JP4295695B2 - Image forming apparatus system - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus system having a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) on a network line and an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine having functions such as a copying machine and a facsimile. .

  A multifunction device as an example of an image forming apparatus has functions such as a copying machine, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and is connected to a network. One of the functions can be selected and executed.

  In such a multifunction machine, when a plurality of users use it, a plurality of functions cannot be operated at the same time, and each user has to shift the use time. Also, recent multifunction peripherals have rich job contents and are becoming increasingly multifunctional. For example, it is possible to set image rotation processing, frame deletion, 2-in-1 output, and the like. Selection of such functions can be set by operating the touch panel of the multifunction device, but even a user who is fully skilled in operation takes time, and in the meantime, it can be used by other users. Will be limited.

For this reason, in order to use the multi-function device efficiently, it is necessary to determine the order of users to use in advance. In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-135493 (Patent Document 1) describes that the use of a multifunction machine can be reserved on a user's personal computer in order to increase the use efficiency. That is, the same screen as the operation unit of the multifunction device is displayed on the display unit of the personal computer, setting information of the multifunction device to be used in advance is set on the display screen, and the user can use the operation display unit when using the multifunction device. The function to be used is set by inputting the ID and calling the setting information.

  In the multifunction device described in Patent Document 1 described above, the operator must input a user ID each time, the operation is complicated, and it is required to be able to easily confirm that the operator has made a reservation with a simple operation. Has been.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus system that allows an operator to reserve execution of a function with a simple operation.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus system in which a terminal device is connected via a line to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, and the terminal device includes a plurality of functions in the image forming apparatus. Communication between an input unit for inputting information for reserving a function to be executed and its condition, a storage unit for storing condition information input from the input unit, and the image forming apparatus via a line The first communication means for performing the operation and the information indicating the function to be executed input from the input means are transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first communication means, and are also stored in the storage means in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. And a control unit for transmitting information indicating the stored conditions. The image forming apparatus displays information and is operated and a second display unit for performing communication between the operation display unit and the terminal device. communication When the information indicating the function to be executed is transmitted from the terminal device via the second communication means, the marking information corresponding to the terminal device to which the information is input is displayed on the operation display unit. In response to any of the marking information displayed on the operation display unit being operated, information indicating the condition stored in the corresponding terminal device is read, and the function is executed under the condition. And control means for setting.

  Preferably, the control unit of the image forming apparatus displays, as marking information, person marking information indicating an operator who operates the terminal device and marking information indicating a corresponding function on the operation display unit.

  Preferably, the input unit of the terminal device includes an instruction unit for instructing to keep confidentiality when inputting the information related to the reservation, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus stores the input information indicating the function to be executed. If it is shown that the secret is kept, reading of the information indicating the condition stored in the terminal device is prohibited.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus releases the prohibition of reading of information in response to input of identification information for identifying the corresponding operator from the operation display unit.

  According to the present invention, when information for reserving a function to be executed and conditions for the function among a plurality of functions in the image forming apparatus is input by the terminal device, the image forming apparatus receives marking information for selecting the function. When the operator operates the corresponding marking information on the operation display unit, the condition information is read from the terminal device and the job is executed under those conditions, so that the operator can execute the function with a simple operation. An image forming apparatus system that can be reserved can be realized.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a personal computer, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a multifunction peripheral.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of personal computers 1, 2,... N are connected to the multi-function device 20 via a network line L. The personal computers 1, 2,... N make reservations as to which of the functions of the multifunction device 20 the copying machine, scanner, facsimile, and printer are selected and executed under the conditions by the operator. It can be carried out. When this reservation is made, marking information such as an icon or a character is displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine 20 in correspondence with the reservation.

  After making a reservation by operating one of the personal computers 1, 2,... N, the operator operates the operation panel of the multi-function device 20 after a predetermined time and operates an icon corresponding to his / her reservation. In response, the multi-function device 20 reads information on conditions from the corresponding personal computer and executes processing under those conditions.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 1 includes an input unit 11, a secret key 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14 as a first communication unit, and a memory 16 connected to the control unit 10. The input unit 11 is operated to reserve a function to be executed and a condition thereof among a plurality of functions in the multi-function device 20, and the secret key 12 is used when a third party does not want to know the condition input by the input unit 11. Operated to maintain security. The communication unit 14 is connected to the network line L. The display unit 13 can display the same information as the touch panel for setting the functions and conditions of the multifunction device 20. The memory 16 stores the conditions input from the input unit 11. The other personal computers 2... N are configured in the same manner as the personal computer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-function device 20 includes an operation unit 22, an image reading unit 23, a printer 24, a communication unit 25, and a memory 26. The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel and the like, and selects a function of the multifunction device 20 and the like. The image reading unit 23 reads a document when the multifunction device 20 functions as a copying machine, a scanner, or a facsimile transmitter. The printer 24 prints data when the multifunction device 20 functions as a facsimile receiving device or printer device. The communication unit 25 is connected to the network line L and communicates with the personal computers 1, 2,.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 4, the operation unit 22 includes a touch panel 221, a numeric keypad 222, a cancel key 223, a start key 224, an interrupt key 225, and a setting key 226. The touch panel 221 can be operated to select any one of a copying machine, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer, and functions of the copying machine, the scanner, the facsimile, and the printer of the multifunction machine 20 by a personal computer 1, 2,. When a reservation is made to select and execute under which condition, marking information such as characters and icons of information corresponding to the reservation is displayed.

  That is, the touch panel 221 displays a uniquely shaped icon indicating the face of the operator who made the reservation and an icon indicating the reserved function. The numeric keypad 222 is used to input the number of copies or to input the telephone number of the other party when sending information by facsimile. The cancel key 223 is operated when instructing to cancel the job being executed, and the start key 224 is operated when instructing execution of the job. The interrupt key 225 commands job interruption, and the setting key 226 is operated when setting conditions and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5A shows the operation of the personal computer, and FIG. 5B shows the operation of the multifunction machine.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, the operator operates the input unit 11 of the personal computer 1 to make a reservation for transmitting data in the personal computer by causing the multifunction device 20 to function as a facsimile transmitter. At this time, the same image as that of the operation unit 22 of the multifunction machine 20 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the personal computer 1. The operator looks at the display on the display unit 13, selects the facsimile transmission function as the function of the multifunction machine 20, and inputs it as reservation information.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not reservation information is input in step SP1 (abbreviated as SP in the drawing) shown in FIG. 5A, and if it is input, information on the reserved function is determined in step SP2. The condition information is stored in the memory 16. If the reservation information is not input in step SP1, it waits until it is input. Further, in step SP3, the control unit 10 outputs information indicating that a facsimile transmission function is reserved for the multifunction device 20 to the network line L via the communication unit 14.

  In the MFP 20, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the communication unit 25 has received the reservation information via the network line L in step SP11 shown in FIG. 5B, and has received the reservation information. Then, in step SP12, an icon representing the reserved operator and an icon indicating the reserved function are displayed on the touch panel 221 of the operation unit 22. These displayed icons are selected in a virtual and unique design so that the reserved operator can be recognized as shown in the touch panel 221 in FIG. In addition, a message “FAX can be sent” is also displayed.

  When the reserved operator confirms that the character related to his / her reservation is displayed on the touch panel 221 of the multifunction machine 20, the reserved operator operates the display of the character corresponding to the self. The control unit 21 determines whether or not the touch panel 221 has been operated in step SP13. If it is determined that the touch panel 221 has been operated, it sets facsimile transmission, which is a reserved function in step SP14. In step SP15, the control unit 21 requests the personal computer 1 to transmit condition information via the communication unit 25.

  In the personal computer 1, in step SP4, the control unit 10 determines whether or not transmission of condition information is requested from the multifunction device 20, and if transmission of condition information is requested, the condition information is read from the memory 16 in step SP5. Read out and output to the network line L via the communication unit 14. The condition information here is a destination facsimile number to be transmitted by facsimile or data to be transmitted.

  In step SP16, the control unit 21 of the multi-function device 20 determines whether or not the condition information has been transmitted from the personal computer 1. When determining that the condition information has been transmitted, the control unit 21 determines whether the condition information has been transmitted. Execute. That is, the data is transmitted with the facsimile number sent from the personal computer.

  If the operator wants to keep the transmission by facsimile secret, the secret key 12 is operated when entering the reservation information. When the control unit 10 of the personal computer 1 determines that the secret key 12 has been operated, the control unit 21 of the multi-function device 20 transmits information indicating that the condition information is secret to the multi-function device 20. Even if the touch panel 221 is operated, the corresponding process is not performed. For example, the corresponding process is performed only when the corresponding operator inputs an ID number or the like, thereby maintaining the security.

  If the operator makes a reservation on the personal computer 1 and does not operate the touch panel 221 of the multifunction machine 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the reservation may be cancelled.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when a function to be executed among a plurality of functions in the multi-function machine 20 and information for reserving the conditions in the personal computers 1, 2,. Is displayed on the touch panel 221. When the operator 20 operates the corresponding icon of the operation unit 22, the condition information is read from the personal computer and the job is executed under the condition. Thus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus system that can reserve execution of functions.

  Further, when the reservation information is input from each of the personal computers 1, 2,... N, the condition information is stored in the memory of the personal computers 1, 2,.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multifunction peripheral included in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plurality of personal computers connected via a network. It is a schematic block diagram of a personal computer. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multifunction machine. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2,... PC, 10, 21 control unit, 12 secret key, 13 display unit, 14, 24 printer, 14, 25 communication unit, 16, 26 memory, 20 MFP, 22 operation unit, 23 image reading unit, 221 Touch panel.

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus system in which a terminal device is connected via a line to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
The terminal device
An input unit for inputting information for reserving a function to be executed and a condition thereof among a plurality of functions in the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing at least condition information input from the input means;
First communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus via the line;
Information indicating a function to be executed input from the input unit is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first communication unit, and stored in the storage unit in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. And a control means for transmitting information indicating a certain condition,
The image forming apparatus displays information and an operation display unit that is operated,
A second communication means for communicating with the terminal device via the line;
When the information indicating the function to be executed is transmitted from the terminal device via the second communication means, marking information related to the terminal device to which the information is input is automatically displayed on the operation display unit. In response to the operation of the marking information displayed on the operation display unit, the information indicating the condition stored in the terminal device is read, and the condition is set so that the function can be executed under the condition. An image forming apparatus system comprising control means for setting.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the image forming apparatus displays person information indicating an operator who operates the terminal device as the marking information and function information indicating a corresponding function on the operation display unit. Forming equipment system. The input means of the terminal device includes instruction means for instructing to keep confidentiality when inputting information related to the reservation,
The control unit of the image forming apparatus prohibits reading of the information indicating the condition stored in the terminal device if it is indicated that the secret of the function information indicating the input function to be executed is retained. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus releases the prohibition of reading the information in response to input of identification information for identifying a corresponding operator from the operation display unit.

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