JP2022072102A - Communication line sharing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To promote the use of image formation using toner in a reduced amount compared with a predetermined standard amount to reduce the usage of the toner.SOLUTION: When a control unit 10 causes an image forming unit 12 to execute image formation by using an eco-printing function, the control unit calculates a communication line sharing period according to the amount of reduction of toner in accordance with a predetermined rule, creates a pass code, and displays the communication line sharing period and the pass code on a display 15. When information indicating the pass code is input through a touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 acquires the pass code and the communication line sharing period from a server device 24, allows a smartphone 2 as the other device to use a predetermined communication line when the input information matches the acquired pass code, and causes the smartphone 2 to stop the use of the predetermined communication line when the time during which the communication line is used by the smartphone 2 reaches the communication line sharing period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

The present invention relates to a communication line sharing system, and more particularly to a technique for sharing a predetermined communication line.

Techniques for sharing a predetermined communication line with a plurality of devices are known. For example, Patent Document 1 does not permit communication using a predetermined communication line by the device when the device connected to the relay terminal does not satisfy the conditions for applying the predetermined fee structure. The technology is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 6546680

An image forming apparatus having an eco-print function for forming an image on a recording medium using an amount of toner reduced from a predetermined standard amount is known. However, since the density of the formed image becomes thin when the eco-print function is used, even if the image formation using the eco-print function is sufficient without the need for high-quality image formation such as trial printing, it is eco-friendly. The print function may not be used.

The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is merely a technique for sharing a communication line, and cannot solve the above-mentioned problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reduces the amount of toner used by promoting the use of image formation using an amount of toner reduced from a predetermined standard amount. With the goal.

In the communication line sharing system according to one aspect of the present invention, the amount of the image forming unit, the display unit, and the image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium using toner has been reduced from a predetermined standard amount. When an image is formed on a recording medium using an amount of toner, the amount of communication line sharing according to the amount of toner reduction is calculated according to a predetermined rule, and authentication information is generated to generate the communication line sharing amount. An image forming device including a first control unit for displaying information and authentication information on a display unit, an input unit for inputting information by a user, and a communication unit for communicating using a predetermined communication line. , When the information is input via the input unit, the authentication information and the communication line sharing amount are acquired, and when the input information matches the acquired authentication information, another device is made to use the communication line. It includes a communication device including a second control unit that stops the use of the communication line by the other device when the usage amount of the communication line by the other device reaches the acquired communication line sharing amount.

According to the present invention, the user uses a communication line by a communication line sharing amount according to the reduction amount of toner by utilizing image formation using an amount of toner reduced from a predetermined standard amount. become able to. As a result, it becomes possible to promote the use of image formation using a reduced amount of toner, and the amount of toner used can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the image forming apparatus which is one Embodiment of the communication line sharing system which concerns on this invention. It is a front sectional view which shows the structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the passcode generation process. It is a flowchart which shows the communication line sharing process. It is a flowchart which shows the communication line sharing process. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a reading screen.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the communication line sharing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of a communication line sharing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 constituting the communication line sharing system is installed in a commercial facility such as a convenience store. For example, one image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a first convenience store, and another image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a second convenience store different from the first convenience store. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.

The image forming apparatus 1 has an eco-print function for forming an image on recording paper using an amount of toner reduced from a predetermined standard amount, and is predetermined by another apparatus (for example, a smartphone 2). It is equipped with a communication line sharing function that enables the use of the established communication line. The predetermined communication line is not particularly limited, but here, WiFi (registered trademark) is used. When the communication line sharing function is enabled, the image forming apparatus 1 controls another apparatus to use the predetermined communication line.

The housing of the image forming apparatus 1 houses a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the housing includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

The control unit 100 functions as a control unit 10 when a control program stored in a ROM or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is executed by the processor. The control unit 10 may be configured by a logic circuit regardless of the operation based on the control program. The control unit 10 is an example of the first control unit and the second control unit within the scope of the claims.

The control unit 10 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and the communication with an external device such as the server apparatus 24. The control unit 10 calculates the communication line sharing period according to the amount of toner reduction when the image forming unit 12 forms an image by using the eco-print function by operating according to the first program described later. At the same time, the passcode generation process for generating the passcode as authentication information is executed.

The control unit 10 acquires the passcode and the communication line sharing period by operating according to the second program described later, and when the information input via the operation unit 16 matches the acquired passcode, the control unit 10 acquires the passcode and the communication line sharing period. When another device is made to use a predetermined communication line and the usage time of the predetermined communication line by the other device reaches the communication line sharing period, the use of the predetermined communication line by the other device. Executes the communication line sharing process to stop.

The control unit 100 includes a document transfer unit 6, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a transport unit 17, an HDD 18, an image processing unit 19, and an image memory. 20, It is electrically connected to the facsimile communication unit 21, the communication unit 22, and the like. Here, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as “image forming unit 12 and the like”), the display unit 15, and the control unit 10 functioning as the first control unit are , Functions as an image forming apparatus within the scope of claims. Further, the touch panel 16B, the communication unit 22, the router 23, and the control unit 10 that functions as the first control unit function as communication devices within the scope of the claims. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 has the configuration of the image forming apparatus and the configuration of the communication device within the scope of the claims, and constitutes the communication line sharing system within the scope of the claims.

The image reading unit 11 optically reads the document conveying unit 6 that conveys the document placed on the platen and the document conveyed by the document conveying unit 6 or the document placed on the platen glass 7. ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including a scanner. The image reading unit 11 irradiates the document with a light irradiation unit and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor to read the document and generate image data indicating the document image.

The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 uses toner to form an image on the recording paper. That is, the image forming unit 12 is conveyed along the conveying path T by the conveying unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or the image data input via the communication unit 22. An image composed of a toner image is formed on the coming recording paper P.

The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P by heating and pressurizing the recording paper P on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12. The recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing portion 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8.

The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and a plurality of paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 pulls out the recording paper P housed in the paper feed cassette or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and feeds the paper to the image forming unit 12.

The display unit 15 is a display device composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, or the like. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each function that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the control unit 10.

The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys such as a start key 16A for instructing the start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B that is superimposed on the display unit 15. The user inputs various information such as instructions for each function that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 via the operation unit 16. The touch panel 16B is an example of an input unit within the scope of claims.

The transport unit 17 is composed of a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, and the like. The transport unit 17 transports the recording paper P along the transport path T toward the discharge tray 8 set as the discharge destination.

The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The HDD 18 stores various control programs for realizing the general operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The HDD 18 stores, as a part of various control programs, a first program for executing the passcode generation process according to the present embodiment and a second program for executing the communication line sharing process according to the present embodiment. are doing.

The HDD 18 also stores a general two-dimensional code generation program as one of various control programs. The HDD 18 further stores an SSID (Service Set Identifier) for identifying the image forming apparatus 1 and a password as connection information for connecting the image forming apparatus 1 to a predetermined communication line as an access point. ..

The control unit 10 generates a two-dimensional code indicating the connection information stored in the HDD 18 by operating according to the two-dimensional code generation program. The two-dimensional code is not particularly limited as long as it is a general code, but is, for example, a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark).

The image processing unit 19 executes image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 as necessary. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits / receives image data via the public line.

The communication unit 22 includes a communication module for communicating with an external device. Here, the communication unit 22 communicates with an external device such as the server device 24 by using WiFi (registered trademark) as a predetermined communication line via a router 23 that functions as a wireless access point. Do it. Here, it is assumed that the server device 24 is an information processing device that manages the communication line sharing period, the passcode, and the like.

A power source is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 operates by supplying electric power from the power source.

[motion]
(1) Operation at the time of executing the passcode generation process FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the passcode generation process. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of executing the passcode generation process will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state where the power is turned on. The image forming apparatus 1 functions as an image forming apparatus within the scope of claims when executing the passcode generation process.

In the first convenience store, the user designates an eco-print function among a plurality of functions that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 via the touch panel 16B of the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the first convenience store. It is assumed that the designated instruction for this is entered. When the control unit 10 receives the above designation instruction via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 displays a setting screen for setting the toner reduction rate to any of the predetermined first to fifth stages on the display unit 15. Display.

Here, it is assumed that the toner reduction rate is set to increase by 10% as the number of stages increases. In this case, it is assumed that the reduction rate of the toner in the first stage is "10%" and the reduction rate of the toner in the fifth stage is "50%". It is assumed that the user confirms the setting screen and inputs the setting instruction for setting the toner reduction rate to the fifth stage by using the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the above setting instruction via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 sets the toner reduction rate to "50%".

After inputting the above setting instruction, it is assumed that the user places the document on the platen glass 7 and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects that the start key 16A is pressed, the image reading unit 11 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document placed on the platen glass 7 and generate image data indicating the document image. Next, the control unit 10 uses the image forming unit 12 and the like with the amount of toner reduced by the toner reduction rate set from the predetermined standard amount to obtain the original image indicated by the generated image data. It is formed on the recording paper P. In this case, the predetermined standard amount of toner used for forming the original image is "1 g", and the image forming unit 12 and the like use "0.5 g" of toner for forming the original image. It shall be assumed that it was done.

When the image forming unit 12 or the like is made to execute the image forming using the eco-print function as described above, the control unit 10 starts executing the passcode generation process shown in FIG. In the passcode generation process, the control unit 10 first calculates the toner reduction amount based on the toner usage amount in the eco-print and the set toner reduction rate (step S11). In this case, the control unit 10 calculates "0.5 g" as the amount of toner reduction.

After the process of step S11, the control unit 10 calculates the communication line sharing period according to the amount of toner reduction according to a predetermined rule (step S12). The predetermined rule is not particularly limited, but here, it is assumed that a rule is set in which the communication line sharing period is increased by 30 minutes as the reduction amount of toner increases by 0.5 g. In this case, the control unit 10 calculates a period of "30 minutes" as the communication line sharing period.

After the process of step S12, the control unit 10 generates an arbitrary passcode consisting of a predetermined number of digits as authentication information (step S13). The predetermined number of digits is not particularly limited, but here, it is assumed that "4 digits" is set. In this case, it is assumed that the control unit 10 has generated the passcode "3649".

After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 transmits the communication line sharing period and the passcode to the server device 24 via the communication unit 22 (step S14). When the communication unit of the server device 24 receives the communication line sharing period and the passcode, the control unit of the server device 24 stores the received communication line sharing period and the passcode in the storage unit of the server device 24 in association with each other. Let me. At this time, the control unit of the server device 24 stores the usage time of the communication line of "0 minutes" in the storage unit of the server device 24 in association with the received passcode.

After the process of step S14, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the communication line sharing period and the passcode (step S15). The user memorizes the displayed communication line sharing period and passcode by taking a memo or the like. After the process of step S15, the control unit 10 ends the passcode generation process.

(2) Operation at the time of executing the communication line sharing process FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the communication line sharing process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the authentication screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a reading screen. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of executing the communication line sharing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 functions as a communication apparatus within the scope of claims when executing the communication line sharing process.

When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the control unit 10 starts executing the communication line sharing process shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the communication line sharing process, the control unit 10 first disables the communication line sharing function (step S21). When the communication line sharing function is disabled, the control unit 10 does not connect another device to the router 23 and does not allow the other device to use a predetermined communication line. Here, another device is, for example, a smartphone 2.

After the process of step S21, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that the authentication instruction is not received (NO in step S22) until the authentication instruction for performing the authentication by the passcode is received. In such a situation, the user gives an authentication instruction using the touch panel 16B of another image forming apparatus 1 installed in the second convenience store in order to use the communication line sharing function in the second convenience store. Is assumed to be entered.

When the control unit 10 receives the authentication instruction via the touch panel 16B (YES in step S22), the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the authentication screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 (step S23). After the process of step S23, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that the information indicating the passcode is not received (NO in step S24) until the key 61 is touched.

In such a situation, it is assumed that the user touches the field 62 and inputs the four-digit number "3649" using the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input four-digit number in the column 62. It is assumed that the user confirms the input content displayed in the field 62 and touches the key 61.

When the touch panel 16B detects a touch operation on the key 61, the control unit 10 determines that the information indicating the passcode has been received (YES in step S24), and acquires the passcode from the server device 24 via the communication unit 22. , It is determined whether or not the information input via the touch panel 16B matches the acquired passcode (step S25).

In this case, since the passcode indicating the 4-digit number "3649" is acquired from the server device 24, the control unit 10 determines that the input information and the passcode match (YES in step S25). , The communication line sharing period and the communication line usage time corresponding to the matched passcode are acquired from the server device 24 via the communication unit 22, and the acquired communication line usage time is set to the acquired communication line sharing period. It is determined whether or not it has been reached (step S26).

In this case, the acquired communication line usage time is "0 minutes" and the acquired communication line sharing period is "30 minutes". Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that the communication line usage time is the communication line sharing period. Is determined (NO in step S26), and the communication line sharing function is enabled (step S27).

After the process of step S27, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 10 generates an SSID indicating the image forming apparatus 1 and a two-dimensional code 71 indicating a password based on the connection information stored in the HDD 18. , The reading screen 70 showing the generated two-dimensional code 71 is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S28). At this time, the control unit 10 may display the SSID for specifying the image forming apparatus 1 on the reading screen 70 together with the two-dimensional code 71 on the display unit 15.

After the process of step S28, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that the use of the communication line by the other device has not been started (NO in step S29) until the router 23 is connected to the other device. In such a situation, it is assumed that the user photographs the two-dimensional code 71 by using the photographing function of, for example, the smartphone 2 owned by the user as the other device. The control unit and communication unit of the smartphone 2 use the SSID and password indicated by the two-dimensional code 71 to connect the smartphone 2 to the image forming device 1 as an access point by a known communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Connect.

When the above connection is made by the smartphone 2, the control unit 10 connects the smartphone 2 to the router 23 to start using the communication line by the smartphone 2 as another device (YES in step S29). Using a general timekeeping function, the time counting of the elapsed time from the start of use of the communication line by another device is started (step S30).

After the process of step S30, the control unit 10 has reached the communication line sharing period for the total time of the communication line usage time and the elapsed time acquired in step S26, or the total time has reached the communication line sharing period. Until an end instruction for terminating communication using the image forming apparatus 1 as an access point is received from another device in the absence of the image forming apparatus 1.
The process of determining that the total time has not reached the communication line sharing period (NO in step S31) and the process of determining that the end instruction has not been received (NO in step S32) are repeated.

(1) When the total time reaches the communication line sharing period Here, it is assumed that the user has continuously performed the above-mentioned communication using the image forming apparatus 1 by the smartphone 2 as an access point for 30 minutes. In this case, since the total time of the acquired communication line usage time and elapsed time is "30 minutes", the control unit 10 determines that the total time has reached the acquired communication line sharing period (). YES in step S31), by disconnecting the connection between the router 23 and the smartphone 2, the use of the predetermined communication line by the smartphone 2 as another device is stopped (step S33).

At this time, the control unit 10 may display a message such as "The communication line cannot be used because the usage time of the communication line exceeds the communication line sharing period" on the display unit 15. After the process of step S33, the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S21 and sets the communication line sharing function to be invalid.

(2) When the communication is terminated before the total time reaches the communication line sharing period On the other hand, the user continuously performs the above-mentioned communication using the image forming apparatus 1 by the smartphone 2 as an access point for 20 minutes, and then the smartphone. It is assumed that the end instruction for terminating the above-mentioned communication is input using the touch panel of 2.

In this case, the total time of the acquired communication line usage time and elapsed time is "20 minutes", and the control unit 10 determines that the total time has not reached the communication line sharing period (step). NO) in S31), when the above-mentioned termination instruction is received via the communication unit 22 (YES in step S32), the connection between the router 23 and the smartphone 2 is disconnected, so that the smartphone 2 as another device can be used in advance. Stop using the specified communication line (step S34).

After the process of step S34, the control unit 10 ends the time counting of the elapsed time (step S35). After the process of step S35, the control unit 10 transmits the above-mentioned total time indicating the usage time of the communication line and the passcode matched in step S25 to the server device 24 via the communication unit 22 (step S36). .. After the process of step S36, the control unit 10 returns to the process of step S21 and sets the communication line sharing function to be invalid.

When the communication unit of the server device 24 receives the communication line usage time and the passcode, the control unit of the server device 24 associates the received passcode with the received communication line usage time (in this case, "20". Minutes ") are stored in the storage unit of the server device 24.

When the control unit 10 determines that the information input via the touch panel 16B does not match the acquired passcode (NO in step S25), the control unit 10 does not enable the communication line sharing function. The process returns to step S23. At this time, the control unit 10 may display a message such as "The input information does not match the passcode" on the display unit 15.

When the control unit 10 also determines that the usage time of the acquired communication line has reached the communication line sharing period (YES in step S26), the control unit 10 does not enable the communication line sharing function, and in step S22. Return to processing. At this time, the control unit 10 may display a message such as "The communication line cannot be used because the usage time of the communication line exceeds the communication line sharing period" on the display unit 15.

According to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the first convenience store generates a passcode when the image forming unit 12 or the like is made to perform image forming by using the eco-print function. The process is executed, the communication line sharing period according to the reduction amount of toner is calculated according to a predetermined rule, a passcode is generated, and the communication line sharing period and the passcode are displayed on the display unit 15.

Further, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the second convenience store executes the communication line sharing process, and when the information indicating the passcode is input via the touch panel 16B, the passcode and the communication When the line sharing period is acquired from the server device 24 and the input information matches the acquired passcode, the smartphone 2 as another device is made to use a predetermined communication line, and the communication line by the smartphone 2 is used. When the usage time of the smartphone 2 reaches the acquired communication line sharing period, the smartphone 2 stops using the predetermined communication line.

As a result, the user can use the predetermined communication line only for the communication line sharing period according to the reduction amount of toner by using the image formation using the eco-print function. As a result, it becomes possible to promote the use of image formation using the eco-print function, and it is possible to reduce the amount of toner used.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the information input via the touch panel 16B does not match the acquired passcode, the control unit 10 uses a communication line predetermined for the smartphone 2 as another device. I won't let you. As a result, when the user does not use the eco-print function, the communication line sharing function can be reliably disabled, so that the use of image formation using the eco-print function can be further promoted.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 generates a two-dimensional code 71 indicating an SSID and a password when the smartphone 2 as another device uses a predetermined communication line, and the generated two-dimensional code 71 is generated. The code 71 is displayed on the display unit 15. As a result, the user can connect the device owned by the user to a predetermined communication line only by performing a simple operation of photographing the two-dimensional code 71.

Further, according to the above embodiment, since the control unit 10 uses the communication line sharing period as the communication line sharing amount, it is possible to easily determine whether or not to make another device use a predetermined communication line. can.

(Other variants)
In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 stores the communication line sharing period, the passcode, and the usage time of the communication line in the storage unit of the server device 24, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may store the communication line sharing period, the passcode, and the usage time of the communication line in the HDD 18. In this case, the user can use the communication line sharing function only for the communication line sharing period according to the reduction amount of toner only by the image forming apparatus 1 using the eco-print function.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 10 calculates the communication line sharing period as the communication line sharing amount, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may calculate the amount of communication line shared data according to the amount of toner reduction according to a predetermined rule as the amount of communication line shared. The predetermined rule is not particularly limited, but for example, a rule can be set in which the amount of communication line shared data is increased by 0.5 GB (Giga Byte) as the amount of toner reduction increases by 0.5 g.

In this case, when the control unit 10 causes another device to use a predetermined communication line, the data usage amount is measured, and when the measured data usage amount reaches the communication line shared data amount, another device is used. Stop the use of the predetermined communication line by the device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 10 generates a passcode as authentication information, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may generate a password including arbitrary characters and numbers as authentication information.

Further, in the above embodiment, the toner reduction rate is set to any of the predetermined first to fifth stages, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a numerical value indicating the toner reduction rate such as "25%" may be directly input using the touch panel 16B.

Further, in the above embodiment, the user has obtained only one passcode, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the user may acquire a plurality of passcodes by using the image formation using the eco-print function a plurality of times. In such a case, the user uses the smartphone 2 to perform the above-mentioned communication using the image forming apparatus 1 as an access point, and the user newly indicates the second passcode via the touch panel 16B. Is assumed to be entered.

As described above, when new information is input via the touch panel 16B while the smartphone 2 is using the predetermined communication line, the control unit 10 has a second passcode and a communication line. The sharing period is newly acquired from the server device 24. In this case, it is assumed that the control unit 10 newly acquires the communication line sharing period of "60 minutes" corresponding to the second passcode.

When the control unit 10 determines that the new input information matches the newly acquired second passcode, the usage amount of the communication line corresponds to the first acquired passcode. After reaching the sharing period (in this case, "30 minutes"), the communication line usage will be in the communication line sharing period (in this case, "60 minutes") corresponding to the newly acquired second passcode. Until it reaches (that is, "90 minutes"), the smartphone 2 continues to use the predetermined communication line.

As a result, the user can continuously use the predetermined communication line for the communication line sharing period corresponding to the plurality of passcodes by inputting the information indicating the plurality of passcodes.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming unit 12 and the like form an image on the recording paper P, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming unit 12 and the like are not limited to the recording paper, and may form an image on another recording medium. As another recording medium, for example, an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet can be exemplified.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the color multifunction device 1 is used as the image forming apparatus 1, but this is only an example, and even if another image forming apparatus such as a monochrome multifunction device, a copier, or a facsimile apparatus is used. good.

The configuration and processing of the above-described embodiment shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming device 2 Communication line sharing system 10 Control unit 12 Image forming unit 15 Display unit 16B Touch panel 22 Communication unit

Claims (6)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium using toner,
Display and
When the image is formed on the recording medium by using an amount of toner reduced from a predetermined standard amount in the image forming unit, the communication line sharing amount corresponding to the reduced amount of the toner is applied. An image forming apparatus including a first control unit that calculates according to a predetermined rule, generates authentication information, and displays the communication line shared amount and the authentication information on the display unit, and
An input section where information is entered by the user, and
A communication unit that communicates using a predetermined communication line,
When information is input via the input unit, the authentication information and the communication line sharing amount are acquired, and when the input information matches the acquired authentication information, the communication is sent to another device. A second control unit that causes the line to be used and stops the use of the communication line by the other device when the usage amount of the communication line by the other device reaches the acquired communication line sharing amount. A communication line sharing system including a communication device including. The second control unit of the communication device does not allow the other device to use the communication line when the information input via the input unit does not match the acquired authentication information. Communication line sharing system described in. When the other device uses the communication line, the first control unit of the image forming apparatus generates a two-dimensional code indicating information for connecting to the communication line using the communication device as an access point. The communication line sharing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generated two-dimensional code is displayed on the display unit. The first control unit of the image forming apparatus calculates the communication line sharing period as the communication line sharing amount, and calculates the communication line sharing period.
The second control unit of the communication device is claimed to stop the use of the communication line by the other device when the usage time of the communication line by the other device reaches the communication line sharing period. The communication line sharing system according to any one of 1 to 3. The first control unit of the image forming apparatus calculates the amount of communication line shared data as the amount of communication line sharing, and calculates the amount of communication line shared data.
The second control unit of the communication device stops the use of the communication line by the other device when the data usage amount of the communication line by the other device reaches the communication line shared data amount. The communication line sharing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When new information is input via the input unit while the other device is using the communication line, the second control unit of the communication device receives the authentication information and the communication line shared amount. Is newly acquired, and when the input new information matches the newly acquired authentication information, after the usage amount of the communication line reaches the previously acquired communication line sharing amount, The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the use of the communication line by the other device is continued until the usage amount of the communication line reaches the newly acquired communication line sharing amount. Line sharing system.

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