JP5018512B2 - Image processing system, image processing control apparatus, and image processing control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing control apparatus, and an image processing control program.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a technique for resetting, for each department, the number of sheets that can be printed by an image forming apparatus when using the image forming apparatus. In other words, when changing the total number of upper limit used sheets for each image forming device, etc., the allocation upper limit number of each department can be saved by changing the total upper limit used number of sheets only to change the total upper limit used number of sheets. A technique for automatically updating a calculated value obtained by uniformly increasing or decreasing the upper limit number of sheets is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 discloses an authentication server that collectively manages a function usage limitation such as printing by an image forming apparatus for each group to which each user belongs in order to save time and trouble of registering each of a plurality of shared image forming apparatuses. A system for registering is disclosed.
JP-A-11-24517 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-92760

  When processing image data such as printing, fax transmission, etc. using a copier or printer in an office, etc., paper, toner, telephone charges, etc. are required. There may be restrictions on the amount used.

  For example, in the case of printing, when there are a plurality of groups each consisting of a plurality of users in the office, an upper limit value for the number of prints is set for each group and for each user. It is conceivable to prohibit printing. In other words, multiple copiers and printers in the office are centrally managed by the server device, the number of prints is counted for each group and each user, and printing exceeds the maximum number of prints for each group and each user. Is prohibited.

  In addition, the purpose of such use restriction is to prevent the total number of printed sheets of all groups from exceeding a certain number. So, if there are a group that prints many groups and a group that does not print much, the upper limit is set for groups that do not print much, so that the maximum number of prints increases for groups that perform many printing. If the maximum number of prints for each group is reset as appropriate so that the number of prints can be reduced, the total number of prints for all groups can be limited so that it does not exceed a certain number. Thus, the upper limit value of the number of printed sheets of each group can be changed flexibly, and the total number of printed sheets can be limited within the target value while responding to the demand in the office, thereby efficiently limiting the number of used sheets.

  However, there may be a user who prints a large number of sheets and a user who prints only a small number of sheets even in the same group. In such a case, a user who prints only a small number of sheets has not reached his / her maximum number of prints, whereas a user who prints a large number of sheets has reached his / her maximum number of prints. Therefore, no further printing can be performed. In this case, if the upper limit number of sheets in the group is not used up, the user who has reached the upper limit number of prints within the same group may be allowed to add more prints.

  However, simply resetting the upper limit number of prints between groups does not adjust the imbalance of the number of prints among users in the same group, so there is a need for printing a large number of prints within the group. The number of prints allowed to users who are in demand for such a large number of prints, even though there is a user, and the maximum number of prints in the group has not been used up. There is a problem that proper adjustment cannot be made.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a restriction on the amount of processing when performing predetermined processing using image data such as printing for each group and for each user in the group. It is to be able to properly adjust the usage limit between the users according to the actual usage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an upper limit of the amount of processing performed by a group of image processing means that performs processing related to image data and a plurality of users who can perform processing related to image data by the image processing means. A total upper limit usage setting means that defines a total upper limit usage that is a value, and a user who specifies the user who made the request when the image processing means is requested to execute processing relating to image data Specific means, each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount which is an upper limit value of the amount to perform the process for each user, and the amount of the process performed for each user Current usage amount storage means for storing a value of current usage amount that is a total, and when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means, the current usage amount storage means stores the current usage amount storage means. The current usage updating unit operable to update the value of the current usage is, the minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing the minimum guaranteed amount of the amount for performing the process for each said user, for each user A time limit setting means for setting a time limit; and a step of determining whether there is a person who has passed the time limit and has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount after passing the time limit. 1 determination means, 2nd determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user among the respective users, and the first determination It is determined by the means that there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount, and the second determination means determines that each user After passing the deadline, the current usage amount is the upper limit for each person. When it is determined that there is a person who has reached the amount, the minimum guaranteed amount stored in the minimum guaranteed amount storage means is predetermined for the user who is determined that the current used amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount. An image processing system comprising: a minimum guaranteed amount updating unit that updates a predetermined amount for each period .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the total upper limit use which is an upper limit value of the amount of processing performed by a group of a plurality of users who can perform processing relating to image data by image processing means which performs processing relating to image data. A total upper limit usage setting unit that defines the amount; a user specifying unit that specifies the user who has made the request when the image processing unit is requested to execute processing on the image data; and the use Each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount, which is an upper limit value of the amount to be processed for each user, and a current use amount that is a total of the amount of the process for each user Current usage amount storage means for storing the value of the current usage amount stored in the current usage amount storage means when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means. It is set and the current usage updating means, the minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing the minimum guaranteed amount of the amount for performing the process for each said user, a time limit for each user to update the value of the quantity A time limit setting means, a first determination means for determining whether or not there is a person who has passed the time limit and has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount after passing the time limit, A second determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user among the respective users; and each user by the first determination means. It is determined that there is a person who has passed the time limit and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount, and the second determination means sets the time limit to each user. A person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each person after passing If it is determined that the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount, the minimum guaranteed amount stored in the minimum guaranteed amount storage unit is reduced by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period. The minimum guaranteed amount update means for updating the image processing apparatus as described above.

The invention according to claim 3 is the use of the total upper limit which is the upper limit value of the amount of processing performed by a group of a plurality of users who can perform processing relating to image data by the image processing means which performs processing relating to image data. A total upper limit usage setting unit that defines the amount; a user specifying unit that specifies the user who has made the request when the image processing unit is requested to execute processing on the image data; and the use Each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount, which is an upper limit value of the amount to be processed for each user, and a current use amount that is a total of the amount of the process for each user Current usage amount storage means for storing the value of the current usage amount stored in the current usage amount storage means when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means. It is set and the current usage updating means, the minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing the minimum guaranteed amount of the amount for performing the process for each said user, a time limit for each user to update the value of the quantity A time limit setting means, a first determination means for determining whether or not there is a person who has passed the time limit and has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount after passing the time limit, A second determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user among the respective users; and each user by the first determination means. It is determined that there is a person who has passed the time limit and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount, and the second determination means sets the time limit to each user. A person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each person after passing If it is determined that the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount, the minimum guaranteed amount stored in the minimum guaranteed amount storage unit is reduced by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period. A computer-readable image processing control program that causes the computer to execute the minimum guaranteed amount updating means for updating the program.

According to the present invention, when there is a user who has not used the minimum guaranteed amount even after the predetermined deadline, the minimum guaranteed amount of the user is reduced and passed to another user. Thus, it is possible to appropriately adjust the processing amount limit between users in the same group.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of the image processing system of the present embodiment.

  In this image processing system 1, a server device 2 serving as an image processing control device, a plurality of image processing devices 3 serving as image processing means, and a plurality of client terminal devices 4 are connected to each other via a network 5. Configured.

  Each of the image processing apparatuses 3 is an apparatus that performs predetermined processing relating to image data, that is, printing, copying, scanning, fax transmission / reception, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical connection showing an example of the image processing apparatus 3. The image processing apparatus 3 is an example of a copying machine having multiple functions. A single machine can execute all functions of printing, copying, scanning, and fax transmission / reception.

  The image processing apparatus 3 is configured around a controller board 11 that centrally controls the entire image processing apparatus 3. The controller board 11 performs various operations and centrally controls each part, a system ROM 13 that stores various programs executed by the CPU 12 and fixed data, a DRAM 15 and an NVRAM 14 that are work areas of the CPU 12, a network 5, a communication interface (I / F) 16 that communicates with the server device 2 and the client terminal device 4 is provided.

  The controller board 11 includes a scanner 61 for scanning an image of a document, a printer engine 62 for printing on a print medium such as paper based on the image data, a hard disk device 63 for storing image data, and a fax machine. A fax control device 64 that performs transmission / reception, an authentication information input device 65 that authenticates a user, and an operation panel 66 including operation buttons, lamps, and a touch panel display are connected.

  As a printing method used in the printer engine 62, various methods such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver salt photography method, a direct thermal recording method, and a melt type thermal transfer method can be used. .

  The fax control device 64 is connected to the public telephone line network 67 and can send and receive faxes to and from the other party's fax machine via the public telephone line network 67.

  In this example, the authentication information input device 65 is an IC card reader that reads an IC card possessed by the user in order to authenticate the user. Of course, as means for authenticating the user, various means can be used in addition to reading and authenticating the data of the IC card possessed by the user. Therefore, for example, when authenticating a user by inputting a password, the authentication information input device 65 becomes a password input device, and authenticates the user by reading a part of the human body such as fingerprint authentication, palm authentication, and iris authentication. In this case, it becomes a reading device for a part of these human bodies.

  According to the image processing apparatus 3 having such a configuration, the image data transmitted from the client terminal apparatus 4 or the like is printed by the printer engine 62, the document 61 is scanned by the scanner 61, and the document image is scanned by the scanner 62. Copy and print by the printer engine 62, fax transmission of image data read by the scanner 61 or transmitted from the client terminal device 4, etc., and reception of fax from the public telephone line network 67 are executed by one unit. Can do.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the server device 2. In the server device 2, a CPU 21 that performs various calculations and centrally controls each unit, a ROM 22 that stores various fixed data, and a RAM 23 that is a work area of the CPU 21 are connected via a bus 24. The bus 24 also stores a hard disk device 25 that stores programs and various data via a predetermined I / F, a communication I / F 26 that communicates with the image processing device 3 and the client terminal device 4 via the network 5, and a storage. A data reading device 28 for reading data from the medium 27, an input device 29 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display 30 are connected. As the storage medium 27, various media such as an optical disk such as a CD and a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, and the like can be used. Can be used.

  A predetermined image processing control program 31 is stored in the storage medium 27. The image processing program 31 is read by the data reading device 28, and the read image processing control program 31 is installed in the hard disk device 25. The server device 2 can execute processing as described below as an image processing control device. In addition to reading from the storage medium 27, the image processing control program 31 may be received as a carrier wave from the Internet or the like and installed.

  The client terminal device 4 is a terminal device that is used individually by each user of the image processing system 1 and is configured by a personal computer.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of the client terminal device 4. In the client terminal device 4, a CPU 41 that performs various calculations and centrally controls each unit, a ROM 42 that stores various fixed data, and a RAM 43 that is a work area of the CPU 41 are connected via a bus 44. Also, the bus 44 has a hard disk device 45 for storing programs and various data via a predetermined I / F, a communication I / F 46 for communicating with the image processing device 3 and the server device 2 via the network 5, and a storage medium. A data reading device 48 for reading data from 47, an input device 49 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display 50 are connected. As the storage medium 47, various media such as an optical disk such as a CD and a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, and the like can be used. Depending on the type of the medium, the data reading device 48 is also a variety of apparatuses such as an optical disk device and a magneto-optical disk device. Can be used.

  A predetermined client program 51 is stored in the storage medium 47, and the client terminal device 4 reads the client program 51 with the data reading device 48 and installs the read client program 51 in the hard disk device 45. Processing as described below can be executed. In addition to the case where the client program 51 is read from the storage medium 47, the client program 51 may be received as a carrier wave from the Internet or the like and installed.

  Next, processing executed by the image processing system 1 having the above hardware configuration will be described focusing on processing executed by the server device 2.

  Based on the image processing control program 31, the server device 2 is a user information management service that manages information on each user, an authentication service that authenticates each user, and information on job execution results by each image processing device 3. Are collected, and three services of a total management service for managing the amount of processing executed by each user in each image processing apparatus 3 are executed. Each of these services may be shared and executed by different server devices. With such a service, the server apparatus 2 manages the amount of processing performed by each image processing apparatus 3, but the image processing apparatus 3 performs each process of copying, printing, scanning, and fax transmission / reception as described above. Here, an example of managing the amount of printing (including printing by copying) among these will be described.

  The user restriction information database 101 and the group restriction information database 102 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are constructed in the hard disk device 25 and the like of the server device 2 by the image processing control program 31. The image processing system 1 is installed in, for example, an office. An employee working in this office becomes a user of each image processing apparatus 3. In this office, there are a plurality of groups (for example, groups for each department) A, B, and C, and a plurality of users belong to each of the groups A, B, and C. The user restriction information database 101 is a database for managing the number of printed sheets for each user, and the group restriction information database 102 is a database for managing the number of printed sheets for groups A, B, and C. In other words, printing media such as paper, toner, and ink are consumed for printing. From the viewpoint of cost reduction, this is used to manage and limit the number of prints for each group and each user. They are a user restriction information database 101 and a group restriction information database 102.

  In the user restriction information database 101, user IDs (001, 002, 003,...), Which are identification marks for identifying a plurality of users, are registered, and the group to which the user belongs is registered in association with the user ID. Yes. In the user restriction information database 101, for each user ID, “cumulative usage number”, “automatic redistribution use upper limit number”, “minimum guaranteed number”, “expiration date of minimum guaranteed number”, “reduction rate after expiration” ”And“ distribution priority level ”are registered in association with each other.

  The cumulative use number (current use amount) is the cumulative number of prints executed so far since the user of the user ID is each image processing apparatus 3. The minimum guaranteed number of sheets (minimum guaranteed amount) is the minimum number of printed sheets that the user of the user ID is permitted to execute by each image processing apparatus 3. The expiration date (time limit) of the minimum guaranteed number of sheets is the expiration date of the minimum guaranteed number of sheets guaranteed by the user of the user ID. Therefore, although the minimum guaranteed number of sheets is guaranteed until the expiration date, it may not be guaranteed if the expiration date is exceeded. As the expiration date of the minimum guaranteed number of sheets, for example, “2006/1” indicates that the expiration date is until January 2006 AD. After the expiration date of the minimum guaranteed number of sheets, the reduction rate after the expiration date will reduce the minimum guaranteed number of users when the cumulative number of used sheets has not reached the minimum guaranteed number. It is the reduction rate when going. In this example, “% / day” as the reduction rate after the expiration date, that is, the numerical value of the percentage reduced per day is registered as the reduction rate. For example, when the reduction rate after the expiration date is “1”, this indicates a reduction rate that reduces the minimum guaranteed number of sheets by 1% per day. The distribution priority level indicates a priority order when distributing the number of printed sheets for each user in each group, and the lower the number, the higher the distribution priority level.

  In the group restriction information database 102, “total use upper limit sheet number”, “cumulative use sheet number”, and “priority distribution start ratio” are registered in association with each of the groups A, B, and C described above. The total use upper limit sheet number (total upper limit use amount) is an upper limit sheet number of printing permitted for the group. The cumulative use number is the number of prints accumulated after a certain point in the group. This is the total value of the cumulative number of used sheets of all users belonging to the group. The priority distribution start ratio is a set value for the percentage of the cumulative number of used sheets with respect to the total use upper limit number of sheets of the group. When this percentage is exceeded, the number of printed sheets allowed for the users in the group is redistributed.

  Next, a specific processing procedure will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart when the administrator of the image processing system 1 updates the user restriction information database 101 and the group restriction information database 102.

  First, when the administrator makes a database update request from his / her client terminal device 4 (Y in Step S1), the database terminal makes a database update request from the client terminal device 4 to the server device 2 (Step S2). When the server device 2 receives this database update request from the client terminal device 4 (Y in step S11), the administrator ID and password for identifying the administrator included in the database update request are registered in the server device 2. The administrator ID and the password are collated to authenticate whether or not the user is an administrator (step S12).

  When authentication as an administrator is made (Y in step S13), a database update permission is transmitted to the client terminal device 4 (step S14), and when this is received by the client terminal device 4 (in step S3) Y) Input for updating the user restriction information database 101 and the group restriction information database 102 becomes possible. As a result, the administrator newly registers new user data in the user restriction information database 101, or the initial value of the automatic redistribution use upper limit number, the minimum guaranteed number, the expiration date of the minimum guaranteed number, The reduction rate after the expiration date, the distribution priority level, etc. can be updated. In addition, new group data can be newly registered in the group restriction information database 102, or the total amount upper limit number of sheets, priority distribution start ratio, and the like can be updated. In addition, it is possible to set whether or not to execute processing for updating the automatic redistribution use upper limit sheet number, which will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When the administrator inputs the update information (Y in step S4), the update information is transmitted to the server device 2 (step S5), and when the server device 2 receives the update information (Y in step S15), the update information. Thus, the user restriction information database 101 and the group restriction information database 102 are updated (step S16). In addition, when setting whether or not to execute the process of updating the automatic redistribution use upper limit number is made, an update indicating whether or not to execute the process of updating the automatic redistribution use upper limit sheet according to the setting The execution flag is turned on / off (step S17). Therefore, the server device 2 executes a process (FIGS. 8 and 9) for updating the automatic redistribution use upper limit number to be described later on condition that the update execution flag is turned on.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts of processing for updating the automatic redistribution use upper limit number for each user.

  First, when the user causes the authentication information input device 65 of the image processing apparatus 3 to be used to log in the user information such as the user ID of his / her ID card and logs in (Y in step S21), the user information is stored in the server apparatus 2. Transmit (step S22).

  The server device 2 that has received the user information (Y in step S41) specifies who the user is based on the user information, and performs an authentication process for the user (step S42). When the user is authenticated as a regular user (Y in Step S43), it is determined whether or not the cumulative use number of the user has reached the automatic redistribution use upper limit number (Step S44). When the used number has reached the upper limit number of automatic redistribution use (Y in step S44), a print job rejection notice is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3 (step S45). If the cumulative use number has not reached the automatic redistribution use upper limit number (N in step S44), the image processing apparatus 3 notifies the print job permission notification together with the difference sheet number between the cumulative use number and the automatic redistribution use upper limit number. (Step S46). When the user is not authenticated as a regular user (N in step S43), an authentication non-permission notice is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3 (step S47).

  The image processing apparatus 3 that has received the print job permission notification from the server apparatus 2 (Y in step S23) has the number of print jobs requested by the user within the difference between the cumulative use number and the automatic redistribution use upper limit number. If so (Y in step S24), the print job is executed (step S25). That is, when the user performs copying, the image processing apparatus 3 can perform copying, and when the user performs printing, printing can be performed according to a print request from the client terminal apparatus 4. When such a print job is completed (Y in step S26), log information of the print job is transmitted to the server device 2 (step S27). This log information includes information such as who is the user who executed printing and how many copies are printed.

  On the other hand, when a print job rejection notification is received (Y in step S28) or when the number of print jobs requested by the user is greater than the difference between the cumulative use number and the automatic redistribution use upper limit number (N in step S24), if printing is performed any more, the number of prints allowed by the user (the maximum number of automatic redistribution use) will be exceeded, so a message disallowing the print job is displayed on the touch panel display of the operation panel 66 This is displayed (step S29), and the process is terminated.

  When an authentication disapproval notice is received (Y in step S30), a message that the print job is not permitted is displayed on the touch panel display of the operation panel 66 because the user does not have a proper use authority (step S31). The process is terminated.

  The server device 2 that has received the log information of the print job (Y in step S48), the accumulated usage number data relating to the user in the user restriction information database 101, and the accumulation relating to the group to which the user belongs in the group restriction information database 102. The number of used data is updated (step S49). For example, when the user prints 10 sheets, the cumulative number of sheets used for the user in the information database 101 and the cumulative number of sheets used for the group to which the user belongs in the group restriction information database 102 are each increased by 10 sheets. It will be.

  Next, the server device 2 determines whether or not the update execution flag is turned on (step S50). When the update execution flag is off (N in step S50), the series of processes is terminated. When the update execution flag is on (Y in step S50), based on the data on the cumulative number of used sheets for each user in the group to which the user belongs, the data on the total use upper limit number of the group, and the like, A new automatic redistribution use upper limit number for each user is calculated (step S51), and the value of the automatic redistribution use upper limit number in the user restriction information database 101 is updated with the calculated automatic redistribution use upper limit number (step S51). S52).

  Next, a specific calculation example for calculating the new automatic redistribution use upper limit number in step S50 will be described.

First, a value obtained by adding the minimum guaranteed number of users belonging to each group is “E”. Further, a value obtained by subtracting “E” from the value of the total use upper limit number of sheets of each group is assumed to be “F (redistribution amount)”. Each user of the user _1, user _2, ..., user _x as (x = 1, 2, 3, ...), the ratio in the Member of the user _x cumulative number of used sheets of the user _x G _x
G _x = User _x 's cumulative number of sheets used ÷ Group's cumulative number of sheets used (1)
Calculate Then, a new automatic reallocation use upper limit number of users _x as H _x,
H _x = F × G _x + minimum guaranteed number of users _x (2)
Calculate

That is, the number of prints that may be redistributed in the group is F, and G _x indicates how much printing has been executed in the group to which the user _x belongs, and G _x based on the search of redistribution can print sheets "F × G _x" to the user _x of the values of F, to compute the H _x by'll by adding this value to the value of the minimum guaranteed number of the user _x.

For example, in the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, if calculation is performed for an example of a user whose user ID of group A is 001, E = 7500, F = 20000−E = 20000−7500 = 12,500, G _x = 5432 ÷ (5432 + 2210 + 1950 + 32 ) = 5432 ÷ 9624≈0.56, and H _x = 12500 × 0.56 + 3000 = 10000.

  In the above calculation example, the minimum guaranteed number of sheets for each user is constant unless changed by the administrator. However, the minimum guaranteed number of sheets may be changed according to the printing performance of each user. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the expiration date of the minimum guaranteed number has expired for each user at the present time. In addition, it is determined whether there are those who have used up the minimum guaranteed number and those who have not yet used up in the same group. If there is a person who has used up the minimum guaranteed number in the same group and a person who has not used up the minimum guaranteed number, and the minimum guaranteed number of persons who have not used up the minimum guaranteed number has expired, the expiration date has expired. A new minimum guaranteed number of sheets reduced at a later reduction rate is obtained, and the value of the minimum guaranteed number of sheets for the user in the user restriction information database 101 is updated with the new minimum guaranteed number of sheets. For example, in the case of a user whose user ID is 001, the reduction rate after expiration is 1 (% / day), so the minimum guaranteed number of sheets is reduced by 1% every day.

Further, in the equation, but simply have the value redistribute automatic reallocation use upper limit number depending on the G _x showing the results of a printing run of each user, even within the same group status and job etc. Accordingly, there may be a user who should preferentially increase the number of printed sheets and a user who does not need to increase the number of printed sheets.

Therefore, G _x may be obtained by multiplying the above-described equation (1) by a predetermined priority coefficient, and equation (2) may be obtained using this G _x . The priority coefficient may have a value corresponding to the priority indicated by the distribution priority level in the user restriction information database 101. For example, in the group A of the user restriction information database 101, the priority coefficient 1.1 which is the largest value is given to the person with the distribution priority level 1, and the priority coefficient 1.0 is given to the person with the distribution priority level 2. A person with priority level 3 is given a priority coefficient of 0.9. In this case, if the user ID is the user of the 001, _{G x} is, _{"G x} = user _x cumulative number of sheets used ÷ Group cumulative number of sheets used × 1.1 in" and the _{H x} by using the _{G x} Since the calculation is performed, the upper limit number of automatic redistribution usage is increased as compared with the case where such a priority coefficient is not used.

  Alternatively, for each group, the total use upper limit number, cumulative use number, and priority distribution start ratio in the group restriction information database 102 are used to obtain “cumulative use number / total use upper limit number”, and this value reaches the priority distribution start ratio. Determine whether or not. Then, after the value of “cumulative use sheet number ÷ total use upper limit sheet number” becomes equal to or greater than the priority distribution start ratio, the print sheet number using such priority coefficients may be redistributed.

  The above description is an example in which the number of sheets to be printed by the image processing apparatus 3 is limited for each user and for each group. Since the image processing apparatus 3 can also transmit a fax and a telephone fee is charged for the transmission of the fax, the same processing as in the above example may be performed in order to limit the cost of the telephone fee. In this case, if the “number of printed sheets” is replaced with the telephone charge to be charged, that is, “frequency” of communication, the automatic redistribution usage upper limit assigned to each user with exactly the same concept and the same calculation The frequency (corresponding to the above-described automatic redistribution use upper limit) is calculated, and the “frequency” allocated to each user can be redistributed.

  In this case, if the public telephone line network 67 is an ISDN line, information on the actual value of the usage frequency is obtained from the telephone company via the public telephone line network 67 for each fax transmission communication. Then, the value of the cumulative usage count (corresponding to the cumulative usage count described above) in the user limit information database 101 and the group limit information database 102 can be updated every moment.

  However, when the public telephone line network 67 is PSTN, such information cannot be obtained from the telephone company. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 3 has a communication time table 103 as shown in FIG. That is, a table in which “communication time per frequency” is registered for each destination of fax transmission. The communication time per frequency indicates the time during which a telephone call can be made for each frequency, and since this varies depending on the time zone, it is registered separately for daytime, nighttime, and midnight time zones. If this communication time table 103 is used, the frequency used by the communication time table 103 can be determined from the time required for fax transmission.

  If the above processing is performed, the value of the user's automatic redistribution use upper limit sheet number is updated every time printing or fax transmission is performed, and the limit on the number of printed sheets or frequency at the next printing or fax transmission is updated. This is done based on the value of the subsequent automatic redistribution use upper limit sheet number and automatic redistribution use upper limit frequency.

  In this case, in the above-described example, every time the image processing apparatus 3 performs a print or fax transmission job, the above-described calculation is performed to update the automatic redistribution use upper limit number and the automatic redistribution use upper limit frequency. However, such calculation and updating of the automatic redistribution use upper limit number of sheets and the automatic redistribution use upper limit frequency may be periodically performed, for example, once a day or once a week.

  In the above-described example of redistributing the number of printed sheets, the determination is simply based on the number of printed sheets. However, the size of the sheet may be different even when the same single sheet is printed. In general, one sheet is printed as the sheet size increases. The cost required for this also increases. Therefore, the count of the number of printed sheets may be changed according to the paper size. For example, A4 size printing is regarded as one sheet, and when printed on A3 size paper, it is counted as two sheets.

  Further, there are cases where monochrome printing and color printing can be performed by one image processing apparatus 3, and generally the cost required for color printing is higher. Therefore, for example, in the case of color printing, the number of printed sheets for monochrome printing and color printing may be managed in a unified manner by counting one sheet of printing as two sheets of printing.

  Alternatively, the number of printed sheets may be managed separately for monochrome printing and color printing. In this case, two types of user restriction information database 101 and group restriction information database 102 for monochrome printing and color printing are prepared, and the user's minimum guaranteed number of sheets and group printing are separately provided for monochrome printing and color printing, respectively. A total upper limit number of sheets may be set, and the above-described processing may be performed separately for monochrome printing and color printing.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 3 can also scan an original image. Therefore, the number of times each user and each group scans may be managed by the same processing as described above.

  Further, since the image processing system 1 described above is a system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses 3 exist, the server apparatus 2 is provided. However, a system having only one image processing apparatus 3 may be used. The server apparatus 2 may be configured such that the function of the server apparatus 2 is executed by the image processing apparatus 3 and the server apparatus 2 is not provided. In this case, the image processing system can be realized by one image processing apparatus 3.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of the image processing system of one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of electrical connection showing an example of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of a server apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of a client terminal device. It is explanatory drawing of a user restriction information database. It is explanatory drawing of a group restriction | limiting information database. It is a flowchart in case the administrator of an image processing system updates a user restriction information database and a group restriction information database. It is a flowchart of the process which updates the automatic redistribution utilization upper limit number of sheets about each user. It is a flowchart of the process which updates the automatic redistribution utilization upper limit number of sheets about each user. It is explanatory drawing of a communication time table.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 2 Server apparatus 3 Image processing apparatus 4 Client terminal apparatus 5 Network 27 Storage medium 31 Image processing control program 101 User restriction information database 102 Group restriction information database 103 Communication time table

Claims (3)

Image processing means for performing processing relating to image data;
A total upper limit use amount setting unit that defines a total upper limit use amount that is an upper limit value of the amount of processing performed by a group of a plurality of users who can perform processing relating to image data by the image processing unit;
When execution of processing relating to image data by the image processing means is requested, user specifying means for specifying the user who made the request;
Each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount that is an upper limit value of the amount for performing the processing for each user;
Current usage storage means for storing a value of current usage that is the total amount of the processing performed for each user;
A current usage amount updating means for updating a value of the current usage amount stored in the current usage amount storage means when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means;
Minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing a minimum guaranteed amount of the amount to be processed for each user;
Time limit setting means for setting a time limit for each user;
A first determination means for determining whether or not there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each person among the users;
It is determined by the first determination means that there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current use amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users, and the second determination means When it is determined that there is a person who has passed the deadline among the users and the current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user, the current usage amount becomes the minimum guaranteed amount. Minimum guarantee amount update means for updating the minimum guarantee amount stored in the minimum guarantee amount storage means for a user who has been determined not to have reached a predetermined amount every predetermined period;
An image processing system comprising: Total upper limit usage that defines the total upper limit usage amount that is the upper limit value of the amount of processing performed by a group of users who can perform processing relating to image data by image processing means that performs processing relating to image data A quantity setting means;
When execution of processing relating to image data by the image processing means is requested, user specifying means for specifying the user who made the request;
Each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount that is an upper limit value of the amount for performing the processing for each user;
Current usage storage means for storing a value of current usage that is the total amount of the processing performed for each user;
A current usage amount updating means for updating a value of the current usage amount stored in the current usage amount storage means when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means;
Minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing a minimum guaranteed amount of the amount to be processed for each user;
Time limit setting means for setting a time limit for each user;
A first determination means for determining whether or not there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each person among the users;
It is determined by the first determination means that there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current use amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users, and the second determination means When it is determined that there is a person who has passed the deadline among the users and the current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user, the current usage amount becomes the minimum guaranteed amount. Minimum guarantee amount update means for updating the minimum guarantee amount stored in the minimum guarantee amount storage means for a user who has been determined not to have reached a predetermined amount every predetermined period;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Total upper limit usage that defines the total upper limit usage amount that is the upper limit value of the amount of processing performed by a group of users who can perform processing relating to image data by image processing means that performs processing relating to image data A quantity setting means;
When execution of processing relating to image data by the image processing means is requested, user specifying means for specifying the user who made the request;
Each person upper limit use amount storage means for storing each person upper limit use amount that is an upper limit value of the amount for performing the processing for each user;
Current usage storage means for storing a value of current usage that is the total amount of the processing performed for each user;
A current usage amount updating means for updating a value of the current usage amount stored in the current usage amount storage means when the processing is performed by the user specified by the user specifying means;
Minimum guaranteed amount storage means for storing a minimum guaranteed amount of the amount to be processed for each user;
Time limit setting means for setting a time limit for each user;
A first determination means for determining whether or not there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current usage amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a person whose current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each person among the users;
It is determined by the first determination means that there is a person who has passed the deadline and the current use amount has not reached the minimum guaranteed amount among the users, and the second determination means When it is determined that there is a person who has passed the deadline among the users and the current usage amount has reached the upper limit usage amount for each user, the current usage amount becomes the minimum guaranteed amount. Minimum guarantee amount update means for updating the minimum guarantee amount stored in the minimum guarantee amount storage means for a user who has been determined not to have reached a predetermined amount every predetermined period;
A computer-readable image processing control program for causing a computer to execute the above.

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