JP2018114694A - Image formation apparatus, control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which can prevent the convenience of a user from being impaired due to the fact that access to a charging management device becomes impossible.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: use permission means which permits the use of a first user inputting the fee to the charging management device or a second user succeeding in user authentication; and determination means which determines whether or not access to the charging management device is impossible, and restricts only the use by the first user when the access to the charging management device is impossible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In recent years, it has become common for convenience stores and the like to install image forming apparatuses such as MFPs in order to provide print services. In such an operation mode, a billing management device such as a coin vendor is connected to the MFP, and the MFP performs printing corresponding to the fee that the customer has put into the coin vendor. On the other hand, although it is the same in providing a print service, in a library or the like, an employee may use an MFP used by a customer. Corresponding to this type of operation, the MFP can execute printing simply by operating the operation unit of the MFP and inputting the user ID and password of the staff without staff charging the coin vendor. It is also equipped with the function.

  By the way, when an error such as out of paper or toner shortage occurs in the MFP, maintenance work is required. In this case, the MFP is notified of maintenance (for example, see Patent Document 1), and the maintenance work is performed. All usage will be suspended until completion.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-123587

  However, in the conventional MFP, since all use is stopped until the maintenance work is completed, the convenience of the user may be impaired. For example, in the MFP, even when the coin vendor becomes inaccessible due to a failure of the coin vendor, poor connection with the coin vendor, or the like, all use is suspended until the inaccessible state is resolved. In this case, not only the customer who uses the coin vendor but also the staff who does not use the coin vendor cannot use the MFP, and there arises a problem that the convenience of the user is impaired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program that can prevent the user's convenience from being impaired due to the inaccessible state of the charge management apparatus. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including an accepting unit that receives input of authentication information used for user authentication and a communication unit that communicates with a connected charging management apparatus. And a use permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus to a first user who has charged a charge to the charge management apparatus or a second user who has succeeded in user authentication, and is unable to access the charge management apparatus And determining means for determining whether or not the charging management apparatus is in an inaccessible state, wherein only the use by the first user is restricted.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent that a user's convenience is impaired by having fallen into the inaccessible state to the charge management apparatus.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of an MFP as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part and display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the user selection screen displayed on the display part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a software module of the MFP of FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job execution processing executed by a conventional MFP. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an accounting job execution process in step S504 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the balance shortage screen displayed on a display part in the process of step S611 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job execution control processing executed by the MFP of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the user selection screen displayed on the display part of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a modified example of the job execution control process of FIG. 8. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the error screen displayed on the display part of FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of an MFP 101 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP 101 includes a controller unit 105, a printer unit 115, a scanner unit 116, an operation unit 117 (accepting unit), and a display unit 118. The controller unit 105 is connected to each of the printer unit 115, the scanner unit 116, the operation unit 117, and the display unit 118. The controller unit 105 includes a CPU 106, ROM 107, RAM 108, HDD 109, EEPROM 110, display unit I / F 111, operation unit I / F 112, device I / F 113, and network I / F 114. The CPU 106 is connected to each of the ROM 107, RAM 108, HDD 109, EEPROM 110, display unit I / F 111, operation unit I / F 112, device I / F 113, and network I / F 114.

  The MFP 101 manages each job such as a print job received from the PC 103 connected via the LAN / WAN 102, and executes the job in accordance with an execution instruction of a user who has been permitted to use and logged into the MFP 101. For example, the MFP 101 performs user authentication based on user information (authentication information) such as a user ID and a password input by operating the operation unit 117, and permits the use of the user who has succeeded in the user authentication (use permission unit). And printing based on the execution instruction of the user. In addition, the MFP 101 performs printing corresponding to the fee charged to the coin vendor 104 that is a charge management apparatus connected to the MFP 101. When a fee is inserted by the user, the coin vendor 104 transmits an insertion amount notification indicating the insertion amount to the MFP 101.

The controller unit 105 comprehensively controls the entire MFP 101. The CPU 106 executes programs stored in the ROM 107 and the HDD 109 to perform each process of the software module 401 shown in FIG. A ROM 107 is a read-only memory, and stores a boot program and the like necessary for system startup. A RAM 108 is a volatile memory and is used as a work memory for the CPU 106. The HDD 109 is a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, and stores a control program, image data, and the like. The EEPROM 110 is a non-volatile memory, and stores setting values necessary for executing the control program, ID / password necessary for user management, and the like. Display unit I / F 111 outputs data for display control to display unit 118. The operation unit I / F 112 receives input information input from the operation unit 117 by a user operation. The device I / F 113 performs communication control with the printer unit 115, the scanner unit 116, and the coin vendor 104. The network I / F 114 controls data communication with the PC 103 or the like. The printer unit 115 performs printing on a sheet based on the print execution data received from the controller unit 105, and the scanner unit 116 reads a document placed on a document table (not shown), and generates image data based on the read information. .

  The operation unit 117 and the display unit 118 are integrated as shown in FIG. The operation unit 117 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a start key 201, a stop key 203, a numeric keypad 204, and a user mode key 205 in FIG. 2, and receives input information input by a user operation. A start key 201 instructs the start of job execution. An LED 202 is provided at the center of the start key 201, and the user is notified of whether or not the start key 201 can be used by the emission color of the LED 202. A stop key 203 instructs to cancel the job being executed. A numeric keypad 204 is an operation key for inputting numbers and characters. A user mode key 205 instructs to display a setting screen for performing device settings of the MFP 101.

  The display unit 118 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, and the surface of the display unit 118 is covered with a touch panel sheet. The display unit 118 displays a setting screen, operation buttons, and the like of the MFP 101, and outputs position information pressed by the user to the controller unit 105 when detecting that the user has pressed the displayed operation button. The display unit 118 displays, for example, the user selection screen 301 in FIG. 3 that allows the user to select a login method. The user selection screen 301 is displayed when the MFP 101 is activated, and includes a “authenticate and use” button 302 and a “pay for use” button 303. The “authenticate and use” button 302 is an operation button for performing login processing on condition that the user authentication is successful. When the “authenticate and use” button 302 is selected, a login screen (not shown) for inputting user information is displayed on the display unit 118. The MFP 101 performs user authentication based on the user information input on the login screen, and performs login processing for a user who has succeeded in user authentication. That is, a user who has selected the “authenticate and use” button 302 can log in to the MFP 101 without using the coin vendor 104. A “pay for use” button 303 is an operation button for performing login processing on condition that a fee is charged to the coin vendor 104.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the software module 401 of the MFP 101 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the software module 401 includes a UI control module 402, a storage device control module 403, and a user management control module 404. The software module 401 includes a network control module 405, a job control module 406, a charging device control module 407, and a device control module 408. Each process of the software module 401 is performed by the CPU 106 executing a program stored in the ROM 107 or the HDD 109.

  The UI control module 402 performs display control of the display unit 118 by controlling the display unit I / F 111. Also, the UI control module 402 controls the operation unit I / F 112 to acquire input information input by the user from the operation unit 117, and sends an execution request for processing corresponding to the acquired input information to the storage device control module 403, the user The management control module 404 and the job control module 406 are notified. For example, when acquiring user information for user authentication from the operation unit 117, the UI control module 402 notifies the user management control module 404 of a user authentication execution request. The user authentication execution request includes the acquired user information.

  The storage device control module 403 performs control to read data from the HDD 109 and the EEPROM 110 and write data to the HDD 109 and the EEPROM 110. A user management control module 404 controls execution of login processing of the MFP 101. For example, when a user authentication execution request is notified from the UI control module 402, the user management control module 404 performs user authentication based on the user information included in the user authentication execution request, and the user authentication control module 404 Perform login process. Further, when a login request is notified from the billing apparatus control module 407, the user management control module 404 performs login processing for the user who has charged the coin vendor 104.

  The network control module 405 controls the network I / F 114 and performs communication control with the PC 103 or the like connected via the LAN / WAN 102. For example, when the MFP 101 receives a job from the PC 103, the network control module 405 notifies the job control module 406 that the job has been received. The job control module 406 controls job execution. The job control module 406 notifies the charging apparatus control module 407 and the device control module 408 of an execution request for processing corresponding to the notification acquired from the UI control module 402 or the network control module 405. For example, the job control module 406 notifies the device control module 408 of a print execution request when a notification regarding execution of a print job is acquired from the network control module 405 or the like. Further, the job control module 406 notifies the billing apparatus control module 407 of information necessary for billing when the “use pay” button 303 in FIG. 3 is selected.

  The billing device control module 407 performs communication control with the coin vendor 104. When the MFP 101 receives the input amount notification from the coin vendor 104, the charging device control module 407 notifies the user management control module 404 of a login request. Further, the charging device control module 407 calculates the amount of money necessary for executing the job based on the information necessary for the charging received from the job control module 406, and the coin vendor 104 determines the amount of money for the executed job from the input amount. Give instructions to reduce. The device control module 408 controls the device I / F 113 to notify the printer unit 115 and the scanner unit 116 of a print or scan execution request.

  Next, printing by a conventional MFP will be described. The conventional MFP is assumed to have the same configuration as that of the MFP 101 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and hereinafter, each component of the conventional MFP is indicated by the same name and symbol as each component of the MFP 101.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of job execution processing executed by the conventional MFP.

  The processing in FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU 106 of the conventional MFP executing a program stored in the ROM 107 or HDD 109.

  5, first, the CPU 106 displays a user selection screen 301 on the display unit 118 (step S501), and determines whether or not the “authenticate and use” button 302 has been selected (step S502).

  As a result of the determination in step S502, when the “authenticate and use” button 302 is not selected, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the “pay for use” button 303 is selected (step S503).

  As a result of the determination in step S503, when the “use pay” button 303 is not selected, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S501. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S503, when the “pay for use” button 303 is selected, the CPU 106 executes an accounting job execution process shown in FIG. 6 to be described later (step S504) and is input to the coin vendor 104. Prints corresponding to the charge.

  When the “authenticate and use” button 302 is selected as a result of the determination in step S502, the CPU 106 displays a login screen (not shown) on the display unit 118 (step S505), and based on the user information input to the login screen. User authentication. The CPU 106 determines whether or not user authentication is successful (step S506).

  As a result of the determination in step S506, when the user authentication fails, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S505. On the other hand, if the user authentication is successful as a result of the determination in step S506, the CPU 106 displays on the display unit 118 a main menu (not shown) that allows the user to select each function such as printing and scanning provided in the MFP 101. CPU 106 waits until the user selects any function in the main menu. When the user selects any function in the main menu, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the selected function is a printing function (step S507).

  If the selected function is not a print function as a result of the determination in step S507, the CPU 106 executes a process corresponding to the selected function (step S508), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S507 is that the selected function is a print function, the CPU 106 performs print settings (not shown) for performing settings relating to printing such as color mode indicating either monochrome printing or color printing, and paper size. The screen is displayed on the display unit 118 (step S509). Next, when the start key 201 is selected (YES in step S510), the CPU 106 executes a print job, controls the scanner unit 116, and scans all the set originals. Thereafter, the CPU 106 controls the printer unit 115 to print each original (step S511). The CPU 106 determines whether or not printing of all set originals has been completed (step S512).

  As a result of the determination in step S512, when the execution of printing of any document is not completed, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S511. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S512, when the execution of printing of all the originals is completed, the CPU 106 ends this process.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the charging job execution process in step S504 of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 106 waits until a fee is input to the coin vendor 104. When a fee is inserted into the coin vendor 104 and a notification of the inserted amount is received from the coin vendor 104 (YES in step S601), the CPU 106 displays the main menu on the display unit 118. Thereafter, the CPU 106 waits until the user selects any function in the main menu, and when the user selects any function, the CPU 106 determines whether the selected function is a printing function (step S602). .

  As a result of the determination in step S602, when the selected function is not a printing function, the CPU 106 executes a process corresponding to the selected function (step S603), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S601 is that the selected function is a print function, the CPU 106 displays the print setting screen on the display unit 118 (step S604). Next, when the start key 201 is selected (YES in step S605), the CPU 106 executes a print job, controls the scanner unit 116, and scans all set originals (step S606). Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the set original can be printed with the input amount indicated by the received input amount notification (step S607). Specifically, the CPU 106 grasps the print contents based on the paper size and color mode setting information set on the print setting screen, the number of originals scanned in step S606, and the charge required for printing the print contents. Is calculated. The CPU 106 compares the calculated fee and the input amount, and confirms whether the calculated fee exceeds the input amount. In step S607, when the calculated fee does not exceed the input amount, the CPU 106 determines that the set document can be printed. On the other hand, when the calculated fee exceeds the input amount, the CPU 106 determines that the set document cannot be printed.

  As a result of the determination in step S607, when the set original can be printed, the CPU 106 controls the printer unit 115 to print each scanned original (step S608). Next, the CPU 106 instructs the coin vendor 104 to reduce the input amount by the amount of the executed printing (step S609), and determines whether or not printing of all set originals has been completed. (Step S610).

  As a result of the determination in step S610, when the execution of printing of any document is not completed, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S608. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S610, when the execution of printing of all the originals is completed, the CPU 106 ends this process.

  As a result of the determination in step S607, when the set original cannot be printed, the CPU 106 displays on the display unit 118 the shortage screen 701 shown in FIG. 7 urging the user to add an additional fee (step S611). The remaining balance shortage screen 701 includes a message 702, a print start button 703, and a cancel button 704. The message 702 includes a message for prompting the addition of an additional fee and a message indicating a shortage amount. A print start button 703 instructs to start printing, and a cancel button 704 instructs to stop printing. Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not an additional fee has been input to the coin vendor 104 and the print start button 703 has been selected by the user (step S612).

  As a result of the determination in step S612, when an additional fee is charged to the coin vendor 104 and the print start button 703 is selected by the user, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S607. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S612, when no additional fee is charged to the coin vendor 104 or the print start button 703 is not selected by the user, the CPU 106 determines whether the cancel button 704 has been selected (step S613).

  As a result of the determination in step S613, when the cancel button 704 is not selected, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S612. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S613, when the cancel button 704 is selected, the CPU 106 stops the execution of the print job (step S614) and ends this processing.

  Here, in the conventional MFP, when the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible due to a failure of the connected coin vendor 104 or poor connection with the coin vendor 104, all of the conventional MFPs until the inaccessible state is resolved. Use will be suspended. In this case, not only a user who uses the coin vendor 104 but also a user who does not use the coin vendor 104 cannot use the MFP, and there arises a problem that convenience for the user is impaired.

  Correspondingly, in the present embodiment, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, only use by a user who uses the coin vendor 104 is restricted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of job execution control processing executed by the MFP 101 of FIG.

  The process of FIG. 8 is performed by the CPU 106 executing a program stored in the ROM 107 or the HDD 109.

  In FIG. 8, first, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104 (step S801).

  As a result of the determination in step S801, when the MFP 101 is not in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, the CPU 106 performs the above-described job execution process in FIG. 5 (step S802). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S801, when the MFP 101 is inaccessible to the coin vendor 104, the CPU 106 displays the user selection screen 901 in FIG. 9 on the display unit 118 (step S803). On the user selection screen 901, the “authenticate and use” button 302 is displayed in a selectable state, and the “pay for use” button 303 is displayed in a selectable state. In addition, a message indicating that processing relating to the “use paying for fee” button 303 cannot be accepted is also notified. That is, in the present embodiment, when the MFP 101 is inaccessible to the coin vendor 104, selection of the “use pay” button 303 is avoided, and only use by the user using the coin vendor 104 is restricted. . Next, when the “authenticate and use” button 302 is selected (YES in step S804), the CPU 106 performs the processing after step S505 in FIG. 5 described above.

  According to the processing of FIG. 8 described above, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, only the use by the user who uses the coin vendor 104 is restricted. As a result, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a user who does not use the coin vendor 104 is restricted in use. As a result, it is possible to prevent the convenience of the user from being impaired due to the inaccessible state of the coin vendor 104.

  Further, in the above-described processing of FIG. 8, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, selection of the “pay for use” button 303 on the user selection screen 901 is avoided by the user. Further, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, the “authenticate and use” button 302 is displayed on the user selection screen 901, and the “pay for use” button 303 cannot be selected. Displayed with status. As a result, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, it is possible to avoid only the selection of the “use pay” button 303 by the user using the coin vendor 104, and the coin vendor 104 is used. It is possible to reliably limit only the use by the user.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using the above-described embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, only the “authenticate and use” button 302 among the “authenticate and use” button 302 and the “use and pay” button 303 may be displayed. Thereby, when the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104, only the use by the user who uses the coin vendor 104 can be more reliably restricted.

  Further, in the present embodiment described above, it may be determined whether or not the MFP 101 is in an inaccessible state to the coin vendor 104 according to the selection of the “use pay” button 303.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a modified example of the job execution control process of FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 10 is performed by the CPU 106 executing a program stored in the ROM 107 or the HDD 109.

  In FIG. 10, the CPU 106 first displays the user selection screen 301 on the display unit 118 (step S1001), and determines whether or not the “authenticate and use” button 302 has been selected by the user (step S1002).

  As a result of the determination in step S1002, when the “authenticate and use” button 302 is selected, the CPU 106 performs the processing after step S505 in FIG. On the other hand, if the “authenticate and use” button 302 is not selected as a result of the determination in step S1002, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the “pay for use” button 303 has been selected by the user (step S1003).

  As a result of the determination in step S1003, when the “pay for use” button 303 is not selected, the CPU 106 returns to the process in step S1001. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1003, when the “pay for use” button 303 is selected, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible (step S1004).

  If it is determined in step S1004 that the coin vendor 104 is not in an inaccessible state, the CPU 106 performs the above-described charging job execution process of FIG. 6 (step S1005). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1004, when the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible, the CPU 106 displays the error screen 1100 in FIG. 11 notifying that the coin vendor 104 cannot be used on the display unit 118 (step S1006). This process ends.

  In the process of FIG. 10 described above, it is determined whether or not the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible according to the selection of the “pay for use” button 303, and the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible. The error is notified to the display unit 118. In other words, the use of the MFP 101 can be restricted only when the coin vendor 104 is inaccessible and the “use pay” button 303 is selected. Can be prevented.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by processing to be executed. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 MFP
104 Coin vendor 105 Controller unit 106 CPU
113 Device I / F
901 User selection screen

Claims (7)

Accepting means for accepting input of authentication information used for user authentication;
An image forming apparatus comprising a communication unit that communicates with a connected billing management apparatus,
Use permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus to a first user who has charged the charge management apparatus or a second user who has succeeded in the user authentication;
Determining means for determining whether or not the charging management device is inaccessible;
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when access to the accounting management apparatus is in an inaccessible state, only use by the first user is restricted. First login means for performing login processing of the first user;
Second login means for performing login processing of the second user;
A selection unit that allows a user to select one of the first login unit and the second login unit;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the accounting management apparatus is in an inaccessible state, selection of the first login unit by the user is avoided. And further comprising display means for displaying the selection means,
The display means displays the first login means in a state where the first login means cannot be selected and displays the second login means in a state where the second login means can be selected when the billing management apparatus is in an inaccessible state. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 2. And further comprising display means for displaying the selection means,
3. The display unit displays only the second login unit among the first login unit and the second login unit when the billing management apparatus is in an inaccessible state. The image forming apparatus described. First login means for performing login processing of the first user;
Second login means for performing login processing of the second user;
A selection unit that allows a user to select one of the first login unit and the second login unit;
The determining means determines whether or not the charging management device is inaccessible according to the selection of the first login means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an error is notified when the billing management apparatus is in an inaccessible state. Accepting means for accepting input of authentication information used for user authentication;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a connected billing management apparatus,
A use permission step of permitting use of the image forming apparatus to a first user who has charged a charge to the charge management apparatus or a second user who has succeeded in the user authentication;
A determination step of determining whether or not the charge management device is inaccessible;
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein, when the accounting management apparatus is in an inaccessible state, only use by the first user is restricted. Accepting means for accepting input of authentication information used for user authentication;
A program that causes a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus that includes a communication unit that communicates with a connected charging management apparatus.
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
A use permission step of permitting use of the image forming apparatus to a first user who has charged a charge to the charge management apparatus or a second user who has succeeded in the user authentication;
A determination step of determining whether or not the charge management device is inaccessible;
A program that restricts only the use by the first user when the billing management apparatus is inaccessible.