JP5677805B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

  Currently, image forming devices such as multifunction peripherals and copiers are equipped with a tabulation function for the number of printed sheets for each individual or group (for example, a department within a company) for the purpose of reducing the number of printed sheets to reduce costs. Some types of prints can be set on a personal or group basis, and when printing exceeding the use limit number is executed, the print is forcibly stopped. Further, some of such image forming apparatuses can set the limited number of sheets for monochrome printing and color printing as finer settings. For example, as an invention for managing the number of sheets used for printing as described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 manages a registered image forming apparatus and acquires information on the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus via a network. An image forming system including a management server that stores information on the number of printed sheets is disclosed.

JP 2006-185177 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, in a situation where the image forming apparatus is used in units of individuals or groups, when the use limit number of individuals or groups is set in the image forming apparatus, the use limit number is set by human operation. The troublesome operation of doing was necessary.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it automatically updates the usage limit number of image forming apparatuses.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solving means related to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus that is connected to the image forming apparatus through communication and manages the image forming apparatus are provided. The management apparatus acquires usage history information from the image forming apparatus, determines a usage limit number of individuals or groups based on the usage history information, and sets the usage limit number in the image forming apparatus. Adopt the means.

  In the present invention, as the second solving means relating to the image forming system, in the first solving means, the management apparatus is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the usage history of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A method is adopted in which information is obtained, a use limit number of individuals or groups for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined based on the use history information, and the use limit number is set in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. .

  In the present invention, as a third solving means relating to the image forming system, in the first solving means, the management apparatus determines a use limit number of sheets for a predetermined period of an individual or a group based on the use history information. Then, a means is adopted in which the limited number of sheets for each predetermined period is set in the image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means related to the image forming system, in the first solving means, the management apparatus is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the usage history of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Obtaining information, determining the use limit number of individuals or groups for each predetermined period for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the use history information, and setting the use limit number in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Adopt means.

  According to the present invention, usage history information is acquired from the image forming apparatus, a usage limit number of individuals or groups is determined based on the usage history information, and the usage limit number is set in the image forming apparatus. As described above, according to the present invention, the usage limit number of the image forming apparatus can be automatically updated based on the usage history information of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system S according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A1 of the image forming system S according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing operations of multifunction peripherals A1, A2, A3 and a management server B according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the modification of operation | movement of MFP A1 and management server B which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system S according to the present embodiment includes three multifunction peripherals (image forming apparatuses) A1, A2, and A3, a management server (management apparatus) B, and a local area network C. Yes.
The MFPs A1, A2, and A3 have a copy function, a print function, a scan function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and an e-mail transmission function, and are connected to the management server B via the local area network C. Under management, various processes such as copying, printing, and scanning are executed.

The management server B is connected to the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3 via the local area network C. The management server B is a server provided for the purpose of managing the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3, and has a function of updating the individual or group usage limit number in the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3.
The local area network C is configured by a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a LAN hub, or the like, and connects the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, A3 and the management server B. The local area network C is a transmission path in communication between the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, A3 and the management server B.

A functional configuration of the MFP A1 in the image forming system S having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Since the configurations of the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3 are the same, the description of the multifunction peripherals A2 and A3 is omitted below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function device A1 includes an operation display unit 1, an image reading unit 2, an image data storage unit 3, an image processing unit 4, a paper transport / image forming unit 5, a communication unit 6, a storage unit 7, and a main unit. A control unit 8 is provided.

  The operation display unit 1 includes operation keys 11 and a touch panel 12, and functions as a man-machine interface that associates the user with the multifunction device A. The operation display unit 1 outputs an operation instruction for an operation button 11 pressed or an operation button displayed on the touch panel 12 to the main control unit 8, and displays various screens on the touch panel 12 based on a control signal from the main control unit 8. Is displayed.

  The image reading unit 2 is a document automatically fed by a DP (Document Processor: automatic document feeder) based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8 or an image of a document placed on a platen glass (original document). The image) is read by the line sensor and converted into document image data, and the document image data is output to the image data storage unit 3.

  The image data storage unit 3 is a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device, or the like, and receives document image data, print image data, and facsimile image data (received by the communication unit 6 from the outside) based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8. The image data is stored and read out and output to the image processing unit 4.

  The image processing unit 4 performs various types of image processing (for example, image processing corresponding to enlargement / reduction copying) on the image data input from the image data storage unit 3 based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8. The image data is converted into image data in an image forming format, that is, RGB image data (color image data) corresponding to the three primary colors of light is converted into Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). Is converted into YMCK image data having the reference color as a reference color and output to the paper transport / image forming unit 5.

 The paper transport / image forming unit 5 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. The paper transport / image forming unit 5 transports recording paper from a paper feed cassette (not shown) by a paper feed roller based on a control signal of the main control unit 8, and an image based on image data input from the image processing unit 4. Is transferred to a recording sheet and fixed, and the recording sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown) by a discharge roller.

  The communication unit 6 communicates with a facsimile machine (not shown) via a telephone line based on a control signal from the main control unit 8 and with a management server B and a client computer (not shown) via a local area network C. Is. That is, the communication unit 6 has both a communication function conforming to a LAN standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and a communication function conforming to a facsimile standard such as G3.

  The storage unit 7 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage unit 7 stores, as usage history information, the number of copies used in each function such as copying, printing, and scanning for each individual and group in the multifunction device A1, and Each usage limit number is stored as a set value. In the use history information, the number of used sheets is recorded for each function such as copy and print scan, and the date and time of use is also recorded.

  The main control unit 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), the operation display unit 1, an image reading unit 2, an image data storage unit 3, an image processing unit 4, and paper. An interface circuit for inputting / outputting signals to / from the conveyance / image forming unit 5, the communication unit 6, and the storage unit 7 and the like, and a control program stored in the ROM and an operation instruction input from the operation display unit 1 Based on the above, the overall operation of the multifunction device A is controlled. The control program stored in the ROM includes a usage limit number management program for managing the usage limit number, and the main control unit 8 manages the usage limit number based on the usage limit number management program. To do.

Next, operations of the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, A3 and the management server in the image forming system S having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a user U who intends to use the multifunction device A1 inputs a login code assigned to the multifunction device A1 to the multifunction device A1 using the operation key 11 of the operation display unit 1 or the numeric keypad of the touch panel 12.
When the operation display unit 1 accepts the input of the login code, the main control unit 8 permits the login when the input login code is a login permission target code (step S1).

Then, after logging in to the multifunction device A1, the user U who wants to copy the document sets the document in the image reading unit 2 and presses the start key of the operation display unit 1 to cause the multifunction device A to start copying.
When the start key of the operation display unit 1 is pressed after step S1, the main control unit 8 causes the image reading unit 2 to read a document and create document image data, and the document image data is stored in the image data storage unit. 3, the image is formed on the paper transport / image forming unit 5 based on the document image data, and the number of printed sheets (used number) in the copying process is stored in the storage unit 7 as usage history information (step S2).

  After step S2, the main control unit 8 causes the communication unit 6 to transmit the usage history information stored in the storage unit 7 to the management server B every predetermined period (for example, one week or one month) (step S3). . The storage of the usage history information and the transmission of the usage history information are similarly executed in the multifunction peripherals A2 and A3.

  When the management server B acquires the usage history information from the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3 in step S3, the management server B stores the usage history information (step S4). After step S4, the management server B calculates the usage rate of the copy of the user U in each of the multifunction peripherals A1, A2, and A3 based on the usage history information every predetermined period (for example, one week or one month) (step S4). S5). After step S5, the management server B combines the value obtained by multiplying the usage limit total number of copies in the predetermined period (for example, one week or one month) of the user U by the usage rate of each of the multifunction devices A1, A2, and A3. The copy usage limit number for each of the machines A1, A2 and A3 is determined (step S6), and information on the determined use limit number is transmitted to each of the multifunction devices A1, A2 and A3 (step S7).

 For example, when the total usage limit for the copy of a user U for one month is 1000, the usage rate of the multifunction device A1 for the past month in the user U is 10%, the utilization rate of the multifunction device A2 is 30%, When the usage rate of the machine A2 is 60%, the copy usage limit number of sheets in the multifunction machine A1 is 100 sheets, the copy use restriction number of sheets in the multifunction machine A2 is 300 sheets, and the copy use restriction number of sheets in the multifunction machine A3 is 600 sheets.

In the multifunction device A1, when the communication unit 6 receives the information on the usage limit number from the management server B in step S7, the main control unit 8 stores the usage limit number in the storage unit 7 for a predetermined period (for example, one week or In step S8, the use limit number of copies for the user U in one month) is set. Such setting of the usage limit number is similarly executed in the multifunction peripherals A2 and A3.
Therefore, the setting of the usage limit number is automatically updated and set every elapse of a predetermined period (for example, one week or one month).

  Next, a modified example of the operations of the MFP A1 and the management server will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 4 are the same as steps S1 to S3 shown in FIG.

  When the management server B acquires the usage history information from the multifunction peripheral A1 in step S13, the management server B stores the usage history information (step S14). After step SS14, for example, the management server B calculates the copy usage rate for each month in the multifunction peripheral A1 based on the one-year usage history information (step S15). After step S15, the management server B multiplies the usage limit for each month by the usage limit for each month by the total usage limit for the copy of the user U in the multifunction peripheral A1 for each month. Is determined (step S16), and information on the determined use limit number is transmitted to the multifunction device A1 to be set (step S17).

For example, when the total number of copies that can be used for one year in the copy of the user U is 2000, the copy usage rate for each month in the multifunction device A1 of the user U is 5% in January and 10 in February. % When March is 30%, the copy limit for the copy in January on the MFP A1 is 100, the copy limit for the copy in February is 300, and the copy limit for the copy in March is 600 sheets.
In the multifunction device A1, when the communication unit 6 receives the information on the usage limit number from the management server B in step S17, the main control unit 8 stores the usage limit number in the storage unit 7, and copies the monthly copy for the user U. The usage limit number is set (step S18).
Therefore, the setting of the usage limit number is automatically updated and set every year, for example.

  As described above, in the image forming system S according to the present embodiment, the management server B acquires the usage history information from the multifunction peripheral A, determines the usage limit number of the user U based on the usage history information, and The usage limit number is set in MFP A. As described above, the image forming system S can automatically update the usage limit number of the MFP A based on the usage history information of the MFP A.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) Although the usage limit number of users U is set in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
The usage limit number of groups as well as individuals may be set based on the above processing.

(2) In the above embodiment, the copy usage limit number is set, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, you may make it set the usage limit number in a print, a scanner, and a facsimile. Further, in the case of the above-described multi-function device A, the total usage limit number of each function may be set.

(3) In the above embodiment, the usage limit number is set for each of the multifunction devices A1, A2, and A3 as shown in FIG. 3, and the monthly usage limit number is set for the multifunction device A1 as shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the operation combined with the operation shown in FIG. 3 and the operation shown in FIG. 4, that is, the monthly usage limit number for each of the MFPs A 1, A 2, A 3 is based on the usage history information of the MFPs A 1, A 2, A 3. You may make it set.

(4) In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus are separate apparatuses, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a management function of the management server B may be given to a predetermined multifunction device, and the processing of the management server B may be executed by the multifunction device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Image forming system, A1, A2, A3 ... Multifunction machine, B ... Management server, C ... Local area network, A ... Multifunction machine, 1 ... Operation display part, 2 ... Image reading part, 3 ... Image data storage part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Image processing part, 5 ... Paper conveyance / image formation part, 6 ... Communication part, 7 ... Memory | storage part, 8 ... Main control part, 11 ... Operation key, 12 ... Touch panel

Claims (1)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A management device connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses by communication and managing the image forming apparatus;
The management device acquires usage history information for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses for a predetermined period, and based on the usage history information, an individual for each of a plurality of periods constituting a predetermined period for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses or calculating a utilization of the group, the use limit number for a predetermined period of individuals or groups, use the usage rate based on the multiplication value obtained by multiplying the individual or group of each of the plurality of periods in the plurality of image forming apparatuses each image forming system characterized by determining the limit number, and sets the usage limit number to the plurality of image forming apparatus.

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