JP4131501B2 - Paper processing apparatus, paper processing system, and locking / unlocking control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus having a paper feed cassette to which paper is replenished, a paper processing system having the paper processing apparatus, and a lock for causing the paper processing apparatus to realize a locking / unlocking function for locking and unlocking the paper feeding cassette. The present invention relates to an unlocking control program, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus including an image forming apparatus capable of locking and unlocking a sheet feeding cassette without using a physical key, a sheet processing system, and an unlocking control program.

Image forming apparatuses typified by printers, copiers, scanners, facsimile machines, composite apparatuses, and the like are provided with one or more paper feed cassettes for setting sheets as printing media.
Conventionally, the paper cassette contains only ordinary printing paper (inexpensive print paper), and it is necessary to prevent the paper from being pulled out from the paper cassette until it is locked. Was scarce.

  However, as an application of recent image forming apparatuses, securities such as checks that can be used immediately after entering the number of money, etc. are put in a paper cassette, and the amount of money can be increased by mica toner containing magnetic powder. Something like a mica toner printer has emerged that can be used immediately for economic transactions if numbers are printed. In such a mica toner printer, it is necessary to prevent the paper cassette from being subjected to an economic loss due to the paper cassette being pulled out without permission and the check paper or the like being stolen.

  Here, since the structure of the mica toner printer and the ordinary printer are basically the same, they are hardly manufactured separately, and the manufactured printer is remodeled without any distinction and is locked. It was. However, since there are very few users who use the mica toner printer from the viewpoint of the entire printer users, it is impossible to attach a locking means that opens and closes with a key to all printers manufactured and sold.

Therefore, techniques for locking / unlocking the paper feed cassette have been proposed.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, locking means (cylinder main body 102, locking member 104) for fixing the paper feed cassette 101 to the main body 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 so that it cannot be pulled out are provided. There is a technique (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Specifically, for example, the cylinder main body 102 is provided on the paper feed cassette 101 side, and the locking member 104 is provided on the main body 100 a side of the image forming apparatus 100. When the user inserts and rotates the key fitting 103, an internal tag (metal fitting, not shown) rotates. When the rotated tag is locked to the locking member 104, the locking means is closed. On the other hand, when the rotated tag is detached from the locking member 104, the locking means is opened.
According to this technique, since the paper feed cassette 101 is fixed to the main body 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 by the locking means, the paper feed cassette 101 cannot be pulled out, and the set paper is not loaded until unlocked. It becomes impossible to take out without permission.
JP 2001-121895 A JP 2001-132296 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, a physical key (key) is used to lock and unlock the locking means provided in the paper feed cassette. In other words, as long as there was the physical lock, anyone could easily unlock the locking means, pull out the paper feed cassette, and easily remove the set paper. As a result, the meaning of attaching the locking means to the paper feed cassette disappears, and the result is that the theft of valuable paper is acquitted.

Therefore, in order to avoid theft or misuse of this physical key, it may be possible to store the key in any appropriate place.
However, in order to ensure thorough measures against theft and misuse by the storage, it was necessary to take an environment and system to monitor and manage in person or facilities. For this reason, a human burden and a cost burden were imposed, and the management was unavoidable.

In the unlikely event that the key fitting is lost, the locked paper feed cassette cannot be unlocked.
For this reason, even if the paper in the paper feed cassette runs out, the paper cannot be replenished, so that the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can be locked and unlocked without using a physical key.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, for example, when the paper is a base paper such as a securities including a check, it is necessary to prevent financial damage and risk due to unauthorized use when the theft occurs.
Further, the charge management in the conventional image forming apparatus is performed based on the actual number of sheets used (number of printed sheets), and a counter process is generated each time printing is performed, so that the charge management process becomes complicated. End up.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and can prevent monetary damage caused by theft, prevent danger from unauthorized use, and eliminate the complexity of billing management processing. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet processing system, and a locking / unlocking control program.

In order to achieve this object, a paper processing apparatus of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, a lock and / or a space between the housing and the paper feed cassette. Or a paper processing apparatus provided with a locking means for unlocking, a paper detection means for detecting the absence of paper in the paper feed cassette, and when the paper detection means detects that there is no paper, Locking / unlocking control means that enables unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper cassette, locking / unlocking counting means for counting the number of times and / or the number of times of unlocking the paper cassette, and Use information generating means for generating use information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking is provided .

When the sheet processing apparatus has such a configuration, it is possible to prevent unlocking until there is no sheet in the sheet feeding cassette. For this reason, when the paper replenished in the paper cassette is, for example, a base paper (expensive paper) such as a check or securities, it is possible to prevent the financial damage caused by theft of the paper and the risk of unauthorized use. it can.
Note that the sheet processing apparatus includes, for example, an image forming apparatus, a cash dispenser, a vending machine such as a ticket, and the like.

Further, when the sheet processing apparatus has such a configuration, it is possible to manage usage information based on the number of times of locking and unlocking of the sheet feeding cassette. Thereby, the user can use the paper processing apparatus effectively and economically.

In the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, the use information includes one or more of charging information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking, usage amount information, used number information, and used number information. As a configuration.
When the sheet processing apparatus has such a configuration, it is possible to manage billing information, usage amount information, used number information, used number information, and the like based on the number of times of locking and unlocking the sheet cassette.
In particular, by using the billing information generated based on the number of times of locking and the like, the complexity of billing management of the used paper can be eliminated and the billing information can be easily performed. For example, it is assumed that the sheet in the sheet cassette is exhausted, the sheet cassette is unlocked, the sheet is replenished and locked again. Since unlocking can be performed only when there is no paper, the number of sheets used from the time of unlocking until the next unlocking can be regarded as equivalent to the number of sheets that can be stored in the paper feed cassette. . For this reason, counting the number of times of locking / unlocking is equivalent to counting the number of sheets used, that is, counting the number of times of locking / unlocking counts the number of sheets used one by one. Much fewer times than. Therefore, by using the paper processing apparatus of the present invention, it is not necessary to manage usage every time printing is performed, and billing management of used paper can be easily performed.
In addition, by associating the departments to be individually managed for each paper feed cassette, it becomes possible to manage the use for each department.

The paper processing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of the paper feeding cassettes, and one or two or more paper feeding cassettes among the plurality of paper feeding cassettes are provided with the locking means, and the locking / opening is performed. When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in one of the paper feed cassettes provided with the locking means, the lock control means locks the paper feed cassette detected as having no paper. Further, the locking means can be unlocked.

If the paper processing apparatus has such a configuration, when there are a plurality of paper feeding cassettes, a locking means is attached to an arbitrary paper feeding cassette, and the paper feeding cassette to which the locking means is attached only when the paper runs out. Can be unlocked.
Specifically, for example, when there are four paper feed cassettes, the two paper feed cassettes are provided with locking means so that they can be unlocked only when the paper runs out, and the other two paper feed cassettes. The cassette can be freely inserted and removed without providing locking means.
For example, one paper feed cassette is provided with locking means that can be locked and unlocked based on the lock and unlock data (described later), and the other paper feed cassette can be locked and unlocked with a physical key. It is also possible to provide a locking means and not to provide the locking means for the remaining two paper feed cassettes.

Furthermore, the paper feed cassette to be used can be properly used according to the value and use of the paper.
For example, for precious paper, a paper cassette equipped with locking means that can be locked and unlocked based on the unlocking data, and for paper that is used only by a specific department, it can be unlocked using a physical lock. A paper feed cassette provided with a lockable locking means (in this case, it is desirable to manage the physical lock metal in a specific department), and a general inexpensive sheet is provided with a locking means. It can be set in each paper cassette that is not.

  In addition, the paper processing apparatus of the present invention includes data receiving means for receiving locking / unlocking data relating to the locking and / or unlocking, and the locking / unlocking control means is configured such that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette. When detected by the paper detection means, the unlocking means that has locked the paper feed cassette can be unlocked, and based on the unlocking data from the data receiving means, the paper feed cassette is fed to the lock means. It is set as the structure which performs unlocking of.

If the paper processing apparatus has such a configuration, the user can lock and unlock the locking means only by inputting or transmitting the locking / unlocking data to the paper processing apparatus, and no physical lock is required. Become. For this reason, the sheet feeding cassette and the sheet processing apparatus main body can be opened and closed by the locking means based on the locking / unlocking data instead of the physical key.
As a result, the act of unlocking the locking means using the physical key, pulling out the paper feed cassette, and taking out the set paper cannot be performed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent theft of paper using a physical key, particularly theft of valuable paper.

In addition, since no physical lock is required, it is not necessary to establish a human-facility monitoring and management system for the lock. For this reason, human and cost burdens can be reduced, and management complexity can be avoided.
Furthermore, the risk of losing the key can be avoided. In other words, there is a possibility that the key metal may be lost, and if this lost key metal is picked up by another person, there is a risk that valuable paper will be stolen. On the other hand, since the unlocking data is not a thing (object), there is no worry that it is lost and picked up by others. From this, the risk of loss can be avoided.

In addition, by limiting the person who knows the lock / unlock data in advance, only the limited person can open and close the paper feed cassette and replace the paper.
For this reason, especially when the paper set in the paper cassette is precious, it is important that only the administrator of the paper knows the unlocking data. Security can be strengthened by preventing theft of paper.

Note that the unlocking data can be one of a password, a command, a command, a message, and a code.
If the lock / unlock data is set in this way, processing by an apparatus (including an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, etc.) with a built-in computer becomes possible. For this reason, locking / unlocking data can be input from the main body of the paper processing apparatus or transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the paper processing apparatus. In the paper processing apparatus, a predetermined process can be executed on the input or received lock / unlock data to lock / unlock the lock means.

Specifically, for example, when the lock / unlock data is used as a password, the verification password stored in advance and the input or received verification password are verified in the paper processing apparatus.
As a result of the collation, when the collated password and the collation password match (or correspond), the locking means is unlocked or locked. On the other hand, when the password for verification and the password for verification do not match (or correspond), the locking means is not unlocked or locked.

  Furthermore, when the locking / unlocking data is a specific password (free insertion / removal password; for example, “0000” for locking and unlocking), the insertion and removal of the paper feeding cassette can be made free. Therefore, a specific person can freely select whether or not to use the locking means (locking function) of the sheet processing apparatus.

  Moreover, in the paper processing apparatus, for example, a password for locking and unlocking (password) is registered in advance in the password registration means 58 constituting the lock control means 50, and this password is stored in the operation unit, for example. 11 is input, the locking means (solenoid 13 and bracket 22) are locked and unlocked.

In addition, the paper cassette can be automatically locked when inserted into the main body of the paper processing apparatus, and can be unlocked with a password only when unlocked.
Therefore, if only the specific person (for example, the administrator of the paper processing apparatus) is informed of the password, it becomes impossible for anyone other than this specific person to pull out the paper feed cassette from the main body of the paper processing apparatus.

In the present invention, a command is a command for giving a work instruction to a computer, and is expressed by, for example, an alphanumeric string. It is attached to the OS, programming language, application software, etc., and by giving a command, the corresponding software operates.
An instruction is a unit in a program and is used to instruct a computer to cause an arithmetic device to perform an operation or to retrieve or store data from a storage device, and is often expressed as a bit string.
A message is a series of communication information, and consists of a string of symbols and characters. Various information output from the computer to the operator, operator input data, and the like are also included.
A code means a symbol, a number (numerical string), a character (character string), or a combination thereof for expressing information.

  In the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, one or two or more sheet feeding cassettes include the locking means, and the sheet processing apparatus includes one or more of each of the sheet feeding cassettes or each of the locking means. Table storage means for storing a lock / unlock data correspondence table in association with the lock / unlock data is provided, and the lock / unlock control means detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette by the paper detection means. Then, unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper feed cassette is enabled, and the locking means corresponding to the locking / unlocking data from the data receiving means is referred to the locking / unlocking data correspondence table. When the extracted locking means is the locking means that enables the unlocking, the locking means is configured to unlock the paper feed cassette.

When the paper processing device is configured in this way, different lock / unlock data is set for each paper cassette, so paper management and lock / unlock management for each paper cassette (can be unlocked only when paper runs out) Can be included).
For example, a department (department) to be used is determined for each paper cassette, and the unlocking data of the paper cassette to be used is managed for each department. Here, the department A manages the locking / unlocking data of the first paper cassette, and the department B manages the locking / unlocking data of the second paper cassette. In this way, department A can use the first paper feed cassette, but cannot use the second paper feed cassette because it does not manage locking / unlocking data.

Note that it is not limited to assigning only one paper feed cassette to one department, but two or more paper feed cassettes can be assigned depending on the use frequency, use size, and the like.
On the other hand, it is not limited to assigning only one department to one paper feed cassette, and two or more departments can be assigned.

  In the paper processing apparatus of the present invention, the locking / unlocking data includes a password, the paper processing apparatus includes password verification means for verifying the password, and the locking / unlocking control means includes the locking / unlocking control means. When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in the paper cassette, the locking means that has locked the paper feed cassette can be unlocked, and based on the password that is correct in the verification, the locking The means is configured to unlock the paper feed cassette.

If the sheet processing apparatus has such a configuration, the locking means can be locked and unlocked based on whether the password is correct or not.
For this reason, a person who does not know the password cannot insert or remove the paper feed cassette provided with the locking means, and cannot take out the paper from the inside. Therefore, theft of paper (especially valuable paper) by a third party who does not know the password can be prevented.

In the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus.
When the sheet processing apparatus has such a configuration, the sheet feeding cassette provided in the image forming apparatus can be unlocked only when the sheet runs out. For this reason, it is possible to prevent monetary damage due to theft and to prevent the risk of unauthorized use, and to eliminate the complexity of billing management processing.

In addition, the image forming system of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feeding cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feeding cassette. And a usage management device capable of communicating with the paper processing device via a communication line, wherein the paper processing device registers lock / unlock data. Registration means, collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means, and when the input unlocking data has been registered, Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means, paper detection means for detecting that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, and when the paper detection means detects that there is no paper, Locking hand that locked the paper cassette Locking / unlocking control means for enabling the unlocking, and transmission means for transmitting a locking / unlocking execution signal indicating that the paper feed cassette is locked and / or unlocked to the use management apparatus. The use management device includes: a receiving unit that receives the locking / unlocking execution signal; and a locking / unlocking counting unit that counts the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the paper cassette based on the locking / unlocking execution signal. And usage information generating means for generating usage information by multiplying the number of times of locking and / or unlocking by a value set according to the number of sheets accommodated in the paper feed cassette .

If the image forming system has such a configuration, when the paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette is a base paper such as a check or a securities, it cannot be unlocked until there is no paper in the paper feed cassette. As a result, it is possible to prevent financial damage due to theft of paper and the risk of unauthorized use.
Furthermore, the usage management device generates usage information based on the number of times of locking and unlocking, thereby making it possible to manage information on locking and unlocking. In particular, by generating billing information as usage information, the complexity of billing management processing can be eliminated.

In the sheet processing system of the present invention, the usage information includes one or more of charging information, usage amount information, usage number information, and usage number information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking. As a configuration.
When the sheet processing system has such a configuration, the usage management apparatus can manage billing information, usage information, usage count information, usage count information, and the like based on the number of locks and unlocks of the paper cassette. . In particular, by using the billing information generated based on the number of times of locking, the complexity of billing management of the used paper can be eliminated and the billing information can be easily performed.

  The image forming system of the present invention further includes an information processing apparatus connected to the communication line, and the information processing apparatus stores software for inputting locking / unlocking data relating to the locking and / or unlocking. Storage means and transmission means for transmitting the lock / unlock data to the paper processing device, wherein the software includes application software and / or a utility program, and the paper processing device includes the lock unlocking data. Receiving means for receiving lock data, and the locking / unlocking control means locks the paper feeding cassette when the paper detecting means detects that there is no paper in the paper feeding cassette. Configuration for enabling unlocking means and causing the locking means to unlock the paper feed cassette based on the unlocking data from the data receiving means Are you.

If the image forming system has such a configuration, the administrator of the sheet processing apparatus is located away from the sheet processing apparatus (for example, the administrator who uses the information processing apparatus 70 is on the first floor of the building, Even when the paper processing device is installed on the second floor, etc., the administrator can operate the information processing device without moving and can unlock and lock the paper feed cassette.
In addition, by starting application software or a utility program on the information processing apparatus and inputting locking / unlocking data, the locking / unlocking data can be transmitted to lock / unlock the paper cassette of the paper processing apparatus. .

In the locking / unlocking management program for the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus.
If the image forming system has such a configuration, the sheet feeding cassette provided in the image forming apparatus can be unlocked only when the sheet runs out. For this reason, it is possible to prevent financial damage caused by theft of paper (particularly high-priced paper) supplied to the paper feed cassette, and it is possible to prevent the risk of unauthorized use.
In addition, the accounting management based on the fact that the sheet cassette of the image forming apparatus is locked and unlocked can be eliminated, thereby eliminating the complexity of the accounting management process.

Further, the locking / unlocking management program for the paper processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a locking / unlocking control program for causing the paper processing apparatus to realize a locking / unlocking control function for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper feed cassette. A lock control program for registering lock / unlock data, a collation control function for collating input lock / unlock data with lock / unlock data registered in the registration means, and the input When locking / unlocking data has been registered, a locking / unlocking control function for locking or unlocking the locking means, a sheet detection function for detecting that there is no sheet in the sheet feeding cassette, and When it is detected that there is no paper, the unlocking function for unlocking the paper cassette that has been locked, and the unlocking operation for counting the number of times and / or the number of times of unlocking the paper cassette are unlocked. Lock counting function , It is constituted to realize the use management function to generate usage information by multiplying the value set in accordance with the counter value of the lock number and / or the paper feed cassette in the unlocking count in the sheet processing apparatus.
By causing the paper processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program having such a configuration, the paper feeding cassette cannot be unlocked while the paper is stored in the paper feeding cassette, and when the paper feeding cassette can be unlocked, it is already Since there is no sheet, it is possible to prevent the stored sheet from being stolen. In particular, if checks or securities are stolen, the financial damage increases and there is a risk of unauthorized use. However, by causing the paper processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program of the present invention. You can prevent them.

In addition, by causing the sheet processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program having such a configuration, it is possible to manage usage information regarding locking / unlocking in the sheet processing apparatus.

The locking / unlocking management program of the paper processing apparatus of the present invention causes the paper processing apparatus to realize a locking / unlocking control function for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper feed cassette, and the paper A locking / unlocking control program for causing a use management apparatus to implement a communication function for communicating with a processing apparatus, a sheet detection function for detecting that there is no sheet in the sheet cassette, and the sheet cassette When it is detected that there is no paper, the unlocking function that enables unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper cassette, and the paper cassette has been locked and / or unlocked. Based on the reception function for receiving the locking / unlocking execution signal, the transmission function for transmitting the locking / unlocking execution signal indicating to the use management device, and the receiving function for receiving the locking / unlocking execution signal. Paper cassette The usage management device realizes a locking / unlocking counting function for counting the number of times of locking and / or unlocking and a usage management function for generating usage information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking. As a configuration.
By causing the sheet processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program having such a configuration, information relating to locking and unlocking of the sheet feeding cassette of the sheet processing apparatus can be generated and managed by the use management apparatus.

In the locking / unlocking management program of the paper processing apparatus of the present invention, the usage information includes the charging number and / or the unlocking number based on the charging information, usage amount information, used number information, and usage number information. One or two or more are included.
By causing the paper processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program having such a configuration, billing information, usage information, and the like can be generated and managed as usage information in the paper processing apparatus and usage management apparatus. In particular, by generating and managing billing information, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of managing the amount of paper used.

In the locking / unlocking management program for the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus.
By causing the sheet processing apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking management program having such a configuration, the sheet feeding cassette provided in the image forming apparatus can be unlocked only when the sheet runs out. As a result, it is possible to prevent monetary damage due to theft of paper and the risk of unauthorized use. Furthermore, the complexity of the billing management process can be eliminated by managing the number of times of locking and unlocking the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is possible to lock and unlock the locking means simply by inputting or transmitting the locking / unlocking data to the image forming apparatus, and a physical lock is not required. For this reason, it is possible to prevent theft of paper using a physical key, particularly theft of valuable paper.
In addition, by notifying only the specific person of the unlocking data, it is possible to prevent the paper cassette from being pulled out from the casing of the image forming apparatus except for the specific person. Therefore, it is possible to strictly manage valuable print paper.
Further, a specific person can freely select whether or not to use the locking means (locking function) of the image forming apparatus.

Further, a part or all of the plurality of paper feed cassettes can be locked / unlocked based on the lock / unlock data.
In addition, since different lock / unlock data can be set for each paper feed cassette (locking means), different paper feed cassettes can be used for each department (department).

In addition to the operation unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, for example, an information processing apparatus can also input / transmit lock / unlock data.
Further, even when the administrator of the image forming apparatus is located away from the image forming apparatus, the administrator can unlock and lock the paper feed cassette without moving.

  Further, by enabling the unlocking of the paper cassette only when the paper in the paper cassette is exhausted, the paper in use can be prevented from being stolen, and each paper cassette can be locked. -By counting the number of times of unlocking, usage management such as billing of paper, amount used, number of sheets used, number of times used, etc. can be easily performed.

The paper feeding cassette is inserted into and removed from the housing of the image forming apparatus, and can be locked by the locking means. And unlocking data (for example, a password, a personal identification number, etc.) are used for unlocking and locking of the locking means. Further, the image forming apparatus main body includes a communication unit, and lock / unlock data is transmitted from the terminal device connected to the communication unit to the image forming apparatus main body, thereby enabling locking and unlocking to be controlled from a remote position. .
[First embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus (for example, a mica toner printer MP) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a main part when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out. 3A and 3B are views showing the operation of the locking means, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view in a locked state, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view in an unlocked state.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus (such as a mica toner printer MP) includes a printer main body 10 and first to fourth paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.
The printer main body 10 (image forming apparatus main body) includes a main body housing (first housing) 30A and a first paper feed cassette 20A that is detachably provided in the main body housing 30A. .
The second to fourth housings 30B to 30D and the second to fourth paper feed cassettes 20B to 20D provided in the second to fourth housings 30B to 30D so as to be insertable / removable. These are independent devices that can be added as options.

In addition, electrical control (for example, paper feed control and sorter control) of the printer main body 10 and the second to fourth paper feed cassettes 20B to 20D can be performed from the operation unit 11 of the printer main body 10 (not shown). ).
Each of the paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D can store important and valuable print paper such as a check.

The printer main body 10 includes an operation unit 11 on the front side of the upper surface.
The operation unit 11 is a human-device interface (man-machine interface, MMI), and includes a liquid crystal display unit 11a and a button unit 11b including various function buttons (see FIG. 4).
The liquid crystal display unit 11a displays important paper types such as checks stored in the paper cassettes 20A to 20D, and displays an abnormality content with illustrations and characters when an abnormality occurs. Is called. Further, the number of print sheets used and the limit of the number of sheets used for a predetermined period (for example, one week) are displayed.

The button portion 11b is provided with a numeric keypad, an all clear button, a start button, a stop button, etc. (not shown).
The numeric keypad is used for setting a password (locking / unlocking data), the type of printing paper used for printing (designating a paper feed cassette), the number of prints, the number of copies, the maximum number of copies used for one week, and the like. The all clear button is used to return various settings made through the operation unit 11 to the initial settings.
The start button is a button for starting the print function with the setting after the setting is completed. The stop button is a button for canceling the started print function.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the first paper feed cassette 20A can be pulled out from the insertion / removal opening (opening) 12 in the main body housing 30A of the printer main body 10 in the direction of the arrow. It is.
On the left side before the insertion / removal port 12, a solenoid 13 constituting a locking means is attached.
Further, an L-shaped bracket 22 constituting locking means as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the back surface side of the front plate 21 of the first paper feed cassette 20A and facing the solenoid 13. Yes.

Then, when the insertion / removal rod 13a of the solenoid 13 is inserted into and removed from the locking hole 22a of the bracket 22, a locked state and an unlocked state are ensured. This locking and unlocking method will be described later.
Note that the locking means (solenoid 13 and bracket 22) between the second to fourth casings 30B to 30D and the second to fourth sheet feeding cassettes 20B to 20D are locked in the first sheet feeding cassette 20A. Since it is the same as the structure of the means, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control system of the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of lock control means constituting the control system, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of password allocation to each paper feed cassette. .

The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus (such as mica toner printer MP) will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 40 includes an operation unit 11, a main control unit 41, a bus 42, a solenoid driving unit 43, an interface (I / F, receiving unit, receiving unit) 44, machine The drive part 45, the alarm part 46, and the information processing apparatus 70 are provided. Reference numeral 80 denotes communication means.

  The operation unit 11 receives operation guide display and image data for abnormality display from the main control unit 41 described below, displays them on the liquid crystal display unit 11a, and receives input of various buttons of the button unit 11b. Information is sent to the main control unit 41.

The main control unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and the CPU operates according to a system program stored in the ROM. Abnormal display image data and the like are stored in the RAM. Alternatively, a mass storage device such as a hard disk can be connected so that a large amount of data can be handled.
The main control unit 41 incorporates lock control means 50 (see FIG. 5) according to the gist of the present invention described later.

  Further, the main control unit 41 controls the solenoid driving unit 43 and the mechanical driving unit 45 in order to execute functions instructed by the operation unit 11 or the information processing apparatus 70 (described later). Examples of the mechanical drive unit 45 include devices necessary for driving a mechanism unit necessary for the image forming apparatus, such as a scanner mechanism unit, a drum rotation mechanism unit, and a paper feed mechanism unit. The mechanical drive unit 45 is provided with various sensors, and the main control unit 41 detects an abnormality based on a signal from the sensor. When abnormality detection is performed, the main control unit 41 performs abnormality notification using a light and buzzer (not shown) connected to the alarm unit 46.

  The solenoid drive unit 43 moves the insertion / removal rod 13a of the solenoid 13 back and forth when a password to be described later is registered in advance. When the insertion / removal rod 13a protrudes, it is in a locked state, and when it is pulled in, it is in an unlocked state. The drive target of the solenoid drive unit 43 is all of the solenoids 13 in the first to fourth paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.

Next, the principal part of this embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lock control means 50 includes a cassette designation control means 51, a password registration control means 52, a password change control means 53, a password verification control means 54, a password determination control means 55, a lock / The unlocking control means 56, the communication control means 57, and the password registration means 58 are provided.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the unlocking data includes a password.

  In response to an instruction input from the button unit 11b or the information processing device 70, the cassette designation control unit 51 determines how many sheets and how many copies on which print paper of the four paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D. Specifies whether to print.

The password registration control unit 52 performs control to set and register individual passwords corresponding to the respective paper feed cassettes in the password registration unit 58 that registers passwords in advance (see FIG. 6). The password is set by setting input from the operation unit 11 and the information processing apparatus 70. Only a specific administrator (for example, a group leader) can set a password, and other persons such as general employees cannot. Therefore, only an administrator who knows the password can open and close the paper feed cassette.
It is also possible for a specific administrator to set a password for unlocking or a password for locking only.

  The password change control means 53 is used for control when changing a set password. The change can be input from the operation unit 11 and the information processing apparatus 70. The password is preferably changed after a certain period. This is because the password may be leaked to non-administrators.

The password verification control means (password verification means) 54 performs control to verify whether or not a newly input password has been registered with the administrator password shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, an administrator password that can be set only by an administrator is set for each sheet cassette, and the administrator password includes an unlock password and a lock password.

When valuable print paper is not used (for example, inexpensive copy paper is used), for example, all the administrator passwords may be set to “0000”. In this way, ordinary employees can freely open and close the paper feed cassette.
The password determination control unit 55 performs control to determine whether or not the newly input password has been registered and whether or not the paper cassette is allowed to be locked / unlocked based on the result of the verification by the password verification control unit 54.

The locking / unlocking control means 56 operates the solenoid 13 to control locking / unlocking or locking / unlocking when the input password has been registered.
In addition, the locking / unlocking control means 56 is one of the one or two or more locking means when one or two or more of the paper feeding cassettes 20A to 20D are provided with the locking means. All or a part of the locking means can be locked and / or unlocked based on the locking / unlocking data.
In this way, it is possible to lock and unlock some of the paper feed cassettes.

Further, the locking / unlocking control means 56 has a plurality of locking / unlocking data, and the locking / unlocking data received by the communication control means 57 when the locking / unlocking data corresponding to each locking means is determined. It is also possible to cause the locking means corresponding to the lock data (or the lock / unlock data determined to be a regular password by the password determination control means 55) to be locked and / or unlocked.
In this way, the user can be limited for each paper feed cassette, and the use of others can be limited. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a third party from pulling out the paper (especially theft of valuable paper).

The communication control unit 57 controls communication with the information processing apparatus 70 via the interface (reception unit, reception unit) 44 and the like. The communication means 80 can be either wired or wireless.
In the present embodiment, the operation unit 11 for inputting a password (locking / unlocking data) by the user, the interface 44 for receiving the locking / unlocking data, and the communication control means for receiving the locking / unlocking data inside the apparatus. 57 is collectively referred to as “data receiving means”.

The information processing apparatus 70 can be constituted by, for example, a general personal computer (such as a desktop personal computer or a notebook personal computer), a display unit 71 made of liquid crystal, a keyboard 72 capable of inputting predetermined data, a printer (image forming apparatus). ) A communication function with 10 control systems 40 (not shown) is provided.
In particular, the information processing apparatus 70 is provided with software for inputting locking / unlocking data. This software includes application software and utility programs (including tools) for executing the locking / unlocking function of the paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.
The application software or utility program transfers the input unlocking data to the printer 10. In order to execute this data transfer, the information processing apparatus 70 is provided with a transmission means (not shown).

Note that the unlocking data can be one of a password, a command, a command, a message, and a code. That is, the unlocking data including these passwords can be transmitted from the information processing apparatus 70 to the printer 10.
However, since commands and instructions are usually a normal program itself or a part of the program, the lock / unlock data is transmitted as a message or code from the information processing apparatus 70 to the printer 10, and the lock / unlock data is stored in the printer 10. The locking means can be locked and unlocked by processing the program (command or command).

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus that locks and unlocks the locking means provided in the paper feed cassette based on the locking and unlocking data, and the information processing that transmits the locking and unlocking data to the image forming apparatus A system including at least the apparatus is referred to as an “image forming system”.
In the image forming system, one or more image forming apparatuses or information processing apparatuses can be provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of locking of each paper cassette when the administrator password is registered or changed, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of unlocking of each paper cassette, and FIG. 9 is a registration of the administrator password. It is a flowchart figure of locking of each paper feed cassette in the case of having been completed.

First, registration and change of the administrator password will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, the printer administrator performs a predetermined operation of “input an administrator password” from the keyboard 72 of the information processing apparatus 70 (step S1). Then, a cassette management tool (cassette designation control means 51, password registration control means 52, password change control means 53, password verification control means 54, password determination control means 55, locking / unlocking control means 56, communication control means 57, password Registration means 58) is activated (step S2).

  Next, when there is registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the sheet cassette, the unlocking / locking password is registered / changed for each sheet cassette (step S3: YES). If the unlock / lock password is not registered or changed, the process proceeds to “1” in FIG. 8 (step S3: NO).

  Step S3: If YES and the registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the first paper feed cassette 20A is to be performed (step S4: YES), the unlocking / locking password of the first paper feeding cassette 20A (For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the unlocking password is “1234A” and the locking password is “1234B”) is registered (step S5), and the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) is connected via the communication means 80. The locking code (locking password) of the first sheet cassette 20A is transmitted to the first sheet cassette 20A, the first sheet cassette 20A is locked (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S7.

  When the registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the first sheet cassette 20A is not performed (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, when registering or changing the unlock / lock password of the second paper feed cassette 20B (step S7: YES), the unlock / lock password of the second paper feed cassette 20B (unlock password). "2345A" and the lock password is "2345B") (step S8), and the lock code (lock password) of the second paper cassette 20B is entered into the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) via the communication means 80. ) Is transmitted, the second paper feed cassette 20B is locked (step S9), and the process proceeds to step S10.

  Similarly, when the unlocking / locking password of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is not registered or changed (step S10: NO), the process proceeds to step S13, and the operation of the cassette management tool is completed. In the present embodiment, “N = 4”.

  In step S10, when the unlocking / locking password of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is registered or changed (step S10: YES), the unlocking / locking password (unlocking password) of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is set. For example, “4567A” and the lock password is “4567B”) are registered (step S11), and the lock code of the Nth paper feed cassette 20N is transferred to the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) via the communication means 80. When (locking password) is transmitted and the N-th sheet feeding cassette 20N is locked (step S12), the operation of the cassette management tool ends.

Next, the unlocking operation of each paper feed cassette will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S3 in FIG. 7, when the unlocking / locking password of the paper cassette is not registered or changed (step S3: NO), the locked state of the paper cassette is released (unlocked) ( (Step S21: YES), the paper cassette to be unlocked is specified, and its management number is input to the information processing apparatus 70 (Step S22).

  This input data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP), and the table (FIG. 6) of the password registration unit 58 of the lock control unit 50 is referred to (step S23). If the password for the paper cassette designated for release is correct, the designated paper cassette is released (step S25). If the password for the paper cassette designated for release is not correct, the process proceeds to “2” in FIG. 7 and the role of the cassette management tool is terminated (step S13).

  In step S21 of FIG. 8, if the locked state of the paper cassette is not released (step S21: NO), the process proceeds to “3” in FIG. 9 and the management number of the paper cassette to be locked is input (step S31). ), The lock control means 50 refers to the table (FIG. 6) (step S32). If the unlock password is correct (step S33: YES), the designated sheet cassette is unlocked (step S34). If the input unlock password is not correct (step S33: NO), the process proceeds to “4”, and further proceeds to “2” in FIG. 8, and the operation of the paper feed cassette management tool ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of an image forming apparatus (mica toner printer) that prints on precious printing paper has been described. However, an image forming apparatus that uses general inexpensive copy paper (copier, facsimile, copy) Of course, the present invention can also be used in a multifunction machine having both functions and facsimile functions.
[Second Embodiment]

Next, a second preferred embodiment of the paper processing apparatus and paper processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment and the third embodiment, the paper processing apparatus includes a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing (a cassette that can store paper), and the housing and the paper feed cassette. Devices and devices that include at least locking means for locking and unlocking the space between the two. Specifically, for example, an image forming apparatus, a cash dispenser, a vending machine for a paper slip or a card (for example, a ticket or a ticket), and the like are included. However, in this embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of a sheet processing apparatus.
In the present embodiment and the third embodiment, the paper processing system refers to a network system in which a paper processing device and other devices are connected via a communication line. In this embodiment, an image forming system provided with an image forming apparatus which is an example of a paper processing apparatus will be described as an example of a paper processing system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system (paper processing system) of this embodiment.
The image forming system A is a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body) having a paper feed cassette that is detachably provided in the main body housing in the same manner as the mica toner printer MP as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 10a and one or more management terminals (information processing devices: PC) 70-1 to 70-n connected to the printer main body 10a via a communication means (communication line) 80.
The communication unit 80 is a network such as a LAN, for example, and may be a wired type or a wireless type.

The printer main body 10a includes a housing 30 (first housing 30A) and a paper feeding cassette 20 (first paper feeding cassette 20A), similar to the printer main body 10 shown in FIG. Locking means (solenoid 13 and bracket 22) as shown in FIG.
Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has a plurality of casings 30 (for example, the first casing 30A to the fourth casing) together with the printer main body 10a, similarly to the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) shown in FIG. The housing 30D) and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 20 (for example, the first paper feed cassette 20A to the fourth paper feed cassette 20D) can be provided. A locking means can be provided between each of the plurality of casings 30 and the plurality of paper feed cassettes 20. However, the locking means need not be provided in all of the plurality of casings and the paper feed cassette, but can be provided in one or more casings and the paper feed cassette.

The printer main body 10a further includes a control system 40a as shown in FIG.
The control system 40a includes a main control unit 41a, a solenoid drive unit 43a, an I / F 44a, a machine drive unit 45a, an alarm unit 46a, a paper detection unit 47a, and an operation unit 11a. These can be connected by a bus 42a.
Of the control system 40a, the solenoid drive unit 43a, I / F 44a, machine drive unit 45a, alarm unit 46a, and operation unit 11a are provided in the control system 40 of the printer main body 10 (image forming apparatus) in the first embodiment. Since the solenoid drive unit 43, the I / F 44, the machine drive unit 45, the alarm unit 46, and the operation unit 11 have the same functions, the description thereof is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 11, the main control unit 41a includes a lock control unit 50a and a use management unit 90a.
As shown in FIG. 12, the lock control means 50a includes a cassette designation control means 51a, a password registration control means 52a, a password change control means 53a, a password verification control means 54a, a password determination control means 55a, a lock / The unlocking control means 56a, the communication control means 57a, and the password registration means 60a are provided.
Of these, the cassette designation control means 51a, the password registration control means 52a, the password change control means 53a, the password collation control means 54a, the password determination control means 55a, and the communication control means 57a are the printer main body 10 in the first embodiment. A cassette designation control means 51, a password registration control means 52, a password change control means 53, a password verification control means 54, a password determination control means 55, and a communication control means 57 of the lock control means 50 provided in the (image forming apparatus). Since they have similar functions, their description is omitted here.

When a detection signal (paper out signal) indicating that there is no paper is sent from the paper detection means 47a, the locking / unlocking control means 56a enables the locking means of the paper feed cassette 20 to be unlocked. On the other hand, when a detection signal (paper presence signal) indicating that there is a sheet is sent from the sheet detection unit 47a, the locking unit cannot be unlocked.
In this way, when the paper is supplied to the paper cassette, the locking means of the paper cassette cannot be unlocked, so that the paper in the paper cassette cannot be taken out. In addition, when unlocking is finally possible, there is no paper already. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a large amount of important paper and expensive paper from being taken away by unlocking the paper feed cassette. For this reason, the occurrence of damage due to theft or unauthorized use can be prevented.

Here, “to enable unlocking of the locking means” means that the user can unlock the lock using the key metal, or that the locking / unlocking control means 56 a controls the solenoid drive unit 43. It includes controlling to unlock the locking means. It should be noted that when the paper cassette 20 is replenished with paper, a shutter can be provided in the key hole of the locking means so that the lock cannot be unlocked using a key fitting.
The case where the locking means can be unlocked is a case where a paper out signal is sent from the paper detection means 47a to the locking / unlocking control means 56a. However, other conditions include, for example, when a paper out signal is sent when print data is sent from the information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70, or when a paper out signal is sent. For example, the time when correct locking / unlocking data (registered locking / unlocking data) is sent from the information processing device 70 or the operation unit 11 can be included.

In addition, the locking / unlocking control unit 56a includes one or more locking means when one or more of the plurality of paper feeding cassettes 20A to 20D are provided with locking means. All or a part of the locking means can be locked and / or unlocked when the paper is out.
In this way, only a part of the paper feed cassettes required by the user can be locked / unlocked when the paper runs out.

Furthermore, the locking / unlocking control means 56a performs communication control when there are a plurality of locking / unlocking data and the locking / unlocking data corresponding to each locking means is determined by the locking / unlocking data correspondence table. The locking means corresponding to the unlocking / unlocking data received by the means 57a (or the locking / unlocking data determined to be a legitimate password by the password determination control means 55a) is stored in the password registration means (table storage means) 60a. The lock / unlock data correspondence table stored and registered may be extracted and the extracted lock means may be locked and / or unlocked.
In this way, the user can be limited for each paper feed cassette, and the use of others can be limited. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a third party from pulling out the paper (especially theft of valuable paper).

The password registration means (table storage means) 60a stores a lock / unlock data correspondence table in which each of the paper feed cassettes 20 (or each lock means) is associated with one or more lock / unlock data.
The unlocking data is an arbitrary combination of characters, numbers, symbols, and the like, and for example, passwords, commands, commands, messages, codes, etc. can be used.
As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the lock / unlock data correspondence table can associate a paper feed cassette with an administrator password. Further, the locking / unlocking data can be the same for unlocking and locking the same paper feed cassette, or can be different.

The communication control unit 57a controls communication with the information processing apparatus 70 via an interface (I / F, reception unit, reception unit) 44a and the like. The communication means 80 can be either wired or wireless.
In the present embodiment, the operation unit 11a to which a password (locking / unlocking data) is input by the user, the interface 44a for receiving the locking / unlocking data, and the communication control means for receiving the locking / unlocking data inside the apparatus. 57a is collectively referred to as “data receiving means”.

As shown in FIG. 13, the usage management unit 90a includes a lock / unlock count unit 91a, a usage information generation unit 92a, a usage information storage unit 93a, and a usage information management unit 94a.
The locking / unlocking counting unit 91a counts the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking based on the detection signal sent from the sheet detecting unit 47a. The number of times of locking and unlocking can be counted for each paper feed cassette, for each department, for each user, and can also be counted for a certain period.

As shown in the figure, the usage information generation unit 92a includes a billing information generation unit (billing information generation unit) 92a-1, a usage amount information generation unit (use amount information generation unit) 92a-2, and a used number information generation unit. Part (use number information generation means) 92a-3 and use number information generation part (use number information generation means) 92a-4.
The accounting information generation unit 92a-1 generates accounting information based on the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking counted by the locking / unlocking counting unit 91a.
For example, assuming that the number of times of unlocking is 5 and a maximum of 500 sheets can be supplied to one sheet cassette 20, and the charge amount per sheet is 5 yen, the total charge amount is 5 × 500 × 5 = 1250 yen is calculated, and billing information indicating this 12,500 yen is generated.

The usage amount information generation unit 92a-2 generates usage amount information based on the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking counted by the locking / unlocking counting unit 91a.
The used number information generating unit 92a-3 generates the used number information based on the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking counted by the locking / unlocking counting unit 91a.
The usage count information generation unit 92a-4 generates the usage count information based on the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking counted by the locking / unlocking counting means 91a.
It should be noted that the billing information, the usage information, and the number of used sheets generated by the billing information generation unit 92a-1, the usage amount information generation unit 92a-2, the used number information generation unit 92a-3, and the usage number information generation unit 92a-4. The information and the number-of-uses information can be generated by calculating each information for each paper feed cassette, each department, and each user.

The usage information storage unit 93a includes the accounting information generated by the accounting information generation unit 92a-1, the usage amount information generation unit 92a-2, the usage number information generation unit 92a-3, and the usage number information generation unit 92a-4. Information, used number information, and used number information are stored.
When the usage information transmission request from the information processing device (management terminal) 70 or the usage information display request from the operation unit 11a is sent, the usage information management means 94a responds to the usage information transmission request or the usage information display request. The indicated information (billing information, usage amount information, used number information, used number information) is extracted from the usage information storage means 93a and sent to the information processing device 70 or the operation unit 11a.
In the present embodiment, among the functional units included in the usage management unit 90a, the functional unit related to the billing information is particularly referred to as “billing management unit”.

  The paper detection means 47a is a sensor that detects whether there is paper in the paper feed cassette 20. One or two or more paper detection means 47a can be provided for each paper feed cassette 20, and a paper out signal is detected when it is detected that there is no paper, and a paper presence signal is detected when there is paper. Is sent to the lock / unlock control means 56a of the lock control means 50a and the lock / unlock count means 61a of the use management means 90a.

Next, the operation procedure of the image forming apparatus (printer main body) which is the paper processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the printer main body 10a.
For example, when printing is performed from the information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70-1 using the image forming system A, first, print data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 70-1 to the printer main body 10a via the communication unit 80. .
When the print data is received by the I / F 44a of the printer main body 10a (step 41), the lock / unlock control means 56a determines whether or not there is a sheet in the designated paper feed cassette (step 42). . This determination is made based on whether or not a detection signal indicating that there is no sheet is sent from the sheet detection unit 47a provided in the sheet feeding cassette 20.

As a result of the determination, if there is paper, the printing process is started (step 43).
On the other hand, if there is no sheet, the locking / unlocking control means 54a enables unlocking of the locking means provided in the paper feed cassette (step 44). Here, when the locking means can be opened and closed by the key metal, the user unlocks it by using the key metal. Further, when the locking means can be opened and closed by the locking / unlocking data, the locking / unlocking data is input / transmitted by the information processing apparatus 70, or the locking / unlocking data is input / transmitted by the operation unit 11a. .

Subsequently, the locking / unlocking control means 95a determines whether or not the paper feeding cassette has been opened (step 45). This determination is made based on an open / close signal sent from an open / close sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the paper feed cassette.
If it is confirmed that the paper feed cassette has been opened, it is then determined whether or not paper has been replenished in the paper feed cassette (step 46). Here, the user replenishes the paper feed cassette by the number of paper cassettes that can be accommodated or a predetermined number.
When it is confirmed that the paper has been replenished, it is further determined whether or not the paper feed cassette has been closed (step 47).

When it is confirmed that the paper feed cassette is closed, the paper feed cassette is locked by the lock / unlock control means 95a (step 48).
At that time, the unlocking / counting means 94a counts unlocking in step S44 or locking in step S48 (step 49), and the count value is output to the use managing means 90a.
Thereby, in the usage management means 90a, usage information is generated based on the count value (number of times of unlocking or number of times of locking) (step 50).

After that (or when there is paper in the paper feed cassette designated in step S42), the printer body 10a carries out printing by carrying out the paper contained in the designated paper feed cassette based on the print data described above. (Printing start, step 43).
[Third embodiment]

Next, a preferred third embodiment of the paper processing apparatus, paper processing system, and locking / unlocking control program of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the paper processing system of this embodiment.
The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that use management means is provided in the information processing apparatus. That is, in the second embodiment, the use management unit is provided in the printer main body (image forming apparatus), whereas in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus is provided. Other components are the same as in the second embodiment.
Therefore, in FIG. 15 etc., the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component similar to FIG. 10 etc., and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system (paper processing system) of this embodiment.
The image forming system B is a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body) having a paper feed cassette that is detachably provided in the main body housing, similarly to the mica toner printer MP as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 10b, one or more management terminals (information processing devices: PC) 70-1 to 70-n connected to the printer main body 10b via communication means (communication line) 80, and the communication means 80 And a use management apparatus 200 connected via the network.

  Similar to the printer body 10 shown in FIG. 1, the printer body 10b includes one or more housings 30 (for example, the first housing 30A to the fourth housing 30D) and one or more feeding bodies. A paper cassette 20 (for example, a first paper feed cassette 20A to a fourth paper feed cassette 20D) is provided, and a locking means (see FIG. 3) is provided between the housing 30 and the paper feed cassette 20. A solenoid 13 and a bracket 22) are provided.

The printer body 10b further includes a control system 40b.
The control system 40b includes a main control unit 41b, a solenoid drive unit 43b, an I / F 44b, a mechanical drive unit 45b, an alarm unit 46b, a paper detection unit 47b, and an operation unit 11b. These can be connected by a bus 42b (among them, the solenoid drive unit 43b, the machine drive unit 45b, the alarm unit 46b, the paper detection means 47b, the operation unit 11b, and the bus 42b are not shown). )
Of the control system 40b, the solenoid drive unit 43b, the machine drive unit 45b, the alarm unit 46b, the paper detection unit 47b, and the operation unit 11b are included in the control system 40a of the printer main body 10 (image forming apparatus) in the second embodiment. Since the solenoid drive unit 43a, the mechanical drive unit 45a, the alarm unit 46a, the paper detection unit 47a, and the operation unit 11a are provided with the same functions, explanations thereof are omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 15, the main control unit 41b has lock control means 50b.
The lock control means 50b includes a cassette designation control means 51b, a password registration control means 52b, a password change control means 53b, a password verification control means 54b, a password determination control means 55b, a lock / unlock control means 56b, It has communication control means 57b and password registration means 60b (the configuration of these lock control means 50b is not shown).
Of these, the cassette designation control means 51b, password registration control means 52b, password change control means 53b, password verification control means 54b, password determination control means 55b, communication control means 57b, and password registration means 60b are the second embodiment. The cassette designation control means 51a, the password registration control means 52a, the password change control means 53a, the password verification control means 54a, the password judgment control means 55a, the communication of the lock control means 50a provided in the printer main body 10 (image forming apparatus). Since the control unit 57a and the password registration unit 60a have the same functions, descriptions thereof are omitted here.

The lock / unlock control means 56b enables unlocking of the lock means of the paper feed cassette 20 when a detection signal (paper out signal) indicating that there is no paper is sent from the paper detection means 47b. On the other hand, when a detection signal (paper presence signal) indicating that there is a sheet is sent from the sheet detection unit 47b, the locking unit cannot be unlocked.
As for “timing that can unlock the locking means” and “allowing unlocking the locking means”, “timing that allows unlocking the locking means” in the second embodiment, This is the same as “enabling unlocking of the locking means”.

Further, the locking / unlocking control means 56b outputs a locking / unlocking execution signal indicating that the paper feeding cassette 20 has been locked or unlocked (including that the locking means can be locked or unlocked). Then, the data is transmitted to the usage management apparatus 200 via the communication control unit 57b, the I / F 44b, and the communication unit 80.
The locking / unlocking execution signal can be transmitted when the paper feeding cassette 20 is locked, or can be transmitted when the paper feeding cassette 20 is unlocked. Further, the lock / unlock execution signal indicates paper feed cassette specifying information for specifying the paper feed cassette 20 (information indicating which paper feed cassette 20 has been locked or unlocked), and the department that has performed the lock or unlock. Department identification information, user identification information indicating the user who performed locking or unlocking, and the like can be added.

The communication control unit 57b controls communication with the information processing device 70 and the usage management device 200 via the interface (I / F, receiving unit, receiving unit) 44b and the like.
In the present embodiment, the communication control means 57b and the interface 44b that contribute to the transmission of the lock / unlock execution signal are referred to as “transmission means”.

  The operation unit 11b has a function of displaying usage information. For example, a menu in which various setting items are listed is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11b-1 of the operation unit 11b, and a usage information display item is selected by operating the button unit 11b-2. Further, in the operation unit 11b, the detailed contents of the usage information display item (for example, the type of usage information to be displayed, the specification of the paper feed cassette, the specification of the department, the specification of the user, the specification of the period, etc.) are selected and input. Then, a usage information transmission request indicating the selected contents is transmitted to the usage management apparatus 200 via the I / F 44b and the communication unit 80. The usage information transmitted from the usage management apparatus 200 is received by the I / F 44b, sent to the liquid crystal display unit 11b-1 of the operation unit 11b, and displayed.

The usage management apparatus 200 includes a communication unit 210 and a usage management unit 220 as shown in FIG.
The communication unit 210 receives the lock / unlock execution signal transmitted from the printer body 10b. Then, the received lock / unlock execution signal is sent to the lock / unlock count unit 221 (described later) of the use management unit 220.
The communication unit 210 has a function as a “reception unit” because it receives a lock / unlock execution signal.

Further, the communication unit 210 receives a use information transmission request from the information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70 or the printer main body 10b (the operation unit 11b and the I / F 44b). Then, the received usage information transmission request is sent to the usage information management means 224 (described later) of the usage management means 220.
Further, the communication unit 210 transmits the usage information from the usage information management unit 224 to the information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70 or the printer main body 10b.

As shown in FIG. 16, the usage management unit 220 includes a locking / unlocking counting unit 221, a usage information generation unit 222, a usage information storage unit 223, and a usage information management unit 224.
Of these, the usage information generation unit 222 and the usage information storage unit 223 are the same as the usage information generation unit 92 and the usage information storage unit 93 of the usage management unit 90 provided in the printer main body 10a of the second embodiment. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The locking / unlocking counting means 221 counts the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking based on the detection signal sent from the communication means 210. The number of times of locking and unlocking can be counted for each paper feed cassette, for each department, for each user, and can also be counted for a certain period. The count result is sent to the usage information generating means 222 and used for calculation of each usage information (billing information, usage amount information, used number information, used number information). The count result is sent to and stored in the usage information storage unit 223.

When the usage information transmission request is sent from the information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70 or the printer main body 10b (the operation unit 11b and the I / F 44b), the usage information management unit 224 receives the information indicated in the usage information transmission request. (Billing information, used amount information, used number information, used number information) is extracted from the usage information storage unit 223 and transmitted to the information processing apparatus 70 or the printer main body 10b via the communication unit 210.
In the present embodiment, among the functional units included in the use management unit 200, a functional unit related to the billing information in particular is referred to as “billing management unit”.

  The information processing apparatus (management terminal) 70 can transmit print data to the printer main body 10b. In addition, a usage information transmission request can be transmitted to the usage management apparatus 200, and the usage information transmitted from the usage management apparatus 200 can be received and displayed on the display unit 71.

  Next, usage information generation processing in the operation procedure of the sheet processing system (image forming system) of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is an operation procedure diagram showing a procedure of usage information generation processing in the printer main body 10b and the usage management apparatus 200 constituting the paper processing system.

When the paper feed cassette 20 of the printer main body 10b is locked or unlocked (step 60), the lock / unlock control means 56b passes the communication control means 57b, I / F 44b, and communication means 80 to the usage management apparatus 200. Then, the unlocking execution signal is transmitted (step 61).
The lock / unlock execution signal is received by the communication means 210 of the use management apparatus 200 (step 62) and sent to the lock / unlock count means 221 of the use management means 220.
The locking / unlocking counting means 221 counts the number of times of locking or the number of times of unlocking based on the locking / unlocking execution signal (step 63). The count result is sent to the usage information storage means 223 and stored therein. Further, the count result is sent to the usage information generating means 222.

  The charging information generating unit 222-1, the usage amount information generating unit 222-2, the used number information generating unit 222-3, and the usage number information generating unit 222-4 of the usage information generating unit 222 are respectively charged with charging information, usage amount information, Used number information and used number information are generated (step 64). The generated charging information, usage amount information, used number information, and usage number information are sent to the usage information storage means 223 and stored therein.

  Next, usage information display processing in the operation procedure of the paper processing system (image forming system) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is an operation procedure diagram showing a procedure of usage information display processing in the printer main body 10b and the usage management apparatus 200 constituting the paper processing system.

An input / setting operation for displaying usage information is performed on the operation unit 11b of the printer main body 10b. Here, the details of the usage information to be displayed are input (step 70).
A usage information transmission request indicating the details of the input usage information is transmitted to the usage management apparatus 200 via the I / F 44b and the communication line 80 (step 71).
When the usage information transmission request is received by the communication means 210 of the usage management apparatus 200 (step 72), this usage information transmission request is sent to the usage information management means 224 of the usage management means 220.

The usage information management unit 224 extracts the usage information indicated by the usage information transmission request from the usage information storage unit 223 (extraction of usage information, step 73), and transmits it to the printer main body 10b via the communication unit 210 and the communication line 80. (Step 74).
Usage information is received by the I / F 44b of the printer main body 10b (step 75), sent to the liquid crystal display unit 11b-1 of the operation unit 11b, and displayed (step 76).
[Locking and unlocking control program]

Next, the locking / unlocking control program will be described.
Locking / unlocking control function of the computer (image forming apparatus, use management apparatus, information processing apparatus) in the above-described embodiments (processing related to locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette and charging management processing based on the locking / unlocking) Function) is realized by executing a locking / unlocking control program stored in a storage means (for example, ROM, HDD, etc.).

The locking / unlocking control program is read by a computer control means (CPU or the like) to send instructions to the components of the computer and perform predetermined processing, for example, locking / unlocking control means in the printer main body (image forming apparatus). Lock / unlock function, paper detection function of paper detection means, I / F transmission function, lock / unlock count function of use management means in printer main body or use management apparatus, use management function, communication of communication means in use management apparatus Functions (transmission function, reception function), print data transmission function of the information processing apparatus, and the like are realized.
As a result, the locking / unlocking control function is achieved by the cooperation between the locking / unlocking control program that is software and each component of the computer (image forming apparatus, use management apparatus, information processing apparatus) that is hardware resources. Realized.

Note that the unlocking / unlocking control program for realizing the unlocking / unlocking control function is stored in a computer ROM, hard disk or the like, or in a computer-readable recording medium such as an external storage device or a portable recording medium. Can be stored.
The external storage device refers to a memory expansion device that incorporates a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and is externally connected to the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, the portable recording medium is a recording medium that can be mounted on a recording medium driving device (drive device) and is portable, and refers to, for example, a flexible disk, a memory card, a magneto-optical disk, and the like.

The program recorded on the recording medium is loaded into the RAM of the computer and executed by the CPU (control means). By this execution, the function of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment described above is realized.
Further, when the computer loads the locking / unlocking control program, the locking / unlocking control program held by another computer can be downloaded to its own RAM or external storage device using a communication line. The downloaded lock / unlock control program is also executed by the CPU to realize the lock / unlock control function of the sheet processing apparatus (image forming apparatus), use management apparatus, and information processing apparatus of the present invention.

  The sheet processing apparatus (image forming apparatus), the sheet processing system (image forming system), and the locking / unlocking control program according to the present invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It goes without saying that the system and the locking / unlocking control program are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sheet feeding cassette is locked by the locking / unlocking control means, but is automatically locked by inserting the sheet feeding cassette into the housing of the printer body. Obviously, this may be done.

  For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a general document that can be viewed by anyone and a document that can be viewed only by a specific person are stored separately in each drawer in a document locker having several drawers.

1 is an external perspective view showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a main part when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of a locking unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a perspective view in a locked state, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view in an unlocked state. 3 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the lock control means which comprises the control system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of password allocation for each paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of locking to each sheet cassette when an administrator password is registered or changed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of unlocking of each paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of locking of each sheet cassette when an administrator password is registered in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd embodiment of the paper processing system (image forming system) of this invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of a sheet processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the lock control means of the paper processing apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the use management means of the paper processing apparatus in 2nd embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for unlocking a locking unit when a sheet runs out in a sheet processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 3rd embodiment of the paper processing system (image forming system) of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the use management apparatus in the paper processing system of 3rd embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation procedure diagram illustrating a processing procedure for generating and storing usage information by counting the number of times of locking or unlocking in the paper processing device and the usage management device of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation procedure diagram illustrating a processing procedure for displaying usage information generated and stored by the usage management device on the paper processing device in the paper processing device and usage management device of the third embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a first conventional example, in which FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out. It is a figure which shows a 2nd prior art example, Comprising: (A) is a figure of the 1st step for removing a locking member with a tool, (B) is a 2nd step, and is a figure in the middle of removing a locking member (C) is a figure which is a 3rd step, Comprising: A locking member has removed completely.

Explanation of symbols

MP mica toner printer 10, 10a, 10b Printer main body 11 Operation unit 11a Liquid crystal display unit 11b Button unit 12 Insertion / removal port 13 Solenoid 13a Insertion / removal rod 20A First paper feeding cassette 20B Second paper feeding cassette 20C Third paper feeding Cassette 20D Fourth paper feed cassette 21 Front plate 22 Bracket 22a Locking hole 30A Main body housing (first housing)
30B Second housing 30C Third housing 30D Fourth housing 40 Control system 41 Main control unit 42 Bus 43 Solenoid driving unit 44 Interface (I / F)
45 Machine drive unit 46 Alarm unit 50 Lock control unit 51 Cassette designation control unit 52 Password registration control unit 53 Password change control unit 54 Password verification control unit 55 Password determination control unit 56 Locking / unlocking control unit 57 Communication control unit 60 Password registration Means 70 Information processing device 71 Display unit 72 Keyboard 80 Communication means 90a Usage management means 91a Locking / unlocking counting means 92a Usage information generation means 92a-1 Billing information generation means 92a-2 Usage amount information generation means 92a-3 Usage number information generation Means 92a-4 Number-of-uses information generation means 93a Use information storage means 94a Use information management means 100 Image forming apparatus 100a Image forming apparatus main body 101 Paper feed cassette 102 Cylinder main body 103 Key metal 104 Locking members 104c, 104d Hole 104e Projection 05 Tool 106 Hole 200 Usage Management Device 210 Communication Unit 220 Usage Management Unit 221 Locking / Unlocking Count Unit 222 Usage Information Generation Unit 222-1 Billing Information Generation Unit 222-2 Usage Amount Information Generation Unit 222-3 Used Number Information Generation Unit 222-4 Usage frequency information generating means 223 Usage information storage means 224 Usage information management means

Claims (16)

A paper processing apparatus comprising a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and locking means that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette. ,
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Paper detection means for detecting that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette;
When the paper detection means detects that the paper is not present, a locking / unlocking control means that enables unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper cassette ;
Locking / unlocking counting means for counting the number of times of locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette,
A paper processing apparatus, comprising: usage information generating means for generating usage information by multiplying the number of times of locking and / or unlocking by a value set in accordance with the number of sheets accommodated in a paper feed cassette . Wherein the usage information, said locking times and / or billing information based on the unlocking number, usage information, use number information, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the usage count information Paper processing device. A plurality of the paper cassettes are provided;
The locking means is provided in one or more of the plurality of paper feed cassettes,
The locking / unlocking control means detects the absence of paper in one of the paper feed cassettes provided with the locking means when the paper detection means detects that there is no paper. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the locking means that is locked can be unlocked. Data receiving means for receiving locking / unlocking data relating to the locking and / or unlocking;
The locking / unlocking control means includes
When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, it enables unlocking of the lock means that locked the paper feed cassette,
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the locking unit is configured to unlock the paper feed cassette based on the locking / unlocking data from the data receiving unit. One or two or more paper feed cassettes include the locking means,
The sheet processing apparatus includes table storage means for storing a lock / unlock data correspondence table in which each of the paper feed cassettes or each of the lock means is associated with one or more of the lock / unlock data.
The locking / unlocking control means includes
When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, it enables unlocking of the lock means that locked the paper feed cassette,
When the locking means corresponding to the unlocking data from the data receiving means is extracted with reference to the locking / unlocking data correspondence table, and the extracted locking means is the locking means that enables the unlocking The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the locking unit is made to unlock the sheet feeding cassette. The unlocking data consists of a password,
The paper processing apparatus includes password verification means for verifying the password,
The locking / unlocking control means includes
When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, it enables unlocking of the lock means that locked the paper feed cassette,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the locking unit is configured to unlock the sheet cassette based on a password that is correct in the verification. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus. A paper processing apparatus having a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette;
A paper processing system comprising a use management device capable of communicating with the paper processing device via a communication line,
The paper processing apparatus includes:
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Paper detection means for detecting that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette;
When the paper detection means detects that the paper is not present, a locking / unlocking control means that enables unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper cassette;
Transmitting means for transmitting a lock / unlock execution signal indicating that the paper feed cassette is locked and / or unlocked to the use management device;
The usage management device is:
Receiving means for receiving the unlocking execution signal;
A locking / unlocking counting means for counting the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the paper cassette based on the locking / unlocking execution signal;
A paper processing system comprising: usage information generation means for generating usage information by multiplying the number of times of locking and / or unlocking by a value set in accordance with the number of sheets stored in a paper feed cassette . 9. The paper according to claim 8 , wherein the usage information includes one or more of accounting information, usage information, usage number information, and usage frequency information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking. Processing system. An information processing apparatus connected to the communication line;
This information processing device
Storage means for storing software for inputting locking / unlocking data relating to the locking and / or unlocking;
Transmission means for transmitting the locking / unlocking data to the paper processing apparatus,
The software includes application software and / or utility programs;
The paper processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the unlocking data;
The locking / unlocking control means includes
When the paper detection means detects that there is no paper in the paper feed cassette, it enables unlocking of the lock means that locked the paper feed cassette,
10. The paper processing system according to claim 8 , wherein the locking unit unlocks the paper feed cassette based on the locking / unlocking data from the data receiving unit. The sheet processing system according to claim 8, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus. A locking / unlocking control program for causing a sheet processing device to realize a locking / unlocking control function for locking and / or unlocking between a housing and a paper feed cassette,
A registration function to register the unlocking data,
A collation control function for collating the input unlocking data with the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
When the input unlocking data has been registered, an unlocking control function for locking or unlocking the locking means, and
A paper detection function for detecting the absence of paper in the paper feed cassette;
When it is detected that the paper is not in the paper cassette, the unlocking function that enables unlocking the paper cassette that has been locked ,
A locking / unlocking counting function for counting the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the paper cassette;
The sheet processing apparatus is configured to realize a usage management function for generating usage information by multiplying the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking by a value set according to the number of sheets stored in a paper feed cassette. Unlocking control program. The locking / unlocking control program according to claim 12 . The paper processing device realizes the locking / unlocking control function for locking and / or unlocking the housing and the paper cassette, and the communication management function for communicating with the paper processing device is realized in the use management device. A locking / unlocking control program for
A paper detection function for detecting the absence of paper in the paper feed cassette;
When it is detected that the paper is not in the paper cassette, the unlocking function that enables unlocking of the locking means that locked the paper cassette;
Causing the paper processing device to realize a transmission function of transmitting a lock / unlock execution signal indicating that the paper feed cassette is locked and / or unlocked to the use management device;
A receiving function for receiving the unlocking execution signal;
A locking / unlocking counting function for counting the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the paper cassette based on the locking / unlocking execution signal;
A locking / unlocking control program for causing the usage management device to realize a usage management function for generating usage information based on the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking. Wherein the usage information, said locking times and / or billing information based on the unlocking number, usage information, use number information, according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the containing one or more of the usage count information Locking and unlocking control program. The locking / unlocking control program according to claim 12, wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus.

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