JP4419631B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming system capable of managing the use of network-connected image forming apparatuses.

  Conventionally, an image recording apparatus provided at a store such as a convenience store and provided with a charge management device for accepting the input of curing and charging for processing such as copying so that the user can make a copy by self-service Can be seen in various ways.

  In an image recording apparatus equipped with such a fee management device, it is possible to first insert an appropriate amount of banknotes, money, or prepaid card into the fee management device, and to limit the use of copies within the amount of money inserted.

  In addition, an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus is connected to a management server via a network or the like has been proposed that performs upper limit sheet number management (output limitation).

  In such an image forming system, the usage limit number for this month is set in the management server for each predetermined ID (for example, 500 sheets in the department 001), and the management server periodically communicates with the image forming apparatus. Communicate and receive usage records (for example, department 001 receives usage records such as 10 copies made by image forming apparatus A and 5 copies made by image forming apparatus B after the previous communication). When the management server collects the usage records from all managed image forming apparatuses, adds the usage records for each ID, and determines that the usage upper limit number is exceeded, the next communication All image forming apparatuses are prohibited from using the image forming apparatus with that ID. As a result, the image forming apparatus cannot use the image forming apparatus even if an ID is input, and the use can be restricted. As an example of such an image forming system, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

  An image forming system that manages the upper limit number of sheets using a magnetic card or the like in the image forming system has also been proposed.

In such an image forming system, a storage medium such as a magnetic card is inserted into the image forming apparatus, the usable number of sheets recorded on the magnetic card is read by the image forming apparatus. The forming apparatus can be used. Each time the image forming apparatus outputs a sheet, the usable number of storage media such as a magnetic card is subtracted, and the use of the image forming apparatus ends (or the usable number becomes zero, and the image forming apparatus When the storage medium is removed, the image forming apparatus records the current usable number on the storage medium. By processing in this way, it is possible to limit use for each storage medium.
Japanese Patent No. 2955889

  However, in the image forming system in which the image forming apparatus is connected to the above-described management server via a network or the like, the total number of communication is performed until the next communication is performed. Can be used, so the usage restriction cannot be performed accurately.

  In addition, in an image forming system that uses a storage medium to restrict usage, the usage is restricted for each storage medium, so multiple users can be managed together, such as when counting by department or department. None, without the storage medium, the image forming apparatus cannot be used, and people who use the same ID cannot use another image forming apparatus at the same time.

  Furthermore, in an image forming system that restricts use using a storage medium, department management and upper limit number management in an environment (such as an open environment or other offices) where a storage medium such as a magnetic card cannot be used can be performed. Can not.

  In other words, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed, there is a problem that the usable upper limit value assigned to a specific ID cannot be immediately applied between the image forming apparatuses.

  In addition, the management environment can be applied only in a closed environment such as a LAN or a private extension, and there is a problem that usage restrictions cannot be managed in an open environment regardless of the environment.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system capable of accurately performing use restriction management of an image forming apparatus for each identification information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image on a recording medium by inputting predetermined identification information, and the image forming apparatus. A plurality of management devices connected to each other for managing the image forming device, and a network connected to each of the management devices for managing the use restriction of the image forming device based on the use restriction information for each identification information. a server and consists of an image forming system, records the management server, determined in advance corresponding to the actual-use number, and the identification information of the recording medium on the use restriction of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification information storing an electronic ticket using the use restriction information is the upper limit number of sheets have been described of the medium, the identification information is input to the management device, the electronic ticket from the management device When there is an issuance request, a provisional upper limit is obtained by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the actual use number from the use upper limit number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the identification information by a predetermined value. issues a split ticket described as the number to the management apparatus, the management apparatus, in response to said usage recording medium by the image forming apparatus, issued describing the actual value of the actual usage count in the divided ticket update Te, is characterized in that to return the split ticket is updated to the management server.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, an image is formed on the recording medium by inputting predetermined identification information, and the management of the image formation is performed by the management apparatus. For example, predetermined identification information (ID) can be input by using the image forming apparatus by inputting an ID to the management apparatus using a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card, or an input unit such as a numeric keypad. It becomes possible to perform copying and the like. The management apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus or may be configured separately.

  Further, the management server performs usage restriction management of the image forming apparatus for each ID. For example, an upper limit value or the like of the number of recording media that can be used by the image forming apparatus is set, and use restrictions such as prohibiting the use of the image forming apparatus with an input ID when the upper limit value is exceeded are performed.

The management server corresponds to I D, use record number of recording media on the use restriction of the image forming apparatus, and maximum number a is use restriction information using the predetermined recording medium in response to the ID written When an ID is input to the management device and an electronic ticket issuance request is received from the management device, the actual use number is subtracted from the use upper limit number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the ID. A divided ticket in which a quotient obtained by dividing the obtained value by a predetermined value is described as a temporary upper limit number is issued to the management apparatus. Management device, according to the usage status of the recording medium of the image forming apparatus to update by writing the actual value of the actual usage count in the issued split ticket, sends back to the management server. Accordingly , it is possible to manage the use restriction of the image forming apparatus for each ID using the electronic ticket.

That is, every time the image forming apparatus is used, a quotient obtained by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the actual use number from the upper limit use number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the management server ID by a predetermined value is temporarily calculated. than it is possible to update the division tickets written as upper limit number, when the number of recording media usable has reached the upper limit, it is possible immediately to prohibit use of the image forming apparatus, identification information It is possible to accurately limit the use of each image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image, a plurality of management apparatuses that are connected to the image forming apparatus on a one-to-one basis and manage the image forming apparatus, The client device that makes an image formation request to the image forming apparatus by transmitting the identification information and the data for forming the image, and the use of the image forming apparatus based on the use restriction information for each identification information. a management server for restriction management, but a network connected image forming system, said management server, using actual number of recording media on the use restriction of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the previous SL identification information, and the identification correspondingly storing electronic ticket using upper limit number a is use restriction information is described in a predetermined recording medium on the information, the image forming main by the client device The quotient obtained by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the actual usage number from the upper limit number of use described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the identification information by a predetermined value is used as the temporary upper limit number. issuing the described split ticket, the management equipment is, in response to said usage recording medium of the image forming apparatus to update by writing the actual value of the actual usage count to issued the divided ticket, the It is characterized by returning the updated divided ticket to the management server.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium, and the management apparatus manages the image forming apparatus. The management apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus or may be configured separately.

  Further, the client apparatus sends an image formation request to the image forming apparatus by transmitting identification information (ID) and data. That is, an image can be formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the client apparatus.

  Further, the management server performs usage restriction management of the image forming apparatus for each ID. For example, an upper limit value or the like of the number of recording media that can be used by the image forming apparatus is set, and use restrictions such as prohibiting the use of the image forming apparatus by the ID when the upper limit value is exceeded are performed.

The management server stores an electronic ticket in which usage record information relating to usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus and usage restriction information that is a predetermined upper limit number of recording media corresponding to the identification information is described. When the client apparatus makes an image formation request, the quotient upper limit is obtained by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the actual use number from the upper limit use number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the ID by a predetermined value. A divided ticket described as the number of sheets is issued . Management device, according to the usage status of the recording medium, the actual value of the actual usage count in the issued divided tickets and update described, returns a split ticket update the management server. Accordingly , it is possible to manage the use restriction of the image forming apparatus for each ID using the electronic ticket.

That is, a value obtained by subtracting the actual use number from the upper limit use number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the ID of the management server each time an image formation request is made from the client device to the image forming device is a predetermined value. The divided ticket described as the tentative upper limit number is issued to the management device, and the management device updates the issued divided ticket , so when the number of available recording media reaches the upper limit value, The use of the image forming apparatus can be immediately prohibited, and the use of the image forming apparatus can be accurately restricted for each identification information.

For example, as the flow of identification information, data, and electronic ticket on the network, as in the invention according to claim 3, the client device transmits the identification information and data to the management server, and the management server 5. The divided ticket corresponding to the data and the data transmitted from the client device may be transmitted to the management device, and the management device may transmit the updated divided ticket to the management server. After the client device acquires the divided ticket corresponding to the identification information from the management server, the client device transmits the acquired divided ticket and the data transmitted from the client device to the management device, and the management device is updated. split ticket may be transmitted to the management server via the client device, as in the invention of claim 5, click Ianto device transmits the identification information and data to the management apparatus, the management apparatus, acquires the divided ticket corresponding to the identification information from the management server, also transmit the updated split ticket management server Good.

Incidentally, as in the invention described in 請 Motomeko 6, electronic tickets, a use record number and the using upper limit number may be described for each use mode of the image forming apparatus.

Further, the management server, as in the invention described in 請 Motomeko 7, when divided ticket corresponding to the identification information is issued may be issued the remaining divided tickets. By using the division ticket in this way, it is possible to make an image formation request to another image forming apparatus. In addition, as for the issue of the divided ticket, the management server has a selection unit for selecting whether to issue an electronic ticket or a divided ticket, as in the invention described in claim 8. It can be issued according to the result.

The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 includes an authentication server for performing authentication as to whether or not the electronic ticket is a regular electronic ticket, as in the invention according to claim 9. You may do it. This can prevent unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , as in the invention according to claim 10 , is a management server, software on a computer, or an image forming apparatus connected to a network. It is also possible to use software installed in the PC.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the use restriction management of the image forming apparatus for each identification information can be accurately performed.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
An image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a management server 16 for managing usage restrictions of the image forming apparatus 14 is connected to a LAN 12.

  The image forming apparatus 14 to be managed by the management server 16 is connected to the LAN 12 via the management apparatus 18, and the management server 16 manages usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 14. ing.

  The management server 16 has a function of managing usage restrictions (such as the maximum number of sheets to be used) of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID input to the image forming apparatus 14.

  The management server 16 also has a function of issuing an electronic job ticket (hereinafter simply referred to as a ticket) 20 for managing usage restrictions for each ID, and a function of managing the ticket 20. Based on this, it has a function of counting the usage records of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID. That is, the management server 16 stores the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID, and manages the use restriction information described in the ticket 20 to manage the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID.

  The ticket 20 includes a predetermined ID (for example, information for identifying each of a department, a department, an individual, and the like) and electronic information in which usage restriction information of the image forming apparatus 14 associated with the ID is described. Become. The usage restriction information described in the ticket 20 includes the maximum number of sheets set for each ID (total value, value for each color mode, etc.), and current usage record information for that ID (total value, value for each color mode). ) And job type (copy, printer, facsimile reception print, scan, etc.) usage restriction information. Note that the upper limit number of sheets described in the ticket 20 may be set to a predetermined default value, or may be set as appropriate by providing a setting unit.

  That is, the management server 16 stores the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID, and manages the use restriction information described in the ticket 20 to manage the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID.

  Note that, as the usage restriction information of the ticket 20 of the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the upper limit number of sheets that can be used for each ID and the actual usage number of sheets are held and the usage restriction information is managed.

  The management apparatus 18 is connected to the image forming apparatus 14 and requests a ticket 20 from the management server 16 when a user tries to use the image forming apparatus 14, and uses it according to the paper used in the image forming apparatus 14. The actual number of sheets is updated, and when the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is finished, the ticket 20 with the updated actual number of used sheets is returned to the management server 16.

  In the present embodiment, the communication between the management server 16 and the management device 18 is performed via the LAN 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Internet or wireless communication (PHS or the like) line network is used. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the management device 18 is shown as a separate configuration from the image forming device 14, but may be configured to be built in the image forming device 14.

  The image forming apparatus 14 is a multi-function machine that combines various functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scan function.

  The image forming apparatus 14 includes an input unit such as a numeric keypad and a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, and also includes an ID input unit for inputting an ID. Various settings of the image forming apparatus 14 are performed by the input unit. It is possible. Further, the use restriction management of the paper used in the image forming apparatus 14 is performed based on the ID input by the ID input means. Specifically, the ticket 20 acquired from the management server 16 by the management apparatus 18. Based on the above, usage restriction management is performed. As the ID input means, an ID may be input by operating a numeric keypad or the like, or an ID may be input by inserting a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 14 can set the type of job (mode, etc.) that can be activated, regardless of the relationship between the upper limit number of sheets managed for each ID and the actual number of used sheets. For example, even when copying is restricted (other than when the actual use number is smaller than the upper limit number), the printer and scan can be used.

  Next, in the image forming system configured as described above, an operation in the case of executing a job whose usage restriction is managed will be described in detail.

  First, the flow of processing performed by the management server 16 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when executing a job in which the use restriction is managed for each ID in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 100, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the ticket 20 from the management device 18. In this determination, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input from the management apparatus 18 to the image forming apparatus 14, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed.

  In step 102, a ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input to the image forming apparatus 14 is issued and sent to the management apparatus 18, and the process proceeds to step 104.

  In step 104, it is determined whether there is a ticket 20 request with an ID corresponding to the issued ticket 20 from another device. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106, where the request destination of the ticket 20 is requested. Issuance of the ticket 20 is rejected to the apparatus, and the process proceeds to step 108. For example, information on the content indicating that the ticket 20 is being used by another device is returned.

  If the determination in step 104 is negative, the process proceeds to step 108 as it is.

  In step 108, it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 has been returned from the management device 18. If the determination is negative, the processing is repeated until the determination returns to step 104 and the determination in step 108 is affirmed. .

  When the determination in step 108 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 110, the returned ticket 20 is stored and saved in step 110.

  Next, the flow of processing performed by the management device 18 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management apparatus 18 when executing a job in which the use restriction is managed for each ID in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The management apparatus first determines in step 150 whether or not there is an ID notification from the image forming apparatus 14, waits until the determination is affirmed, and proceeds to step 152.

  In step 152, the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is requested from the management server 16, and the process proceeds to step 154 to determine whether or not the requested ticket 20 is received, and waits until the determination is affirmed. Control goes to step 156.

  In step 156, the image forming apparatus 14 is notified that the ticket 20 has been received, the process proceeds to step 158, and it is determined whether or not a job execution instruction has been issued from the image forming apparatus 14. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 160.

  In step 160, it is determined whether or not the job content instructed to be executed can be executed. The determination is made by determining whether the job falls within the usable number of sheets (the upper limit number of sheets-the actual number of used sheets) described in the ticket 20 or whether the usable number of sheets remains, and the determination is affirmed. If YES in step 162, the process advances to step 162. If the determination is negative, the process advances to step 176.

  In step 162, the image forming apparatus 14 is notified that the job can be executed, and the process proceeds to step 164.

  In step 164, it is determined whether or not a job is executed in the image forming apparatus 14 and a sheet is output. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 166.

  In step 166, the actual value of the used actual number described in the ticket 20 is updated, and the process proceeds to step 168.

  In step 168, it is determined whether or not the usable number is 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 170. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 174, and the process proceeds to step 170 after the image forming apparatus 14 is notified that the usable number of sheets has become zero.

  In step 170, it is determined whether or not the ID is released. This determination is made by determining whether or not the image forming apparatus 14 has released the ID and notified that the ID has been released. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 164. The above process is repeated until the determination in step 170 is affirmed. If the determination at step 170 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 172.

  In step 172, the ticket 20 is returned to the management server 16, and a series of processing of the management device 18 is finished. That is, when a job whose usage restriction is managed is executed, the actual value of the actual usage number of tickets 20 is updated and returned to the management server 16.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 160 is negative and the process proceeds to step 176, the image forming apparatus 14 is notified that the job cannot be executed, the process proceeds to step 172, and the ticket 20 remains as it is in the management server 16. Is returned to the end of the series of processing of the management device.

  Next, processing performed by the image forming apparatus 14 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 14 when executing a job whose usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. .

  The image forming apparatus 14 first determines in step 200 whether or not an ID has been input. The determination is based on whether the ID is read by mounting a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card in the image forming apparatus 14, or whether the ID is input via the input unit of the image forming apparatus 14. If the determination is negative, the process waits and proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, the management apparatus 18 is notified of the ID input to the image forming apparatus 14, and the process proceeds to step 204. As a result, the management device 18 affirms the determination in step 150 described above.

  In step 204, it is determined whether the ticket 20 has been received. This determination is made by determining whether or not the ticket 20 has been received from the management apparatus 18, that is, whether or not the management apparatus 18 has notified the image forming apparatus 14 of the receipt of the ticket 20 in step 156 described above. The process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 206.

  In step 206, executable jobs are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 208. That is, a job that can be used regardless of usage restrictions (for example, printing, scanning, etc.), or if the usable number of sheets described in the ticket 20 is not zero, a job such as copying is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 14 Is displayed.

  In step 208, it is determined whether a job execution instruction has been issued. This determination is made by determining whether or not a job execution instruction has been given by the user via the input means of the image forming apparatus 14, etc., and waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 210.

  In step 210, it is determined whether or not the job for which execution has been instructed is a job whose use is to be restricted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 212, the job execution instruction is notified to the management apparatus 18, and the process proceeds to step 214. As a result, the management device 18 affirms the determination in step 158 described above.

  In step 214, it is determined whether a job execution determination result has been received from the management device 18. That is, it is determined whether or not the job can be executed by the management apparatus 18 (step 160), and it is determined whether or not the execution of the job is notified in step 162 or step 170. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmative and proceeds to step 216.

  In step 216, it is determined whether the job can be executed. That is, it is determined whether the job can be executed from the result notified from the management device 18. If the determination is affirmative, that is, if the number of jobs instructed to be executed is within the usable number of sheets described in the ticket 20, the process proceeds to step 218.

  In step 218, the job instructed to be executed is executed, and the paper output result is notified to the management apparatus 18 for each paper output, and the process proceeds to step 220. As a result, the management device 18 can update the actual value of the used actual number described in the ticket 20 in steps 164 and 166.

  In step 220, it is determined whether or not the number of usable sheets has become zero. The determination is made by determining whether or not the management apparatus 18 has notified that the number of usable sheets has reached 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 222, and the determination is affirmative. If so, the process proceeds to step 228.

  In step 222, it is determined whether or not the ID has been released. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 218 described above and the above-described processing is repeated. If the determination at step 222 is affirmed, the routine proceeds to step 224.

  When the determination in step 220 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 228, a display indicating that the job cannot be executed is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 14 and the process proceeds to step 224.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 210 is negative, the process proceeds to step 226, the job instructed to be executed is executed, and then the process proceeds to step 224.

  In step 224, the ID cancellation is notified to the management apparatus 18, and the series of processing of the image forming apparatus 14 is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation timing when executing a job in which the use restriction is managed for each ID in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, first, a user inserts a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card into the image forming apparatus 14, or the user operates an input unit of the image forming apparatus 14 to form an ID. When input is made to the apparatus 14, the ID input from the image forming apparatus 14 is transmitted to the management apparatus 18.

  The management apparatus 18 requests the management server 16 to issue a ticket 20 using the ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14, and the management server 16 sends the ticket 20 to the management apparatus 18.

  The management apparatus 18 receives the ticket 20 from the management server 16 and displays an executable job on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 14. In other words, the image forming apparatus 14 displays a usable job (facsimile, scan, etc.) regardless of the usage restriction corresponding to the ID, the usable number of sheets corresponding to the ID (upper limit number−actual use number of sheets), and the like.

  Here, when the user instructs the execution of the copy whose use restriction is managed through the input means of the image forming apparatus 14 or the like, the copy job is executed and the sheet is output. At this time, the image forming apparatus 14 notifies the management apparatus 18 of information indicating that the sheet has been output together with the output of the sheet.

  The management device 18 updates the data of the ticket 20 for each piece of information notified from the image forming device 14. That is, the use record number recorded in the ticket 20 is subtracted for each sheet output.

  Then, when the ID is released by the user (for example, when a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card is removed from the image forming apparatus 14), information indicating the ID cancellation is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14 to the management apparatus 18. Sent to. As a result, the management device 18 returns the ticket 20 with the updated usage record number to the management server 16.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, if the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 is managed using the ticket 20, the ticket can be input if an ID can be input even in an environment where a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card cannot be used. 20, the usage restrictions of the image forming apparatus 14 can be accurately managed. Therefore, the usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 can be accurately managed regardless of the environment.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the first embodiment, the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 when using the copy function in the image forming apparatus 14 has been described. In the second embodiment, image formation when using the printer function in the image forming apparatus 14 is described. Usage restrictions on the device 14 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a management server 16 for managing the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 is connected to the LAN 12 as in the first embodiment. ing.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 14 to be managed by the management server 16 is connected to the LAN 12 of the image forming system according to the second embodiment via the management apparatus 18. Management of usage restrictions of the image forming apparatus 14 connected to the LAN 12 is performed.

  In addition to this, a client device 22 such as a personal computer that requests printing to the image forming apparatus 14 is connected to the LAN 12 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 14 outputs a print. In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the use restrictions at this time are managed.

  As in the first embodiment, the management server 16 manages usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID. More specifically, the second embodiment has a function of managing the use restrictions (the maximum number of sheets to be used, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID when a print request is made to the image forming apparatus 14.

  Further, the management server 16 has a function of issuing a ticket 20 and a function of managing the ticket 20 as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, based on the ticket 20, there is a function of counting the usage records of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID at the time of print request.

  As in the first embodiment, the ticket 20 can be used with a predetermined ID (for example, information for identifying each department, department, individual, etc.) and the image forming apparatus 14 associated with the ID. It consists of electronic information that holds the maximum number of sheets and the actual number of sheets used.

  That is, the management server 16 stores the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID, and manages the use restriction information described in the ticket 20 to manage the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 for each ID.

  The management apparatus 18 is connected to the image forming apparatus 14 as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the management device 18 updates the use record number described in the ticket 20 according to the paper used by the image forming device 14 for the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID acquired from the management server 16. Thus, the ticket 20 whose usage record is updated at the end of printing is returned to the management server 16.

  In the present embodiment, the communication between the management server 16 and the management device 18 is performed via the LAN 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Internet or wireless communication (PHS or the like) line network is used. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the management device 18 is shown as a separate configuration from the image forming device 14, but may be configured to be built in the image forming device 14.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 14 of the present embodiment has at least a print function for forming an image on a sheet based on print data transmitted from the client apparatus 22. In addition to the print function, the image forming apparatus 14 includes functions and configurations similar to those of the first embodiment, but may have only the print function.

  Next, an operation when a print request is made from the client device 22 in the image forming system configured as described above will be described.

  First, the flow of processing performed in the client device 22 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the client device 22 when printing is performed by the image forming device 14 of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 200, the client apparatus 22 determines whether or not an ID-attached print instruction has been issued. The client apparatus 22 waits until the determination is affirmed, and then proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, the ID and print data are transmitted to the management server 16. This makes it possible to make a print request to the image forming apparatus 14.

  Next, processing performed by the management server 16 when a print request is made from the client device 22 in this way will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 14 of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step 300, it is determined whether or not ID-added print data is input from the client device 22. The process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 302.

  In step 302, the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input from the client device 22 is searched, and the process proceeds to step 304 to determine whether there is a ticket 20 corresponding to the ID. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 306 to determine whether or not the ticket 20 has already been used.

  If the determination in step 306 is negative, the process proceeds to step 308 to determine whether printing is possible. This determination is made by determining whether or not the used actual number described in the ticket 20 is equal to or less than the upper limit number, that is, whether or not there is an available number. If the determination is affirmative, step 310 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 310, the ticket 20 and the print data are transmitted to the management apparatus 18 via the LAN 12, and the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, it is determined whether the ticket 20 has been received. This determination is made by determining whether or not the management device 18 has processed (updated the actual number of sheets) the ticket 20 and returned it, and waits until the determination is affirmed before proceeding to step 314. Transition.

  In step 314, the ticket 20 updated by the management device 18 is stored and saved, and a series of processing of the management server 16 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 304 is negative, if the determination in step 306 is affirmed, or if the determination in step 308 is negative, the process proceeds to step 316, printing is rejected, and a series of The process of the management server 16 is terminated.

  Note that when printing is rejected in step 316, for example, information indicating that there is no ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is transmitted to the client device 22, or information indicating that the ticket 20 is in use is transmitted to the client device. This information is transmitted to the client device 22 or information indicating that the usage limit is exceeded.

  Next, processing performed in the management device 18 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management apparatus 18 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 14 of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 350, it is determined whether the ticket 20 and the print data have been received. That is, as described above, it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 and the print data are transmitted from the management server 16 to the management device 18. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 352. Transition.

  In step 352, print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 14, thereby giving a print instruction, and the process proceeds to step 354.

  In step 354, it is determined whether a print job has been executed by the image forming apparatus 14 and a sheet has been output. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 356.

  In step 356, the actual value of the used actual number described in the ticket 20 is updated, and the process proceeds to step 358.

  In step 358, it is determined whether or not the number of usable sheets is 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 360, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 364 and can be used. After the client apparatus 22 and the image forming apparatus 14 are notified that the number of sheets has become zero, the process proceeds to step 362. When notifying the client device 22 that the usable number of sheets has reached 0, the client device 22 may be notified directly via the LAN 12 or may be notified to the client device 22 via the management server 16. You may make it do.

  Further, in step 360, it is determined whether or not the printing is finished. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 354 until the determination in step 360 is affirmed or the determination in step 368 is affirmed. The above process is repeated. If the determination at step 360 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 362.

  In step 362, the ticket 20 is returned to the management server 16, and a series of processing of the management device 18 is finished.

  That is, even when a print request is made from the client device 22, the actual value of the used actual number of tickets 20 is updated and returned to the management server 16 as in the first embodiment.

  Next, processing performed by the image forming apparatus 14 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 14 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 400, it is determined whether or not a print instruction has been issued from the management apparatus 18. That is, in step 352 of the process performed by the management apparatus 18, it is determined whether or not a print instruction has been issued by sending print data to the image forming apparatus 14, and waits until the determination is affirmed before proceeding to step 402. Transition.

  In step 402, printing based on the print data transmitted from the client device 22 via the management device 18 is executed, and the process proceeds to step 404.

  In step 404, it is determined whether or not a sheet has been output. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 406.

  In step 406, the management apparatus 18 is notified that the sheet has been output, and the process proceeds to step 408. As a result, the management device 18 can update the usage record number described in the ticket 20.

  In step 408, it is determined whether or not the management apparatus 18 has notified that the usable number of sheets has become zero. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 410, and if the determination is positive. Ends the processing of the series of image forming apparatuses 14 as they are.

  In step 410, it is determined whether or not the printing is finished. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 404, until the determination in step 410 is affirmed or the determination in step 408 is affirmed. The process is repeated. If the determination at step 410 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 412.

  In step 412, the management apparatus 18 is notified that printing has ended, and a series of processing of the image forming apparatus 14 is ended.

  As described above, in the image forming system according to the second embodiment, print data with an ID is transmitted from the client device 22 to the management server 16, and the management server 16 transmits the ticket 20 and the print data to the management device 18. 18 outputs print data to the image forming apparatus 14, updates the ticket 20 according to the paper output from the image forming apparatus 14, and returns it to the management server 16, thereby using the print function of the image forming apparatus 14. Sometimes, as in the first embodiment, the usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 can be managed accurately.

In the present embodiment, the management server 16 has been described as having a print server function and a management server function for managing the usage restrictions of the image forming apparatus 14, but the print server and the management server are separate servers. You may make it perform.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The image forming system according to the third embodiment is a modification of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. The processing of the client device 22, the management server 16, and the management device 18 is different. The same processing as in the second embodiment is performed.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the client device 22, the management server 16, and the management device 18 perform the following processing.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the client device 22 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the third embodiment.

  In step 450, the client apparatus 22 transmits the ID to the management server 16 to request the ticket 20, and proceeds to step 452.

  In step 452, it is determined whether or not a ticket has been received. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 454.

  In step 454, the ticket and the print data are transmitted to the management apparatus 18, a print request is made, and the process proceeds to step 456.

  In step 456, it is waited whether the print result and the ticket have been received or not, the process proceeds to step 458, the ticket 20 is returned to the management server 16, and the series of processing of the client device 22 is completed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the third embodiment.

  In step 500, it is determined whether or not an ID is received from the client device 22, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 502.

  In step 502, the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is searched, and the process proceeds to step 504 to determine whether there is a ticket 20 corresponding to the ID. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 506 to determine whether or not the ticket 20 has already been used.

  If the determination in step 506 is negative, the process proceeds to step 508 to determine whether printing is possible. This determination is made by determining whether or not the actual usage number described in the ticket 20 is equal to or less than the upper limit number, that is, whether or not there is an available number. If the determination is affirmative, step 510 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 510, the ticket 20 is transmitted to the client device 22 via the LAN 12, and the process proceeds to step 512.

  In step 512, it is determined whether the ticket 20 has been received. The determination is made by determining whether the management device 18 has processed the ticket 20 (update the actual number of sheets) and returned via the client device 22, and waits until the determination is affirmed. To step 514.

  In step 514, the ticket 20 updated by the management device 18 and returned via the client device 22 is updated and stored, and the series of processing of the management server 16 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 504 is denied, if the determination in step 506 is affirmed, or if the determination in step 508 is denied, the process proceeds to step 516 where printing is rejected and a series of The process of the management server 16 is terminated.

  Note that when printing rejection is performed in step 516, for example, information indicating that there is no ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is transmitted to the client device 22, or information indicating that the ticket 20 is in use is transmitted to the client device. This information is transmitted to the client device 22 or information indicating that the usage limit is exceeded.

  Next, processing performed in the management device 18 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management apparatus 18 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 550, it is determined whether the ticket 20 and the print data are received. That is, as described above, it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 and the print data are transmitted from the management server 16 to the management device 18. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 552. Transition.

  In step 552, print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 14, thereby giving a print instruction, and the process proceeds to step 554.

  In step 554, it is determined whether or not a print job has been executed by the image forming apparatus 14 and a sheet has been output. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 556.

  In step 556, the actual value of the used actual number described in the ticket 20 is updated, and the process proceeds to step 558.

  In step 558, it is determined whether or not the number of usable sheets is 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 560, and if the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 564 to be usable. After the client apparatus 22 and the image forming apparatus 14 are notified that the number of sheets has become zero, the process proceeds to step 562. When notifying the client device 22 that the usable number of sheets has reached 0, the client device 22 may be notified directly via the LAN 12 or may be notified to the client device 22 via the management server 16. You may make it do.

  Further, in step 560, it is determined whether or not the printing is finished. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 554, until the determination in step 560 is affirmed or the determination in step 558 is affirmed. The above process is repeated. If the determination at step 560 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 562.

  In step 562, the ticket 20 is returned to the management server 16, and a series of processing of the management device 18 is completed.

  That is, even when a print request is made from the client device 22, the actual value of the used actual number of tickets 20 is updated and returned to the management server 16 as in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the image forming system according to the third embodiment, after the ID is transmitted from the client device 22 to the management server 16 and the ticket 20 is acquired, the ticket 20 and the print data are transmitted to the management device 18. The management device 18 outputs print data to the image forming device 14, updates the ticket 20 according to the paper output from the image forming device 14, and returns the ticket 20 to the management server 16 via the client device 22. Even when the printing function of the forming apparatus 14 is used, the usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 can be accurately managed, as in the first and second embodiments.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The image forming system according to the fourth embodiment is a modification of the image forming system according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment, and the processes of the client device 22, the management server 16, and the management device 18 are different. The image forming apparatus 14 performs the same process as in the second embodiment.

  That is, in the fourth embodiment, the client device 22, the management server 16, and the management device 18 perform the following processing.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the client device 22 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In step 600, the client apparatus 22 sends a print request by transmitting the ID and print data to the management apparatus 18, and the process proceeds to step 602.

  In step 602, it is determined whether or not a print result has been received, and the process of the client device 22 is terminated after waiting until the determination is affirmed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the management apparatus 18 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In step 650, the management apparatus 18 determines whether or not the ID and print data have been received from the client apparatus 22. The management apparatus 18 waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 652.

  In step 652, a request for a ticket is made by transmitting the ID to the management server 16, and the process proceeds to step 654 to determine whether or not a ticket has been received and wait until the determination is affirmed. Control goes to step 656.

  In step 656, print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 14, whereby a print instruction is issued, and the process proceeds to step 658.

  In step 658, it is determined whether or not a print job is executed by the image forming apparatus 14 and a sheet is output. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 660.

  In step 660, the actual value of the used actual number described in the ticket 20 is updated, and the process proceeds to step 662.

  In step 662, it is determined whether or not the number of usable sheets is 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 664, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 668 and is available. After the client apparatus 22 and the image forming apparatus 14 are notified that the number of sheets has become 0, the process proceeds to step 666. When notifying the client device 22 that the usable number of sheets has reached 0, the client device 22 may be notified directly via the LAN 12 or may be notified to the client device 22 via the management server 16. You may make it do.

  Further, in step 664, it is determined whether or not the printing is finished. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 658, until the determination in step 662 is affirmed or the determination in step 664 is affirmed. The above process is repeated. If the determination in step 664 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 666.

  In step 666, the print result is transmitted to the client device 22, and the ticket 20 is returned to the management server 16, and the series of processing of the management device 18 is completed.

  That is, even when a print request is made from the client device 22, the actual value of the used actual number of tickets 20 is updated and returned to the management server 16 as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In step 700, it is determined whether or not an ID has been received from the management apparatus 18, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 702.

  In step 702, the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is searched, and the process proceeds to step 704, where it is determined whether there is a ticket 20 corresponding to the ID. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 706 to determine whether or not the ticket 20 has already been used.

  If the determination in step 706 is negative, the process proceeds to step 708 to determine whether printing is possible. This determination is made by determining whether or not the actual usage number described in the ticket 20 is equal to or less than the upper limit number, that is, whether or not there is an available number. If the determination is affirmative, step 710 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 710, the ticket 20 is transmitted to the management device 18, and the process proceeds to step 712.

  In step 712, it is determined whether the ticket 20 has been received. The determination is made by determining whether or not the ticket 20 is returned from the management device 18 after the processing corresponding to the ticket 20 is performed in the management device 18 (update of the actual number of sheets). It waits until it is done and moves to step 714.

  In step 714, the ticket 20 updated and returned by the management device 18 is updated and stored, and the series of processing of the management server 16 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 704 is denied, if the determination in step 706 is affirmed, or if the determination in step 708 is denied, the process proceeds to step 716 where printing is rejected and a series of The process of the management server 16 is terminated.

  Note that when printing is rejected in step 716, for example, information indicating that there is no ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is transmitted to the management device 18, or information indicating that the ticket 20 is in use is transmitted to the management device. This information is transmitted to the management device 18 or information indicating that the usage limit is exceeded.

As described above, in the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment, print data with an ID is transmitted from the client device 22 to the management device 18, and the management device 18 obtains a request for the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID from the management server 16. The print function of the image forming apparatus 14 is output by outputting print data to the image forming apparatus 14, updating the ticket 20 according to the paper output from the image forming apparatus 14, and returning the ticket 20 to the management server 16. Also when using the function, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the use restriction for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 can be accurately managed.
[Fifth Embodiment]
Subsequently, an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first to fourth embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, when the ticket 20 is used exclusively, that is, when the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID is already used, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is denied. However, in the fifth embodiment, a case will be described in which the usage restriction information described in the ticket 20 can be divided and used. In the fifth embodiment, an example will be described in which the use restriction information described in the ticket 20 is divided and the image forming apparatus 14 performs copying.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the image forming system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a management server 16 for restricting the use of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 14 is connected to the LAN 12 as in the first embodiment. ing.

  Similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming apparatus 14 to be managed by the management server 16 is connected to the LAN 12 of the image forming system according to the fifth embodiment via the management apparatus 18. The server 16 manages usage restrictions on the image forming apparatus 14.

  In addition to this, the LAN 12 of the present embodiment is connected to the client device 22 of the second to fourth embodiments that requests printing to the image forming apparatus 14, and the client device 22 issues a print request. As a result, the print is output by the image forming apparatus 14, and the usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 are managed in the same manner as in the image forming systems according to the second to fourth embodiments. Also good.

  The plurality of management apparatuses 18 and the image forming apparatus 14 function in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, the management server 16 according to the fifth embodiment is also connected to the telephone line 26, and the use restriction for each ID is also imposed on the plurality of management apparatuses 18 and image forming apparatuses 14 connected to the telephone line 26. It is possible to manage.

  By the way, in the image forming system described in the first to fourth embodiments, since communication is performed via a network such as the LAN 12, the communication speed is not so much of a problem. Since communication is performed using the telephone line 26, the communication speed becomes a problem. That is, when a plurality of management apparatuses 18 and image forming apparatuses 14 use a ticket 20 corresponding to a certain ID, in the first to fourth embodiments, the other management apparatuses 18 and image forming apparatuses 14 are used. Thus, the ticket 20 corresponding to the same ID cannot be used, and the communication speed is slow because of the telephone line 26, and the time to wait until the ticket 20 can be used becomes long.

  Therefore, the management server 16 of the present embodiment issues a divided ticket 24 obtained by dividing the use restriction information described in the ticket 20. As the divided ticket 24, for example, when the use limit number of copies is 500 tickets 20, a split ticket 24 in which a value obtained by dividing the use limit number 500 is described is issued, and the split ticket 24 is used. Thus, management of usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14 is performed. Accordingly, even when the divided ticket 24 corresponding to a certain ID is in use, the ticket corresponding to the same ID can be used by using another divided ticket 24 corresponding to the ID, and the image forming apparatus 14 is used. Can do.

  The divided ticket 24 describes the provisional upper limit number, and the provisional upper limit number is set to a value less than the upper limit number of the ticket 20 before the division, and is defined by, for example, (upper limit number−usage record number) ÷ n. Note that n may be a predetermined value, the number of image forming apparatuses 14 managed by the management server 16, or may be set as appropriate.

  In addition, the management server 16 includes a selection unit that selects whether to issue a divided ticket 24 or a ticket 20 that is not divided. For example, the selection unit includes a communication environment to which the image forming apparatus 14 to be used is connected. It is possible to make a selection by the selection means according to the above. The selection by the selection unit may be set in advance for each ID.

  Here, the operation of the management server 16 that issues the division ticket 24 and manages the use restriction of the image forming apparatus 14 will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when executing a job in which the use restriction is managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 750, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the ticket 20 from the management device 18. In this determination, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input from the management apparatus 18 to the image forming apparatus 14, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 752.

  In step 752, it is determined whether or not the divided ticket 24 is used. For example, the determination may include a setting unit that sets whether to issue a divided ticket to the management server 16 in advance, and may determine according to the setting of the setting unit. Whether to use the divided ticket 24 or the ticket 20 may be automatically selected according to the communication speed of the line to which the forming apparatus 14 is connected.

  If the determination in step 752 is negative, the process proceeds to step 754, the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input to the image forming apparatus 14 is issued and sent to the management apparatus 18, and the process proceeds to step 756.

  In step 756, it is determined whether or not there is a ticket 20 request with an ID corresponding to the issued ticket 20 from another device. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 758 and the same as in step 752. It is determined whether or not the divided ticket 24 is used. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 760 where the ticket 20 issuance of the ticket 20 request destination apparatus is rejected, and the process proceeds to step 762. For example, information indicating that the ticket 20 that is not the divided ticket 24 is used in another device is returned.

  If the determination in step 756 is negative, the process proceeds to step 762 as it is.

  In step 762, it is determined whether the issued ticket 20 or the divided ticket 24 is returned from the management device 18. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 756 and the determination in step 762 is affirmed. The above process is repeated until the determination in step 758 is affirmed.

  When the determination in step 762 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 764, the returned ticket 20 or the divided ticket 24 is stored and saved in step 764.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 752 is affirmed, or if the determination in step 758 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 766.

  In step 766, the divided ticket 24 is issued and sent to the management device 18. As a result, the management device 18 and the image forming device 14 can execute a job for which usage restrictions are managed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a divided ticket 24 obtained by dividing the usage restriction information of the ticket 20 is issued, a communication network with a low communication speed is used, or a ticket is used in another device. However, the divided ticket 24 corresponding to the same ID can be used, and the job of the image forming apparatus 14 in which the use restriction is managed for each ID can be executed.

  The operation of the other devices is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the management device 18 and the image forming device 14 use the divided ticket 24. When the use limit number becomes 0, the division ticket 24 may be requested again so that the job can be resumed.

In the fifth embodiment, the case of performing copying has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when printing is performed as in the second to fourth embodiments, a divided ticket is used. 24 may be used to manage usage restrictions for each ID of the image forming apparatus 14, or any one of the second to fourth embodiments may be combined with the fifth embodiment. .
[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to the sixth embodiment includes an authentication server 28 that authenticates the ticket 20 issued from the management server 16 to the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, an example in which the authentication server 28 is provided in the image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the management server 16 according to the sixth embodiment, the ticket 20 is transmitted to the authentication server 28 before receiving the ID from the management device 18 and issuing the ticket 20 to the management device 18.

  The authentication server 28 adds authentication information to the ticket 20 transmitted from the management server 16 and returns it, and whether the ticket 20 is genuine based on the authentication information added to the ticket 20. It is possible to authenticate whether or not.

  In addition, when the management device 18 receives the ticket 20 with the authentication information added, the management device 18 transmits the ticket 20 to the authentication server 28 and executes the management before executing the job (in this embodiment, copy or the like). A request is made to authenticate whether the ticket 20 received by the device 18 is a legitimate ticket.

  Specifically, the management server 16, the management device 18, and the authentication server 28 perform the following processing. Note that the flow of processing performed in the image forming apparatus 14 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 16 when executing a job in which the use restriction is managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the management server 16 determines whether or not there is a ticket request from the management device 18 in step 800. In this determination, it is determined whether or not there is a request for the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input from the management apparatus 18 to the image forming apparatus 14, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 802.

  In step 802, it is determined whether there is authentication information in the ticket 20 corresponding to the ID input to the image forming apparatus 14. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 804.

  In step 804, after the ticket 20 is transmitted to the authentication server 28, the process proceeds to step 806 and waits until the ticket 20 returns from the authentication server 28, and the process proceeds to step 808.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 802 is affirmative, that is, if the authentication information has already been added to the ticket 20, the process proceeds to step 808 as it is.

  In step 808, the ticket 20 to which the authentication information is added is transmitted to the management apparatus 18, and the process proceeds to step 810.

  In step 810, it is determined whether there is a ticket 20 request with an ID corresponding to the issued ticket 20 from another device. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 812, where the ticket 20 request destination Issuance of the ticket 20 to the apparatus is rejected, and the process proceeds to step 814. For example, information indicating content indicating that the ticket 20 is being used by another device is returned.

  If the determination in step 810 is negative, the process proceeds to step 814 as it is.

  In step 814, it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 has been returned from the management device 18. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 810 and the above processing is repeated until the determination in step 814 is affirmed. .

  If the determination in step 814 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 816, the returned ticket 20 is stored and saved in step 816.

  Next, the flow of processing performed by the management device 18 will be described. In the sixth embodiment, since only the following processing is added between step 154 and step 156 with respect to the processing of FIG. 3 performed by the management apparatus 18 of the first embodiment, only the added portion is included. Will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a part of the flow of processing performed by the management apparatus 18 when executing a job whose usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the management apparatus 18, when the ticket 20 is received from the management server 16, that is, when the determination in step 154 of FIG. 3 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 850, where the ticket 20 is transmitted to the authentication server 28 and to step 852. Transition.

  In step 852, it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 has been received from the authentication server 28. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 854. That is, it waits until it receives the authentication result for the ticket 20 from the authentication server 28.

  In step 854, it is determined from the authentication result from the authentication server 28 whether or not it is a regular ticket 20. If the determination is affirmative, that is, it is determined that the ticket is a regular ticket 20, the process returns to step 156 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 854 is negative, that is, if the ticket is not a regular ticket 20, the process proceeds to step 856, where information indicating that the ticket is not a regular ticket 20 is notified to the image forming apparatus 14 and the image forming apparatus. 14 is prohibited, and the processing of the management device 18 is terminated without performing the processing from step 156 onward.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the authentication server 28 when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 900, the authentication server 28 determines whether the ticket 20 has been received from the management server 16. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 902.

  In step 902, authentication information is added to the ticket 20 received from the management server 16, and the ticket 20 with the authentication information added is returned to the management server 16.

  If the determination in step 900 is negative, the process proceeds to step 904, where it is determined whether or not the ticket 20 has been received from the management device 18. That is, it is determined whether or not there is an authentication request for the ticket 20 from the management device 18, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 906.

  In step 906, it is confirmed whether the ticket 20 transmitted from the management device 18 has authentication information or whether the authentication information is legitimate authentication information, and the confirmation result is transmitted to the management device 18.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 904 is negative, the process returns to step 900 and the above process is repeated.

  In other words, processing by the management server 16, the management device 18, and the authentication server 28 in this way, even if a forged ticket or the like is created, ticket authentication is performed by the authentication server 28, so use is restricted for each ID. It is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 14 from being used illegally.

  In the sixth embodiment, the example in which the authentication server 28 is provided in the image forming system according to the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the second to fifth embodiments. The image forming system may include an authentication server 28 to authenticate the ticket 20.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 14 according to the second to fourth embodiments and the sixth embodiment outputs a sheet when an ID or the like is input to the image forming apparatus again after making a print request from the client apparatus 22. You may make it update a ticket. That is, the ID may be collated at the time of paper output. In this way, for example, it is possible to perform usage restriction management using the image forming apparatus 14 disposed in the store, and thereby charge for the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is also possible.

  Furthermore, the management server 16 of the first to sixth embodiments may be configured by software on a computer, or by software installed in an image forming apparatus 14 connected to a network such as a LAN 12. It is also possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the management server when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the management apparatus when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating operation timing when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a client device when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management apparatus when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a client device when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server when printing is performed by an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management apparatus when printing is performed by an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a client device when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management apparatus when printing is performed by an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server when printing is performed by an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system concerning 6th Embodiment of this invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a flow of processing performed by a management apparatus when a job whose usage restriction is managed for each ID is executed in an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by an authentication server when executing a job in which usage restrictions are managed for each ID in an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming system 12 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Image forming apparatus 16 Management server 18 Management apparatus 20 Ticket 22 Client apparatus 24 Divided ticket 26 Telephone line 28 Authentication server

Claims (10)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image on a recording medium by inputting predetermined identification information, and a plurality of management apparatuses that are connected to the image forming apparatus on a one-to-one basis and that manage the image forming apparatus A management server that is network-connected to each of the management devices and that performs usage restriction management of the image forming apparatus based on usage restriction information for each identification information,
Said management server, using actual number of recording media on the use restriction of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification information, and the use restriction information which is the upper limit number using the recording medium a predetermined in correspondence with the identification information The described electronic ticket is stored, and when the identification information is input to the management device, and the electronic ticket is issued from the management device, the electronic ticket corresponding to the identification information is described in the electronic ticket Issuing to the management device a divided ticket described as a tentative upper limit number of quotients obtained by subtracting the value obtained by subtracting the actual use number from the upper limit number of use by a predetermined value ,
Returning said management device, according to the usage status of the recording medium by the image forming apparatus to update by writing the actual value of the actual usage count to issued the divided ticket, a split ticket is updated to the management server An image forming system. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image; a plurality of management apparatuses that are connected to the image forming apparatus on a one-to-one basis and that manage the image forming apparatus; and for forming predetermined identification information and an image A client apparatus that makes an image formation request to the image forming apparatus, and a management server that performs use restriction management of the image forming apparatus based on the use restriction information for each identification information. A network-connected image forming system,
Said management server, using actual number of recording media on the use restriction of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the previous SL identification information, and maximum number a is use restriction information using the recording medium a predetermined in correspondence with the identification information It is obtained by storing the described electronic ticket and subtracting the used actual number from the upper limit used number described in the electronic ticket corresponding to the identification information when an image formation request is made by the client device. Issue a divided ticket with the quotient divided by a predetermined value as the provisional upper limit number of sheets ,
Said management equipment, depending on the usage of the recording medium of the image forming apparatus to update by writing the actual value of the actual usage count to issued the divided ticket, a split ticket is updated to the management server An image forming system characterized by being returned. The client device transmits the identification information and the data to the management server, the management server transmits the divided ticket and the data corresponding to the identification information to the management device, and the management device updates The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the divided ticket is transmitted to the management server. After the client device acquires the split ticket corresponding to the identification information from the management server, the client device transmits the acquired split ticket and the data to the management device, and the management device sends the updated split ticket to the management device. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system transmits the information to the management server via a client device. The client device transmits the identification information and the data to the management device, and the management device acquires the divided ticket corresponding to the identification information from the management server and manages the updated divided ticket in the management The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system transmits the image to a server. Said electronic ticket, said use results count and the use upper limit number is, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that described in use each mode of the image forming apparatus image Forming system. The management server, when the divided ticket corresponding prior Symbol identification information is issued are according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to issue the remaining of the split ticket Image forming system. The management server to issue the electronic ticket, the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized by having a selection means for selecting whether to issue the split ticket . The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the split ticket issued by the management server further comprising an authentication server for authenticating whether regular division Ticket . The management server software on a computer, or an image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it consists of software that is installed in the network connected image forming apparatus system.

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