JP2015047742A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of promoting ecology by causing a user to execute a function with less consumption.SOLUTION: In a step S203 of function execution processing, "an upper limit of the number of total function consumption points" for "an ecological level" set for each user is taken out. In step S204, "functions" and "function consumption points" are displayed. In step S205, one or more "functions" selected by the user is input. In step S206, "function consumption points" converting the consumption for the "functions" are take out. In step S207, "function consumption points" are totaled and "the number of total function consumption points" is calculated. In step S208, it is determined whether or not "the number of total function consumption points" is equal to or less than "the upper limit of the number of total function consumption points." If "the number of total function consumption points" is equal to or less than "the upper limit of the number of total function consumption points", "the functions" selected by the user are executed in step S210. In other cases, the "functions" selected by the user are input again, returning from step S209 to step S205.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that promotes ecology by suppressing consumption of consumables and power consumption.

  An image forming apparatus that is a printer, a multifunction printer, a multifunction peripheral device, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor with toner supplied from a developing device, An image is formed by transferring and fixing the toner image on a sheet. As described above, the image forming apparatus consumes toner, paper, and power that are consumables. In recent years, the influence on the environment due to the increase in consumption has become a problem. For this reason, according to recent technology, the image forming apparatus is set to reduce the print density that can reduce the amount of toner consumption, the duplex printing or the aggregate printing setting that can reduce the printing paper, and the image forming apparatus is being executed. It is equipped with a setting that automatically shifts to a standby state in which power consumption can be suppressed when it is not. For example, in the image forming system and the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user is identified by information such as an IP address or a user ID, and the print paper size of the image is determined by the number of pixels of the image requested for printing and the print paper size. A user who calculates the image area ratio with respect to the image area ratio and exceeds the predetermined value can limit the amount of toner used in the next image print request.

JP 2004-29086 A

  However, the image data monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1 restricts the amount of toner used in the next image print request for a user whose image area ratio exceeds a certain value, so that the user cannot print an image. For example, the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving the above-described problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a function point setting unit that sets a function point corresponding to a function of the image forming apparatus, an eco level setting unit that sets an eco level that is a use restriction of the function for each user, Total function point number limit setting means for setting the total function point number limit corresponding to the eco level, and total function point number calculation means for calculating the total function point number that is the sum of the function points corresponding to the selected function The selected function is executed when the total number of function points satisfies the condition for limiting the total number of function points.
Further, the function point of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a function consumption point converted from the amount of consumption when the function of the image forming apparatus is executed, and the total number of function points corresponds to the eco level. This is the upper limit of the total number of function points.
Further, the function point of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a function eco point that is a degree of contribution to eco when the function of the image forming apparatus is executed, and the total function point number limit is the eco level Is the lower limit of the total number of function points corresponding to.
In addition, when the number of function points of the image forming apparatus of the present invention does not satisfy the condition for limiting the total number of function points, the function of the number of function points is not displayed on the function selection menu or cannot be selected. It is characterized by being displayed on a selection menu.
Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it is displayed on the function selection menu so that the selected function can be discriminated when the total function point number does not satisfy the condition for limiting the total function point number. .
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a print output number counting unit that counts the number of print outputs, and the eco level is changed when the print output number becomes equal to or greater than an upper limit of the print output number. Yes.
In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a reset unit that resets the number of print outputs.

  The present invention promotes ecology (hereinafter referred to as “eco”) by allowing a user to execute a function that consumes less consumables and power consumption, and when the user does not satisfy the eco conditions. Provides an image forming apparatus that allows the user to select a function so as to satisfy the eco-conditions.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the functional eco point information table which concerns on embodiment of this invention, an eco level information table, and a user eco level information table. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the eco-level setting process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the function execution process which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. An image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms an image such as a printer, a multifunction printer, a multifunction peripheral device, or a multifunction peripheral. Referring to FIG. A unit 3, a main body unit 4, and an operation unit 5 are provided. The document reading unit 2 is disposed on the top of the main body unit 4, and the document feeding unit 3 is disposed on the top of the document reading unit 2.

  On the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, an operation unit 5 for setting and operating instructions of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed. The operation unit 5 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 51 and operation buttons 52. The user operates the operation unit 5 to input an instruction, thereby performing various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 and executing various functions such as image formation. The liquid crystal display unit 51 displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1, displays the image forming status and the number of copies, and can be used as a touch panel to perform various settings such as functions such as double-sided printing and black-and-white reversal, magnification setting, and density setting. It has become. The operation buttons 52 include a start button for instructing start of image formation, a stop / clear button for instructing to stop image formation, a reset button used when various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 are set to a default state, a numeric keypad, and the like. Is provided.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the document reading unit 2 includes a scanner 21, a platen glass 22, and a document reading slit 23. The scanner 21 includes a light source 24 using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light receiving unit 25 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) line sensor, and the like. The unit 3 is configured to be movable in the conveyance direction of the document MS (manuscript). The document reading slit 23 is a slit formed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the document MS by the document feeding unit 3.

  The document feeding unit 3 includes a document placement unit 31, a document discharge unit 32, and a document transport mechanism 33. The document MS set on the document placement unit 31 is sequentially fed out one by one by the document transport mechanism 33, transported to a position facing the document reading slit 23, and then discharged to the document discharge unit 32. The document feeding unit 3 and the document reading unit 2 are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism on the back side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the document feeding unit 3 functions as a platen cover that opens and closes the upper surface of the platen glass 22. . By opening the document feeder 3 upward, the upper surface of the platen glass 22 is opened, and the document MS can be set on the platen glass 22.

  When reading of the document MS is instructed by the operation button 52 of the operation unit 5 in a state where the document MS is not set on the document placement unit 31 or in an opened state where the document feeding unit 3 (platen cover) is opened. A document MS set on the platen glass 22 is read. When reading the document MS placed on the platen glass 22, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the platen glass 22, and the document MS set on the platen glass 22 is moved in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The image data is acquired by scanning while scanning from the sub-scanning direction reference line B, and the acquired image data is output to the main body unit 4.

  When reading of the document MS is instructed by the operation button 52 of the operation unit 5 in a state where the document MS is set on the document placement unit 31, the document MS conveyed by the document feeding unit 3 is read. The document MS is set on the document placement unit 31 with the front surface (surface from which a document image is read) facing up. Then, the document MS set on the document placement unit 31 is conveyed from the left side by the document feeding unit 3, and the surface of the document MS is guided to a position facing the document reading slit 23. Further, when reading the document MS conveyed by the document feeding unit 3, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 23 and is synchronized with the conveying operation by the document feeding unit 3 via the document reading slit 23. Then, the original MS is read to acquire image data, and the acquired image data is output to the main body unit 4.

  The main body 4 includes a recording unit 6, and includes a paper feed unit 41, a paper feed roller 42, a paper transport path 43, a transport roller 44, and a discharge roller 45. The paper feed unit 41 is a paper feed cassette that stores a plurality of sheets of paper P, and the paper feed roller 42 feeds the paper P from the paper feed unit 41 to the paper transport path 43 one by one. The paper P fed to the paper transport path 43 by the paper feed roller 42 is transported to the recording unit 6 by the transport roller 44. The transport roller 44 transports the paper P so that the leading edge of the paper P supplied from the paper feed cassette matches the leading edge of the image read from the document. The paper P on which recording has been performed by the recording unit 6 is discharged by a discharge roller 45 into a discharge space 46 formed between the document reading unit 2 and the main body unit 4. As described above, the paper feed roller 42, the transport roller 44, and the discharge roller 45 function as a transport unit for the paper P.

  The recording unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum 61, a charging unit 62, an exposure unit 63, an image forming unit 64, a transfer unit 65, a fixing unit 66, and a cleaning unit 67. The exposure unit 63 is an optical unit including a laser device, a mirror, and the like. The exposure unit 63 outputs a laser beam based on image data to the photosensitive drum 61 uniformly charged by the charging unit 62 and exposes the photosensitive drum 61. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the drum 61. The image forming unit 64 is a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 using toner, and forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61. The transfer unit 65 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 by the image forming unit 64 to the paper P. The fixing unit 66 heats the paper P on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 65 to fix the toner image on the paper P. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 61 is removed by the cleaning unit 67.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Document reading unit 2, document feeding unit 3, conveyance unit (feed roller 42, conveyance roller 44, discharge roller 45), operation unit 5, recording unit 6, auxiliary storage unit 8, storage unit 9, and communication unit 10. Are connected to the control unit 7 and controlled in operation by the control unit 7. The control unit 7 includes an eco level setting processing unit 71 and a function execution processing unit 72. The auxiliary storage unit 8 includes a function consumption point information table 81, an eco level information table 82, and a user eco level information table 83.

The control unit 7 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 7 reads out a control program stored in the ROM and develops the control program in the RAM, thereby controlling the entire apparatus according to predetermined instruction information input from the operation unit 5.
The eco-level setting processing unit 71 is a usage restriction for each user with respect to functions with different consumables and power consumption set by the administrator (hereinafter referred to as “manager”) managing the image forming apparatus 1 from the operation unit 5. (Hereinafter referred to as “eco-level”). Details of the eco level setting process executed by the eco level setting processing unit 71 will be described later.
The function execution processing unit 72 determines whether the function of the image forming apparatus 1 selected by the user satisfies the eco level condition of the user, and executes the function selected by the user when the eco level condition is satisfied. . Details of the function execution processing executed by the function execution processing unit 72 will be described later.

The auxiliary storage unit 8 is an auxiliary storage device including a flash memory or the like, and stores a program and data for processing executed by the control unit 7.
In the function consumption point information table 81, points (hereinafter referred to as “function consumption points”) converted from consumables and power consumption per page when the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are executed are set. The configuration of the function consumption point information table 81 will be described later.
In the eco level information table 82, the upper limit of the total number of function consumption points corresponding to the eco level (hereinafter referred to as “total function consumption point number”) is set. The configuration of the eco level information table 82 will be described later.
The user eco-level information table 83 is set with an eco-level for each user ID and the number of times the user has performed print output during a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as “print output count”). The configuration of the user eco level information table 83 will be described later.

  The storage unit 9 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores image data of the document MS read by the scanner 21 and various management information.

  The communication unit 10 has a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from a peripheral device 12 such as a personal computer and another image forming apparatus 1a via a network 11 such as a LAN. The communication unit 10 is configured to be connectable to the Internet 14 via the network 11 and the router 13. The communication unit 10 has a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from various communication devices connected to the Internet 14.

  Next, the configuration of the function consumption point information table 81 will be described with reference to FIG. The function consumption point information table 81 is provided with items of “function” and “function consumption point” as shown in FIG. The “function” is a function that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The “function consumption point” is set as the function consumption point for the “function”, and the point increases as the consumption of consumables or power consumption when the function is executed increases. For example, “point” corresponding to “2 in 1 (collective printing)” of “function” is “P5”, and “point” corresponding to “4 in 1 (consolidated printing)” of “function” is “P6”. Yes. In this case, since the consumption amount of the consumables is larger when printing two pages on one sheet than when printing four pages on one sheet, “P5”> “P6”.

  Next, the configuration of the eco level information table 82 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, the eco level information table 82 includes items of “eco level” and “total function consumption point number upper limit”. As the “eco level”, five eco levels from “5” to “1” are set. The “total function consumption point number upper limit” is set to the upper limit of the total function consumption point number that can be used by the user for “eco level” in one print output or the like. In the eco level information table 82, “S5” of “5” of “Eco level” has the largest “total number of function consumption points”, and “S1” of “1” of “Eco level” has the largest “total function consumption”. "Point number upper limit" is small. In this way, as the “eco level” decreases, the functions that can be used in one print output are limited.

  Next, the configuration of the user eco level information table 83 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4C, the user eco level information table 83 includes items of “user ID”, “eco level”, and “number of print outputs”. In the “user ID”, information for identifying a user assigned to each user is set. The “eco level” is set to the “eco level” for the user with the “user ID”. For example, when the “eco level” of the user whose “user ID” is “user1” is set to “1”, “1” is set in the “eco level” corresponding to “user1” of the “user ID”. The “number of times of print output” is set to the number of times the user has performed print output during a predetermined period. The predetermined period is a period set by the administrator, and is reset by the control unit 7 at a fixed period. Further, the administrator can arbitrarily reset the “number of times of printing output”.

  Next, the eco level setting process of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. When the administrator sets the administrator ID and password using the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51 and performs the eco level setting operation, the operation unit 5 inputs the administrator ID, password, and eco level setting operation, and outputs them to the control unit 7. To do. When the control unit 7 inputs the administrator ID and password and the eco level setting operation, the eco level setting processing unit 71 is activated, and the eco level setting processing unit 71 starts the eco level setting process.

(Step S101)
First, the eco level setting processing unit 71 inputs an administrator ID and a password.

(Step S102)
Next, the eco level setting processing unit 71 performs administrator authentication using the administrator ID and password. When it is authenticated as a valid administrator by the administrator authentication (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. When it is not authenticated as a valid administrator by the administrator authentication (No in step S102), the eco level setting process is terminated.

(Step S103)
In step S102 Yes, when the eco level setting processing unit 71 displays a guidance message for inputting the “user ID” of the user who sets the eco level on the liquid crystal display unit 51, the administrator touches the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51. Enter the “User ID”.

(Step S104)
Next, when the eco level setting processing unit 71 displays a guidance message for inputting the “eco level” for “user ID” on the liquid crystal display unit 51, the administrator sets the “eco level” on the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51. input.

(Step S105)
Next, the eco level setting processing unit 71 sets the “eco level” input in step S104 corresponding to the “user ID” input in step S103 in the user eco level information table 83. For example, if the “user ID” input in step S103 is “user3” and the “eco level” input in step S104 is “4”, the “user ID” in the user eco level information table 83 is set to “user3”. The corresponding “eco level” is set to “4”.

(Step S106)
Next, when the eco-level setting processing unit 71 displays on the liquid crystal display unit 51 a guidance message for confirming whether or not the “eco-level” is set for another “user ID”, the administrator sets another “user ID”. Enter the presence / absence of “Eco Level” setting for. The eco level setting processing unit 71 determines whether there is a setting input by the administrator. When setting presence is input (Yes in step S106), the process returns to step S103. When no setting is input (No in step S106), the eco level setting process is terminated.

  Next, function execution processing of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. When the user sets a user ID and password using the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51 and performs a print output operation, the operation unit 5 inputs the user ID, password, and print output operation and outputs them to the control unit 7. When the control unit 7 inputs the user ID and password and the print output operation, the function execution processing unit 72 is activated, and the function execution processing unit 72 starts the function execution processing.

(Step S201)
First, the function execution processing unit 72 inputs a user ID and a password.

(Step S202)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 performs user authentication using the user ID and password. When it is authenticated by the user authentication that the user is a valid user (Yes in step S202), the process proceeds to step S203. When it is not authenticated as a valid user by the user authentication (No in step S202), the function execution process is terminated.

(Step S203)
In Yes in step S202 or Yes in step S214, the function execution processing unit 72 extracts the “eco level” corresponding to the “user ID” input in step S201 from the user eco level information table 83, and then stores the eco level information. The “total upper limit of function consumption points” corresponding to the “eco level” is extracted from the table 82. For example, if the user ID input in step S201 is “user4”, “2” of “eco level” corresponding to “user4” of “user ID” of the user eco level information table 83 is extracted. Further, in the eco level information table 82, the “total function consumption point upper limit” corresponding to “2” of “eco level” is “S2”, and therefore “total function consumption points” corresponding to the user ID “user4”. “S2” of “number upper limit” is extracted.

(Step S204)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 displays a guidance message for allowing the user to select a function, and a function selection menu including “function” and “function consumption point” in the function consumption point information table 81 shown in FIG. Displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 51. At this time, if there are “function consumption points” exceeding the “total number of function consumption points” extracted in step S203, the “function consumption points” and “functions” are not displayed or displayed so that they cannot be selected. Thus, the user can easily select selectable “functions” and “function consumption points”.

(Step S205)
Subsequent to step S204 or step S209, the “function” selected by the user using the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51 is input. For example, when the user selects “monochrome printing”, “double-sided printing”, “2 in 1 (collective printing)”, and “print density (normal)”, these “functions” are input.

(Step S206)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 extracts the “function consumption points” for the “function” input in step S205 from the function consumption point information table 81. For example, if the functions input in step S205 are “monochrome printing”, “double-sided printing”, “2 in 1 (collective printing)”, and “print density (normal)”, “monochrome printing” in the function consumption point information table 81 "P1" of "Function consumption point" corresponding to "P4" corresponding to "Double-sided printing", "P5" corresponding to "2in1 (collective printing)", and "P8" corresponding to "Print density (normal)" Is extracted.

(Step S207)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 adds up the “function consumption points” for the “functions” extracted in step S206, and calculates the “total number of function consumption points”. “Function consumption point” is a point obtained by converting the amount of consumables and power consumption per page, and is multiplied by the number of pages printed out. For example, if the function selected in step S203 is “monochrome printing”, “double-sided printing”, “2 in 1 (collective printing)”, and “print density (normal)”, three pages are printed and output, “total function” The number of consumption points ”= (P1 + P4 + P5 + P8) × 3.

(Step S208)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 determines whether the “total function consumption point number” calculated in step S207 is equal to or less than the “total function consumption point number upper limit” extracted in step S203. When the “total function consumption point number” is equal to or less than the “total function consumption point number upper limit” (Yes in step S208), the process proceeds to step S210. When the “total function consumption point number” is not less than the “total function consumption point number upper limit” (No in step S208), the process proceeds to step S209.

(Step S209)
In step S208 No, the function execution processing unit 72 uses a guidance message for allowing the user to select a function again, and “function” and “function consumption point” in the function consumption point information table 81 shown in FIG. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 51, and the process returns to step S205. At this time, if there are “function consumption points” exceeding the “total upper limit of function consumption points” extracted in step S203, the “function consumption points” and “functions” are not displayed or displayed so that they cannot be selected. In addition, the “function” that can be selected by the user in the reselection operation to reselect the selectable function such as setting a mesh, a specific mark, or a specific display color in the “function” previously selected by the user in step S205. And “function consumption points” are displayed on the function selection menu so that they can be easily identified.

(Step S210)
In step S208, the function execution processing unit 72 executes the “function” selected by the user input in step S205. For example, if the functions input in step S205 are “monochrome printing”, “double-sided printing”, “2 in 1 (collective printing)”, and “print density (normal)”, the document set on the document placement unit 31 The MS is printed on both sides of the paper P in monochrome with a printing density (normal) and in a state of being integrated into 2 in 1.

(Step S211)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 updates the “print output count” corresponding to “user ID” in the user eco level information table 83. For example, if “user ID” is “user4”, “1” is added to “C4” of “number of print outputs” corresponding to “user4” of “user ID” in the user eco level information table 83.

(Step S212)
Next, the function execution processing unit 72 determines whether or not the “print output count” updated in step S211 is equal to or greater than a predetermined print output count. When the “print output count” is equal to or greater than the predetermined print output count (Yes in step S212), the process proceeds to step S213. When the “print output count” is not equal to or greater than the predetermined print output count (No in step S212), the process proceeds to step S214.

(Step S213)
In step S212, the function execution processing unit 72 lowers the “eco level” corresponding to the user ID in the user eco level information table 83 by one level. However, when the “eco level” is “1”, it cannot be lowered and remains “1”. For example, when the user ID is “user4”, “2” of “eco level” for “user4” of “user ID” in the user ecolevel information table 83 is changed to “1”, but “user5” of “user ID” is changed. Since the “eco-level” for “” is “1”, it remains “1” and is not changed.

(Step S214)
Next, when the function execution processing unit 72 displays a guidance message for confirming whether or not another print output request is to be made on the liquid crystal display unit 51, the user inputs whether or not the user makes another print output request. . The function execution processing unit 72 determines whether there is another print output request input by the user. When other print output request is input (Yes in step S214), the process returns to step S203. When no other print output request is input (No in step S214), the function execution process ends.

  As described above, when the total function consumption point number upper limit corresponding to the “eco level” set by the administrator for each user is not reached (when the condition of the “total function consumption point upper limit” is satisfied), image formation Since the device 1 executes a function selected by the user, the user can promote ecology suitable for the user's business. Further, when the condition of “the upper limit of the total number of function consumption points” is not satisfied, the user can select a function with a smaller consumption amount again, and the user can print. In addition, when the number of print outputs is counted for each user and the print output count exceeds the predetermined print output count upper limit, the “eco level” is lowered by one level, and the consumption of consumables and power consumption is further increased. By letting the user select a few functions, the user can be more eco-conscious. In this way, it is possible to increase the user's awareness of ecology and reduce the consumption of consumables and power consumption in daily work.

  In the embodiment, the description has been given using “functional consumption points” which are points converted from consumables and power consumption corresponding to the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, but the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are executed. It is also possible to use “functional eco-points” that point to the degree of contribution to the eco when doing so. In this case, the consumption of consumables and power consumption decreases as the “function” with a larger “function eco-point” decreases the consumption of consumables and power consumption as the “function” with a smaller “function eco-point”. In addition, the higher the “eco level”, the more ecological, and the “total function eco point lower limit” for the “eco level” is set. Therefore, it is determined whether the “total number of function eco-points” of the “function” selected by the user is greater than or equal to the “total function eco-point lower limit” and the “total function eco-point number” is greater than or equal to the “total function eco-point lower limit”. (When the condition of “total function eco-point lower limit” is satisfied), the image forming apparatus 1 can also execute the function selected by the user.

  In addition, the “eco level” in the eco level information table 82 shown in FIG. 4B has five levels from “5” to “1”. However, this is an example, and the level required by the administrator is provided. be able to.

  In addition, when the “print output count” in the user eco level information table 83 shown in FIG. 4 (3) exceeds the predetermined print output count upper limit, the “eco level” is lowered by one level. The present invention is not limited to this, and changes such as a two-step reduction are also possible. It is also possible to set an upper limit of the number of times of printing output that is predetermined for each user.

  Further, when the function execution processing unit 72 starts the function execution process, the user authentication is performed by inputting the user ID and the password. However, the user authentication can be performed by inputting only the user ID.

  Further, although the procedure for performing print output from the touch panel of the liquid crystal display unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, printing from the peripheral device 12 connected to the network 11 to the image forming apparatus 1 or another image forming apparatus 1a. Even in the case of outputting, it is possible to cause the user to execute a function that consumes less consumables and power consumption using “function consumption points”. In this case, after the user authentication is normally performed in the function execution process, the user selects the image forming apparatus 1 or another image forming apparatus 1a.

  In addition, although the embodiment in which print output is performed on the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, the present invention is not limited to print output. For example, when the original MS is transmitted by FAX, processing similar to print output can be performed. .

  Such an image forming apparatus of the present invention promotes ecology (hereinafter referred to as “eco”) by causing a user to execute a function that consumes less consumables and power consumption. Instead of preventing the user from using the image forming apparatus when the condition is not satisfied, the user can select the function so that the eco condition is satisfied.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by specific embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the said embodiment is an illustration of this invention and is not limited to this embodiment.

  The present invention is suitable for an image forming apparatus, but is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be applied to any apparatus that can execute a function by an operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 1a ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Document reading part 3 ... Document feeding part 4 ... Body part 5 ... Operation unit 6 ... recording unit 7 ... control unit 8 ... auxiliary storage unit 9 ... storage unit 10 ... communication unit 11 ... network 12 ... Peripheral devices 13 ... Router 14 ... Internet 21 ... Scanner 22 ... Platen glass 23 ... Original reading slit 24 ... ··· Light source 25 ··· Light receiving portion 31 ··· Document placement portion 32 ··· Document discharge portion 33 ··· Document transport mechanism 41 ··· Feeding portion 42 · · ·················································· 43 ..Ejecting space 51... Liquid crystal display section 52... Operation button 61... Photoconductor drum 62... Charging section 63. ..Image forming section 65... Transfer section 66... Fixing section 67... Cleaning section 71... Eco level setting processing section 72. 81... Function consumption point information table 82... Eco level information table 83... User eco level information table

Claims (7)

A function point setting means for setting a function point corresponding to a function of the image forming apparatus;
An eco-level setting means for setting an eco-level that is a use restriction of the function for each user;
A total function point limit setting means for setting a total function point limit corresponding to the eco level;
A total functional point number calculating means for calculating a total functional point number that is a total of the functional points corresponding to the selected function;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selected function is executed when the total number of function points satisfies the condition for limiting the total number of function points. The function point is a function consumption point obtained by converting a consumption amount when the function of the image forming apparatus is executed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total number of functional points is an upper limit of the total number of functional points corresponding to the eco level. The functional point is a functional eco point that is a degree of contribution to eco when the function of the image forming apparatus is executed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total number of functional points is a lower limit of the total number of functional points corresponding to the eco level.   When the number of function points does not satisfy the condition for limiting the total number of function points, the function of the number of function points is not displayed on the function selection menu or displayed on the function selection menu so that it cannot be selected. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the function selection menu displays the selected function when the total function point number does not satisfy the condition for limiting the total function point number. . A print output number counting means for counting the number of print outputs is provided,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the eco level is changed when the number of times of printing output is equal to or greater than an upper limit of times of printing output.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a reset unit that resets the number of times of printing output.

Images