JP3657677B2 - Image forming apparatus management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system that manages use of an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus currently used, for example, a copying machine is configured such that the use can be managed by a special authentication device such as a key counter.
Here, an example of use management of the copying machine by the key counter will be described. The copying machine is configured such that a copying operation cannot be performed unless a key counter for counting the number of copies is set at a predetermined position. The key counter is managed by a person who manages the copying machine. A person who wishes to use the copying machine borrows a key counter from the administrator, sets the key counter at a predetermined position of the copying machine, and performs copying. At this time, the number of copies copied is counted by the key counter. When copying is completed, return the key counter to the administrator. The returned key counter can check how many copies have been made, and a copy fee is charged according to the checked number of copies.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the use management of the copying machine by the key counter as described above has the following problems.
(1) It is inconvenient for the user to carry the key counter before and after using the copying machine.
[0004]
(2) A person who manages the key counter is required.
(3) In the key counter, the conditions for using the copying machine, for example, the used paper size, cannot be known in detail.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus use management system that can easily and accurately manage the use of an image forming apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus management system of the present invention is to acquire image information an image based on the acquired image information comprising manages the image forming apparatus that forms on the transfer medium, unique identification information is recorded A wireless information recording medium; a reading means for reading the unique identification information of the information recording medium in a non-contact manner; a judging means for judging the legitimacy of the read identification information ; and the read identification information is Permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus when it is determined to be legitimate ; management means for managing the number of images formed by the image forming apparatus as a use record of the user corresponding to the read identification information And .
[0006]
The image forming apparatus management system of the present invention is to acquire image information an image based on the acquired image information comprising manages the image forming apparatus that forms on the transfer medium, unique identification information is recorded A wireless information recording medium; reading means for reading the unique identification information of the information recording medium in a non-contact manner; determination means for judging the legitimacy of the read identification information; and Permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus when it is determined to be valid; the number of image formations by sheet size by the image forming apparatus and the image formation execution date and time correspond to the read identification information and management means for managing a use record of the user who, an image forming apparatus that can be used when the use of the validity is confirmed image forming apparatus of the identification information is permitted And a guide means for guiding broadcast by at least one of a sound or display to the user that the image forming apparatus is unavailable when the use of the image forming apparatus without validity is confirmed for the identification information is denied ing.
[0007]
The image forming apparatus management system of the present invention continues to validate the predetermined items set in the image forming apparatus as long as the information on the information recording medium can be read.
[0008]
When a series of image forming operations is started , the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention completes the started series of image forming operations even if the information on the information recording medium cannot be read.
[0009]
The image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention includes notifying means for notifying completion of the image forming operation.
[0019]
As a result of taking the above-mentioned means, the following effects occur.
(1) In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, information on the information recording medium is read, and use of the image forming apparatus is permitted according to the read information, so that the user carries the information recording medium (wireless card). The image forming apparatus can be easily managed only by this. For each unique identification information (ID number), it is possible to easily know when and how much paper of which size is used for copying, and accurate billing is possible. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to carry the key counter and to manage the key counter.
[0020]
(2) In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, the authentication result of the information recording medium, that is, whether or not the image forming apparatus can be used is notified to the user by display or sound. You can know clearly.
[0021]
(3) In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, as long as the information on the information recording medium can be read, that is, as long as the user who owns the information recording medium exists in a predetermined range, the set predetermined matters are Since it is continuously effective, the user can use the image forming apparatus with a certain amount of time without resetting the items once set with the passage of time.
[0022]
(4) In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, after a series of image forming operations are started, the series of image forming operations are started without being interrupted even if information on the information recording medium cannot be read. Since the series of image forming operations is completed, the user can leave the predetermined range of the image forming apparatus during the image forming operation (there is no need to wait in the predetermined range until the image forming operation is completed).
[0023]
(5) In the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, since the completion of the image forming operation is notified (electronic sound, e-mail, etc.), it is necessary for the user to frequently visit to confirm the completion of the image forming operation. It is convenient.
[0024]
(6) In the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention, since the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the network and managed, the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be easily managed collectively.
[0025]
(7) In the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, the use of the image forming apparatus of a specific user is restricted under various conditions by providing the information recording medium with use restriction information for restricting the use of the image forming apparatus. be able to.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a copier as an example of an image forming apparatus is managed by the copier itself.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, this system includes a wireless card 10 and a copying machine 20. The copying machine 20 includes a copying unit 30 that reads image information and forms an image based on the read image information, and a management unit 40 that manages a use record in the copying unit 30.
[0028]
The CPU 32 that controls the entire copying unit 30 includes a scanner unit 34 that reads image information, a printer unit 36 that forms an image based on the image information read by the scanner unit 34, various guidance for the user, and conditions from the user A control panel 38 for accepting setting, for example, condition settings such as the number of copies and copy magnification, is connected.
[0029]
The CPU 42 that controls the entire management unit 40 includes a wireless card reader 44 that reads information recorded on the wireless card 10, an authentication unit 46 that checks the ID number of the wireless card 10 read by the wireless card reader 44, and a copying unit 30 includes a billing unit 48 that manages the usage record in 30 and a sound source unit 50 that emits an electronic sound to the user and notifies the user that the wireless card has been read. The authentication unit 46 has a memory 46a and stores an authentication file described later. The billing unit 48 has a memory 48a and stores a billing file to be described later.
[0030]
Next, the wireless card 10 and the wireless card reader 44 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the wireless card 10 in detail, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the wireless card reader 44 in detail.
[0031]
2, the wireless card 10 includes an antenna 62, a switch 64, a modulation / demodulation unit 66, an input / output control unit 68, a memory 70, a CPU 72, a rectification unit 74, a storage battery 76, and the like. Of these, each part excluding the storage battery 76 is integrated and embedded in the main body of the wireless card 10.
[0032]
The antenna 62 transmits and receives radio waves to and from a wireless card reader or the like. The switch 64 selectively switches and connects the antenna 62 to the modulation / demodulation unit 66 or the rectification unit 74, and is controlled by the CPU 72. The modulation / demodulation unit 66 modulates a transmission signal and demodulates a reception signal. The input control unit 68 converts transmission data into a prescribed signal, or converts a demodulated received signal into prescribed data. The memory 70 is used for storing various data, and stores an ID number, information of a person carrying the wireless card 10, and the like. The CPU 72 controls each part and performs various data processing. The rectifying unit 74 rectifies the charging radio wave received via the antenna 62, converts it into electric energy, and charges the storage battery 76 with the electric energy. The storage battery 76 is an operation power source that supplies an operation voltage to each unit, and can be charged.
[0033]
In FIG. 3, the wireless card reader 44 includes an antenna 80, a modulation / demodulation unit 82, an input / output control unit 84, a memory 86, a CPU 88, and the like.
The antenna 80 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the wireless card 10 described above. The modulation / demodulation unit 82 modulates a transmission signal and demodulates a reception signal. The input / output control unit 84 converts transmission data into a prescribed signal or converts a demodulated received signal into prescribed data. The memory 86 is used for storing various data. The CPU 88 governs overall control.
[0034]
The management of the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus management system of the first embodiment described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, power is supplied to the main body of the copying machine 20, and the copying machine 20 enters a user waiting mode (ST12). At this time, for example, when the user carrying the wireless card 10 in his chest approaches the copying machine 20 and wireless communication between the wireless card 10 and the wireless card reader 44 becomes possible, the information on the wireless card 10 is read by the wireless card reader 44. (ST14, YES). At this time, a reading error may be displayed on the control panel 38 when a plurality of wireless cards become ready for wireless communication almost simultaneously. Further, the ID number of the plurality of wireless cards read and names corresponding to the ID numbers may be displayed so that the user can select them.
[0035]
A user ID number is further extracted from the information read in ST14 (ST16), and authentication processing is performed on the user ID number in the authentication unit 46 (ST18). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the user ID number is a number permitted to use the copying machine. The authentication process will be described in detail later.
[0036]
If the use of the copier is not permitted as a result of the authentication process (ST20, NO), a message indicating that the copier cannot be used is displayed on the control panel 38, for example, “Authentication error. Use correct card.” And an electronic sound such as “pipipi” is emitted (ST22). When the use of the copying machine is permitted (ST20, YES), a guidance that the copying machine can be used and the name of the user are displayed on the control panel 38, for example, "Card has been authenticated. User ID: 01230123, User: Development Department Taro Suzuki, guidance is displayed and an electronic sound such as “Pii” is emitted (ST24).
[0037]
Thereafter, the copy operation is executed (ST26), and when the copy operation is completed (ST28), the copy usage record is sent to the management unit 40, and the use record is managed by the management unit 40 (ST30). The management of usage results will be described in detail later.
[0038]
Here, functions unique to the present invention will be described.
First, as long as the information on the wireless card 10 can be read, the predetermined items set in the copying machine are continuously enabled. This is because when there is a user carrying a wireless card in a range where information of the wireless card 10 can be read by the wireless card reader 44, for example, when thinking in front of the copying machine 10, The set item is not reset. The items set in the copying machine are the number of copies input by the control panel 38, the copy magnification, and the like. In this way, the user can use the image forming apparatus with ease.
[0039]
Second, when a series of copying operations is started, even if information reading from the wireless card 10 becomes impossible, the copying operation is executed until the started series of copying operations is completed. This is set even when a user carrying the wireless card 10 leaves the copier when continuously copying a plurality of originals using an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown) of the copier 20. The continuous copying of a plurality of documents is not interrupted, and the copying operation is executed until the copying of the set plurality of documents is completed. This is convenient because the user does not have to wait on the side of the copying machine until the copying operation is completed, and can perform other operations.
[0040]
The third function is to notify the completion of the copying operation. This is an effective function when the user leaves the copying machine during the copying operation as described above. The copying operation is notified by electronic sound or the copying operation is sent to the user's desk by e-mail. It is a notification of the completion of. This is convenient because the user does not need to frequently visit the copying machine to confirm the completion of the copying operation.
[0041]
Next, the authentication process described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The authentication process is performed by the authentication unit 46, and an authentication file as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the memory 46a of the authentication unit 46 in advance. A valid user ID number is recorded in this authentication file, and an affiliation name and name are recorded for each user ID number. If the ID number read from the wireless card 10 exists in this authentication file, the authentication is completed.
[0042]
The ID number read from the wireless card 10 is received by the authentication unit 46 (ST42), and the authentication file is searched for whether the received ID number exists in the authentication file (ST44). If there is no ID number read in the authentication file as a result of the search (ST46, NO), authentication is impossible and this is notified (ST50). If the read ID number exists in the authentication file (ST46, YES), authentication is permitted, and the affiliation, name, etc. of the corresponding ID number in the authentication file are read and notified (ST48).
[0043]
Next, the management of the usage record described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The usage record is managed by the accounting unit 48, and an accounting file as shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the memory 48a of the accounting unit 48 in advance. In this billing file, a name and a record of use are recorded for each user ID number. The usage record records, for example, when and how many paper sizes (A4, A3, A5, B4, B5, etc.) have been copied.
[0044]
Furthermore, when a detailed usage record is required, an individual usage log as shown in FIG. 9 can be left. This usage log records the date and time of use, the number of copies for each paper size used, etc. for each individual. By managing the usage results in this way, it is possible to grasp the usage status of individual units, and accurate billing is possible.
[0045]
When the copy operation of ST28 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is completed, the number of copies for each ID number, date / time, and size is read (ST52) and additionally recorded in the individual use log (ST54). Subsequently, the number of copies for each paper size is counted up in the corresponding user ID number column in the accounting file (ST56).
[0046]
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of copying machines 20 are connected to the management apparatus 90 via a network, and the authentication processing described in the first embodiment is performed collectively by the management apparatus 90. The management device 90 includes an authentication unit 46, and the authentication unit 46 is provided with a memory 46a in which the authentication file described above is recorded. That is, the ID number read by the wireless card reader 44 of the copying machine 20 is inquired to the management apparatus 90 through the network. In the management apparatus, authentication processing as described in the first embodiment is performed, and the result is returned to the corresponding copying machine through the network.
[0048]
In this way, since the authentication file can be managed in the center, even if the authentication file is changed, only the authentication file of the management apparatus needs to be updated, and a plurality of copying machines can be easily managed.
[0049]
Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of copying machines 20 are connected to a management apparatus 90 via a network,
The accounting process described in the first embodiment is performed collectively by the management device 90. The management device 90 includes a billing unit 48, and the billing unit 48 is provided with a memory 48a in which the billing file described above is recorded. That is, the usage record is sent to the management apparatus 90 through the network. In the management apparatus, the accounting process as described in the first embodiment is performed. In this way, a plurality of copiers can be managed collectively.
[0051]
Further, both the authentication process and the billing process may be centrally managed by the management apparatus. That is, the copying machine 20 only reads information from the wireless card, and the subsequent authentication processing and billing processing are collectively managed by the management device. In this way, the cost of each copying machine can be reduced, and a plurality of copying machines can be easily managed.
[0052]
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention.
Here, the wireless card 10 described above is provided with, for example, use restriction information for restricting the use of a specific copying machine and use restriction information for restricting the number of copies. Thereby, for example, the use of a specific copying machine can be restricted or the number of copies can be restricted. Moreover, you may make it use with respect to a guest by using such a wireless card in which use restriction information was impossible as a guest card. Note that the use restriction information is not limited to that described above.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus management system that produces the following effects.
(1) Since information on the information recording medium is read and the use of the image forming apparatus is permitted according to the read information, the image forming apparatus can be easily managed by simply carrying the information recording medium (wireless card) to the user. . Therefore, it is possible to easily know when and how much paper of which size is used for copying by unique identification information (ID number), and it is possible to accurately charge, and the user does not have to carry the key counter and manages the key counter. There is no need to do this.
[0054]
(2) Since the user is notified of the authentication result of the information recording medium, that is, whether or not the image forming apparatus can be used by display or sound, the user can clearly know whether or not the information recording medium can be authenticated.
[0055]
(3) As long as the information on the information recording medium can be read, that is, as long as the user who owns the information recording medium exists in the predetermined range, the set predetermined items are continuously valid. The user can use the image forming apparatus with a certain amount of time without resetting the items once set as time passes.
[0056]
(4) After the series of image forming operations is started, even if reading of information on the information recording medium becomes impossible, the series of started image forming operations is completed without stopping the series of image forming operations. The user can leave the predetermined range of the image forming apparatus during the image forming operation.
[0057]
(5) Since the completion of the image forming operation is notified, it is convenient that the user does not have to travel frequently to confirm the completion of the image forming operation.
(6) Since a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed by connecting to a network, the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be easily managed collectively.
[0058]
(7) By using the information recording medium with use restriction information for restricting use of the image forming apparatus, use of the image forming apparatus of a specific user can be restricted under various conditions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless card in detail.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a wireless card reader in detail.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating management of the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus management system.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining authentication processing in detail.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an authentication file.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail management of usage results.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an accounting file.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an individual use log.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Wireless card (information recording medium)
20. Copying machine (image forming apparatus)
30: Copying section 32, 42 ... CPU (permission means)
34 ... Scanner unit 36 ... Printer unit 38 ... Control panel (notification means)
40: management unit 44 ... wireless card reader (reading means)
46. Authentication section (determination means)
48 ... Billing department (management means)
50. Sound source section (notification means)

Claims (3)

In managing an image forming apparatus that acquires image information and forms an image based on the acquired image information on a transfer medium,
A wireless information recording medium in which unique identification information is recorded;
Reading means for reading the unique identification information of the information recording medium in a non-contact manner;
Judging means for judging the legitimacy of the read identification information;
Permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the read identification information is valid;
Management means for managing the number of images formed by the image forming apparatus as a usage record of a user corresponding to the read identification information;
Equipped with a,
An image forming apparatus management system , wherein when a series of image forming operations is started, the started series of image forming operations are completed even if reading of information on the information recording medium becomes impossible . In managing an image forming apparatus that acquires image information and forms an image based on the acquired image information on a transfer medium,
A wireless information recording medium in which unique identification information is recorded;
Reading means for reading the unique identification information of the information recording medium in a non-contact manner;
Judging means for judging the legitimacy of the read identification information;
Permission means for permitting use of the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the read identification information is valid;
Management means for managing the number of image formations by sheet size by the image forming apparatus and the image formation execution date and time as a usage record of a user corresponding to the read identification information;
When the validity of the identification information is confirmed and the use of the image forming apparatus is permitted, the image forming apparatus can be used. When the validity of the identification information is not confirmed and the use of the image forming apparatus is rejected, Guidance means for notifying the user that the forming apparatus is unusable by at least one of sound and display;
Equipped with a,
An image forming apparatus management system , wherein when a series of image forming operations is started, the started series of image forming operations are completed even if reading of information on the information recording medium becomes impossible . The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1 , further comprising an informing unit for informing completion of the image forming operation .

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