JP2013207456A - Image formation system, image formation device and management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system capable of easily identifying a user who acquires a sheet on a paper ejection tray.SOLUTION: An MFP comprises: a human body communication sensor installed on a paper ejection tray, for reading out user information stored through human body communication with a terminal device; and a CPU for processing to manage job information related to a print form ejected on the paper ejection tray. For each job for the print form ejected on the paper ejection tray, the CPU collates a user associated with the job with a user read out from the terminal device (S107), and in regard to a job in which the collation results in inconsistency, the CPU counts an elapsed time from printout. If the elapsed time is a prescribed time or longer, the CPU notifies the user associated with the job of that effect (S119, S121).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a management method, and more particularly, to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a management method including an image forming apparatus including a human body communication sensor.

  In a copier, printer, or MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) that is a multi-functional peripheral, if the print paper after print job processing is left in the paper output tray for a long time, it may be forgotten or removed by a third party. Security problems such as information leaking occur.

  To solve this problem, by providing a sensor to detect the presence or absence of paper on the paper discharge tray, the image forming apparatus detects that the paper has been left on the paper discharge tray for a long time. A technique for performing the above has been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-109345 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) prints an image instructed to be printed on a sheet to which an IC tag is attached, thereby obtaining information in the IC tag and information in the image forming apparatus. A method for managing whether or not a sheet has been taken out by collating is disclosed.

  Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-100300 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses an image processing apparatus having a plurality of paper discharge trays each having a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper in response to a print request from a PC. The server alerts the job issuer of paper that has been left for a long time by notifying the management server of the processing order for the printed paper and managing which job is discharged to which output tray on the server side. The technique which performs is disclosed.

  Further, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-064935 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3), a human sensor and a photographing function are mounted on a paper discharge tray, and the paper discharge tray is provided by the human sensor. A technique has also been proposed that identifies a user who has approached the paper discharge tray by photographing with a photographing function when it detects that a person has approached.

JP 2008-109345 A JP 2008-100300 A JP 2008-064935 A

  However, in the method using the sensor for detecting the presence / absence of paper on the paper discharge tray, only the presence / absence of paper on the paper discharge tray is detected. Even if it exists, there is a problem in that it is detected all at once and it is not possible to specify which user is leaving the printing paper. In addition, there is a problem that even when a third party takes away the paper, it is not detected.

  In addition, since the user information cannot be specified in the method using the human sensor, the user is specified even when combined with the shooting function as in Patent Document 3 when a person approaches the blind spot of the camera. There was a problem that it was not possible. In addition, in order to specify user information from a captured image, it is necessary to register an image as user information for each user in advance, and there is a problem that it cannot be easily achieved in terms of function and cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a management method capable of easily specifying a user who has acquired a sheet on a paper discharge tray. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an image forming apparatus, a storage device storing user information, and a terminal device including a human body communication unit. The image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that is installed in the paper discharge tray for performing human body communication with the terminal device and reads user information stored in the storage device, and job information about the print paper discharged to the paper discharge tray. And management means for managing. For each job of printing paper discharged to the paper output tray, the management unit checks the user associated with the job and the user specified by the user information read by the reading unit, and matches them. A process of counting the elapsed time from printing of a job that is not performed, and a process of notifying a user associated with a job that does not match when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time are executed.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus performs a human body communication with the terminal device to read user information stored in the storage device of the terminal device, Management means for managing job information about the printing paper discharged to the paper tray. For each job of printing paper discharged to the paper output tray, the management unit checks the user associated with the job and the user specified by the user information read by the reading unit, and matches them. A process of counting the elapsed time from printing of a job that is not performed, and a process of notifying a user associated with a job that does not match when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time are executed.

  Preferably, the reading means performs human body communication with the terminal device via the human body by direct contact of the human body carrying the terminal device or contact via the printing paper on the paper discharge tray.

  More preferably, the reading means has a surface shape that can be installed in contact with the surface of the paper discharge tray, and is installed on the surface of the paper discharge tray on the side where the printing paper is mounted.

  Preferably, the reading unit performs human body communication with the terminal device via the human body when the human body carrying the terminal device exists within a predetermined range.

  More preferably, the reading means has a surface shape that can be placed in contact with the surface of the paper discharge tray, and is installed on the back surface of the paper discharge tray on the side on which the printing paper is mounted.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a weight sensor for detecting a weight on the paper discharge tray and a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of printing paper on the paper discharge tray, and the management unit includes the weight sensor and / or the paper. When it is detected by the sensor that the printing paper on the paper discharge tray has been acquired, the user information read by the reading means is used.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a pair of removal rollers for reducing the amount of static electricity on the surface of the paper at the discharge portion to the paper discharge tray.

  Preferably, for each job of printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray, the recording management unit collates the user associated with the job with the user specified by the user information read by the reading unit. If the user specified by the user information read by the reading means is a different user from the user associated with any print paper job on the paper discharge tray, all print paper jobs on the paper discharge tray A process of informing the user associated with the is further executed.

  Preferably, in the notification process, the management means transmits information related to the user to be notified to the entry / exit management system, thereby notifying the entry / exit management system when the user leaves the room.

  Preferably, when the paper discharge tray includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, a reading unit is provided for each paper discharge tray.

  Preferably, when the paper discharge tray has a container shape and stores the print paper discharged therein, the reading unit fixes the bottom portion, the side surface, and the discharged print paper in the paper discharge tray. It is further provided in at least one of the fixing plates for the purpose.

  Preferably, when the paper discharge tray is removable from the image forming apparatus, the reading unit is further provided at a connection position between the paper discharge tray and the image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a post-processing device for performing post-processing, and the reading unit includes a bottom portion, a side surface of the container for storing post-processed printing paper in the post-processing device, and discharged printing paper. It is further provided in at least one of the fixing plates for fixing.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the management method includes an image forming apparatus in which reading means for performing user communication with the terminal device and reading user information stored in the storage device of the terminal device is installed in the paper discharge tray. In the printing paper management method, a step of specifying a user associated with each printing paper based on job information about the printing paper and a user specified by the user information read by the reading unit A step of collating with an associated user, a step of measuring an elapsed time from printing for a printing paper associated with a user that does not match the user specified in the user information, and the elapsed time are defined in advance. And a step of notifying the associated user about the printing paper when the time is over.

  According to the present invention, the user who has acquired the paper on the paper discharge tray can be easily identified, and printing paper can be left unattended for a long time or taken away by a third party.

1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of the appearance of an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) included in an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an MFP viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an MFP viewed from above, and is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of sensors on a paper discharge tray. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a figure showing the specific example of the information recorded on a job management database. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of a terminal device. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow in the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a discharge state of print paper in an MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where static electricity is removed from printing paper discharged by an MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the MFP. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of sensor arrangement on a large-capacity paper discharge tray. It is the schematic which shows the 2nd example of arrangement | positioning of the sensor to a large capacity discharge tray. It is the schematic which shows the specific example of arrangement | positioning of the sensor to a post-processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) 100 as an image forming apparatus and a terminal device 200.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the appearance of an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) 100 as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes a main body 1 including an image forming function (not shown), and an automatic original provided on the upper portion of main body 1 for automatically conveying and optically reading a set original. A transport device 2, a paper discharge tray 3 provided on the side of the main body 1, a paper feed tray 4 provided on the lower side of the main body 1, and a large-capacity paper discharge provided on the side of the main body 1. It includes a tray 5 and a post-processing device 6 provided on the side opposite to the discharge tray 3 and the large-capacity discharge tray 5. Further, an operation panel 15 is provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

  As the post-processing, for example, a stapling process can be cited. In this example, a stapling apparatus is included. Therefore, the post-processing device 6 is provided with a staple tray 6a for discharging the printing paper after the staple processing.

  Documents set on a document table (not shown) are conveyed one by one by the automatic document feeder 2 and optically read by passing through a reading position (not shown) provided above the main body 1. The image data is subjected to image processing in the image forming function in the main body 1 and printed on the paper conveyed from the paper feed tray 4. The printing paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 3. Alternatively, when a large amount of printing paper is present, the paper is discharged to the large capacity paper discharge tray 5.

  When stapling processing as post-processing is set for the printing paper, the printing paper is conveyed to the post-processing device 6 and subjected to stapling processing, and the printing paper after stapling is discharged to the staple tray 6a. The

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the hardware configuration of MFP 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that is an arithmetic device for overall control, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 for storing a program executed by CPU 10, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 for functioning as a work area when the CPU 10 executes the program, a scanner 13 for optically reading a document placed on a document table (not shown), and obtaining image data; A printer 14 for fixing image data on printing paper, an operation panel 15 including a touch panel for displaying information and receiving operation inputs to the MFP 100, and a memory 16 for storing image data and the like. And a network for controlling communication via a communication network to other devices (not shown) It includes a Controller 17, a sensor 18, such as a human body communication sensors and paper detection sensor to be described later.

  The operation panel 15 includes a touch panel (not shown) and an operation key group. The touch panel is configured by overlapping a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and a position indicating device such as an optical touch panel or a capacitive touch panel, and displays an operation screen to specify an indicated position on the operation screen. CPU10 displays an operation screen on a touchscreen based on the data for displaying the screen memorize | stored beforehand.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 200.
Referring to FIG. 4, terminal device 200 includes a CPU 20 that is an arithmetic device for overall control, a ROM 21 for storing a program executed by CPU 20, and a work area when the CPU 20 executes the program. RAM 22 for functioning as a communication unit, a communication unit 23 for performing human body communication, which is communication through the human body, and a memory 24 for storing user information and the like to be described later.

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of sensors on the paper discharge tray 3 of the MFP 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram seen from the front of the MFP 100, and FIG. 6 is a diagram seen from above.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, human body communication sensors 181 </ b> A and 181 </ b> B are provided on the surface of the paper discharge tray 3 and in the vicinity of the discharge port 3 a of the main body 1. Further, a weight sensor 182A is provided near the attachment portion of the paper discharge tray 3 to the MFP 100, and a paper detection sensor 183 is provided near the discharge port 3a. These sensors are representatively referred to as sensor 18. The human body communication sensors 181A and 181B are also referred to as human body communication sensors 181 as representative.

  Here, the human body communication sensors 181A and 181B refer to reading devices that communicate with the terminal device 200 held by the human body using the human body as a medium and read information stored in the terminal device. Communication using the human body as a medium is roughly classified into two types, namely, a current method in which current is directly applied to the human body and an electric field method in which a minute current is applied to an electric field formed in a range of about 10 mm on the surface of the human body. Any method may be adopted. The read information is input to the CPU 10.

  When the latter method of the above two methods is adopted as the human body communication method, the human body communication sensor 181A is approximately the same size as the paper discharge tray 3 as shown in FIGS. And is placed on the back side of the surface of the paper discharge tray 3 on which the paper is mounted. In this case, the range represented by the dotted circle in FIG. 6 is the range where data can be acquired by the human body communication sensor 181A, that is, the user carrying the terminal device 200 exists in this range. Communication with the terminal device 200 is possible. By installing the human body communication sensor 181A on the back side of the paper discharge tray 3 in this way, the human body communication sensor 181A is included in the range (about 10 mm) where the electric field on the human body surface is formed. Since communication becomes possible only when the distance is within 10 mm from the paper discharge tray 3, the detection accuracy of paper acquisition can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the former method of the above two methods is adopted as the method of human body communication, the human body communication sensor 181A is a sheet having the same size as the paper discharge tray 3, and the paper discharge tray 3 It is installed on the side where the paper is loaded. As described above, the human body communication sensor 181A is installed on the front surface side of the paper discharge tray 3, so that communication is not performed until the human body contacts the surface of the paper discharge tray 3 or contacts the surface of the paper discharge tray 3 through paper. As a result, detection accuracy of paper acquisition can be increased.

  The weight sensor 182A detects the weight applied to the paper discharge tray 3, and inputs a sensor signal representing the weight to the CPU 10.

  The sheet detection sensor 183 detects the presence or absence of a sheet in the sensing range using, for example, infrared rays, and inputs a sensor signal representing the detection result to the CPU 10.

  Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the printed paper is held by a pair of rollers (static discharge roller) having a function of removing linear electricity in the vicinity of the discharge port 3 a and discharged to the discharge tray. The Thereby, static electricity on the printed paper surface is removed, and noise to human body communication can be reduced.

<Overview of operation>
MFP 100 stores a user who is a print paper job issuer based on the job information.

  On the other hand, the user who has acquired the printing paper from the paper discharge tray 3 is specified based on the information from the human body communication sensor 181.

  Then, by comparing them, the user who is the acquirer of the print paper currently discharged to the paper discharge tray 3, that is, the print paper left on the paper discharge tray 3, is specified and notified.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a functional configuration of MFP 100 for realizing the above operation. Each function shown in FIG. 7 is mainly formed in the CPU 10 when the CPU 10 of the MFP 100 reads out a program stored in the ROM 11 and executes the program on the RAM 12. However, at least a part may be realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 7, memory 16 includes a job management database 161 that is a storage area for storing processed job information, and a user information storage unit 162 that is a storage area for storing user information. Is provided.

  Further, referring to FIG. 7, CPU 10 of MFP 100 controls job 14 to execute job processing by controlling printer 14 and job management for performing job management by referring to job management database 161. Referring to the unit 102, the input unit 103 for receiving sensor signal input from the sensor 18, and the job management database 161, the user and the printing paper designated as the job acquirer of the left printing paper A collation unit 104 for collating with the user who has acquired the notification, and a notification unit 105 for notifying the user who is determined to be notified by the job management unit 102 from the collation result.

  The job management unit 102 analyzes the job information of the job printed by the printer 14, identifies the user designated as the job acquirer, and records the information as job information in the job management database. If the job acquirer is not specified, the job issuer may be specified as the acquirer.

  Further, the job management unit 102 measures the elapsed time after printing by the printer 14 and records it in the job management database.

  The collation unit 104 identifies the user who has acquired the print paper from the paper discharge tray 3 based on the sensor signal from the human body communication sensor 181, and the user who is designated as the person who acquired the print paper on the paper discharge tray 3. And the collation result is input to the job management unit 102.

  The job management unit 102 specifies that the printing paper that matches the user who has acquired the printing paper from the paper discharge tray 3 and the acquirer has already been acquired. Information on jobs for which print sheets have already been acquired may be deleted from the job management database, or may be distinguished from unacquired ones by using a flag on the job management database.

  Then, the job management unit 102 determines that notification is necessary for a user who is designated as an acquirer of a job that has not been acquired and the elapsed time from printing has reached a predetermined time, and notifies the notification unit 105 of the notification.

  As another example, if the user who has acquired the printing paper from the paper discharge tray 3 is different from the user who has designated the printing paper, it is determined that the printing paper has been acquired by a third party, The notification unit 105 may be notified by determining that notification is necessary for a user who has been designated as an acquirer of all print sheets on the discharge tray 3.

  The notification unit 105 refers to the user information and notifies the notification destination associated with the user who has been notified that notification is necessary. As an example, an e-mail in a pre-stored format may be transmitted to the stored e-mail address, or information to be notified to the associated PC (personal computer) via the network controller 17 is transmitted. May be.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of information recorded in the job management database 161.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the job management unit 102 analyzes job information for each job processed by the printer 14 and acquires information (output user ID) for specifying a user who is a job issuer and printing paper. The information (acquired user ID) for specifying the user to be used and the elapsed time from printing (tray leaving time) are recorded in the job management database 161.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, information indicating whether or not the printing paper has been acquired (unacquired flag) and information indicating the type of notification (status) may be recorded.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 200 for realizing the above operation. Each function shown in FIG. 9 is mainly formed in the CPU 20 by the CPU 20 of the terminal device 200 reading out a program stored in the ROM 21 and executing the program on the RAM 22. However, at least a part may be realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the memory 24 is provided with a user information storage unit 241 that is a storage area for storing user information such as a user ID for a user associated with the terminal device 200 in advance.

  Furthermore, referring to FIG. 9, CPU 20 of terminal device 200 determines that communication control unit 201 for controlling human body communication in communication unit 23 and communication control unit 201 can communicate with communication unit 23. And a reading unit 203 for reading out user information such as a user ID from the user information storage unit 241.

  When the communication control unit 201 detects that the user carrying the terminal device 200 enters the predetermined range from the human body communication sensor 181 installed in the MFP 100 and becomes in a communicable state, the communication control unit 201 reads it out. The user information is transmitted by the communication unit 23.

<Operation flow>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow in MFP 100. 10 is realized by causing the CPU 10 of the MFP 100 to read out a program stored in the ROM 11 and execute it on the RAM 12 to execute the functions shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 10, upon receiving a job processing request in step S101, CPU 10 registers the information in job management database 161 in step S103, and executes printing of the job in step S105.

  Thereafter, upon receiving a sensor signal from the human body communication sensor 181 and detecting that there is a user who has acquired the printing paper on the paper discharge tray 3 (YES in step S107), the CPU 10 acquires the user information of the acquired user. And the user specified as the acquirer by the job information are checked to determine whether or not they match.

  In the determination in step S107, in addition to the reading of user information by the human body communication sensor 181, the weight on the paper discharge tray 3 is changed based on the detection result by the weight sensor 182A or the paper detection sensor 183. When the paper is no longer detected, it may be determined that there is a user who has acquired the print paper on the paper discharge tray 3. By doing so, the detection accuracy can be increased.

  If these users match as a result of the above collation (YES in step S109), in step S111, the CPU 10 assumes that the print sheet has been acquired by the user designated as the acquirer, and performs job management for the corresponding job. It is assumed that the status in the database 161 represents the state (“OK”). If there is no print paper on the paper discharge tray 3 (NO in step S117), the series of operations is terminated.

  If the acquired user is different from the user who has acquired any print paper on the paper discharge tray 3 (NO in step S109), the CPU 10 prints the print paper on the paper discharge tray 3 in step S113. The status of the job in the job management database 161 is set to the “warning” mode, and the user associated with the job is notified in step S115. Here, the user who issued the job may be notified, the user designated as the acquirer may be notified, or both users may be notified. Furthermore, you may alert | report with the user information which acquired printing paper.

  After the above operation, if there is further printing paper on the paper discharge tray 3 (NO in step S117), the CPU 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after printing for the printing paper. to decide.

  As a result, if a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S119), in step S121, the CPU 10 sets the status of the corresponding job in the job management database 161 to the “warning” mode, and in step S115, To the user associated with the job to be performed. Here, for example, a mail is transmitted to a user designated as a job acquirer.

<Effect of Embodiment>
When printing paper is left on the paper discharge tray of the MFP, there is a security problem. In addition, when a job of a plurality of users is left on the paper discharge tray, there is a problem that it is impossible for the MFP to determine who is not picking up.

  However, when MFP 100 operates as described above using human body communication sensor 181 as described above, it is possible to clearly determine who has not been picked up. Further, since it is possible to determine that a third party who is not any user has come to pick up, security can be improved.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when print sheets by different users A, B, and C are on the paper discharge tray 3, the MFP 100 identifies the user from each job information.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user C acquires the printing paper, it is detected by the human body communication sensor 181 that the user C has acquired, and the users A and B are displayed on the paper discharge tray 3. It is determined that there is printing paper.

  Therefore, the MFP 100 can notify the user associated with the jobs of the users A and B by e-mail or the like as shown in FIG.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent long-time leaving on the paper discharge tray 3 and to improve security.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, when it is detected by the human body communication sensor 181 that the user D who is not any of the users A, B, and C is acquired, the jobs of the users A, B, and C The user D can be notified that the user D has acquired the printing paper by e-mail or the like.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the printing paper on the paper discharge tray 3 from being taken away by a third party, and security can be improved.

  In particular, since the MFP 100 uses the human body communication sensor 181, it is obtained by the user regardless of the state of the printing paper on the paper discharge tray 3 as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, for example. The user information of the user can be acquired at the timing.

  Furthermore, by using the static electricity removing roller as shown in FIG. 5, noise due to static electricity is reduced as shown in FIG. 16, and human body communication is easily performed, and the accuracy can be further improved. .

<Modification 1>
In the above example, when printing paper is left unattended for a long time or acquired by a third party, it notifies the user associated with the job by sending information such as e-mail. However, instead of the notification by the information transmission or in addition to the notification by the information transmission, the notification may be physically performed in cooperation with another device.

  As an example, the MFP 100 has a communication function for communicating with a room entrance / exit management system (door gate system), and transmits information specifying a user associated with the corresponding job to the entrance / exit management system. In this case, the entrance / exit management system may lock the door so that the user associated with the corresponding job cannot leave the room. Alternatively, the door may be locked so that a user detected as a third party cannot leave the room, or an alarm may be sounded when leaving the room.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when it is detected that only the user C has acquired the printing paper in the example shown in FIG. 11, the MFP 100 sends the user A and B to the entry / exit management system. Information identifying the user associated with the job is sent. Therefore, for example, when user A tries to leave the room, the door is locked so that the user cannot leave the room.

  This can also prevent the printing paper from being left on the paper discharge tray 3.

<Modification 2>
In the above example, the human body communication sensor 181 is provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 3 to detect the acquisition of the printing paper. However, instead of or in addition to that position, the human body communication sensor is located at another position. 181 may be provided.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of the arrangement of sensors on the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5.
Referring to FIG. 18, as an example, human body communication sensors 181 </ b> C to 181 </ b> E are arranged inside the large capacity discharge tray 5. As a specific example, the human body communication sensor 181C is provided on the surface of the paper fixing plate for fixing the printing paper discharged into the large capacity discharge tray 5, and the human body communication sensor 181D is provided on the front surface of the large capacity discharge tray 5. The human body communication sensor 181E is disposed on the surface of the bottom of the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5 on which the discharged print paper is placed.

  The human body communication sensor 181C communicates with the terminal device 200 via a user who wants to acquire the print paper discharged into the large capacity discharge tray 5 except for the paper fixing plate, and the human body communication sensor 181D receives the large capacity discharge. The user communicates with the terminal device 200 via a user who approaches the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5 in order to acquire the paper in the tray 5, and the human body communication sensor 181 E acquires the print paper discharged into the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5. The user communicates with the terminal device 200 through a user who has touched the printing paper.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the arrangement of sensors on the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5.
Referring to FIG. 19, as another example, when fixing large-capacity paper discharge tray 5 to MFP 100 using a fixing bracket, human body communication sensor 181 </ b> F may be disposed on a switch for releasing the fixing. .

  The human body communication sensor 181 </ b> F communicates with the terminal device 200 via a user who intends to acquire the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5 from the MFP 100.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the human body communication sensors 181C to 181E are arranged on the inner side surface of the large-capacity discharge tray 5 so that the user can print even when discharged to a special tray such as the large-capacity discharge tray 5. The user information can be acquired from the terminal device 200 at the timing of acquiring the paper, and the printing paper can be prevented from being left or taken away by a third party as in the above example.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 19, the human body communication sensor 181F is arranged on the fixing release switch, so that even when a special tray such as the large capacity discharge tray 5 is removed from the MFP 100 as it is, the large capacity discharge tray 5 can be removed. The removed user can be specified on the MFP 100 side, and the printing paper can be prevented from being left or taken away by a third party as in the above example.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of the arrangement of sensors on the post-processing device 6.
Referring to FIG. 20, as an example, human body communication sensors 181G and 181H and weights are arranged on staple tray 6a of post-processing device 6 in the same manner as the sensor arrangement on discharge tray 3 shown in FIGS. A sensor 182B is arranged, and human body communication sensors 181I to 181K are arranged inside the post-processing device 6 in the same manner as the sensor arrangement in the large-capacity paper discharge tray 5 shown in FIG. These communicate with the terminal device 200 via the user in the same situation as described with reference to FIGS.

  By arranging the human body communication sensor 181G on the staple tray 6a as shown in FIG. 20, it becomes possible to acquire user information from the terminal device 200 at the timing when the user acquires the printing paper discharged to the staple tray 6a. Similar to the above example, it is possible to prevent the printing paper from being left or taken away by a third party. Further, even when the printing paper is discharged to the staple tray 6a without performing the stapling process, similarly, user information can be obtained from the terminal device 200 at the timing when the printing paper is obtained by the user. Similarly to the above-described example, it is possible to prevent the printing paper from being left or taken away by a third party.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the human body communication sensors 181I to 181K are arranged in the post-processing device 6 so that the user can acquire a part of the upper part of the printing paper loaded in the post-processing device 6. User information can be acquired by these human body communication sensors, and it is possible to prevent printing paper from being left or taken away by a third party, as in the above example.

  Furthermore, a program for causing the CPU 10 of the MFP 100 to execute the above-described operation can be provided. Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. You can also. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main-body part, 2 Document automatic conveyance apparatus, 3 Paper discharge tray, 3a discharge port, 4 Paper feed tray, 5 Large capacity | capacitance paper discharge tray, 6 Post-processing apparatus, 6a Staple tray, 10,20 CPU, 11,21 ROM, 12, 22 RAM, 13 Scanner, 14 Printer, 15 Operation panel, 16, 24 Memory, 17 Network controller, 18 Sensor, 23 Communication unit, 100 MFP, 101 Job processing unit, 102 Job management unit, 103 Input unit, 104 Verification Unit, 105 notification unit, 161 job management database, 162, 241 user information storage unit, 181, 181A to 181K human body communication sensor, 182A, 182B weight sensor, 183 paper detection sensor, 200 terminal device, 201 communication control unit, 203 Reading unit.

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus;
A storage device storing user information and a terminal device including a human body communication unit,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A reading unit installed in a paper discharge tray for performing human body communication with the terminal device and reading the user information stored in the storage device;
Management means for managing job information about the printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray,
The management means includes
For each job of printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray, the user associated with the job is compared with the user specified by the user information read by the reading means, and they do not match A process of measuring the elapsed time since printing the job;
An image forming system that executes a process of notifying a user associated with a job that does not match when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. A reading unit installed in a paper discharge tray for performing human body communication with the terminal device and reading user information stored in the storage device of the terminal device;
Management means for managing job information about the printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray,
The management means includes
For each job of printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray, the user associated with the job is compared with the user specified by the user information read by the reading means, and they do not match A process of measuring the elapsed time since printing the job;
An image forming apparatus that executes a process of notifying a user associated with a job that does not match when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.   The reading unit performs human body communication with the terminal device via the human body by direct contact of a human body carrying the terminal device or contact via a printing sheet on the paper discharge tray. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading unit has a surface shape that can be installed in contact with a surface of the paper discharge tray, and is installed on a surface of the paper discharge tray on which a printing paper is mounted. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit performs human body communication with the terminal device via the human body when a human body carrying the terminal device exists within a predetermined range.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading unit has a surface shape that can be installed in contact with a surface of the paper discharge tray, and is installed on a back surface of the paper discharge tray on a side on which printing paper is mounted. apparatus. A weight sensor for detecting the weight on the paper discharge tray and a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of printing paper on the paper discharge tray;
The management unit uses the user information read by the reading unit when it is detected by the weight sensor and / or the paper sensor that a print sheet on the sheet discharge tray has been acquired. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 6.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of removal rollers for reducing the amount of static electricity on the surface of the sheet at a discharge portion to the discharge tray. The management means includes
For each job of printing paper discharged to the paper discharge tray, the user associated with the job is compared with the user specified by the user information read by the reading means, and the reading means If the user specified by the read user information is a different user from the user associated with any print paper job on the paper discharge tray, all the print paper jobs on the paper discharge tray The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further executing a process of notifying an associated user.   The management means, in the notification process, transmits information related to the user to be notified to an entry / exit management system, so that the entry / exit management system is notified when the notification user leaves the room. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the paper discharge tray includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, the reading unit is provided for each paper discharge tray.   In the case where the paper discharge tray has a container shape and stores the print paper discharged inside, the reading means fixes the bottom and side surfaces of the paper discharge tray and the discharged print paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further provided in at least one of the fixing plates for performing the operation.   12. The reading device according to claim 2, wherein when the paper discharge tray is removable from the image forming apparatus, the reading unit is further provided at a connection position between the paper discharge tray and the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus. A post-processing device for performing post-processing;
The reading means is further provided in at least one of a bottom portion, a side surface of a container for storing post-processed printing paper in the post-processing device, and a fixing plate for fixing the discharged printing paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A printing paper management method in an image forming apparatus in which a reading unit for performing human body communication with a terminal device and reading user information stored in a storage device of the terminal device is installed in a paper discharge tray,
For each printing paper, identifying an associated user based on job information about the printing paper;
Collating the user specified in the user information read by the reading means with the associated user;
Measuring the elapsed time from printing for printing paper associated with a user that does not match the user specified in the user information; and
And a step of notifying the associated user about the printing paper when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

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