JP2019164279A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To reliably cause a user to perform an operation to check a difference in image quality.SOLUTION: When a non-genuine product is attached to any one of image forming apparatuses, the first image forming apparatus to which the non-genuine product is attached inhibits execution of a print job and sets a user who attaches the non-genuine product as a target user, and after the inhibition of execution of the print job, maintains the inhibition of execution of the print job until a second image forming apparatus to which a genuine product is attached executes a print job in which an execution request is received from the target user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  The image forming apparatus executes a print job using toner. The toner used in the print job is stored in a container. The toner in the container is consumed by executing the print job. When the container becomes empty, the user cannot perform printing, and the empty container is replaced with a new container by the user.

  Here, some users may attach a non-genuine container to the image forming apparatus when replacing the container. For this reason, a technique for discriminating whether a container mounted on an image forming apparatus is a genuine product or a non-genuine product has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-28017 A

  When a non-genuine product container is attached to the image forming apparatus (when the toner used in the print job is a non-genuine product), the image quality of the printed matter output from the image forming apparatus is likely to deteriorate. That is, there is a high possibility that the image quality degradation of the printed material in a state where the non-genuine product container is mounted on the image forming apparatus is caused by the non-genuine product container mounted on the image forming apparatus. However, some users may misunderstand that a defect has occurred in the image forming apparatus.

  For this reason, when a non-genuine product container is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the printed material output from the image forming apparatus on which the non-genuine product container is mounted and the image forming apparatus on which the genuine product container is mounted. It is preferable that a confirmation operation for confirming a difference in image quality from the printed matter to be output is performed by the user. However, since the confirmation work of the image quality difference is troublesome for the user, the confirmation work of the image quality difference is often not performed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system that enables a user to surely perform an image quality difference check operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses that are equipped with a container that accommodates toner and that execute a print job that prints an image on paper using the toner in the container. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is communicably connected to another image forming apparatus. In addition, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses determines whether the container mounted on the own machine is a genuine product or a non-genuine product and communicates with other image forming devices to install the genuine product. Recognize other image forming apparatuses. When a non-genuine product is attached to any one of the image forming apparatuses of the image forming system, the first image forming apparatus, which is an image forming apparatus to which the non-genuine product is attached, performs a print job in the first image forming apparatus. Is prohibited, and a user who has installed a non-genuine product on the first image forming apparatus is set as a target user, and execution of a print job on the first image forming apparatus is prohibited, and then a genuine product is installed. Until the second image forming apparatus, which is another image forming apparatus, executes the print job for which the execution request is received from the target user, the execution prohibition of the print job in the first image forming apparatus is maintained.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, when a non-genuine container is installed in any of the image forming apparatuses of the image forming system, the second image forming apparatus in which the genuine container is installed executes a print job. Otherwise, the print job cannot be executed by the first image forming apparatus equipped with the non-genuine product container. This ensures that there is a difference in image quality between the printed material output from the first image forming apparatus with the non-genuine product container and the printed material output from the second image forming apparatus with the genuine container installed. It is possible to make the user perform confirmation work.

  With the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to make the user surely perform the image quality difference checking operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a container mounted on an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the first image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the invention. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the second image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

<Configuration of image forming system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 </ b> S of the present embodiment includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100. The plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 are communicably connected to each other via a network NT such as a LAN. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 transmits / receives data to / from other image forming apparatuses 100. The number of image forming apparatuses 100 constituting the image forming system 100S is not particularly limited. The number of image forming apparatuses 100 constituting the image forming system 100S may be two or more.

  A user terminal 300 is connected to the network NT. The user terminal 300 is a personal computer, for example. The user terminal 300 is used by a user who is permitted to use each image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming system 100S. The user terminal 300 communicates (transmits and receives data) with each image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming system 100S via the network NT. A plurality of user terminals 300 may be connected to the network NT.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
Each image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming system 100S functions as a copying machine or a printer. That is, each image forming apparatus 100 can execute a print job for printing an image on paper. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described focusing on a certain image forming apparatus 100. Each image forming apparatus 100 has the same configuration. Therefore, description of the configuration of the other image forming apparatus 100 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 1 and a storage unit 2. The control unit 1 includes a CPU. The control unit 1 operates based on a control program and data, and controls the image forming apparatus 100. The storage unit 2 includes a ROM and a RAM. The storage unit 2 stores a control program and data. The storage unit 2 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 reads data from the storage unit 2 and writes data to the storage unit 2.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 reads a document and generates image data. The image reading unit 3 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the reading operation of the image reading unit 3.

  Although not shown, the image reading unit 3 includes a light source and an image sensor. The light source irradiates the original with light. The image sensor receives reflected light reflected from the document and photoelectrically converts it.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 forms an image (toner image) at the time of executing a print job, and prints the image on paper. In a print job (copy job) for printing an image of a document on a sheet, the printing unit 4 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 3. The printing unit 4 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the printing operation of the printing unit 4 (print job executed by the printing unit 4).

  The printing unit 4 includes a printing unit 40 including a photosensitive drum (not shown). When executing a print job, the printing unit 40 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image, and transfers (prints) the toner image onto a sheet. In order to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, the printing unit 40 is provided with a developing device 41. The developing device 41 stores toner used in a print job. The developing device 41 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

  The toner of the developing device 41 is consumed by executing the print job. Therefore, it is necessary to supply toner to the developing device 41. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a container 200 that stores replenishment toner (toner used in a print job).

  The container 200 is detachable (replaceable) with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A part of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus 100 is an opening / closing cover (not shown), and when the opening / closing cover is opened, a mounting space for mounting the container 200 is exposed. Thereby, when the container 200 becomes empty, the empty container 200 can be replaced with a new container 200.

  In order to supply toner from the container 200 to the developing device 41, the container 200 is provided with a supply screw 201 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the supply screw 201 is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the container 200 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the container 200 and the developing device 41 are connected by the supply pipe 202.

  The replenishing screw 201 is rotated by receiving power from the replenishing motor TM. When toner is supplied from the container 200 to the developing device 41, the supply screw 201 rotates, and thereby the toner falls from the container 200. The toner dropped from the container 200 is supplied to the developing device 41 via the supply pipe 202. The replenishment motor TM is connected to the control unit 1 and controlled by the control unit 1.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the toner sensor TS for detecting the toner contained in the developing device 41 is connected to the control unit 1. Although not particularly limited, the toner sensor TS is an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The toner sensor TS changes the output value in accordance with the accumulated height of toner stored in the developing device 41. When a sufficient amount of toner remains in the developing device 41, the optical path (between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit) of the toner sensor TS is shielded, and a first level signal is output from the toner sensor TS. On the other hand, when the toner stored in the developing device 41 decreases, the optical path of the toner sensor TS is opened, and a second level signal is output from the toner sensor TS.

  Based on the output value of the toner sensor TS, the control unit 1 determines whether or not toner replenishment from the container 200 to the developing device 41 is necessary. When the control unit 1 detects that the output value of the toner sensor TS has reached the second level, the control unit 1 determines that toner supply to the developing device 41 is necessary, and drives the supply motor TM. As a result, the replenishing screw 201 rotates and the toner is replenished from the container 200 to the developing device 41. When the controller 1 detects that the output value of the toner sensor TS has reached the first level after the start of toner supply, the controller 1 ends the toner supply. As a result, even if the toner of the developing device 41 decreases during execution of the print job, the reduced amount of toner is supplied to the developing device 41. That is, the accumulated height of the toner stored in the developing device 41 (the amount of toner stored in the developing device 41) is kept constant. Note that the controller 1 determines that the container 200 is empty if the output value of the toner sensor TS does not become the first level even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of toner replenishment.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 5. The operation panel 5 accepts various instructions such as a print job execution request from the user. A touch screen and hardware buttons are provided on the operation panel 5 to receive instructions from the user. The hardware button includes a start button for accepting a print job execution request from the user.

  The operation panel 5 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 controls the display operation of the operation panel 5. Further, the control unit 1 detects an operation performed on the operation panel 5 (an operation on the touch screen or an operation on the hardware button). For example, when detecting an operation on the start button of the operation panel 5, the control unit 1 determines that the operation panel has received a print job execution request from the user, and causes the printing unit 4 to execute the print job. In the print job in this case, the printing unit 4 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 3 (that is, a copy job is executed).

  The operation panel 5 is used as a notification unit for notifying the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the control unit 1 determines that the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 has become empty, a message that prompts the user to replace the container 200 (that the container 200 has become empty) is displayed. It is displayed on the operation panel 5. As a result, the user performs an operation of mounting a new container 200 on the image forming apparatus 100 (an operation of replacing the container 200).

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 6. The communication unit 6 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to the network NT. The communication unit 6 includes a communication circuit and a communication memory.

  The communication unit 6 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 communicates with the user terminal 300 connected to the network NT using the communication unit 6. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, job data including print data of a page to be printed in a print job is transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100. The job data includes not only print data but also various information such as the user ID of the user who has logged in to the data transmission source user terminal 300 and the user-specified print settings set in the data transmission source user terminal 300. Is included. When the communication unit 6 receives job data (print data) of a print job, the control unit 4 determines that a print job execution request has been received from the user, and causes the printing unit 4 to execute the print job. In the print job in this case, printing based on the print data received by the communication unit 6 is performed by the printing unit 4.

<User authentication processing>
The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a login function (user authentication function). A user who wants to use the image forming apparatus 100 needs to log in to the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, a user who wants to use the image forming apparatus 100 needs to receive user authentication (identity confirmation).

  The control unit 1 causes the operation panel 5 to display a login screen (not shown) as an initial screen (screen displayed when the main power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from sleep). The login screen is a screen for accepting input of user information (such as a user ID). The user enters user information when receiving user authentication.

  When user information is input to the operation panel 5, the control unit 1 performs user authentication processing for determining whether or not the user who has undergone user authentication is a regular user based on the input user information input. As a result of the user authentication process, when it is determined that the user who has received the user authentication is a regular user, the control unit 1 shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the login state. When the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the login state, the image forming apparatus 100 can be used. That is, it is possible to request the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print job (the image forming apparatus 100 can execute the print job).

  When the communication unit 6 receives job data including print data of a print job from the user terminal 300 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a non-login state (when receiving a print job execution request), the control unit 1 By performing user authentication processing based on the user ID included in the data, it is determined whether or not the user logged in to the data transmission source user terminal 300 is a regular user. When a result indicating that the user is a regular user is obtained, the control unit 1 causes the printing unit 4 to execute a print job.

<Container discrimination processing>
The container 200 is provided with an RFID tag 201 as a storage medium. In the RFID tag 201, identification information (for example, a production number) for specifying the container 200 is stored. In order to read out information from the RFID tag 201 and input information into the RFID tag 201, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a reader / writer RW.

  The reader / writer RW is connected to the control unit 1. The reader / writer RW transmits information read from the RFID tag 201 to the control unit 1. Further, the reader / writer RW writes the information received from the control unit 1 to the RFID tag 201.

  Here, the control unit 1 performs a container determination process for determining whether the container 200 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. The container determination process by the control unit 1 is performed when the container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (when the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is replaced with another container 200).

  For example, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a container sensor CS for detecting whether or not the container 200 is mounted. The container sensor CS is connected to the control unit 1. When the control unit 1 detects that the container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 based on the output value of the container sensor CS, the control unit 1 performs a container determination process.

  When the container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, the opening / closing cover is opened to expose the mounting space. After the container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the open / close cover is closed. For this reason, a sensor for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing cover is used as the container sensor CS, and when the opening / closing cover is changed from the open state to the closed state, the control unit 1 determines that the container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100. You may do it. Alternatively, a sensor that changes an output value between when the container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 and when the container 200 is not attached may be used as the container sensor CS.

  When performing the container determination process, the control unit 1 controls the reader / writer RW and acquires identification information from the RFID tag 201 of the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Based on the acquired identification information, the control unit 1 determines whether the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. For example, the control unit 1 stores the container information indicating whether the container 200 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 is a genuine product or a non-genuine product in the storage unit 2 in association with the mounting date (exchange date). .

<Processing performed when a non-genuine product is installed>
In this embodiment, when a non-genuine product container 200 is attached to any one of the image forming apparatuses 100 of the image forming system 100S, a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 100 to which the non-genuine product container 200 is attached. Is prohibited. The prohibition of execution of the print job in the image forming apparatus 100 in which the non-genuine container 200 is mounted is maintained until the release condition is satisfied.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, after the non-genuine product container 200 is attached to any one of the image forming apparatuses 100 of the image forming system 100S, the non-genuine product container 200 is changed. Each flow of processing performed by the attached image forming apparatus 100 and processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 to which the genuine container 200 is attached will be described. In the following description, the image forming apparatus 100 in which the non-genuine product container 200 is mounted is referred to as the first image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 in which the genuine product is mounted is referred to as the second image forming apparatus 100. .

  First, processing performed by the first image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 starts when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 determines that the non-genuine container 200 is attached to the first image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 1. While the execution of the print job is prohibited in the first image forming apparatus 100, even if the first image forming apparatus 100 is requested to execute the print job, the first image forming apparatus 100 does not execute the print job.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 recognizes a user who has mounted a non-genuine product container 200 on the first image forming apparatus 100. Then, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 sets the recognized user as the target user.

  For example, when copying with the image forming apparatus 100, the user needs to log in to the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 100 and operates the start button on the operation panel 5 (requests the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print job). At this time, if the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is empty, the image forming apparatus 100 does not execute the print job, and a message prompting the user to replace the container 200 is displayed on the operation panel 5. . Accordingly, a new container 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 by a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus 100.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, the user transmits job data including print data of the print job from the user terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100 (requests the image forming apparatus 100 to execute the print job). To do). If the container 200 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 is empty at this time, the print job corresponding to the job data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 is not executed, and the job data is stored in the storage unit 2 as a hold job. Temporarily stored. Then, a message prompting the user to replace the container 200 is displayed on the operation panel 5. If the print job is not executed in the image forming apparatus 100 even though the job data of the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, the user goes to the installation place of the image forming apparatus 100, and therefore the container 200 needs to be replaced. The user recognizes that there is. Therefore, a new container 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 by the user who has transmitted the job data of the print job to the image forming apparatus 100.

  Therefore, when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 1 recognizes the user who has logged in to the first image forming apparatus 100 and has recognized the recognition. Set the user as the target user. In addition, when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits the execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the control requesting user of the print job suspended in the first image forming apparatus 100 is displayed. Recognize and set the recognized execution requesting user as the target user.

  A plurality of users may be set as target users.

  For example, when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the user is logged in to the first image forming apparatus 100, and the first image If there is a print job held on the forming apparatus 100, the user who requested the execution of the print job held on the first image forming apparatus 100 in addition to the user logged in to the first image forming apparatus 100 is also targeted. Set to user.

  Further, when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, if there are a plurality of print jobs held in the first image forming apparatus 100, All of the plurality of print job execution request source users are set as target users. At this time, if the user is logged in to the first image forming apparatus 100, the user logged in to the first image forming apparatus 100 is also set as the target user.

  In step S3, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 is attached to the other image forming apparatus 100 from the other image forming apparatus 100 by communicating with the other image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming system 100S. Information indicating whether the container 200 is genuine or non-genuine is acquired. Based on the acquired information, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 recognizes the image forming apparatus 100 on which the non-genuine product is mounted. That is, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 recognizes the second image forming apparatus 100.

  Then, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 transmits user information of the target user to the second image forming apparatus 100. The user information of the target user includes the user ID of the target user. When there are a plurality of second image forming apparatuses 100, user information of the target user may be transmitted to all of the plurality of second image forming apparatuses 100. At this time, the first image forming apparatus 100 requests the second image forming apparatus 100 to execute the first image forming apparatus 100, but the print job is suspended without being executed (hereinafter referred to as target printing). The print data of the page to be printed may be transmitted.

  In step S4, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 causes the operation panel 5 to display a notification message that prompts the target user to cause the second image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print job. The notification message may also be displayed on the operation panel 5 of the second image forming apparatus 100. Further, a message indicating that the first image forming apparatus 100 cannot execute the print job until the second image forming apparatus 100 executes the print job may be displayed on each operation panel 5.

  Here, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 stores the image quality when using genuine toner and non-genuine toner (contained in the non-genuine product container 200 mounted on the first image forming apparatus 100). Image quality difference information indicating a difference from the image quality when using the toner) is displayed on the operation panel 5 together with a notification message.

  For example, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of its own apparatus to perform processing for forming a toner image based on the set density set by the user. Then, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 detects the density of the toner image formed using the non-genuine toner, and how much the detected density is compared with the case where the genuine toner is used. Information indicating whether it is lower is generated as image quality difference information. Even if a preview image corresponding to the density when using genuine toner and a preview image corresponding to the density when using non-genuine toner are displayed on the operation panel 5 of the first image forming apparatus 100 as image quality difference information. Good.

  In step S5, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the executed information has been received. The executed information is information transmitted from the second image forming apparatus 100 to the first image forming apparatus 100 when the second image forming apparatus 100 receives the execution request from the target user and executes the print job.

  If the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 determines that the executed information has been received in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S <b> 6, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 determines that the cancellation condition is satisfied, and cancels the prohibition of execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S5, when the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 determines that the executed information has not been received, the process of step S5 is repeated. That is, after the execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100 is prohibited, until the second image forming apparatus 100 receives the execution request from the target user and executes the print job, the first image forming apparatus 100 executes the print job. The execution prohibition of the print job is maintained.

  Next, processing performed by the second image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 starts when the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 determines that the user information of the target user has been received from the first image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 recognizes the target user based on the user information received from the first image forming apparatus 100. In step S12, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 determines whether a print job execution request has been received from the target user. When the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 detects an operation on the start button of the operation panel 5 of the own apparatus while the target user is logged in to the second image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 1 requests the execution of a print job from the target user. It is judged that it received. When the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 receives job data including print data of a print job from the user terminal 300 to which the target user is logged in, the control unit 1 determines that a print job execution request has been received from the target user. To do.

  When the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 determines that a print job execution request has been received from the target user, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 determines that a print job execution request has not been received from the target user, the process of step S12 is repeated.

  In step S13, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus to execute a print job. In step S <b> 14, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 transmits the executed information to the first image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the prohibition of execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100 is released.

  Here, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 includes the target print job together with the user information of the target user (a print job that the target user requested the first image forming apparatus 100 to execute but was suspended without being executed). When the target user logs in to the second image forming apparatus 100, the operation panel 5 of the own apparatus is allowed to accept the execution request for the target print job. When the operation panel 5 of the second image forming apparatus 100 receives an execution request for the target print job from the target user, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus to execute the target print job (second image formation). It is not necessary to set a document on the image reading unit 3 of the apparatus 100).

  At this time, the control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus to print only a predetermined page (for example, printing for one page) among pages to be printed in the target print job. For example, a page with the lowest page number, a page with the highest printing rate, a page including an image (photo image) other than characters may be set as the predetermined page. Further, a page designated by the target user may be a predetermined page.

  The control unit 1 of the second image forming apparatus 100 indicates a predetermined page printed by the target print job when the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus performs only printing of the predetermined page among pages to be printed by the target print job. Printed page information (for example, a page number) is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 100 together with the executed information.

  The control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 cancels the prohibition of execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100 by receiving the printed page information and the executed information, and then the first image forming apparatus 100. When the target user logs in, the operation panel 5 of the own apparatus accepts the execution request for the target print job. When the operation panel 5 of the first image forming apparatus 100 receives a request for executing the target print job from the target user, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus to execute the target print job (first image formation). It is not necessary to set a document on the image reading unit 3 of the apparatus 100).

  At this time, the control unit 1 of the first image forming apparatus 100 recognizes a predetermined page already printed by the second image forming apparatus 100 among pages to be printed in the target print job based on the printed page information. Then, the first image forming apparatus 100 causes the printing unit 4 of the own apparatus to print only the remaining pages other than the predetermined page among the pages to be printed in the target print job.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, as described above, when the non-genuine product container 200 is attached to any one of the image forming apparatuses 100 of the image forming system 100S, the first image forming device 100 to which the non-genuine product is attached. Prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, sets a user who has installed a non-genuine product in the first image forming apparatus 100 as a target user, and performs a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100. After prohibiting the execution of the print job, the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100 is executed until the second image forming apparatus 100 in which the genuine container 200 is mounted executes the print job in response to the execution request from the target user. Keeping the prohibition of execution.

  According to this configuration, when the non-genuine product container 200 is attached to any one of the image forming apparatuses 100 of the image forming system 100S, the second image forming apparatus 100 attached with the genuine product container 200 is caused to execute a print job. Otherwise, the print job cannot be executed by the first image forming apparatus 100 to which the non-genuine product is attached. Accordingly, the difference in image quality between the printed material output from the image forming apparatus 100 with the non-genuine product container 200 mounted thereon and the printed material output from the image forming apparatus 100 with the genuine product container 200 mounted thereon is confirmed. It is possible to make the user perform confirmation work.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the user information of the target user is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 100. To do. When the second image forming apparatus 100 recognizes the target user based on the user information received from the first image forming apparatus 100 and executes the print job for which the execution request is received from the target user, the second image forming apparatus 100 has executed the first image forming apparatus 100. Send information. When the first image forming apparatus 100 receives the executed information from the second image forming apparatus 100, the first image forming apparatus 100 cancels the prohibition of execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the prohibition of execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100 is not canceled even though the second image forming apparatus 100 is caused to execute the print job. .

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits the execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the first image forming apparatus 100 causes the second image forming apparatus 100 to execute the print job. A notification message prompting the user is displayed on the operation panel 5 of the first image forming apparatus 100. This allows the user to recognize that the first image forming apparatus 100 cannot execute the print job unless the second image forming apparatus 100 executes the print job.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the first image forming apparatus 100 prohibits the execution of the print job in the first image forming apparatus 100, the target print that is a print job that has received an execution request from the target user. Print data of a page to be printed by the job is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 100. When the second image forming apparatus 100 receives the print data of the target print job from the first image forming apparatus 100, when the target user logs in to the second image forming apparatus 100, the second image forming apparatus 100 accepts the second execution request for the target print job. This is performed on the operation panel 5 of the image forming apparatus 100. In this configuration, the target print job can be sent to the second image forming apparatus 100 without setting a document on the second image forming apparatus 100 or transmitting print data from the user terminal 300 to the second image forming apparatus 100. Since it can be executed, user convenience is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first image forming apparatus 100 executes the print job using the image quality when using the genuine toner and the non-genuine toner when the print job is executed using the genuine toner. The image quality difference information indicating the difference from the image quality is displayed on the operation panel 5 of the first image forming apparatus 100. In this configuration, the user can efficiently confirm the image quality difference, which is convenient.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope of +.

5 Operation Panel 100 Image Forming Apparatus 100S Image Forming System 200 Container

Claims (6)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses that are mounted with a container for storing toner and that execute a print job for printing an image on paper using the toner in the container;
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is communicably connected to another image forming apparatus,
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses determines whether the container mounted on its own device is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and communicates with the other image forming devices to thereby determine the genuine product. Recognizing the other image forming apparatus to which
When the non-genuine product is attached to any one of the image forming devices, the first image forming device, which is the image forming device to which the non-genuine product is attached, performs a print job in the first image forming device. And prohibiting execution, setting a user who has mounted the non-genuine product on the first image forming apparatus as a target user, and prohibiting execution of a print job on the first image forming apparatus. The execution prohibition of the print job in the first image forming apparatus is maintained until the second image forming apparatus, which is another mounted image forming apparatus, executes the print job for which the execution request is received from the target user. An image forming system. When the first image forming apparatus prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus, the first image forming apparatus transmits user information of the target user to the second image forming apparatus,
When the second image forming apparatus recognizes the target user based on the user information received from the first image forming apparatus and executes a print job that has received an execution request from the target user, the first image forming apparatus Send completed information to
The said 1st image forming apparatus cancels | releases prohibition of execution of the print job in the said 1st image forming apparatus, if the said completed information is received from the said 2nd image forming apparatus. Image forming system. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes an operation panel,
When the first image forming apparatus prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus, a notification message prompting the target user to cause the second image forming apparatus to execute the print job is formed in the first image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is displayed on the operation panel of the apparatus. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes an operation panel,
When the first image forming apparatus prohibits execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus, print data of a page to be printed by the target print job that is a print job received from the target user is output as the print data of the page. Sent to the second image forming apparatus,
When the second image forming apparatus receives the print data of the target print job from the first image forming apparatus, when the target user logs in to the second image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus requests execution of the target print job. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel of the second image forming apparatus is allowed to accept the image forming system. 5. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes an operation panel,
The first image forming apparatus has image quality difference information indicating a difference between an image quality when a print job is executed using the genuine toner and an image quality when a print job is executed using the non-genuine toner. 5 is displayed on the operation panel of the first image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein:   The first image forming apparatus, when prohibiting execution of a print job in the first image forming apparatus, sets a user who requests execution of all the pending print jobs as a target user. Item 6. The image forming system according to any one of Items 1 to 5.

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