JP4055357B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a copying apparatus having a hibernation function, and more particularly to an improvement in copying job processing after returning to normal operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, some image forming apparatuses such as copying apparatuses have an auto power off function for turning off a part of an apparatus (such as an operation panel) or the entire apparatus when the unused state continues for a predetermined time for the purpose of reducing power consumption. Are known.
However, if an auto power-off function is activated when an image forming job (hereinafter simply referred to as “job”) is interrupted due to a trouble such as a paper jam, an unexecuted job is erased by turning off the power. Therefore, a hibernation function has been developed that saves the job to a writable non-volatile storage such as a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, or backup memory before turning off the power, thereby avoiding the job erasure. The hibernation function is applied not only when the power is turned off by the auto power off function but also when the power is turned off manually.
[0003]
Jobs saved in the memory by the hibernation function are automatically restored to the main storage device when the power is turned on again and executed, so the user can copy without being aware that the processing was interrupted by turning off the power. The device can be used.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since it is difficult to anticipate a situation in which the hibernation function is activated, a job may be executed by the hibernation function at a timing unexpected by the user. For example, when a confidential document is to be printed, the hibernation function may accidentally operate and execution of the job may be delayed, and the user may submit the same job again. Then, the user actually prints two copies of the confidential document that he intended to print only one copy, which may lead to leakage of the secret. Further, if more copies than necessary are printed even if they are not confidential documents, there is a problem that power, recording paper, toner, etc. are wasted.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus that prevents waste of resources and leakage of confidential information due to a hibernation function.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, before turning off the power, accepts the image data for the received and unexecuted image forming job. Includes job management table After saving the data necessary for image formation to nonvolatile memory and turning on the power Read image data and data necessary for image formation, including job management table, into memory, An image forming apparatus having a hibernation function for executing the job, and when the power is turned off, a flag is set for an image forming job that has already been received and has not been executed in the job management table for managing the image forming job. The execution prohibition means for holding the execution prohibited state by performing the operation, the release request receiving means for receiving the release request for requesting the release of the execution prohibited state on condition that the password is input after the power is turned on, and the release request By comparing the password and the password assigned to the image forming job, and changing the flag when the verification result is predetermined , The received and unexecuted image forming job A password-released means to release the execution prohibited state Execution means for executing the image forming job whose holding of the execution prohibition state is released; It is characterized by providing. In this way, the user who has submitted the image forming job can control the timing at which the job is executed by instructing to resume the job that was interrupted by turning off the power. It is possible to ensure the confidentiality of printing and copying.
[0007]
Also, contact information receiving means for receiving contact information of the image forming job, password assigning means for assigning a password to the image forming job that has received the contact information, and communication of the password assigned to the image forming job to the image forming job. It is further characterized by further comprising password notifying means for notifying first. In this way, the user who has input the image forming job can know about the interruption of the job due to the power-off, so that the confidentiality of the confidential document printing or copying can be further confirmed. .
[0008]
Further, by assigning a password to the image forming apparatus, it is possible to save the user from having to assign a password. In fact, if the user himself / herself designates a password, the user is apt to select only the same password, which increases the possibility of the password being stolen. In contrast, if a password is assigned to the image forming apparatus as described above, such inconvenience can be avoided.
[0009]
Further, it is characterized by further comprising a passwordless canceling unit for canceling prohibition of execution of an image forming job to which no password is assigned when the power is turned on.
Further, the password assigning means further assigns a specific password to an image forming job that has not received contact information.
In addition, on the condition that contact information is input, an erasure request accepting unit that accepts an erasure request for erasing an image forming job held in an execution-prohibited state, contact information entered in the erasure request, and image formation When the job contact information is the same, job deletion means for deleting the image forming job is provided.
[0010]
Further, it further comprises network accepting means for accepting an image forming job via a network, the contact information is a mail address of the contact, and the password notifying means notifies the contact of the password by e-mail. It is characterized by. In this way, it is possible to provide a user-friendly interface in view of the recent spread of the Internet.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a copying apparatus according to the present embodiment. The copying apparatus 1 includes an image reader unit 2 that reads a document placed on a document glass 7 and a printer unit 3 that forms an image on recording paper using image data of the document read by the image reader unit 2. Broadly divided.
[0012]
An automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 4 provided on the image reader unit 2 is a device that transports a document placed on a document tray 5 onto a document glass 7, and the document tray 5 A sensor 6 that detects whether or not a document is placed thereon and a sensor (not shown) that detects opening and closing of the automatic document feeder 4 are provided. The scanner 11 scans the document placed on the document table glass 7 while moving the document in the direction of the arrow (sub-scanning direction) at the speed V, and at the same time, the mirror box 13 storing the mirrors 14 and 15 at the speed V / 2. By moving in the direction of the arrow, the radiated light from the lamp 10 reflected by the original surface is imaged on the three-line full-color CCD sensor 8 via the mirrors 12, 14, 15 and the lens 9. The full-color CCD sensor 8 converts reflected light from the document into R, G, and B electrical signals and outputs them to the signal processing unit 16. The signal processing unit 16 converts the R, G, and B electrical signals input by the CCD sensor 8 into image data for each of the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color components, and the image memory 55 (see FIG. 3). ).
[0013]
The laser controller 21 generates a laser diode drive signal from the image data stored in the image memory 55 (see FIG. 3), and causes the laser diode 20 to emit light. Laser light emitted from the laser diode 20 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 24 via the polygon mirror 19, the fθ lens 18, and the folding mirrors 17 and 27 to form an electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive drum 24 is neutralized by an eraser lamp 25 and uniformly charged by a charging charger 26 and then scanned by a laser diode 20. The electrostatic latent image is formed in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
[0014]
When an electrostatic latent image corresponding to cyan is formed on the photosensitive drum 24, a cyan toner developing unit 28 develops the electrostatic latent image. On the other hand, an appropriate sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding cassettes 35 to 37, sucked by the electrostatic chuck charger 33 provided facing the transport roller 32, and wound around the transfer drum 23. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 24 developed by the cyan toner developing device 28 is transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer charger 34. Then, following cyan, magenta, yellow, and black electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 24, developed by toner developing devices 29 to 31, and superimposed on the same recording paper by the transfer charger 34. Is transcribed.
[0015]
When the four color toner images are transferred onto the recording paper, the surface of the transfer drum 23 is neutralized by the separation / eliminator charger 22 so that the recording paper is separated from the surface of the transfer drum 23 and directed to the fixing device 38. The recording paper is discharged onto the tray 39 after the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 38.
The copying apparatus 1 has an operation panel on the front surface, and accepts copying conditions (number of copies, size, etc.) when receiving a copying job. FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel 40 of the copying apparatus 1. The liquid crystal touch panel 41 displays a message such as an operation mode, a paper jam, or a paper out, and a touch key for setting the operation mode according to the message. The numeric keypad 42 is a key for setting the number of copies. The clear key 43 is a key for resetting the number of copies to 1. The start key 44 is a key for starting copying. The stop key 45 is a key for stopping the copy operation. The panel reset key 46 is a key for returning copy conditions such as density and copy magnification to standard values. The power key 47 is a key for turning on / off the main power of the copying apparatus 1.
[0016]
The copying apparatus 1 further includes a control unit, and performs job management and the like in the copying unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the control unit 50 of the copying apparatus. The control unit 50 has a configuration in which an operation panel 40, an image reader unit 2, a printer unit 3 and the like are connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 51. A control program is stored in a ROM 52 connected to the CPU 51. The RAM 53 stores data of copy conditions such as the number of copies and the copy mode set via the operation panel 40, and the non-volatile memory (backup RAM) 54 is used for backup of these data. The image memory 55 is a large-capacity memory for storing image data of a document read by the image reader unit 2 and image data input from the network IF unit 58, and can store a large number of image data.
[0017]
An internal timer used for the CPU 51 to measure the timing for operating the hibernation function and the auto power off function is incorporated. The network IF unit 58 is connected to the network and performs communication control, data transmission / reception management / analysis processing, and e-mail transmission / reception control / analysis processing. The power supply unit 56 supplies power to each unit of the copying apparatus 1 under the control of the CPU 51. The operation panel 40, the image reader unit 2, and the printer unit 3 are each provided with a dedicated CPU, and exchange data and commands with the CPU 51 via a serial communication interface. When the power is turned off, the CPU 51 transfers data related to image formation, such as copy conditions stored in the RAM 53 and image data 55 stored in the image memory 55, to the nonvolatile memory 54 for storage. The CPU 51 reads data stored in the non-volatile memory 54 as necessary after the next power-on, and executes a job that was turned on before the power was turned off.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the copying apparatus 1 will be described.
(Main loop)
The copying machine 1 executes a job by repeating a predetermined program at regular intervals. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine of control processing executed by the CPU 51. After the power is turned on, the CPU 51 first initializes the RAM 53 and the timer 57 (step S1), and the timer 57 is used to control the timing at which the hibernation function is activated and the timing at which the auto power off function is activated. Thereafter, an internal timer of the CPU 51 that defines the length of one routine is set (step S2), input / output processing via the network (step S3), and input / output processing of the operation panel are performed (step S4). Further, after performing hibernation transition processing (step S5), hibernation return processing (step S6), and job release / discard processing (step S7), image forming processing is performed (step S8). Thereafter, a power supply control process including an auto power off function is performed (step S9), the end of the internal timer is waited (YES in step S10), and the process returns to step S2 (NO in step S10).
[0019]
(Job management table)
The copying apparatus 1 has a job management table on the RAM 53 in order to manage submitted jobs. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a job management table. The job management table is a table in which items of a job number, an execution prohibition flag, a password column, an address column, and a save flag are listed for each job. The job number is an identification number assigned to each job in order to identify the submitted job, and the execution prohibition flag indicates whether the execution of the job is prohibited (“Lock”) or permitted (“Continue”). It is a flag indicating another type. In the password column, when the execution prohibition flag is “Lock”, a password necessary for changing the setting of the flag to “Continue” and executing the job is stored. The password is notified to the mail address stored in the address field before the power is turned off. Jobs whose passwords are stored in the password field are prohibited from being executed when the power is turned off because the execution prohibition flag is set to “Lock”. The save flag is a flag indicating whether or not the job is saved in the nonvolatile memory 54 (“saving”) or not (“not saved”).
[0020]
(Job acceptance)
The copying apparatus 1 receives a copier job (copy job) from the operation panel 40 and a print job from another terminal device via the network. When accepting a copy job, when the user places a document on the document tray 5 and presses the start key 44, the copying apparatus 1 displays a mail address on the LCD 41. FIG. 6 is a view showing the mail address 60 displayed on the LCD 41. When the user selects one of the mail addresses 60 displayed on the LCD 41 or presses the start key 44 again without selecting anything, the copying apparatus 1 registers the job in the job management table, and the document Reading of the original placed on the tray 5 is started. When the user selects one of the mail addresses 60 displayed on the LCD 41, the selected mail address is stored in the address field of the job management table, and the execution prohibition flag is set to “Continue”. . The password field is blank. If the user does not select an email address, the email address field is also blank.
[0021]
When accepting a job from another terminal device, similarly to the above, if a mail address is specified, the mail address is stored in the address field, the execution prohibition flag is set to “Continue”, and the password field is left blank. If no e-mail address is specified, the address field is also blank.
(Hibernation transition process)
When the copying apparatus 1 detects the power-off edge of the main power supply, it executes hibernation transition processing (step S4) while receiving power supply from the backup power supply. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the hibernation transition process. When the copying apparatus 1 detects the power-off edge of the main power supply (YES in step S20), the copying apparatus 1 sequentially executes the subsequent processing for each of the jobs registered in the job management table. First, referring to the address column of the job management table (step S21), if the mail address is stored (YES in step S22), the execution prohibition flag is set to “Lock” (step S23). Next, a password is generated and stored in the password field (step S24), and the password is notified to the e-mail address described in the address field (step S25).
[0022]
Thereafter, the image data and data necessary for image formation for that job are saved in the nonvolatile memory 54 (step S26), and the save flag in the job management table is set to “saving” (step S27). Even when the mail address is not stored in the address column of the job management table (NO in step S22), the image data and the like are saved in the nonvolatile memory 54 (step S26), and the save flag is set to “saving”. (Step S27). The above is the processing for one job. After this process, if there is an unprocessed job in the job management table (YES in step S28), the process proceeds to step S21. If there is no unprocessed job (NO in step S28), or if the main power supply is not turned off (NO in step S20), the backup power supply is turned off (step S29).
[0023]
By doing so, each user who submitted a job can know that the job has been saved by notifying the password, so it can know the cause of delay in job execution, It is possible to prevent waste of resources such as recording paper due to the input.
(Hibernation return processing)
The copying apparatus 1 executes hibernation return processing (step S6) every predetermined cycle. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the hibernation return determination process. In the hibernation return process, the copying apparatus 1 sequentially executes the subsequent processes for each of the jobs registered in the job management table. First, the save flag in the job management table is referenced (step S30), and if it is being saved (YES in step S31), the execution prohibition flag is referenced (step S32). If the execution prohibition flag is “Continue” (YES in step S33), data necessary for image formation is restored from the nonvolatile memory 54 for the job (step S34). After this, or in the case of NO in step S31 or step S33, the job is kept being saved (execution prohibited state), and if there is an unprocessed job (YES in step S35), the process proceeds to step S30. Process the job. If there is no unprocessed job (NO in step S35), the process is terminated.
[0024]
(Release and discard job execution prohibition)
The copying apparatus 1 receives a request for canceling the prohibition of job execution or canceling the job by electronic mail (step S7). FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the job release / discard process. The copying apparatus 1 compares the source address of the received e-mail with the e-mail address in the address column of the job management table (step S40). If these e-mail addresses match (YES in step S41), the copying apparatus 1 The stored password is compared with the password in the password column of the job management table (step S42). If these passwords match (YES in step S43), the contents of the e-mail are referred to (step S44). If the request is to cancel execution prohibition (YES in step S45), the execution prohibition flag of the job is set to “Continue”. Set (step S46). If NO in step S45, if the content of the e-mail is a discard request (YES in step S47), the job is deleted (step S48). In the case of NO in steps S41, S43, and S47, or after the processes in steps S46 and S48, the series of processes is terminated.
[0025]
In this way, the user who has submitted the job to the copying apparatus 1 can know by notification that the hibernation function of the copying apparatus 1 has been activated, and the user can determine the job execution time after the power is turned on again. This prevents the user from wasting paper, toner, etc. by leaking the same job without noticing the delay in job execution due to the hibernation function, and leaking confidential information related to the job. it can.
[0026]
(Modification)
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications can be implemented.
(1) In the above embodiment, the execution prohibition flag is set to “Lock” only when the mail address is stored in the address field (step S23), but whether or not the mail address is stored in the address field. Regardless, the execution prohibition flag may be set to “Lock”. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the hibernation transition process (step S5) according to this modification. When the copying apparatus 1 detects the power-off edge of the main power supply (YES in step S50), the copying apparatus 1 sequentially executes the subsequent processing for each of the jobs registered in the job management table. First, the execution prohibition flag is set to “Lock” (step S51), and a password is generated and stored in the password field (step S52). Next, referring to the address field of the job management table (step S53), if the mail address is stored (YES in step S54), the password is notified to the mail address described in the address field (step S55). After that, or in the case of NO in step S54, the image data and data necessary for image formation for that job are saved in the nonvolatile memory 54 (step S56), and the save flag is set to “saving” (step S57). ). The above is the processing for one job. After this process, if there is an unprocessed job in the job management table (YES in step S58), the process proceeds to step S5, and the same process is executed for the unprocessed job. If there is no unprocessed job (NO in step S58), or NO in step S5, the backup power supply is turned off (step S59).
[0027]
When the address field is blank, the same password is stored in all password fields. This password may be a predetermined password, for example, a device-specific password.
In addition, processing for canceling and discarding job execution prohibition according to the present modification is as follows. In addition to the job release / discard process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the following additional routine is performed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart executed after the end of the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 as an additional routine in this modification. The copying apparatus 1 refers to the address column of the job management table (step S60), and if blank (YES in step S61), compares the password stored in the received e-mail with the password in the password column of the job management table. (Step S62). If these passwords match (YES in step S63), the content of the e-mail is referred to (step S64). If the request is to cancel execution prohibition (YES in step S65), the execution prohibition flag of the job is set to “Continue”. Set (step S66). If NO in step S, if the content of the e-mail is a discard request (YES in step S67), the job is discarded (step S68). When NO is determined in any of steps S61, S63, and S67, or after the processing in step S66 or S68 is completed, the copying apparatus 1 ends the series of processing.
[0028]
In this way, it is possible to cancel the prohibition of execution even for a job whose mail address is not registered in the address column of the job management table, and to specify or discard the time to resume.
(2) In the above embodiment, the non-volatile memory 54 that is a job save destination is the backup RAM. However, the job save destination may be a writable non-volatile storage such as a magnetic disk.
[0029]
(3) In the above embodiment, the hibernation transition process is performed in response to the detection of the power off edge of the main power supply. However, after the main power off request is received and the hibernation transition process is executed, the main power supply is turned off. It may be turned off. This eliminates the need for a backup power supply, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus and reducing the cost.
[0030]
(4) In the above description, the password is assigned upon detection of the power-off edge of the main power supply. However, the password may be assigned immediately when a job is received on the operation panel or via the network. . In this way, the processing after the detection of the power-off edge can be reduced and the load on the backup power source can be reduced, so that the backup power source can be made simpler and less expensive.
[0031]
Further, password notification may be performed when a job is accepted. In this case, when a power-off edge is detected, a job management table is referred to notify a user that a job has been assigned to a password assigned job. It is still preferable.
(5) In the above description, passwords and the like are exchanged using e-mail, but other communication means may be used. For example, a password or the like may be exchanged using TCP or UDP, and the effect of the present invention can be obtained by using communication software instead of electronic mail software according to the communication means.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the password is notified when the hibernation function is activated, the user is notified of the job evacuation, and the evacuated job is executed when the user inputs the password. It is possible to prevent the leakage of confidential information due to the job being executed at a timing when it is not performed.
[0033]
Further, since the user is notified that the job execution is delayed due to the operation of the hibernation function, it is possible to prevent the user from re-entering the job and to prevent waste of recording paper, toner, power, and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel 40 of the copying apparatus 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 50 of the copying apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine of control processing executed by a CPU 51.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a job management table.
6 is a diagram showing a mail address 60 displayed on the LCD 41. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of hibernation transition processing.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a hibernation return determination process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of job cancel / discard processing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of hibernation transition processing according to a modified example.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an additional routine according to the present modification.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Copying machine
2 Image reader
3 Printer section
4 Automatic document feeder
5 Document tray
6 Sensor
7 Platen glass
8 Full color CCD sensor
9 Lens
10 lamps
11 Scanner
12, 14, 15 mirror
13 Mirror box
16 Signal processor
17 Folding mirror
18 fθ lens
19 Polygon mirror
20 Laser diode

Claims (6)

Before turning off the power source, an image forming job of unexecuted in already accepted, and the data required for image forming including the image data and the job management table is retracted to the non-volatile memory, the image data and the job management table after the power-on An image forming apparatus having a hibernation function for reading out data necessary for image formation including a memory and executing the job,
An execution prohibiting means for holding an execution disabled state by setting a flag for an image forming job that has already been received and has not been executed in the job management table for managing the image forming job when the power is turned off;
A release request accepting means for accepting a release request for requesting the release of holding of the execution prohibited state on condition that a password is input after the power is turned on;
The password entered in the cancellation request is collated with the password assigned to the image forming job, and if the collation result is predetermined, the flag is changed, so that the accepted and unexecuted image forming job A password-based release means for releasing the execution prohibited state ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an execution unit that executes the image forming job whose holding of the execution prohibited state is released . Contact information receiving means for receiving contact information of an image forming job;
Password assignment means for assigning a password to an image forming job that has received contact information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising password notifying means for notifying a password assigned to the image forming job to a contact person of the image forming job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a passwordless canceling unit that cancels prohibition of execution of an image forming job to which no password is assigned when the power is turned on. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the password assigning unit further assigns a specific password to an image forming job that has not received contact information. An erasure request accepting unit for accepting an erasure request for erasing an image forming job held in an execution-prohibited state on condition that contact information is input;
5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising job erasure means for erasing the image forming job when the contact information input in the erasure request and the contact information of the image forming job are the same. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. Network receiving means for receiving an image forming job via a network;
The contact information is the email address of the contact;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the password notifying unit notifies the contact person of the password by electronic mail.

Images