JP5714399B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus , an image forming method, and an image forming system for receiving a job execution request from a user and executing the job to form an image.

  Conventionally, management of job execution amounts in an image forming apparatus is performed by the following method, for example.

  When printing is performed in an image forming apparatus, the number of printable sheets is determined for each individual or group within a certain period, and printing can be performed using the image forming apparatus up to the limit number. When the number of prints reaches the limit value, printing is disabled. In other words, the image forming apparatus checks whether or not a predetermined limit value has been reached every time one sheet is printed. If the limit value has not been reached, the next sheet is printed. When the limit value is reached, the next printing is not performed.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a technology of a content management server that enables a user to purchase tickets in advance and distribute digital contents for the purchased tickets in a management server that manages the distribution of digital contents. Has been.

JP 2003-178225 A

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus , image forming method, and image forming system, when the job execution amount management function is provided in the image forming apparatus, the job execution amount can be confirmed at high speed. For example, in the case where the execution amount is managed collectively at the head office, a job execution amount management function must be provided in another information processing apparatus via a communication line or the like. In such a case, there is a problem that it takes time to check the job execution amount. That is, when continuous printing is performed, there is a problem in that the printing speed is reduced because a confirmation time is inserted between each printed sheet.

  Further, the job execution amount limit values are, for example, a print function, a copy function (hereinafter referred to as “COPY function”), and an electronic mail function (hereinafter referred to as “Email function”). ) And facsimile functions (hereinafter referred to as “FAX functions”), etc., and are set and managed for each job. When the job execution amount of a specific user reaches a limit value, the user However, there is a problem that the use of the specific job becomes impossible even if there is a margin in the job execution amount of other jobs.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention receives input information from a user and, when the content of the input information is a job execution request, analyzes the content of the job execution request and outputs a job analysis result If, according to the type of the job, to select and to form an image function unit having a plurality of functions packs to perform predetermined processing, the pack for executing the job by entering the job analysis results, The job execution management unit that requests the function unit to execute the job, and the function pack that executes the job are inquired about the job execution amount required by the function pack, and is notified from the function pack. based on the job execution amount, calculates the job execution amount of the job requires, and a permission request unit for outputting a permission request, the job execution amount , The number of printed sheets of the print medium, an apparatus, each measuring unit is measured by a common unit obtained by converting the different amounts at a predetermined conversion ratio, including the number of communication packets in the electronic mail, and a communication time in the facsimile communication. The permission request unit increases or decreases the job execution amount required by the job according to the urgency level of the job, and outputs the job request as the permission request.

The image forming method according to the present invention accepts input information from a user and, when the content of the input information is a job execution request, analyzes the content of the job execution request and outputs a job analysis result And using a function unit having a plurality of function packs for forming an image and executing a predetermined process according to the type of the job, selecting the function pack for executing the job by inputting the job analysis result The job execution management process for requesting the function unit to execute the job and the function pack for executing the job are inquired about the job execution amount required by the function pack and notified from the function pack. A permission request process that calculates the job execution amount required by the job based on the job execution amount and outputs the job execution amount as a permission request. That. In the permission request process, the job execution amount required by the job is increased or decreased according to the urgency level of the job and output as the permission request.

The image forming system of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus and a job management apparatus, and the job management apparatus includes the job execution amount and the job execution amount of the executed job for each user. A storage unit that stores a limit value that is an upper limit of the job, and the execution of the job from the executed job execution amount and the limit value stored in the storage unit in response to the permission request from the permission request unit and determining whether to allow or execution prohibition has a determination notifying unit for notifying the permission request unit.

According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, the function execution pack for executing the job is inquired about the required job execution amount, and the job execution amount required by the job is determined based on the answered job execution amount. And a permission request unit that calculates and outputs a permission request. For this reason, the job can be continuously executed within the range of the permitted job execution amount, and the execution speed of the job is not reduced.

  Furthermore, the job execution amount is measured by a common unit obtained by converting amounts with different measurement units at a predetermined conversion rate, including the number of printed media, the number of communication packets in e-mail, and the communication time in facsimile communication. Therefore, even if the job execution amount limit value is set for each job such as the print function, COPY function, Email function, and FAX function, the job execution amount of a specific user's job is limited. When the value reaches the value, the job execution amount can be diverted from another job having a margin in the job execution amount, so that the job execution amount can be flexibly managed. For this reason, there exists an effect that a user's convenience increases.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the image forming apparatus and the job management apparatus that manages the job execution amount are provided, the job execution speed of the image forming apparatus is not reduced. Furthermore, since the job execution amount of a plurality of types of jobs can be flexibly managed, there is an effect that convenience for the user is improved.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the control unit in FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the ticket (hereinafter referred to as “Ticket”) granting device in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the ticket database (hereinafter referred to as “TicketDB”) in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the set value database (hereinafter referred to as “set value DB”) in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the ticket request process in the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the required ticket amount estimation processing in the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket assigning device of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the ticket receiving process in the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the ticket return process in the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the control unit in FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the required ticket amount estimation processing of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the control unit in FIG. 5 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing statistical value creation processing of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the required ticket amount estimation processing of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the control unit in FIG. 5 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the ticket request process of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Modes for carrying out the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in light of the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured by a client server model. That is, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 1 that is a client is connected to an image forming apparatus 10 that is a server via a communication line 2, and requests a job execution request from a user to the image forming apparatus 10. Is configured to do.

The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral, and has a print function for printing received data on a print medium (for example, paper) P, a COPY function for printing data scanned by a scanner (not shown), and scanned data. The E-mail function includes an e-mail function for transmitting the e-mail attached to the e-mail and a FAX function for transmitting the scanned data by FAX.

  Further, a ticket providing device 40 as a job management device that manages the job execution amount of the image forming device 10 is connected to the image forming device 10 via the communication line 2. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the ticket granting apparatus 40 to grant a ticket, so that the image forming apparatus 10 is a client and the ticket granting apparatus 40 is a server.

  Here, Ticket in the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 has a printing function, a COPY function, an Email function, a FAX function, and the like. The job execution amount in the image forming apparatus 10 is a common amount obtained by converting, with a predetermined conversion rate, amounts having different measurement units, including the number of printed media, the number of email communication packets, and the communication time in FAX communication. Measured in units. This common unit is called “Ticket” in the first embodiment.

  For example, in the print function, the amount of consumables to be charged is charged, and in this case, it is normal to charge for the number of printed pages. Therefore, in the case of the print function, the number of pages is assigned to Ticket. Similarly, for the COPY function, the number of pages to be printed is assigned to Ticket.

  In the Email function, charging is usually performed in communication units called packets. For example, in the case of a fee system in which the same amount is charged when the communication amount is 1 byte to 1500 bytes, even if the communication amount is 1 byte, it is handled as one packet. That is, regardless of the speed of the communication line 2, the number of packets that are communicated is the object of billing. In this case, the number of packets to be communicated is assigned to Ticket.

  In the case of the FAX function, communication time is usually charged. Even when documents of the same data size are communicated, the communication time is shortened when the speed of the communication line 2 is high or the other party has a fast selected communication protocol. If the speed of the communication line 2 is slow or the selected communication protocol is slow, the communication time becomes long. Thus, in the case of the FAX function, the charge amount is different even for data of the same size.

  Furthermore, the data size of one scan data differs depending on whether the communication mode is the high quality communication mode or the low quality communication mode. For this reason, when communicating in the high-quality communication mode, the charge amount is higher even with the same one than in the low-quality communication mode. Conversely, when communication is performed in the low-quality communication mode, the charge amount is lower than that in the high-quality communication mode even with the same one. Therefore, in the FAX function, a certain communication time is assigned to Ticket. Strictly speaking, the communication cost of FAX does not depend only on time, but "communication unit price x communication time" with the communication partner should be a general charge amount. Since the communication unit price cannot be known, charging in FAX communication is often performed only by communication time.

  As described above, in the first exemplary embodiment, amounts having different measurement units, such as the number of printed sheets P, the number of communication packets in Email, and the communication time in FAX communication, are converted into Ticket, which is a common unit.

  In conventional job execution amount control, for example, user A can use the print function and the COPY function, but cannot use the email function and the FAX function. User B performs control such that the print function can be used, but the COPY function, the Email function, and the FAX function cannot be used.

  In the first embodiment, since the job execution amount is measured in a common unit called “Ticket”, for example, the user A combines a print function, a COPY function, an Email function, and a FAX function with a certain amount. Control that permits use up to an amount is possible.

  For example, in the print function and the COPY function, one page of the paper P is allocated to 5 Tickets. In the email function, 100 packets are assigned to 1 ticket. For the FAX function, communication for 3 minutes is allocated to 10 Tickets. Then, the user A sets a limit value in the ticket granting device 40 so that a total of 2000 tickets can be used per month. In this case, it is possible to perform a control for permitting the user A to use the print function, the COPY function, the Email function, and the FAX function up to 2000 Tickets per month.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the Ticket giving device 40 in FIG.
The ticket granting device 40 includes a communication control unit 41, a TicketDB 42, and a Ticket granting unit 43. The communication control unit 41 has an interface function for communicating with an external device using a predetermined protocol. Specifically, the predetermined protocol is USB, IEEE 1394, or other network communication protocol. The communication control unit 41 has a function of performing general bidirectional communication processing.

The communication control unit 41 is connected to a determination notification unit (for example, a ticket giving unit) 43 that manages the usage amount of the ticket. The ticket granting unit 43 receives a permission request for requesting job execution permission from the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication control unit 41. This permission request includes the number of Tickets indicating the job execution amount required by the image forming apparatus 10.

  The ticket granting unit 43 can use the executed job execution amount (for example, the number of used tickets) for each user stored in the storage unit (for example, TicketDB) 42 based on the requested number of tickets. It has a function of determining whether or not to execute a job with reference to the limit value of the number of tickets. If execution is possible, the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of notifying the number of Tickets requested from the image forming apparatus 10 as the number of granted Tickets.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the TicketDB 42 in FIG.
The Ticket DB 42 is stored in a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk device, and includes an image forming apparatus identifier index (hereinafter referred to as “ID index”) 42a, a user ID index 42b, and a ticket limit value table 42c.

  The ticket limit value table 42c is provided for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and for each of a plurality of users, and the limit value of the usable ticket for each service provided by the image forming apparatus 10, the number of used tickets, The number of tickets remaining is stored. The image forming apparatus 10 is configured to provide these services by executing any job such as a print function, a COPY function, an Email function, and a FAX function in response to a job execution request from a user. ing.

  The user ID index 42b is a table that stores a user ID and an address indicating a storage location of the plurality of ticket limit value tables 42c. The ticket granting unit 43 is configured to know the address of a specific ticket restriction table 42c using the user ID as a key.

  The image forming apparatus ID index 42a is a table that stores the image forming apparatus ID and addresses indicating the storage locations of the plurality of user ID indexes 42b. The ticket giving unit 43 is configured to know the address of a specific user ID index 42b using the image forming apparatus ID as a key.

  In the ticket restriction table 42c, for example, n1 is stored as the Ticket limit value, m1 is used as the number of used tickets, and r1 is stored as the number of remaining tickets in the column of the print function. The COPY function, Email function, and FAX function have the same configuration.

  For example, if Ticket limit value = 5 is set for a certain user A, and Ticket = 1 is assigned to the process of printing one sheet of paper P, User A prints one sheet of paper. Can be executed up to five times. Further, assuming that processing for transmitting one FAX is assigned to Ticket = 2, the user A can execute one FAX transmission twice and one printing once. .

  As described above, the ticket limit value is a setting value set by the administrator in the user's usage environment, and is used to limit the usage amount of the image forming apparatus 10 for each user. The number of used tickets is the amount of tickets used so far by the user. The remaining number of tickets is the difference between the ticket limit value and the number of used tickets.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 10 reads various programs stored in a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as “ROM”) 11 to a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) 12 and executes various jobs. have.

  The control unit 30 includes a nonvolatile memory 13 such as a hard disk device that stores various setting values, a clock circuit 14 that measures time, and an operation panel 15 that receives user operations and displays notifications to the users. And an external interface (hereinafter referred to as “external I / F”) 17 for connecting an external device such as the PC 1 is connected. The operation panel 15 is connected to the control unit 30 via the bus bridge 16.

  Further, a printer unit 18 that forms an image and prints it on the paper P, a scanner unit 19 that reads an image on a document, and a FAX unit 20 that transmits scanned data by FAX are connected to the control unit 30. . The printer unit 18, the scanner unit 19, and the FAX unit 20 are controlled by reading a program stored in the ROM 11 into the RAM 12 and executing it by the control unit 30. The Email function is executed by an email program (not shown) stored in the ROM 11.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the control unit 30 in FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the setting value DB in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 30 includes a communication protocol unit 31, a communication distribution unit 32, a function unit 33, a job reception unit 35 that performs job reception processing, a job execution management unit 36 that performs job execution management processing , and a permission. A permission request unit (for example, a ticket management unit) 37 that performs request processing is included. Further, a set value DB 34 is connected to the control unit 30.

  The communication protocol unit 31 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the PC 1 or the ticket granting device 40, and is configured by a communication program that operates according to a communication protocol such as USB, IEEE 1394, or a network communication protocol. .

  The communication distribution unit 32 has a function of distributing the received information. If the process (task) using the communication protocol unit 31 is single, the communication distribution unit 32 is not necessary. However, when there are a plurality of tasks using the communication protocol unit 31, a function for distributing the received data to the corresponding tasks is required.

  The function unit 33 is a container that includes the entire functions in the image forming apparatus 10. The function unit 33 includes a plurality of function packs 33-1 to 33-N that execute predetermined processing according to the type of job. Specific examples of the function packs 33-1 to 33-N include processing units that execute a print function, a COPY function, an Email function, a FAX function, and the like in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

  Hereinafter, when a specific function pack among the plurality of function packs 33-1 to 33-N is represented, or when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish, it is expressed as a function pack 33-K or a function pack 33-J.

  Among the plurality of function packs 33-1 to 33 -N, the print processing unit 33 k that is the function pack 33 -K is included in the function unit 33 and executes a print function. In the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33k will be described as a specific example, but the COPY function, the Email function, the FAX function, and the like can be similarly read.

  The function pack 33-K according to the first embodiment has a function of converting a job execution amount processed by itself into a Ticket at a predetermined conversion rate. This conversion rate is set in the set value DB 34 and is configured to convert at a predetermined conversion rate. For example, the unit of job execution amount in the case of the print processing unit 33k is a print page. The print processing unit 33k has a function of assigning one page to a predetermined number of tickets.

  For example, when the conversion rate set in the setting value DB 34 (the number of conversion tickets in FIG. 6) is 5, the print processing unit 33k functions to allocate one page to 5 tickets. The setting value DB 34 further stores the number of required tickets necessary for job execution, and the print processing unit 33k sends the number of tickets necessary for job execution via the job execution management unit 36 to the ticket management device. 40 has a function required.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the setting value DB 34 is stored in a nonvolatile memory 13 such as a hard disk device. The set value DB 34 is used when the image forming apparatus 10 executes, for example, the unit operation amount for each job such as the print function, the COPY function, the email function, and the FAX function, and the unit operation amount when converting the unit operation amount into the number of tickets The conversion rate (the number of converted tickets), the number of remaining tickets for each job, and the number of requested tickets requested to the ticket granting device 40 at the time of job execution are stored.

  In the example of FIG. 6, in the case of the print function, the unit operation amount is 1 page, and the conversion rate is 5 Tickets per page. The current number of remaining tickets is 50 tickets, and the required number of tickets is 500 tickets.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the job reception unit 35 is connected to the communication distribution unit 32, the operation panel 15, and the job execution management unit 36, and is an entrance that receives requests from users. For example, a command translation unit (not shown) input by a user's operation via the operation panel 15 and a command translation unit (not shown) received from the PC 1 via the communication protocol unit 31 and the communication distribution unit 32 are provided. Have.

  For command input by the PC 1, for example, a web (WEB) page is provided in the image forming apparatus 10, displayed on a browser in the PC 1 and input by a user, and a PJL (PrintJobLanguage) is set by a program in the PC 1. There is a method of generating.

  In the case of input from the operation panel 15, a request for a local print, a request for a COPY function, an email function, a FAX function, or the like is input by a character-based menu operation by a user. In the case of the WEB page, reference to the setting value, correction, local print request, and the like are input by a menu operation based on a graphical screen by the user. In the case of PJL, mainly a print function request and data to be printed are input.

  Here, the WEB page will be described. The WEB page is a kind of program written mainly in a language such as HTML, XHTML, or XML. This program is decrypted and operated by software called a WEB browser. In the first embodiment, the WEB page is provided in the image forming apparatus 10 and the browser is provided in the PC 1. Normally, a WEB page mainly provides a graphical display on a WEB browser, but it is also possible to access a file and perform a network communication operation. This WEB page is normally used for management of the image forming apparatus 10. The WEB page has an advantage that it is independent of the environment of the PC 1 because it is platform-free.

  The job execution management unit 36 is connected to the job reception unit 35, the function unit 33, and the ticket management unit 37. When a job requested by the user is received from the job reception unit 35, a function pack necessary for the job is received. 33-K is selected and the function unit 33 is requested to execute the function pack 33-K.

  The job execution management unit 36 has a function of monitoring and controlling the job execution state when the job is started. For example, when referring to the status of a job that is currently being executed by another function pack 33-J, or when issuing a command such as pause, cancel, or resume to a job that is being executed, the job execution management unit is always used. 36 is configured to execute the request via the job execution management unit 36.

  The other function packs 33-J can inquire of the job execution management unit 36 which function pack is currently used to execute the job requested by the user.

  The ticket management unit 37 is connected to the image distribution unit 32, the job execution management unit 36, and the function unit 33. The ticket management unit 37 has a ticket collecting function required in the image forming apparatus 10 and a ticket request to the ticket giving device 40. And a function of performing return processing. The ticket management function is a function of inquiring the function pack 33-K of the function unit 33 about the required number of Tickets, and the requested number of Tickets returned from the function pack 33-K. And processing for estimating the number of required tickets. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of requesting the number of tickets necessary for the image forming apparatus 10 to the ticket giving apparatus 40 and returning the remaining tickets after the job is completed.

(Operation of Example 1)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In process T1, the image forming apparatus 10 receives a job execution request from the user such as a print function, a COPY function, an email function, and a FAX function from the PC 1. In process T2, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the ticket providing apparatus 40 for the required number of tickets.

  The ticket granting device 40 distributes the Ticket to the image forming device 10 in process T3. Since the image forming apparatus 10 is permitted to operate for the distributed tickets, the job requested by the user is executed within the range of the distributed tickets. If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the job does not end even after performing the operation for the ticket, in the process T4, as in the process T2, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the required number of tickets from the ticket granting apparatus 40.

  In the process T5, the ticket granting apparatus 40 distributes the Ticket to the image forming apparatus 10 in the same manner as in the process step T3. Since the image forming apparatus 10 is permitted to operate for the distributed tickets, the job is executed in the range of the distributed tickets. In this way, the same processing as the processing T2 and the processing T3 is repeated until the job is finished. When the job is finished in the processing T7, the image forming apparatus 10 sends a job to the PC 1 that requested the job in the processing T8. Send an end notification.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the ticket request process in the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1, the communication protocol unit 31 in the image forming apparatus 10 receives a job execution request from the PC 1. The communication protocol unit 31 transfers the received content as it is to the communication distribution unit 32.

  In step S2, the communication distribution unit 32 confirms the received content and selects a post-process corresponding to the content. If the received content is a job execution request, the received content is transferred to the job receiving unit 35.

  In step S3, the job reception unit 35 translates the transferred content and determines what is specifically requested. The job reception unit 35 receives the operation results from the operation panel 15, utility software (not shown) operating in the PC 1, and operation results from a web page (not shown) as commands.

  A command from the operation panel 15 is input to the job reception unit 35 via the bus bridge 16. Commands from the utility software and the WEB page are input to the job reception unit 35 via the communication line 2, the communication protocol unit 31, and the communication distribution unit 32. The job reception unit 35 handles the difference in the same manner without being aware of the difference. The job reception unit 35 analyzes the job execution request, specifies the requested job, and requests the job execution management unit 36 to execute the job.

  In step S <b> 4, the job execution management unit 36 plans execution of the job requested from the job reception unit 35. Planning is performed mainly in consideration of the resources necessary to start the requested job. The job execution management unit 36 requests a resource necessary for executing the requested job to the function unit 33, for example, the function pack 33-i.

  In step S <b> 5, the job execution management unit 36 notifies the ticket management unit 37 of the specific function pack 33 -K notified from the function unit 33. For example, the function pack 33-K is a print processing unit 33k.

  In step S6, the ticket management unit 37 inquires the print processing unit 33k, which is the function pack 33-K notified from the job execution management unit 36, about the necessary number of tickets.

  In step S <b> 7, the print processing unit 37 that has received an inquiry from the ticket management unit 37 replies to the ticket management unit 37 with the number of tickets necessary for execution. This process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S8, the ticket management unit 37 estimates the number of tickets necessary for executing this job from the answer to the inquiry in step S7.

  In step S <b> 9, the ticket management unit 37 creates the required number of tickets as a ticket request command and transfers it to the communication distribution unit 32. The ticket request command is a command communicated between the image forming apparatus 10 and the ticket granting apparatus 40, and is used to request the ticket granting apparatus 40 for permission for the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a job. .

  In step S <b> 10, the communication distribution unit 32 transfers the received information (Ticket request command) to the communication protocol unit 31. In step S <b> 11, the communication protocol unit 31 transmits the information transferred from the communication distribution unit 32 to the ticket assigning device 40.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the required ticket amount estimation processing in the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.

  This process is a process in which each function pack 33-K receives an inquiry from the ticket management unit 37, estimates the number of tickets necessary for job execution, and replies. In the first embodiment, the operation will be described taking the print processing unit 33k as an example of the function pack 33-K.

  In step S <b> 71, the print processing unit 33 k receives an inquiry about the required number of tickets from the ticket management unit 37. At this point, the print processing unit 33k may receive a previous ticket and remain.

  In step S72, the print processing unit 33k searches the setting value DB 34 and reads the number of request tickets fixedly set by the administrator. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the remaining number of tickets is 50 and the requested number of tickets is set to 500. As the setting value fixedly set by the administrator, a different value can be set for each function pack 33-K, or the same value can be set.

  In step S73, the print processing unit 33k notifies the ticket management unit 37 of the number of requested tickets and ends the process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket providing device 40 of FIG.
In step S <b> 21, upon receiving a ticket request command from the image forming apparatus 10, the communication control unit 41 transfers the ticket request command to the ticket adding unit 43.

  In step S <b> 22, when the received command is a Ticket request command, the Ticket giving unit 43 searches the Ticket DB 42 for information. The information to be searched is the ticket limit value and the number of used tickets. The ticket limit value is the number of tickets allowed for each user.

According to the example of FIG. 4, Ticket imparting unit 43 searches the image forming apparatus ID index 42a an image forming apparatus ID in the Ticket request command received as a key, obtains the address of the user ID index 42b. Next, the ticket granting unit 43 obtains the address of the ticket limit value table 42c using the user ID in the ticket request command as a key, and reads the ticket limit value of the printing function and the number of used tickets.

  In step S23, the ticket granting unit 43 compares the ticket limit value and the number of used tickets. If the ticket limit value> the number of used tickets, the process proceeds to the next step S24. When the ticket limit value ≦ the number of used tickets, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S24, the ticket granting unit 43 compares the value of (number of used tickets + number of requested tickets) with the ticket limit value. When (the number of used tickets + the number of requested tickets) does not exceed the ticket limit value, the requested number of tickets is set as the number of granted tickets. When (the number of used tickets + the number of requested tickets) exceeds the ticket limit value, the maximum number of tickets within a range that falls within the ticket limit value is determined as the number of granted tickets. The ticket granting unit 43 creates the number of granted tickets as a response to the ticket request command from the image forming apparatus 10 and transfers it to the communication control unit 41.

  In step 25, since the number of used tickets has reached the ticket limit value, the ticket granting unit 43 creates a content that cannot be issued as a response to the ticket request command from the image forming apparatus 10, and sends it to the communication control unit 41. Forward.

  In step S <b> 26, the communication control unit 41 returns the response transferred from the ticket giving unit 43 to the image forming apparatus 10 and ends the present process.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the ticket receiving process in the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 after the image forming apparatus 10 issues a ticket request to the ticket providing apparatus 40 and the ticket providing apparatus 40 returns the number of granted tickets as a response will be described.

  In step S <b> 31, the communication protocol unit 31 transfers information such as a command from the outside to the communication distribution unit 32. In step S <b> 32, if the communication distribution unit 32 determines that the received information is a ticket-related command, the communication distribution unit 32 transfers the received information to the ticket management unit 37.

  In step S33, when the ticket management unit 37 analyzes the received information and determines that it is a response to the ticket request command, the ticket management unit 37 determines whether the ticket has been received or not from the content. If so, the process proceeds to the next step S34. If not, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S <b> 34, the ticket management unit 37 distributes the ticket to the print processing unit 33 k scheduled to execute the job among the function packs 33-i of the function unit 33.

  In step S35, the print processing unit 33k to which the Ticket is distributed performs an operation for the number of distributed Tickets. If a large number of Tickets are obtained at this time, the print processing unit 33k can operate without communication exchange with the Ticket giving device 40 by the number of Tickets, so that a smoother operation is possible.

  In step S36, the ticket management unit 37 inquires the print processing unit 33k about the necessary number of tickets and ends the process. This is to ensure the smooth operation of the print processing unit 33k by making a ticket request to the ticket granting device 40 before all of the tickets distributed to the print processing unit 33k are consumed.

  In step S <b> 37, if the ticket management unit 37 does not receive the ticket, the job execution management unit 36 is notified that the job cannot be continued due to insufficient tickets.

  In step S38, the job execution management unit 36 notifies the function unit 33 and stops the job execution. In FIG. 11, it is described that the processing is canceled in the process of step S38. However, depending on the product specifications, a message indicating that the job is suspended due to lack of the ticket is displayed on the operation panel 15 or other user interface, and the ticket in the ticket granting device 40 is displayed. It is also possible to prompt the user to review the limit value. In that case, the job is suspended and the job is not canceled.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the ticket return process in the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG.

  An operation in which the image forming apparatus 10 returns the remaining ticket after the job execution to the ticket providing apparatus 40 will be described.

  In step S41, when the operation for executing the job is completed, the print processing unit 33k notifies the job execution management unit 36 of the completion. Each function pack 33-i in the function unit 33 does not manage the end of the job itself, but determines the end of its own processing.

  In step S42, the job execution management unit 36 determines the end of the job based on the process end notification notified from the plurality of function packs 33-i. The job execution management unit 36 performs post-processing (log writing or the like) as job end processing when all the end notifications from the related function pack 33-i have been received. Thereafter, the job execution management unit 37 ends the job and notifies the ticket management unit 37 of the end of the job.

  In step S <b> 43, the ticket management unit 37 creates an unused ticket as a ticket return command when receiving a job end notification from the job execution management unit 36 among the tickets acquired from the ticket granting device 40. The ticket management unit 37 transfers the Ticket return command to the communication distribution unit 32.

  In step S <b> 44, the communication distribution unit 32 transfers the Ticket return command received from the Ticket management unit 37 to the communication protocol unit 31.

  In step S <b> 45, the communication protocol unit 31 transmits the Ticket return command received from the communication distribution unit 32 to the Ticket granting device 40 and ends this processing.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming method of the first embodiment, the function pack 33-i that executes the job is inquired about the required number of tickets, and the ticket required by the job based on the number of requested tickets that are answered. Since the ticket management unit 37 that calculates the number and outputs it as a permission request is provided, jobs can be continuously executed within the range of the permitted number of tickets. Therefore, the job execution speed is not reduced.

  Further, since the Ticket is a common unit obtained by converting amounts with different measurement units including the number of printed sheets of paper P, the number of communication packets in Email, and the communication time in FAX communication at a predetermined conversion rate, the Ticket limit Even if the value is set for each job such as print function, COPY function, Email function, FAX function, etc., if the ticket of a specific job of a user reaches the limit value, there is a margin in the ticket Since Ticket can be diverted from other jobs, job execution can be managed flexibly. For this reason, there exists an effect that a user's convenience increases.

  Also, according to the image forming system of the first embodiment, since the image forming apparatus 10 and the ticket providing apparatus 40 are provided, the job execution speed of the image forming apparatus 10 is not reduced. Furthermore, since the execution management of a plurality of types of jobs can be performed flexibly by using the Ticket, there is an effect that convenience for the user is improved.

(Configuration of Example 2)
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the control unit 30A in FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration of the ticket providing unit 40 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming system are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration of the control unit 30A in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, but the print processing unit 33ka that is the functional pack 33-K is the functional pack 33-K according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is different from a certain print processing unit 33k. Furthermore, the set value DB 34A is partially different from the set value DB 34 of the first embodiment.

  In the setting value DB 34A of the second embodiment, the print function, the COPY function, the email function, the FAX function, etc. of the image forming apparatus 10 are used in place of the request ticket number which is a fixed value stored in the setting value DB 34 of the first embodiment. System performance values (not shown) for each function are stored.

  When there is an inquiry about the number of tickets necessary for job execution from the ticket management unit 37, the print processing unit 33ka in the second embodiment performs a predetermined calculation on the performance value stored in the setting value DB 34A, and requests The difference from the print processing apparatus 33k of the first embodiment is that it is configured to obtain the number of tickets. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation of Example 2)
The operation of the ticket providing device 40 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the necessary ticket amount estimation process. Hereinafter, the required ticket amount estimation process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a required ticket amount estimation process of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The required ticket amount estimation process is a process in which the function pack 33-K returns a required number of tickets in response to an inquiry from the ticket management unit 37. Here, the print processing unit 33ka will be described as an example of the function pack 33-K.

  In step S <b> 71 similar to that in the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33 ka receives an inquiry about the necessary number of tickets from the ticket management unit 37. At this time, there may be a case where the previously received ticket remains in the processing of the same service.

  In step S72A1 different from the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33ka searches the setting value DB 34A and reads the system performance value. The system performance value may be fixedly set at the time of product shipment. However, since the system performance value fluctuates due to the influence of the amount of installed memory, it is desirable that the system performance value be set at system startup.

  In step S72A2 different from that in the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33ka performs a specific calculation on the read system performance value to obtain the required number of tickets.

  In step S73, which is the same as that in the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33ka notifies the ticket management unit 37 of the number of requested tickets and ends this processing.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, a specific calculation is performed on the system performance value to obtain the required number of Tickets. In this case, many tickets can be supplied to the high-performance image forming apparatus 10. For this reason, optimal ticket management becomes possible, and the performance of the image forming apparatus 10 can be sufficiently exhibited.

(Configuration of Example 3)
FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the control unit 30B in FIG. 5 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, the configuration of the ticket providing unit 40 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming system are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration of the control unit 30B in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, but the print processing unit 33kb that is the functional pack 33-K is the functional pack 33-K according to the first exemplary embodiment. Unlike a certain print processing unit 33 kb, a time management unit 38 is further added. Further, the set value DB 34B is partially different from the set value DB 34 of the first embodiment.

  The setting value DB 34B according to the third embodiment is replaced with the print function, the COPY function, the email function, the FAX function, etc. Statistical values (not shown) are stored for each function.

  When there is an inquiry about the number of tickets necessary for job execution from the ticket management unit 37, the print processing unit 33kb according to the third embodiment performs a predetermined calculation on the statistical value stored in the setting value DB 34A, and requests the request. The print processing unit 33k according to the first embodiment is different from the print processing unit 33k according to the first embodiment in that the number of tickets is obtained. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation of Example 3)
The operation of the ticket providing device 40 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the necessary ticket amount estimation process, but a statistical value creation process is added.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a statistical value creation process of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The process of acquiring statistical values will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S51, the print processing unit 33kb receives the necessary number of tickets from the ticket management unit 37.

  In step S52, the print processing unit 33kb obtains the time from the time management unit 38.

  In step S53, the print processing unit 33kb creates a statistical value at the end of the job. The statistical value is a collection of information such as which user printed how many pages and whether the printing is color or monochrome. For example, if the function pack 33-K has a FAX function, the number of transmissions, resolution, communication time, and the like are created as statistical values. The statistical value includes time information.

  In step S54, the print processing unit 33kb stores the created statistical value in the setting value DB 34B, and ends this process.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a required ticket amount estimation process of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S <b> 1 similar to the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33 kb receives an inquiry about the necessary number of tickets from the ticket management unit 37. At this point, there may be a case where the Ticket received in the same service process remains.

  In step S72B1, which is different from the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33kb searches the setting value DB 34B and reads out the statistical value.

  In step S72B2, which is different from that in the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33kb calculates the number of requested tickets according to the tendency because the printing tendency can be determined from the statistical value. For example, in the case of statistics such as “General managers often print around 100 pages with light processing like text at 9:00 every Monday”, the printing speed is high and around 100 pages. Adjust the number of required tickets to work non-stop.

  In step S73, which is the same as that in the first embodiment, the print processing unit 33kb performs a predetermined calculation on the read statistical value to obtain the required number of tickets. The print processing unit kb notifies the number of requested tickets to the ticket management unit 37 and ends this processing.

(Effect of Example 3)
According to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, since the number of required tickets is determined based on the statistical value of the operating state of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to manage the tickets more reflecting the actual operational status. .

(Configuration of Example 4)
18 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of the control unit 30C in FIG. 5 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the ticket providing device 40 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming system are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration of the control unit 30C in the image forming apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that in the first embodiment, but the job execution management unit 36C in the fourth embodiment is different from the job execution management unit 36C in the first embodiment. ing. The job execution management unit 36C has a function of managing priorities related to the execution of each job.

  Furthermore, the Ticket management unit 37C of the fourth embodiment is different from the Ticket management unit 37 of the first embodiment. When the requested number of tickets is returned from the function pack 33-K, the ticket management unit 37C according to the fourth embodiment inquires the job execution management unit 37C about the job execution priority as necessary, and the ticket granting device 40 It has a function to adjust the number of ticket requests for.

(Operation of Example 4)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the ticket request process of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the job reception process in step S1, the job distribution process in step S2, the transfer process to the job execution management unit in step S3, the job execution request process in step S4, the function pack notification process in step S5, and the step S6 The necessary number-of-tickets inquiry process, the necessary number-of-tickets answer process in step S7, and the necessary number-of-tickets estimation process are executed.

In step S8a different from the first embodiment, the Ticket management unit 37C inquires the job execution management unit 36C about the urgency level of the job being processed. The ticket management unit 37C adjusts the requested number of tickets when the urgency level of the job returned from the job execution management unit 36C is high, and adjusts the requested number of tickets when it is low.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the transfer processing of the necessary number of tickets to the communication distribution unit in step S9, the transfer processing to the communication protocol unit of step S10, and the transmission processing of step S11 are executed, and this processing ends.

(Effect of Example 4)
According to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the number of requested tickets is adjusted according to the priority of the job, so that a job with a high priority can be executed without delay.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various usage forms and modifications are possible. For example, the following forms (a) to (c) are available as usage forms and modifications.

  (A) The image forming apparatus 10 has been described by taking a multifunction peripheral as an example, but is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to a printer, a COPY machine, a FAX apparatus, and the like.

  (B) Although the ticket granting device 40 is an independent device from the image forming device 10 and connected by a communication line, the function of the Ticket granting device 40 may be provided in the image forming device 10. .

  (C) The configurations of the Ticket DB 42 and the set value DB are not limited to the configurations of the first to fourth embodiments. For example, a management database (hereinafter referred to as “MIB”) may be used. The MIB is a database for exchanging information in accordance with a text format description format called asn.1. In order to access each item on the MIB, an identifier called ObjectID assigned to each item is specified using a protocol called SNMP.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 13 Non-volatile memory 15 Operation panel 30 Control part 31 Communication protocol part 32 Communication distribution part 33, 33A, 33B Function part 33-1 to 33-N, 33-K Function pack 33k, 33ka, 33kb Print processing part 34, 34A, 34B Setting value DB
35 Job acceptance unit 36 Job execution management unit 37, 37C Ticket management unit 40 Ticket granting device 41 Communication control unit 42 TicketDB
43 Ticket granting department

Claims (8)

A job receiving unit that receives input information from a user and, when the content of the input information is a job execution request, analyzes the content of the job execution request and outputs a job analysis result;
A function unit having a plurality of function packs for forming an image and executing a predetermined process according to the type of the job;
A job execution management section selects the feature pack for executing the job by entering the job analysis result, to request the execution of the job with respect to the functional unit,
The function pack that executes the job is inquired about the job execution amount required by the function pack, and the job execution amount required by the job is calculated based on the job execution amount notified from the function pack. And a permission request part that outputs as a permission request,
Equipped with a,
The job execution amount is
This is an image forming apparatus that is measured by a common unit obtained by converting amounts with different measurement units, including the number of printed media, the number of communication packets in e-mail, and the communication time in facsimile communication, at a predetermined conversion rate. And
The permission request unit includes:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the job execution amount required by the job is increased or decreased according to the urgency level of the job, and is output as the permission request . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A communication protocol unit that communicates with the outside using a predetermined protocol;
And a communication distribution unit for selecting a processing by the contents of the received information received from the outside by the communication protocol unit,
The job receiving unit
An image forming apparatus, wherein the received information is received as the input information from the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
An operation panel for receiving the user's operation and displaying a notification to the user;
The job receiving unit
An image forming apparatus, wherein information input by operating the operation panel by the user is received as the input information from the user. The feature pack
When the job request amount necessary for executing the job is inquired from the permission request unit, a predetermined fixed value is notified to the permission request unit as the job execution amount. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The feature pack
When there is an inquiry about the job execution amount necessary for executing the job from the permission request unit, a predetermined calculation is performed based on a performance value of the function pack to calculate the job execution amount, and the permission request The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus notifies the image forming apparatus. The feature pack
When there is an inquiry about the job execution amount necessary for executing the job from the permission request unit, the job execution amount is calculated by performing a predetermined calculation based on the statistical value of the job execution record of the function pack. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permission request unit is notified. Accepting input information from a user, and when the content of the input information is a job execution request, job acceptance processing for analyzing the content of the job execution request and outputting a job analysis result;
According to the type of job, using a function unit having a plurality of function packs that form an image and execute predetermined processing, select the function pack that executes the job by inputting the job analysis result, and A job execution management process for requesting the function unit to execute the job;
The function pack that executes the job is inquired about the job execution amount required by the function pack, and the job execution amount required by the job is calculated based on the job execution amount notified from the function pack. And permission request processing to be output as a permission request;
An image forming method comprising:
In the permission request process,
An image forming method, wherein the job execution amount required by the job is increased or decreased according to the urgency level of the job and output as the permission request. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A storage unit that stores, for each user, the job execution amount of the executed job and a limit value that is an upper limit of the job execution amount, and the storage unit in response to the permission request from the permission request unit a job management apparatus having a determination notifying unit for notifying the permission request unit determines an execution permission or execution prohibition of the job from the limit value and the already executed the job execution amount stored in,
Image forming system characterized by Ru with a.

Images