JP2014046457A - Device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of making a notification of the fact that printing exceeds a range of limitation at an early stage.SOLUTION: The device which performs printing on the basis of a print request includes: a comparison part in which an upper limit value is set in advance according to an input of information on a part of printing surfaces in the information of which the print request is composed, for calculating a consumption amount of printing for the printing surfaces with respect to a frequency consumed according to execution of printing to compare the consumption amount with a remaining amount of the frequency; and a stop part for stopping the printing corresponding to the print request according to a result of the comparison.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, a control method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for the purpose of cost management and the like, there are image forming apparatuses that can set an upper limit for the number of printable sheets for each user. For example, in Patent Document 1, the print value is compared with the upper limit value each time printing for one page is performed, and printing is stopped when the print value reaches the upper limit value. .

  However, for the user, if printing is stopped halfway, there is a case where the user does not want to execute printing in the first place.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable early notification that the printing exceeds the limit range.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an apparatus that executes printing based on a print request, and in advance, according to an input of information on a part of the printing surface among information constituting the print request, Is set, and for the frequency consumed in accordance with the execution of printing, a consumption amount due to printing of the printing surface is calculated, a comparison unit that compares the consumption amount and the remaining amount of the frequency, and a comparison result And a stop unit that stops printing according to the print request.

  It is possible to notify at an early stage that the printing exceeds the limit range.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of printing processing executed by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a schedule log. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a coefficient memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a user information storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an inquiry screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and an SD card slot 17.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 115 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 17 is used for reading a program stored in the SD card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program stored in the ROM 113 but also the program stored in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 17 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration capable of printing, scanning, copying, or FAX transmission / reception, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 has only a printing function among these functions. It may be a realizable device. Moreover, the apparatus which can implement | achieve only a FAX function or a copy function may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2, application programs such as a print application 121a, a copy application 121b, and a FAX application 121c are installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The print application 121 is an application program that causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a print job in response to reception of print data. The copy application 121b is an application program that causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a copy job. The copy job includes a reading process for reading image data from a document and a printing process for printing the image data. Accordingly, the copy application 121b also causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute printing. The FAX application 121c is an application program that causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a FAX transmission job or a FAX reception job. The FAX reception job includes a printing process for received fax data. Accordingly, the FAX application 121c also causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute printing.

  Each of the print application 121a, the copy application 121b, and the FAX application 121c causes the image forming apparatus 10 to function as the request input unit 122, the request analysis unit 123, and the like.

  The request input unit 122 receives an input of a job execution request. The job execution request is information including setting information for the job and data (image data) to be processed according to the setting information.

  In the present embodiment, input of a print job, copy job, and FAX reception job is an example of input of a print request. As described above, printing is executed in the copy job and the FAX reception job. Therefore, it can be said that the input of the copy job and the FAX reception job is an example of the input of the print request.

  The request analysis unit 123 analyzes the contents of the job execution request and analyzes the information included in the data received by the request input unit 122. The request analysis unit 123 analyzes an execution request for one job before the request input unit 122 completes input of all information related to the job. For example, when a print job execution request is made, each time a portion corresponding to a predetermined analysis unit (partial print surface) of print data related to the print job is received by the request input unit 122a, the print job execution request Or the analysis by the request | requirement analysis part 123a is performed continuously. Therefore, particularly for a print job with a plurality of sides, the input by the request input unit 122a and the analysis by the request analysis unit 123a are executed in parallel. This is for shortening the time required from the receipt of the print instruction by the user until the printing is completed. Therefore, for example, when the number of data to be printed is large, the print results for some of the surfaces can be output from the image forming apparatus 10 before the generation of print data for all the surfaces at the client terminal is completed. The term “surface” refers to a surface (printing surface) of the printing paper, and is substantially synonymous with a page. The same applies to the request input unit 122c and the request analysis unit 123c of the FAX application 121c.

  If it is a copy job execution request, the request analysis unit 123c analyzes the image data for one page each time it is read from the document. Accordingly, for a plurality of documents, input by the request input unit 122c and analysis by the request analysis unit 123c are executed in parallel.

  The analysis result by the request analysis unit 123 is information such as how many pages are printed based on what setting information. The request analysis unit 123 sequentially notifies the analysis result for the analysis unit to the print control unit 132 and the schedule log generation unit 133 described later.

  The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an authentication unit 131, a print control unit 132, a schedule log generation unit 133, a performance log generation unit 134, an upper limit determination unit 135, a usage restriction unit 136, a user notification unit 137, and the like. These units are realized by processing executed by the CPU 111 by a program installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 further uses a user information storage unit 141, a coefficient storage unit 142, a performance log storage unit 143, and the like. Each of these storage units can be realized using the HDD 114, the NMRAM 115, or a storage device connected via a network.

  The authentication unit 131 authenticates the user of the image forming apparatus 10 using the user information storage unit 141. In the user information storage unit 141, in addition to authentication information such as a user name and a password, information related to usage restrictions on the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored for each user. Information relating to the usage restriction includes information indicating the frequency of use of the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 (availability frequency). Specifically, the user information storage unit stores an upper limit value of the usable frequency and the current consumption amount. Hereinafter, the unit of the usable frequency is referred to as “point”. Each user is permitted to use the image forming apparatus 10 within the range of the upper limit value of points given to the user.

  The print control unit 132 causes the printer 13 to execute printing according to the analysis result from each request analysis unit 123 in units of planes. Each time one page is printed, the print control unit 132 notifies the result log generation unit 134 of information indicating the print contents (number of print pages, setting information, and the like). The result log generation unit 134 generates log information (hereinafter referred to as “result log”) regarding the print execution result based on the notified information. The performance log generation unit 134 transmits the generated performance log to the upper limit determination unit 135.

  In response to the notification of the analysis result from each request analysis unit 123, the schedule log generation unit 133 generates log information (hereinafter referred to as “schedule log”) related to the scheduled printing to be executed. The schedule log generation unit 133 transmits the generated schedule log to the upper limit determination unit 135. The unit of the schedule log and the result log may be the same as or different from the analysis unit by the request analysis unit 123.

  The upper limit determination unit 135 calculates the point consumption for the printing scheduled to be executed based on the schedule log, and compares the accumulated point consumption according to the print request with the remaining point amount. To do. The point consumption calculated based on the scheduled log is referred to as “scheduled consumption”.

  The remaining point amount is a value obtained by subtracting the existing consumption amount from the upper limit value. Therefore, comparing the cumulative value of the planned consumption amount with the remaining point amount is synonymous with comparing the cumulative value of the existing point consumption amount and the planned consumption amount with the upper limit value of the points.

  When the cumulative value of the planned consumption exceeds the remaining point amount, the upper limit determination unit 135 notifies the user notification unit 137 to that effect and inputs a print processing pause instruction to the print control unit 132.

  The upper limit determination unit 135 also stores a performance log in the log information storage unit. The upper limit determination unit 135 further updates the point consumption amount of the information stored in the user information storage unit 141 based on the result log. When the accumulated value of point consumption based on the performance log (hereinafter referred to as “actual consumption”) exceeds the upper limit value, the upper limit determination unit 135 notifies the usage restriction unit 136 of a print processing cancellation request.

  When the requested job is executed, the user notification unit 137 notifies the user that the accumulated value of the scheduled consumption amount exceeds the remaining point amount and inquires the user about the handling of the temporarily stopped printing process. For example, notification and inquiry to the user are performed via the operation panel 15.

  In response to an inquiry from the user notification unit 137, the usage restriction unit 136 stops the printing process when a print stop instruction is input by the user. The use restriction unit 136 also causes the print processing to be stopped in response to a print processing stop request from the upper limit determination unit 135.

  The coefficient storage unit 142 stores a coefficient for the upper limit determination unit 135 to calculate the point consumption. The coefficient is a weighting coefficient for the consumption amount, and is set according to the value of the setting item of the job setting information.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of printing processing executed by the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 3, a printing process related to the print application 121a will be described.

  In step S101, the request input unit 122 receives print data transferred from the client terminal. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that print data requesting five copies of a five-page (5 pages) document has been received.

  The request input unit 122 transfers the input print data to the request analysis unit 123 sequentially or continuously (S102). The request analysis unit 123 analyzes the transferred print data for each analysis unit (S103). The request analysis unit 123 notifies the analysis result to the print control unit 132 and the scheduled log generation unit 133 every time the analysis for the analysis unit is completed (S104-1 to 4 and S105-1 to 4). When the analysis is completed for all the surfaces (up to the end of the print data), the request analysis unit 123 notifies the schedule log generation unit 133 of the completion of the analysis (S113). In response to the analysis completion notification, the schedule log generation unit 133 notifies the upper limit determination unit 135 of an analysis completion notification (S114).

  The print data includes a definition for the entire print job and a definition for each surface. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the analysis unit is one plane. Since the number of print copies is one definition for the entire print job, the analysis is performed five times even for a print job of 5 pages × 5 copies = 25 pages.

  Therefore, for example, the definition analysis result for the entire print job is added to the analysis result of the definition for each surface, and is notified to the print control unit 132 and the schedule log generation unit 133. In FIG. 3, the analysis result is notified four times, but the remaining one illustration is omitted for convenience. Note that the analysis result notified to the print control unit 132 and the analysis result notified to the scheduled log generation unit 133 may be different. For example, information that is necessary for the printing process but is not necessary for calculating the point consumption amount (for example, image information to be printed) may not be notified to the schedule log generation unit 133.

  Each time the schedule log generation unit 133 receives a notification of the analysis result, the schedule log generation unit 133 generates a schedule log and transmits the schedule log to the upper limit determination unit 135 (S106-1 to S106-1).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the schedule log. FIG. 4 shows an example of one schedule log. In FIG. 4, the schedule log includes a value for each item such as a user name, number of faces, color type, and paper size. The schedule log in FIG. 4 shows that user A performs five monochrome A4 prints for one page.

  In the present embodiment, the print data includes information for five pages. However, since the scheduled log for one time includes information for one page for which analysis has been completed, the value of the number of pages is 1. Yes. In FIG. 4, only the color type and the paper size are shown as the setting items constituting the setting information of the print job, but other setting items that affect the point consumption amount may be included in the schedule log. Good.

  On the other hand, every time the print control unit 132 receives the notification of the analysis result, the print control unit 132 causes the printer 13 to execute printing based on the analysis result (S108-1). In step S108-1, printing based on the analysis result regarding the first surface notified in step S104-1 is executed. When the printing is completed, the print control unit 132 notifies the performance log generation unit 134 of the execution of printing (S109-1). The result log notification unit generates a result log based on the information included in the notification, and transmits the result log to the upper limit determination unit 135 (S110-1). Note that the configuration of the result log may be the same as the scheduled log. Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 135 updates the actual value (actual consumption) of the actual consumption of points for the user A related to the print request based on the actual log (S111-1).

  The coefficient storage unit 142 is used to calculate the point consumption.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the coefficient storage unit. In FIG. 5, the coefficient storage unit 142 stores a coefficient for each value of the setting item. In the present embodiment, the point consumption is calculated by the following calculation formula.

The number of copies × the number of pages × the color type coefficient × the paper size coefficient With respect to the same result log as the scheduled log shown in FIG. 4, the point consumption is as follows.

5 × 1 × 1 × 1 = 5
The actual consumption amount to be updated is stored in the user information storage unit 141.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user information storage unit. In FIG. 6, the user information storage unit 141 stores a user name, password, authority, actual consumption, upper limit value, and the like for each user.

  The authority is information indicating the range of functions available to the user. The actual consumption is an actual value of point consumption. That is, the amount of points consumed when printing is actually performed. The upper limit value is the upper limit value of points. The actual consumption is initialized to 0 every predetermined period (for example, every month). That is, the upper limit value is an upper limit value for a predetermined period.

  In step S111-1, the upper limit determination unit 135 adds 5 to the actual consumption amount of the user A. In step S111-1, the upper limit determination unit 135 compares the actual consumption amount with the upper limit value, and if the actual consumption amount reaches the upper limit value, the upper limit determination unit 135 stops the printing process.

  On the other hand, the upper limit determination unit 135 that has received the schedule log calculates the planned point consumption by the printing process corresponding to the schedule log based on the coefficient storage unit 142 (S107-1 to S107-4). The upper limit determination unit 135 stores the calculated scheduled consumption amount in the RAM 112, for example.

  In step S107-1 to S <b> 107, the upper limit determination unit 135 compares the accumulated value of the scheduled consumption amount with the remaining point amount for the user A. The remaining amount is a value obtained by subtracting the initial value of the actual consumption amount from the upper limit value stored in the user information storage unit 141 for the user A. The cumulative value of point consumption refers to the sum of scheduled consumption. The total scheduled consumption is the planned consumption calculated in the step at step S107-1, and the schedule calculated in steps S107-1 and S107-2 at the step S107-2. This is the sum of consumption.

  The initial value of actual consumption refers to the actual consumption before updating in Step 111-1. For example, at the time of step S107-4, the planned consumption calculated in step S107-1 is reflected in the actual consumption by step S111-1. Therefore, if the remaining amount is calculated by subtracting the updated actual consumption amount from the upper limit value, the consumption amount is counted twice for printing on the first page. Therefore, the upper limit determination unit 135 saves the actual consumption value before execution of step S111-1 as an initial value in the RAM 112, and calculates the remaining point amount by subtracting the initial value from the upper limit value. .

  According to the user information storage unit 141 illustrated in FIG. 6, for the user A, the initial value of the actual consumption amount is 83 and the upper limit value is 100. Therefore, the remaining amount = 100−83 = 17. Further, the planned consumption calculated based on one scheduled log is 5, but at the time of step S107-4, four scheduled logs are generated. Therefore, the cumulative value of the planned consumption is 5 × 4 = 20.

  As a result, the cumulative value (20) of the scheduled consumption amount exceeds the remaining point amount (17). In other words, the initial value of the actual consumption amount + the cumulative value of the scheduled consumption amount = 83 + 20 = 103 exceeds the upper limit value (100).

  As described above, when the cumulative value of the planned consumption amount exceeds the initial remaining point (before the print request) for the user A, the upper limit determination unit 135 instructs the print control unit 132 to pause the printing process. Is input (S112). The print control unit 132 pauses the printing process in response to the pause instruction. In other words, if printing is continued as it is, the remaining amount of points may be depleted before printing on all sides is completed, and printing may be forcibly stopped. It is. It should be noted that for a surface that is currently being printed, a temporary stop may be performed after the printing of the surface is completed. In this case, with respect to this aspect, the actual consumption amount is updated based on the actual result log.

  In FIG. 3, the scheduled log for three pages is transmitted to the upper limit determination unit 135 until the printing for one page is completed. In other words, the schedule log generation speed of each side is faster than the printing speed of each side. This is because the processing time of the printing process performed by driving the printer 13, which is hardware, is generally much longer than the software processing time for analyzing the print data. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the printing on the first surface is completed before the scheduled log on the fourth surface is notified to the upper limit determination unit 135 for the sake of convenience. It will take time. That is, it is considered that the schedule log on the fourth side is notified to the upper limit determination unit 135 earlier.

  Following step S112, the upper limit determination unit 135 waits for reception of an analysis completion notification from the schedule log generation unit 133 (S114). However, if an analysis completion notification has already been received up to this point, there is no need to wait. When the analysis completion notification is received, the upper limit determination unit 135 calculates the number of printable copies (S115). The number of printable copies means the number of copies in which the point consumption is within the upper limit range. The number of printable copies is calculated as follows.

  First, the total value of the number of files of all scheduled logs received until the analysis completion notification is obtained. In the present embodiment, the total value is 5. Subsequently, the total value is applied to the following calculation formula to calculate the number of printable copies.

Number of printable copies = (remaining amount of initial points) ÷ (scheduled consumption per page x total number of copies)
Scheduled consumption per page = color type coefficient × paper size coefficient The initial value of the actual consumption is the actual consumption before the execution of step S111-1.

According to the schedule log shown in FIG. 4, the planned consumption per page = 1 × 1 = 1. Further, according to the user information storage unit 141 illustrated in FIG. 6, with respect to the user A, the remaining amount of initial points = upper limit value−initial value of actual consumption = 100−83 = 17
Then, the number of printable copies = 17 ÷ (1 × 5) = 3.4
Therefore, the number of printable copies is three.

  Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 135 requests the user notification unit 137 to make an inquiry to the user who is continuation of the printing process (S116). In the inquiry request, the set (requested) number of copies and the number of printable copies are also specified. In response to the request, the user notification unit 137 displays an inquiry screen on the operation panel 15 (S117).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an inquiry screen. In FIG. 7, on the inquiry screen 510, as information to be presented to the user, a message indicating that printing is interrupted in the middle, the number of copies set, the number of printable copies, and the like are displayed.

  The inquiry screen 510 also includes a stop button 511, a continue button 512, a copy number change button 513, and the like as display components for receiving an instruction from the user. A cancel button 511 is a button for accepting an immediate print cancel instruction. The continue button 512 is a button for accepting an instruction to continue printing until the point consumption (actual consumption) reaches the upper limit (until the remaining point is exhausted). The copy number change button 513 is a button for accepting an instruction to change the number of copies within the printable number of copies. When the copy number change button 513 is selected, the user notification unit 137 causes the operation panel 15 to display a copy number input screen. On the copy number input screen, it is possible to input the number of copies equal to or less than the printable number of copies. The user inputs a desired number of copies on the copy number input screen.

  That is, when the continue button 512 is selected, printing may be interrupted in the middle of a certain copy. In the present embodiment, printing may be interrupted in the middle of the fourth copy. Therefore, some users may want to get one, two, or three copies in perfect condition. The copy number change button 513 is an option for meeting such user needs.

  When the user selects the cancel button 511, the continue button 512, or the copy number change button 513 via the inquiry screen 510, the user notification unit 137 displays the selection result (“stop”, “continue”, or “ The upper limit determination unit 135 is notified of the “number of copies change”) (S118). When the selection result is “change number of copies”, the user notification unit 137 also notifies the upper limit determination unit 135 of the number of copies input on the copy number input screen.

  When the notified selection result is “cancel”, the upper limit determination unit 135 immediately requests the use restriction unit 136 to cancel printing (S121-1). In response to the request, the usage restriction unit 136 requests the print control unit 132 to cancel printing (S122-1). The print control unit 132 stops the temporarily stopped printing (S123-1).

  In this case, in the past, printing was canceled only after the actual consumption reached the upper limit, but according to the present embodiment, printing is stopped before the actual consumption reaches the upper limit. Can do. Therefore, if the whole cannot be printed, it is possible to meet the user's request that printing is not desired. In the present embodiment, in response to a print request for a total of 5 surfaces × 5 copies = 25 surfaces, the printing can be stopped when the first surface is printed. Actually, the possibility of the printing being canceled before the printing of the first surface is sufficiently expected.

  When the notified selection result is “continue”, the upper limit determination unit 135 requests the print control unit 132 to resume printing (S131). The print control unit 132 executes the print processing for the steps subsequent to step S108-1 with respect to the analysis results notified before the analysis completion notification, such as steps S104-1 to S104-4 (S108-2 to S108-17). . Every time printing is performed, as described in steps S109-1 and S110-1, a print execution notification is notified to the result log generation unit 134, and the result log is transmitted to the upper limit determination unit 135 (S109-). 2-17, S110-2-17). In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of points of the user A (upper limit value−actual consumption amount) is 17. The point consumption per page is 1. Therefore, the upper limit determination unit 135 is notified of the result log for the seventeenth surface (second surface of the fourth part) (S110-17), and based on the result log, the actual consumption of the user A in the user information storage unit 141 When the amount is updated, it is detected that the actual consumption has reached the upper limit. Therefore, in steps S121-2 to S123-2, processing similar to that in steps S121-1 to S123-1 is executed, and printing is stopped.

  If the notified selection result is “change number of copies”, the upper limit determination unit 135 requests the print control unit 132 to resume printing (S131). The print control unit 132 executes the print processing for steps subsequent to step S108-1 with respect to the analysis results notified before the analysis completion notification, such as steps S104-1 to S104-4 (S108-2 to S108-5). . In this embodiment, it is assumed that 1 is input as the number of copies after the change. In the present embodiment, the number of surfaces per part is five. Therefore, the upper limit determination unit 135 is notified of the result log for the fifth surface of the first part (S110-5), and the actual consumption amount of the user A in the user information storage unit 141 is updated based on the result log. Then, the use restriction unit 136 is requested to cancel printing (S121-3). That is, printing is stopped when the number of copies printed in the printing process executed before the suspension and the printing process executed after the restart reaches the number of copies input by the user.

  Thereafter, in steps S122-3 and S123-3, processing similar to that in steps S122-1 and S123-1 is executed, and printing is stopped.

  In this embodiment, a print job has been described as an example, but the same processing procedure can be applied to a FAX reception job and a copy job. In the case of a copy job, the analysis result may be notified to the schedule log generation unit 133 and the print control unit 132 every time image data for one page is read from the document. In the case of a copy job, for example, the user name of the operator may be specified based on a user name input via the operation panel 15 at the time of login or the like.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, according to the input of information for a predetermined number of faces (that is, a part of all faces in the print request) among the information constituting the print request. Then, the planned consumption of points is calculated, and the cumulative value of the planned consumption is compared with the remaining amount of points. Therefore, it is possible to notify at an early stage that the printing exceeds the limit range compared to the case where it is detected that the actual consumption amount has reached the upper limit value based on the actual result log.

  In particular, the schedule log is generated whenever the analysis for each analysis unit is completed, not after all the input of the print data is completed. Therefore, the point depletion can be predicted earlier than when the point consumption is calculated after all the input of the print data is completed. For example, when the remaining amount is 10 points, it is assumed that printing of 100 pages is requested based on setting information in which the point consumption per page is 1. In this case, in the present embodiment, the point depletion can be predicted when the analysis for 11 planes is completed.

  When the cumulative value of the scheduled consumption amount and the remaining point amount are exceeded, an inquiry screen 510 is displayed, and the user is given an opportunity to select regarding the continuation of printing. Therefore, it is possible to execute a printing process according to the user's intention.

  Further, complete copies can be printed within the range of the number of printable copies. As a result, convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is an example of a device. The upper limit determination unit 135 is an example of a comparison unit, a stop unit, and a restart unit. The usage restriction unit 136 is an example of a cancellation unit. The user notification unit 137 is an example of a display control unit. The operation panel 15 is an example of a display device.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 SD card slot 80 SD card 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121a Print application 121b Copy application 121c FAX application 122 Request input unit 123 Request analysis unit 131 Authentication unit 132 Print control unit 133 Schedule log generation unit 134 Performance log generation unit 135 Upper limit determination unit 136 Usage restriction unit 137 User notification unit 141 User information storage Unit 142 Coefficient storage unit 143 Results log storage unit

JP 2011-059631 A

Claims (5)

A device that performs printing based on a print request,
Of the information that constitutes the print request, an upper limit value is set in advance in response to input of information related to a part of the print surface, and the amount of consumption due to printing of the print surface is calculated for the number of times consumed in accordance with execution of printing. And a comparison unit for comparing the consumption and the remaining amount of the frequency,
A device having a stop unit that stops printing according to the print request according to the comparison result. A display control unit that causes a display device to display a screen for inquiring about continuation of printing stopped by the stop unit;
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cancel unit that cancels printing in response to the print request when a print cancel instruction is input via the screen. When a change in the number of prints is instructed via the screen, a restart unit that restarts printing stopped by the stop unit,
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cancel unit cancels printing in response to the print request when the number of print copies by execution of printing before stopping and restarted printing reaches the number of print copies after change. A device that performs printing based on a print request
Of the information that constitutes the print request, an upper limit value is set in advance in response to input of information related to a part of the print surface, and the amount of consumption due to printing of the print surface is calculated for the number of times consumed in accordance with execution of printing. The calculation procedure to
A comparison procedure for comparing the consumption and the remaining amount of the frequency;
A control method for executing a stop procedure for stopping printing according to the print request according to the comparison result. To a device that performs printing based on a print request,
Of the information that constitutes the print request, an upper limit value is set in advance in response to input of information related to a part of the print surface, and the amount of consumption due to printing of the print surface is calculated for the number of times consumed in accordance with execution of printing. The calculation procedure to
A comparison procedure for comparing the consumption and the remaining amount of the frequency;
A program for executing a stop procedure for stopping printing according to the print request in accordance with the comparison result.

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