongs to a plurality of groups in an environment in which a plurality of printers exist and the user does not decide which printer to use, The number of prints can be appropriately assigned to the number of prints of the group to which the user belongs.

  In the first to second embodiments, a printer is used as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to a copier or MFP.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Network 200a, 200b Computer 300, 300a, 300b Printer 310 Input / output interface 320 Touch panel 340 Print number measurement unit 341 Print permission judgment unit 342 Print processing unit 343 Usage amount storage unit 344 Group information storage unit 345 Usable amount storage unit 346 Group Usage amount determination unit 347 Group usage amount storage unit 348 Printing permission inquiry unit 350 Hard disk 351 Group management table 352 User management table 400 Management device 410 Input / output interface 420 Display 430 Keyboard 441 Printing permission determination unit 443 Usage amount storage unit 444 Group information storage Unit 445 Usable amount storage unit 446 Group usage amount determination unit 447 Group usage amount storage unit 450 Hard disk 45 Group management table 452 user management table

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input user identification information and image formation data,
An input unit for inputting the user identification information and the image formation data;
A usage amount storage unit that stores the usage amount of the consumables used for the image formation for each user identification information;
A group information storage unit for storing group information to which a user identified from the user identification information belongs;
An available amount storage for setting the available amount for each group;
A consumption amount for each group is determined in accordance with a consumption amount of the consumable item for each user identification information, the group information, and a usable amount for each group. A group usage determination unit for determining the usage of products,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a group usage amount storage unit that stores a usage amount of consumables for each group. The amount of consumable used is the number of printed sheets,
The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the group usage determination unit calculates and determines the total number of prints of each group based on a ratio between the number of prints for each user and the standard printable number of the group to which the user belongs. apparatus. An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input user identification information and image forming data, and a management device that manages the amount of consumables used for image formation in the image forming apparatus. In an image forming system,
The management device
An input unit for inputting the user identification information and the image formation data;
A usage amount storage unit for storing the usage amount of the consumables for each user identification information;
A group information storage unit for storing group information to which a user identified from the user identification information belongs;
An available amount storage for setting the available amount for each group;
A consumption amount for each group is determined in accordance with a consumption amount of the consumable item for each user identification information, the group information, and a usable amount for each group. A group usage determination unit for determining the usage of products,
An image forming system, comprising: a group usage amount storage unit that stores a usage amount of the consumable for each group. The amount of consumable used is the number of printed sheets,
The image formation according to claim 3, wherein the group usage determination unit calculates and determines the total number of prints of each group based on a ratio between the number of prints for each user and the standard printable number of the group to which the user belongs. system. The amount of consumable used is the number of printed sheets,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a print permission inquiry unit that notifies the management apparatus of user identification information and image formation data and inquires whether printing is permitted. system.