JP5958137B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

As a technique for moving image data to be formed on a recording medium such as paper on a communication network and performing image formation with an apparatus that has acquired the data, for example, there is the following system.
In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a document stored in a server device on a network and a print destination for printing the document are specified on a portable terminal, the document stored in the document server is specified as a print destination. The printing apparatus sent to the printing apparatus and receiving the document prints the document.
In the system disclosed in Patent Document 2, the client PC transmits print data to the print server, and transmits bibliographic information data including the IP address of the print server and the bibliographic information of the print data to the print management server. When the print management server receives the print request command for the print data from the multifunction peripheral, the print management server identifies the print server that stores the print data, and the multifunction peripheral that has transmitted the print request command to the identified print server Outputs a print command specifying print data. Based on this print command, the print server transmits the print data to the multifunction peripheral that has transmitted the print request command, and the multifunction peripheral performs printing based on the transmitted print data.

JP 2004-213453 A JP 2006-99714 A

  The present invention has been made under the above-described background. When information managed for each user with respect to executed image forming processing is managed by a plurality of apparatuses on the communication line, the information is not duplicated on the communication line. The purpose is to provide technology.

  An image forming system according to claim 1 of the present invention is connected to a communication line with first information including a user identifier for identifying a user who uses the apparatus and a device identifier for identifying a device connected to the communication line. When the first information is transmitted to another image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, the first information including the apparatus identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus. When transmitting and transmitting the first information to the server device, the first information including a device identifier representing the server device is transmitted to the server device, and the first information is included in the first information. A first receiving unit that receives the image forming data to which the device identifier is added from the device that received the first information, and an image that forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit on a recording medium Forming means and First storage means for storing user information related to the processing result of the image forming data for each user of the apparatus, and the user information is generated according to the processing result of the image forming data and received by the first receiving means If the device identifier is a device identifier representing the own device, the generated user information is stored in the first storage means. If the device identifier is a device identifier of the server device, the user information is stored in the first storage. An image forming apparatus that does not store the image forming apparatus, a second storage unit that stores image forming data, a second receiving unit that receives the first information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the second receiving unit. A second transmission unit that transmits the apparatus identifier included in the first information received by the reception unit and the image forming data stored in the second storage unit to the image forming apparatus; If serial and have device identifiers included in the first information is a device identifier indicating the own apparatus, a configuration including a server device and a storage unit controlling means for storing said user information in said second storage means.

  An image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit before the image forming unit forms the image. Obtaining the upper limit number of use of the recording medium predetermined for the user and the number of use of the recording medium used for image formation according to the user's instruction from the device that transmitted the image formation data; When the addition result of the number of recording media used when the image forming unit forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit on the recording medium and the number of uses exceeds the upper limit number. Has a configuration in which the image forming unit does not form an image represented by the image forming data.

  An image forming system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the second aspect, wherein, when the addition result is equal to or smaller than the upper limit number, the image forming apparatus is configured to store an image represented by the image forming data by the image forming unit. Image formation is performed, the addition result is transmitted to the device that transmitted the image formation data, and the device that has received the addition result updates the number of uses with the received addition result, and the updated number of uses is It has a configuration for notifying other devices connected to the line.

  An image forming system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus performs image formation. Another image forming apparatus connected to the communication line has a configuration in which image formation is not performed according to the user's instruction.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is connected to a communication line with first information including a user identifier that identifies a user who uses the apparatus and a device identifier that identifies a device connected to the communication line. When the first information is transmitted to another image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, the first information including the apparatus identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus. When transmitting and transmitting the first information to the server device, a transmission means for transmitting the first information including a device identifier representing the server device to the server device, and a device included in the first information A receiving unit that receives the image forming data to which the identifier is added from the device that has received the first information; an image forming unit that forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the receiving unit on a recording medium; Users A storage unit for storing user information related to the processing result of the image formation data; an apparatus for generating the user information according to the processing result of the image formation data; and the device identifier received by the reception unit represents the own device In the case of an identifier, the generated user information is stored in the storage unit, and when the device identifier is the device identifier of the server device, the user information is not stored in the storage unit.

A program according to claim 6 of the present invention connects a computer to a communication line with first information including a user identifier for identifying a user who uses the apparatus and a device identifier for identifying a device connected to the communication line. When the first information is transmitted to another image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, the first information including the apparatus identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other apparatus other than the own apparatus. When transmitting to the image forming apparatus and transmitting the first information to the server apparatus, the first information including an apparatus identifier representing the server apparatus is transmitted to the server apparatus, and the first information is included in the first information. A receiving unit that receives the image forming data to which the device identifier is included from the device that has received the first information, and an image that forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the receiving unit on a recording medium And forming means, the user information relating to the image formation data of the processing result generated for each user of the apparatus in accordance with the image formation data of the processing result, device identifier device identifiers received represents the own apparatus by the receiving unit If the device identifier is the device identifier of the server device, the generated user information is stored in the storage device that stores the user information for each user of the device. A configuration for functioning as generation means not stored is provided.

According to the configuration of the first, fifth, and sixth aspects, when the information managed for each user with respect to the executed image forming process is managed by a plurality of apparatuses on the communication line, the information should not be duplicated on the communication line. Can do.
According to the configuration of the second aspect, it is possible to prevent the number of recording media that can be used by the user from being exceeded when the image forming process is executed.
According to the configuration of the third aspect, the number of recording media used by the user when the image forming process is executed can be set to the same number by the apparatuses on the communication line.
According to the configuration of claim 4, when a single user is authenticated by a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the communication line, and when an image forming process is performed by an instruction of the user by one image forming apparatus In this case, the image forming process may not be performed by another image forming apparatus.

The figure which showed the apparatus contained in the system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of 30 A of 1st image forming apparatuses, and the 2nd image forming apparatus 30B. The block diagram which showed the structure of the function implement | achieved in 30 A of 1st image forming apparatuses. The block diagram which showed the structure of the function implement | achieved in the 2nd image forming apparatus 30B. The block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of the server apparatus 20. FIG. The block diagram which showed the structure of the function implement | achieved in the server apparatus. The sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of embodiment. The figure which showed the menu screen displayed on the client apparatus. The figure which showed the menu screen displayed on the client apparatus. The figure which showed the menu screen displayed on the client apparatus. The sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of embodiment. The sequence diagram for demonstrating the operation example of embodiment.

[Embodiment]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus constituting a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system according to the present embodiment includes a client device 10, a server device 20, a first image forming device 30A, and a second image forming device 30B. Each device is connected to a communication line 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), for example, and performs data communication with other devices via the communication line 50. The communication line is not limited to 50 and the LAN, and may be another communication line as long as data communication can be performed.

  The client device 10 is a personal computer in this embodiment. The client device 10 stores an application program for realizing a word processor function and a drawing function. In the client device 10, when an operation for instructing image formation such as a document created by the function of the word processor or a drawing created by the drawing function is performed, data representing the document or drawing formed on the recording medium (for example, paper) (hereinafter, paper) , Referred to as image forming data) is transmitted to the server device 20, the first image forming device 30A or the second image forming device 30B. The client device 10 is not limited to a personal computer, and may be another computer device as long as it can perform data communication via the communication line 50. Further, the image formation data is not limited to data representing a document or a drawing, and may be data representing a photograph, for example.

  The server device 20 is a device that stores the image forming data transmitted from the client device 10. The server device 20 has a function of transmitting stored image formation data to the first image forming device 30A or the second image forming device 30B in response to a request from the first image forming device 30A or the second image forming device 30B. It has. In addition, the server device 20 has a function of processing information relating to image formation performed in accordance with an instruction of the user for each user who uses the image forming device connected to the communication line 50.

  The first image forming apparatus 30A has a document copying function and an image forming function for acquiring image forming data via the communication line 50 and forming an image of a document or drawing represented by the acquired image forming data on a recording medium. ing. Further, the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A has a function of processing information related to image formation performed by an instruction of the user for each user who uses the image forming apparatus connected to the communication line 50.

  The second image forming apparatus 30B has a document copying function and a function of acquiring image forming data via the communication line 50 and forming an image of a document or drawing represented by the acquired image forming data on a recording medium. . Further, the second image forming apparatus 30B has a function of storing the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 and a function of transmitting the stored image forming data to the first image forming apparatus 30A.

  In FIG. 1, one client device 10, one server device 20, one first image forming device 30A, and one second image forming device 30B are shown, but the number of each device is one. The communication line 50 may be connected to two or more devices.

(Configuration of first image forming apparatus 30A and second image forming apparatus 30B)
FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the first image forming apparatus 30A according to the present embodiment. Each unit of the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A is connected to a bus 301, and exchanges various data via the bus 301.
The operation unit 304 includes a plurality of buttons for operating the first image forming apparatus 30A. The operation unit 304 is provided on the surface of the display unit 3042, which is an example of a display unit that displays an image, and the display unit 3042. The operation unit 304 transmits the image displayed on the display unit 3042, and detects the position touched by the finger. A touch screen 304A integrated with the position detection unit 3041 is provided. Note that a liquid crystal display is used as the display unit 3042, but the display unit 3042 is not limited to this and may be another display. Further, as the position detection unit 3041, a capacitance type sensor that detects the position of the finger that is touching is used. However, the position detection unit 3041 is not limited to a capacitance type sensor as long as the finger position can be detected. May be used.
The communication unit 309 is connected to the communication line 50 via a communication cable, and performs data communication with other devices connected to the communication line 50.

The reading unit 306 includes an image reading device (not shown) that optically reads characters and images formed on paper and generates image data representing the read images. The reading unit 306 supplies the generated image data to the image processing unit 308.
The image processing unit 308 performs various processes on the supplied image data. The image processing unit 308 performs image processing such as color correction and gradation correction on the image represented by the supplied image data, and Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), and C (Cyan) from the image processed image processing. , K (Key tone: black in this embodiment), image data of each color image is generated and output to the image forming unit 307.

  The image forming unit 307 forms a toner image on a sheet by electrophotography. Specifically, the image forming unit 307 includes an image forming unit that forms a toner image for each of the Y, M, C, and K colors. Each image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor according to the image data of each color supplied from the image processing unit 308, and then attaches toner to the surface of the photoconductor to form a toner image of each color. Transfer the toner image onto the paper. Then, the toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed by applying heat and pressure, and then the paper on which the toner image is formed is discharged out of the first image forming apparatus 30A. In this embodiment, an image is formed on a sheet using toner, but an image may be formed on a sheet using ink such as an ink jet method.

  The storage unit 303 (an example of the first storage unit) includes a storage device (for example, a hard disk device) that retains data without supplying power. The image forming data received by the communication unit 309 and the reading unit 306 are stored. The image data generated in step 1 is stored. The storage unit 303 stores a program for realizing an operating system and a program for realizing the above-described copying function and image forming function. In addition, the storage unit 303 includes a program P1 that realizes a function of authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a program P2 that realizes a function of acquiring image forming data from another apparatus, and a user for each user of the image forming apparatus. Is stored in the program P3 that realizes a function of managing information (hereinafter referred to as user information) related to the processing result of the image forming data transmitted from the client device 10 by the above operation.

The storage unit 303 stores information used when authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, as information used when authenticating a user, a user identifier uniquely identifying a user permitted by the administrator to use the first image forming apparatus 30A, and the user are determined. Remember my password.
The storage unit 303 stores the user information described above. Examples of user information include information indicating that the image forming process has been executed normally, information indicating that the image forming process has been stopped, and the date and time when the image represented by the image forming data was formed according to the user's instruction. Information indicating the date and time when the image forming process instructed by the user is stopped.

  The control unit 302 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 302A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302C, and the like. When the CPU 302A executes an IPL (Initial Program Loader) stored in the ROM 302B, an operating system program stored in the storage unit 303 is executed, and various programs can be executed. When the program stored in the storage unit 303 is executed, the various functions described above are realized.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by the control unit 302 executing various programs. The authentication unit 3001 is a unit that authenticates a user who uses the first image forming apparatus 30A. The authentication unit 3001 enables image formation using the image forming unit 307 when the combination of the user identifier and password input using the operation unit 304 is stored in the storage unit 303. If the input user identifier and password pair is not stored in the storage unit 303, the user is not permitted to use the first image forming apparatus 30A, and the user uses the image forming unit 307 to form an image. Will not be able to.

  The first transmitting unit 3002 is a device identifier for identifying specific data for identifying image forming data stored in the server device 20 or the second image forming device 30B, a user identifier, and a device connected to the communication line 50. This is means for transmitting the first information including (IP address in this embodiment) from the communication unit 309. The first receiving means 3003 is means for receiving the image forming data and the apparatus identifier transmitted from the server device 20 or the second image forming apparatus 30B and received by the communication unit 309.

  The image forming unit 3004 is a unit that controls the image forming unit 307 so that the image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit 3003 is formed on the recording medium. The generation unit 3005 generates user information. When the device identifier received by the first reception unit 3003 is a device identifier representing the own device, the generation unit 3005 stores the generated user information in the storage unit 303. Further, when the identifier is a device identifier other than the own device, the generated user information is a unit that controls and transmits the communication unit 309 to the device identified by the identifier.

  Next, the configuration of the second image forming apparatus 30B will be described. FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the second image forming apparatus 30B according to the present embodiment. In the second image forming apparatus 30B, the same components as those in the first image forming apparatus 30A are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second image forming apparatus 30B, like the first image forming apparatus 30A, has a bus 301, a control unit 302, a storage unit 303, an operation unit 304, a reading unit 306, an image forming unit. A unit 307, an image processing unit 308, and a communication unit 309.

  The storage unit 303 (an example of the third storage unit) of the second image forming apparatus 30B also stores the image formation data acquired by the communication unit 309. In addition, the storage unit 303 of the second image forming apparatus 30B stores the number of recording media (hereinafter referred to as “current number”) used in image formation until the instruction is given on the day when the user gives an instruction to form an image. ) And the number of recording media that can be used by the user per day (hereinafter referred to as “upper limit number”).

  The second image forming apparatus 30B is different from the first image forming apparatus 30A in that a program P4 that realizes a function of transmitting stored image forming data to another apparatus is stored. When the CPU 302A executes the program P4, a function of transmitting the stored image formation data to another apparatus that has requested the image formation data is realized.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by the CPU 302A executing the program P4. The third receiving unit 3101 is a unit that receives the first information transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A and received by the communication unit 309. The third transmission unit 3102 controls the communication unit 309 with the user identifier and the image formation data specified by the specific data included in the first information received by the third reception unit 3101 and the device identifier included in the first information. And means for transmitting to the first image forming apparatus 30A.

(Configuration of server device 20)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server device 20. As shown in the figure, each part of the server device 20 is connected to a bus 201, and exchanges various data via the bus 201.

  The operation unit 204 includes devices for operating the server device 20 such as a keyboard and a mouse. When these devices are operated by the operator of the server device 20, the control unit 202 performs various processes according to the performed operations. The display unit 207 includes a liquid crystal display as a display device, and displays a menu screen for operating the server device 20, data included in the server device 20, and the like under the control of the control unit 202. The communication unit 209 is connected to the communication line 50 and functions as a communication interface that performs data communication with other devices connected to the communication line 50.

The storage unit 203 (an example of a second storage unit) includes a storage device (for example, a hard disk), and stores image formation data received by the communication unit 209. Further, the storage unit 203 stores a program for realizing the function of the operating system in the server device 20. In addition, the storage unit 203 stores a program P11 that realizes a function of transmitting stored image formation data to another apparatus, and a program P12 that realizes a function of managing user information for each user of the image forming apparatus. .
Further, the storage unit 203 stores the “current number” and the “upper limit number” described above for each user. The “current number of sheets” and the “upper limit number of sheets” are set to the same value when the server apparatus 20 and the second image forming apparatus 30B communicate with each other, as will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 202 includes a CPU 202A, a ROM 202B, and a RAM 202C. When the CPU 202A executes the IPL stored in the ROM 202B, the operating system program stored in the storage unit 203 is executed, and various programs can be executed. When the program stored in the storage unit 203 is executed, the various functions described above are realized.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by the control unit 202 executing various programs. The second receiving unit 2001 is a unit that receives first information and user information transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A and received by the communication unit 209. The second transmission unit 2002 controls the communication unit 209 with the user identifier and the image formation data specified by the specific data included in the first information received by the second reception unit 2001 and the device identifier included in the first information. And means for transmitting to the first image forming apparatus 30A. When the second receiving unit 2001 receives user information and a user identifier, the storage unit control unit 2003 is a unit that stores the received user information in the storage unit 203 in association with the received user identifier.

(Operation example of embodiment)
Next, an operation example of each apparatus according to the system of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the operation when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 to the server apparatus 20 to perform image formation, and the second image forming apparatus from the client apparatus 10 The operation when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the image forming data transmitted to 30B and performs image formation, and the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 to the first image forming apparatus 30A is the first image forming. An operation when the apparatus 30A acquires and forms an image will be described.

(First operation example)
First, the operation when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 to the server apparatus 20 and forms an image will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.
When forming an image of a document created by the client device 10 on a recording medium, the user performs an operation for instructing the image formation of the document on the client device 10. When this operation is performed, the client device 10 displays a menu screen for setting the transmission destination of the image forming data as shown in FIG.

  When transmitting image forming data to the server device 20, the user operates the list box of the item “printer name” and selects the server device 20. When the user acquires image formation data from the server device 20 and forms an image of the image formation data in the first image forming apparatus 30A, the user clicks the “property” button in the menu of FIG. I do. When this operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 9, a menu screen for performing settings relating to image formation is displayed.

Here, when the user acquires image formation data from the server device 20 in the first image forming apparatus 30A and forms an image of the image formation data, the user operates the list box of the item “print type” to select “security”. Select. When this operation is performed, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.
The user inputs the user identifier assigned to the user in the text box of the item “user ID”. Next, when the user performs an operation of clicking the “OK” button, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 9, and when the user performs an operation of clicking the “OK” button on the screen of FIG. 9, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. When the user performs an operation of clicking the “OK” button on the screen of FIG. 8, the user identifier input by the user and the image formation data are transmitted to the server device 20 via the communication line 50 (step SA1). The server device 20 stores the image forming data transmitted from the client device 10 in association with the user identifier transmitted together with the image forming data (step SA2).

Next, the user moves to a location where the first image forming apparatus 30A is located in order to form an image of the document represented by the image forming data on a recording medium. The user operates the first image forming apparatus 30A and inputs a user identifier assigned to the user and a password determined by the user. The first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the input user identifier and password (step SA3).
Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A authenticates the user using the acquired user identifier and password (step SA4). Specifically, when the first image forming apparatus 30A stores the acquired set of user identifier and password in the storage unit 303, the user who inputs the user identifier and password uses the first image forming apparatus 30A. The user is permitted to use the first image forming apparatus 30A.

  When a user who can use the first image forming apparatus 30A performs an operation on the first image forming apparatus 30A to request a list of data stored in the server apparatus 20 in association with the user identifier of the user ( In step SA5), the first image forming apparatus 30A transmits to the server apparatus 20 a message that includes a user identifier of the authenticated user and requests a list of data associated with the user identifier (step SA5). SA6).

Upon receiving this message, the server device 20 generates a list of data stored in association with the user identifier included in the received message (step SA7), and the generated list is used as the first image forming device 30A. (Step SA8). When the first image forming apparatus 30A receives this list, it displays the received list (step SA9).
When the user selects the image formation data from the displayed list and performs an operation for instructing image formation of the image formation data on the first image forming apparatus 30A, the first image forming apparatus 30A (Step SA10), and transmits to the server device 20 the first information including the data for specifying the selected image forming data, the user identifier of the authenticated user, and the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the server device 20. (Step SA11).

  When the server apparatus 20 receives the first information including the data (specific data) for specifying the image forming data, the user identifier, and the IP address of the server apparatus 20, the server apparatus 20 associates it with the user identifier included in the first information. The image forming data stored in this way is acquired from the storage unit 403. Next, the server device 20 adds the IP address of the server device 20 included in the received first information to the image forming data acquired from the storage unit 403 (step SA12), and transmits the image forming data to the first image forming device 30A. (Step SA13).

The first image forming apparatus 30A receives the image forming data to which the IP address of the server apparatus 20 is added. First image forming apparatus 30A determines whether the IP address added to the image forming data is the same as the IP address transmitted in step SA11.
If the IP address added to the image forming data is not the same as the IP address transmitted in step SA11 (NO in step SA14), first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform the image forming process.
Note that if the process of transmitting the image formation data (server device 20) performs an erroneous process of adding another IP address without adding the received IP address, the IP added to the image formation data The address and the IP address transmitted in step SA11 are different. In order to interrupt the image forming process when such an erroneous process is performed, a process of comparing the transmitted IP address with the IP address added to the received image forming data is provided.

  When the IP address added to the image forming data is the same as the IP address transmitted in step SA11 (YES in step SA14), the first image forming apparatus 30A is a message including the user identifier of the authenticated user. Then, a message requesting the “current number of sheets” and the “upper limit number of sheets” associated with the user identifier is transmitted to the IP address transmission destination device in step SA11. In the first operation example, since the IP address is transmitted to the server apparatus 20 in step SA11, the first image forming apparatus 30A transmits this message to the server apparatus 20 (step SA15). Receiving this message, the server device 20 transmits the “current number” and the “upper limit number” stored in association with the user identifier included in the received message to the first image forming apparatus 30A (step SA16). ).

  The first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A receives the “current number” and the “upper limit number” transmitted from the server device 20. Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A specifies the number of recording media to be used when an image represented by the received image formation data is formed (step SA17). The first image forming apparatus 30A adds the specified number to the “current number” and determines whether the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number”.

When the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number” (YES in step SA18), first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform the image forming process of the image represented by the image forming data. In this case, the first image forming apparatus 30A notifies the display unit 3042 of a message notifying that the upper limit number will be exceeded when image formation is performed and a message notifying that image formation has been stopped (step SA19). Further, the first image forming apparatus 30A generates date and time when image formation of the image represented by the image formation data is stopped and information indicating that the image formation is stopped. Next, in the first operation example, the first image forming apparatus 30A, since the IP address added to the image forming data received in step SA13 is the IP address of the server apparatus 30, the generated information and the authentication The user identifier of the selected user is transmitted to the server device 20 (step SA20).
When the server device 20 receives the user identifier, date / time, and information transmitted in step SA20, the server device 20 stores the received information and date / time, that is, user information in association with the received user identifier (step SA21). That is, the user information is not stored in the first image forming apparatus 30A.

On the other hand, in the first image forming apparatus 30A, when the addition result does not exceed the “upper limit number” (NO in step SA18), the control unit 302 generates image data of the image represented by the image formation data, and the image data is The image is supplied to the image forming unit 307. The image forming unit 307 forms an image represented by the supplied image data on the recording medium (step SA22).
When the image formation on the recording medium is completed, the first image forming apparatus 30A normally executes the addition result of the number of recording media used for image formation and the “current number”, the date and time when the image formation is completed, and the image formation. Generates information that represents what has been done. Next, since the IP address added to the image forming data received in step SA13 is the IP address of the server device 30, the first image forming device 30A uses the generated information and the user identifier of the authenticated user as the server. It transmits to the apparatus 20 (step SA23).

  Upon receiving the user identifier transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30A and the addition result, the server device 20 overwrites the “current number” stored in association with the received user identifier with the received addition result. (Step SA24). In addition, the server device 20 stores the date and time information transmitted in step SA23 and information indicating that the image formation has been normally executed, that is, user information, in association with the user identifier (step SA25). That is, the user information is not stored in the first image forming apparatus 30A.

  The server device 20 transmits the user identifier, the “upper limit number of sheets”, and the overwritten “current number of sheets” to the second image forming apparatus 30B. The second image forming apparatus 30B stores the “upper limit sheet number” and the “current sheet number” transmitted from the server apparatus 20 in association with the transmitted user identifier. As a result, the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the second image forming apparatus 30B coincide with the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the server device 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A performs image formation of the image formation data acquired via the server apparatus 20, and the IP address added to the received image formation data is the server apparatus 20. If it is an IP address, the user information is not stored in the first image forming apparatus 30A, and the user information managed by the server apparatus 20 is updated.

(Second operation example)
Next, an operation when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 to the second image forming apparatus 30B and forms an image will be described.
When the user performs an operation for instructing image formation of a document on the client device 10, the menu screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. When transmitting image forming data to the second image forming apparatus 30B, the user operates the list box of the item “printer name” and selects the second image forming apparatus 30B.
Next, as in the case of transmitting the image forming data to the server device 20, the user selects “Security” in the “Print type” item on the menu screen of FIG. 9, and “User ID” on the menu screen of FIG. Enter the user identifier in the item. When the user sets the print type and inputs the user identifier and then performs an operation of clicking the “OK” button on the screen of FIG. 8, the user identifier input by the user and the image forming data are transmitted through the communication line 50. And transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 30B (step SB1). The second image forming apparatus 30B stores the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 in association with the user identifier transmitted together with the image forming data (step SB2).

  Next, the user moves to a location where the first image forming apparatus 30A is located in order to form an image of the document represented by the image forming data on a recording medium. The user operates the first image forming apparatus 30A and inputs a user identifier assigned to the user and a password determined by the user. After the user is authenticated and the first image forming apparatus 30A can be used (steps SB3 and SB4), the user stores the data stored in the second image forming apparatus 30B in association with his / her user identifier. When an operation for requesting a list is performed in the first image forming apparatus 30A (step SB5), the first image forming apparatus 30A is a message including the user identifier of the authenticated user, and is associated with the user identifier. A message requesting a list of data is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 30B (step SB6).

When receiving the message, the second image forming apparatus 30B executing the program P11 generates a list of data stored in association with the user identifier included in the received message (step SB7). The generated list is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 30A (step SB8). Upon receiving this list, the first image forming apparatus 30A displays the received list (step SB9).
When the user selects the image formation data from the displayed list and performs an operation for instructing image formation of the image formation data on the first image forming apparatus 30A, the first image forming apparatus 30A (Step SB10), the data for specifying the selected image forming data, the user identifier of the authenticated user, and the local loopback address (the IP address representing the own device. In this embodiment, “127.0” .0.1 ") is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 30B (step SB11).

  When the second image forming apparatus 30B receives the data for specifying the image forming data, the user identifier, and the first information including the local loopback address, the second image forming apparatus 30B is stored in association with the user identifier included in the first information. The image forming data is acquired from the storage unit 303. Next, the second image forming apparatus 30B adds the local loopback address included in the received first information to the image forming data acquired from the storage unit 303 (step SB12), and transmits it to the first image forming apparatus 30A. (Step SB13).

The first image forming apparatus 30A receives the image forming data to which the local loopback address is added. First image forming apparatus 30A determines whether the IP address added to the image forming data is the same as the IP address transmitted in step SB11.
When the IP address added to the image formation data is not the same as the IP address transmitted in step SB11 (NO in step SB14), the first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform the image formation process.
Note that if the image transmission data transmission side (second image forming apparatus 30B) performs an erroneous process of adding another IP address without adding the received IP address, the image formation data is added to the image formation data. And the IP address transmitted in step SB11 are different. In order to interrupt the process when such an erroneous process is performed, a process of comparing the transmitted IP address with the IP address added to the received image forming data is provided.

  When the IP address added to the image forming data is the same as the IP address transmitted in step SA11 (YES in step SA14), the first image forming apparatus 30A is a message including the user identifier of the authenticated user. In step SB11, a message requesting the “current number of sheets” and the “upper limit number of sheets” associated with the user identifier is transmitted to the apparatus that is the transmission destination of the IP address. In the second operation example, since the IP address is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 30B in step SB11, the first image forming apparatus 30A transmits this message to the second image forming apparatus 30B (step SB15). Receiving this message, second image forming apparatus 30B transmits “current number of sheets” and “upper limit number of sheets” stored in association with the user identifier included in the received message to first image forming apparatus 30A. (Step SB16).

  The first image forming apparatus 30A receives the “current number of sheets” and the “upper limit number of sheets” transmitted from the second image forming apparatus 30B. Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A specifies the number of recording media to be used when the image represented by the received image formation data is formed (step SB17). The first image forming apparatus 30A adds the specified number to the “current number” and determines whether the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number”.

  When the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number” (YES in step SB18), first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform the image forming process of the image represented by the image forming data. In this case, the first image forming apparatus 30A notifies the display unit 3042 of a message notifying that the upper limit number is exceeded when image formation is performed and a message notifying that image formation has been stopped (step SB19). Further, the first image forming apparatus 30A generates information indicating that the image formation of the image represented by the image forming data is stopped, and the date and time at this point, that is, user information. Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A associates the generated user information with the user identifier of the authenticated user because the IP address added to the image forming data received in step SB13 is a local loopback address. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 303 (step SB20).

  On the other hand, in the first image forming apparatus 30A, when the addition result does not exceed the “upper limit number” (NO in step SB18), the control unit 302 generates image data of the image represented by the image formation data, and the image data is Supply to the image forming unit 307. The image forming unit 307 forms an image represented by the supplied image data on the recording medium (step SB21). When the image formation on the recording medium is completed, the first image forming apparatus 30A generates information indicating that the image formation of the image formation data has been normally executed, and the date and time at this time, that is, user information. Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A associates the generated user information with the user identifier of the authenticated user because the IP address added to the image forming data received in step SB13 is a local loopback address. Store (step SB22). In addition, the first image forming apparatus 30A transmits the addition result of the number of recording media used for image formation and the “current number” together with the user identifier of the authenticated user to the second image forming apparatus 30B (step SB23).

When the second image forming apparatus 30B receives the user identifier transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30A and the addition result, the “current number of sheets” stored in association with the received user identifier is received. (Step SB24).
The second image forming apparatus 30B transmits the user identifier, the “upper limit number of sheets”, and the overwritten “current number of sheets” to the server apparatus 20. The server device 20 stores the “upper limit sheet number” and the “current sheet number” transmitted from the second image forming apparatus 30B in association with the transmitted user identifier. As a result, the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the server device 20 coincide with the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the second image forming apparatus 30B.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 30A forms an image of the image forming data acquired via the second image forming apparatus 30B, and the IP address added to the received image forming data is a local address. If it is a loopback address, the user information managed by the first image forming apparatus 30A is updated.

(Third operation example)
Next, an operation when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 to the first image forming apparatus 30A and performs image formation will be described.
When the user performs an operation for instructing image formation of a document on the client device 10, the menu screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. When transmitting image forming data to the first image forming apparatus 30A, the user operates the list box of the item “printer name” to select the first image forming apparatus 30A.
Next, as in the case of transmitting the image forming data to the server device 20, the user selects “Security” in the “Print type” item on the menu screen of FIG. 9, and “User ID” on the menu screen of FIG. Enter the user identifier in the item. When the user sets the print type and inputs the user identifier and then performs an operation of clicking the “OK” button on the screen of FIG. 8, the user identifier input by the user and the image forming data are transmitted through the communication line 50. To the first image forming apparatus 30A (step SC1). The first image forming apparatus 30A stores the image forming data transmitted from the client apparatus 10 in association with the user identifier transmitted together with the image forming data (step SC2).

  Next, the user moves to a location where the first image forming apparatus 30A is located in order to form an image of the document represented by the image forming data on a recording medium. The user operates the first image forming apparatus 30A and inputs a user identifier assigned to the user and a password determined by the user. After the user is authenticated and the first image forming apparatus 30A can be used (steps SC3 and SC4), the user stores the data stored in the first image forming apparatus 30A in association with his / her user identifier. When an operation for requesting a list is performed in first image forming apparatus 30A, first image forming apparatus 30A displays a list of data associated with the user identifier of the authenticated user (step SC6).

  When the user selects the image formation data from the displayed list and performs an operation for instructing image formation of the image formation data, the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires this instruction (step SC7). Then, a message including the user identifier of the authenticated user and requesting the “current number” and “upper limit number” associated with the user identifier is transmitted to the server device 20 (step SC8). Receiving this message, server apparatus 20 transmits “current number of sheets” and “upper limit number of sheets” stored in association with the user identifier included in the received message to first image forming apparatus 30A (step SC9). ).

  The first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A receives the “current number” and the “upper limit number” transmitted from the server device 20. Next, the first image forming apparatus 30A specifies the number of recording media to be used when an image represented by the received image formation data is formed (step SC10). The first image forming apparatus 30A adds the specified number to the “current number” and determines whether the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number”.

  When the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number” (YES in step SC11), first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform the image forming process of the image represented by the image forming data. In this case, the first image forming apparatus 30A notifies the display unit 3042 of a message notifying that the upper limit number will be exceeded when image formation is performed and a message notifying that image formation has been stopped (step SC12). Further, the first image forming apparatus 30A stores information indicating that the image formation of the image represented by the image formation data is stopped and the date and time at this time, that is, user information in association with the user identifier (step SC13).

  On the other hand, in the first image forming apparatus 30A, when the addition result does not exceed the “upper limit number” (NO in step SB11), the control unit 302 generates image data of the image represented by the image formation data, and the image data is The image is supplied to the image forming unit 307. The image forming unit 307 forms an image represented by the supplied image data on a recording medium (step SC14). When the image formation on the recording medium is completed, the first image forming apparatus 30A associates the user identifier with information indicating that the image formation of the image formation data has been normally executed, the date and time at this time, that is, the user Information is stored (step SC15). Further, the first image forming apparatus 30A transmits the addition result of the number of recording media used for image formation and the “current number” together with the user identifier of the authenticated user to the server apparatus 20 (step SC16).

Upon receiving the user identifier transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30A and the addition result, the server device 20 overwrites the “current number” stored in association with the received user identifier with the received addition result. (Step SC17).
The server device 20 transmits the user identifier, the “upper limit number of sheets”, and the overwritten “current number of sheets” to the second image forming apparatus 30B. The second image forming apparatus 30B stores the “upper limit sheet number” and the “current sheet number” transmitted from the server apparatus 20 in association with the transmitted user identifier. As a result, the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the second image forming apparatus 30B coincide with the “upper limit number” and the “current number” stored in the server device 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the first image forming apparatus 30A performs image formation of the image formation data acquired without going through the server apparatus 20 or the second image forming apparatus 30B, the first image forming apparatus 30A. The user information managed by is updated.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with another various form. For example, the present invention may be implemented by modifying the above-described embodiment as follows. In addition, you may combine each of embodiment mentioned above and the following modifications.

In the above-described embodiment, when a list of stored data is requested, the list is requested from the server device 20 or the second image forming apparatus 30B, but a list of user data on the communication line is acquired. The method to do is not limited to the method of embodiment.
For example, a message requesting a user identifier and a list of data associated with the user identifier is transmitted to the device connected to the communication line 50, and both the server device 20 and the second image forming device 30B are listed. May be transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 30A. In this case, the first image forming apparatus 30A displays both transmitted lists.
In addition, when the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A is instructed to form an image of the data displayed in the list, or in the case of an image forming instruction for data included in the list transmitted from the server apparatus 20, the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A The IP address is transmitted to the server device 20, and in the case of an image formation instruction for data included in the list transmitted from the second image forming device 30B, the local loopback address is transmitted to the second image forming device 30B.
According to this configuration, even if the user does not designate a device, a list of data stored in the device on the communication line 50 in association with the user identifier can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, when one user is authenticated by a plurality of apparatuses on the communication line 50 and one user can use a plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image is formed by one image forming apparatus. While the forming process is being performed, the image forming process by the user's operation may not be executed by another image forming apparatus.
For example, consider a case where a single user is authenticated by both the first image forming apparatus 30A and the second image forming apparatus 30B. Here, when the first image forming apparatus 30A starts the image forming process according to the instruction of the authenticated user, the first image forming apparatus 30A indicates the user identifier of the authenticated user and executing the image forming process. A message including the information is transmitted to a device connected to the communication line 50. When the second image forming apparatus 30B receives this message, the second image forming apparatus 30B does not accept an image forming instruction from the user having the user identifier included in the message. When the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A ends the image forming process, the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A transmits a message including the user identifier of the authenticated user and information indicating the end of the image forming process to the apparatus connected to the communication line 50. To do. When the second image forming apparatus 30B receives this message, the second image forming apparatus 30B accepts an image forming instruction from the user having the user identifier included in the message.

In the above-described embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires the IP address or the local loopback address of the server apparatus 20 when acquiring the image forming data (“127.0.0.1” in the above-described embodiment). However, the information to be transmitted when acquiring data from other devices is not limited to such information.
For example, when the first image forming apparatus 30A acquires image forming data from the second image forming apparatus 30B, the IP address assigned to the first image forming apparatus 30A by the administrator of the communication line 50 is used instead of the local loopback address. You may make it transmit. The first image forming apparatus 30A confirms the IP address added to the acquired image forming data, and the added IP address is the IP address assigned to the first image forming apparatus 30A by the administrator of the communication line 50. If it is, it is determined that the IP address added to the image forming data is a loopback address. If the first image forming apparatus 30A determines that the added IP address is a loopback address, the first image forming apparatus 30A executes the processes after step SB15 of the above-described embodiment, and updates the user information managed by the own apparatus. .
In this modification as well, the user identifier and the “current number” are transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 30A to the second image forming apparatus 30B, and stored in association with the user identifier in the second image forming apparatus 30B. "Current number" is overwritten. Further, the second image forming apparatus 30B transmits the user identifier and the overwritten “current number” to the server apparatus 20, and the server apparatus 20 stores the “current number of sheets” in association with the user identifier. "Is overwritten with the transmitted" current number ". As a result, the “current number” stored in association with the user identifier in the server device 20 is the same as the “current number” stored in the second image forming device 30B in association with the user identifier.

  Further, the first image forming apparatus 30A may transmit other information instead of the IP address when acquiring the image forming data. For example, a unique identifier is assigned to each device connected to the communication line 50, and when acquiring image forming data from the server device 20 that manages user information, the identifier assigned to the server device 20 is transmitted, When acquiring image forming data from the forming apparatus, an identifier assigned to the apparatus is transmitted. In this case, the server device 20 or the image forming apparatus that receives the identifier adds the received identifier to the image forming data, and transmits the image forming data with the identifier added to the first image forming apparatus 30A. If the identifier added to the acquired image formation data is an identifier assigned to the own apparatus, the first image forming apparatus 30A updates the user information managed by the own apparatus. When the identifier added to the image forming data is the identifier of the server device 20, the user information of the server device 20 is updated.

In the above-described embodiment, when acquiring image forming data from the second image forming apparatus 30B, the local loopback address is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus 30B, and the image forming data is acquired from the server apparatus 20. In this case, the IP address may not be transmitted. In this case, the IP address is not added to the image forming data transmitted from the server device 20, and the local loopback address is added to the first image data transmitted from the second image forming device 30B.
In this configuration, the first image forming apparatus 30A updates the user information managed by itself when the local loopback address is added to the image forming data. If the IP address is not added to the image formation data, the user information managed by the device that transmitted the image formation data (the server device 20 in the above-described embodiment) is updated.

In the embodiment described above, user authentication is performed using a user identifier and a password. However, authentication may be performed using human physical characteristics such as a fingerprint and an iris.
Also, when performing user authentication, the user does not input the user identifier and password by operating the operation unit 304, but the user identifier stored in the IC card assigned to the user of the image forming apparatus is imaged. When the forming apparatus acquires the acquired user identifier and the image forming apparatus stores the acquired user identifier, the user may be able to use the image forming apparatus.

In the embodiment described above, when the first image forming apparatus 30A receives the image forming data transmitted from the server apparatus 20, the first image forming apparatus 30A determines whether or not the upper limit number is exceeded. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
For example, when the server apparatus 20 receives the first information transmitted in step SA11, the server apparatus 20 specifies the number of recording media to be used when an image of the image forming data specified by the specific data is formed on the recording medium. The server device 20 adds the specified number to the “current number” associated with the user identifier included in the first information, and the addition result indicates the “upper limit number” associated with the user identifier. Judge whether it exceeds. When the addition result exceeds the “upper limit number”, the server device 20 does not transmit the image forming data to the first image forming device 30A. According to this configuration, since the image formation data is not transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 30A, when the number of used recording media exceeds the upper limit when performing image formation, the same as in the above-described embodiment. In addition, the first image forming apparatus 30A does not form an image of the image forming data. Further, compared with the first embodiment described above, the image formation data is not sent to the first image forming apparatus 30A, and the current number and the upper limit number are not transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 30A. The number of communication between the device 30A and the server device 20 is reduced.
In this modification, since the first image forming apparatus 30A does not perform image formation, the server apparatus 20 generates information indicating that image formation has been stopped, and performs the information, user identifier, and image formation. You may make it memorize | store and match | combine with the date and time when the judgment which stopped was carried out.
In addition, when the image formation data is not transmitted, the first image forming apparatus 30 </ b> A determines that the image formation is stopped, generates information indicating that the image formation is stopped, and generates the information and the date and time when the information is generated. May be transmitted to the server device 20.

  Further, in this modification, when the above addition result does not exceed the “upper limit number”, the server device 20 updates the current number with the addition result, and forms an image with the IP address of the server device 20 added thereto. Data is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 30A. When the first image forming apparatus 30A receives the image forming data, the first image forming apparatus 30A confirms the IP address added to the image forming data. Here, in the first image forming apparatus 30A, when the IP address added to the image forming data is the IP address of the server apparatus 20, the server apparatus 20 determines whether or not the upper limit number is exceeded. Therefore, the process of step SA22 is executed without performing the processes of step SA15 to step SA18. In this configuration, since the current number is updated in the server device 20 before image formation on the recording medium, the result of adding the number of recording media used for image formation and the “current number” in step SA23 is obtained. No need to send.

  The above-mentioned program can be read by a computer such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk (HDD (Hard Disk Drive), FD (Flexible Disk))), optical recording medium (optical disk, etc.), magneto-optical recording medium, semiconductor memory, etc. It may be provided in a state stored in a possible recording medium and installed in the first image forming apparatus 30A, the second image forming apparatus 30B, the server apparatus 20, or the like. Further, it may be downloaded and installed in the first image forming apparatus 30A, the second image forming apparatus 30B, the server apparatus 20 and the like via a communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Client apparatus, 20 ... Server apparatus, 30A ... 1st image forming apparatus, 30B ... 2nd image forming apparatus, 50 ... Communication line, 201 ... Bus, 202 ... Control part, 202A ... CPU, 202B ... ROM, 202C ... RAM, 203 ... storage unit, 204 ... operation unit, 207 ... display unit, 209 ... communication unit, 301 ... bus, 302 ... control unit, 302A ... CPU, 302B ... ROM, 302C ... RAM, 303 ... storage unit, 304 ... Operation unit, 306 ... reading unit, 307 ... image forming unit, 308 ... image processing unit, 309 ... communication unit, 2001 ... second receiving unit, 2002 ... second transmitting unit, 2003 ... storage unit control unit, 3001 ... authentication unit , 3002... First transmitting means, 3003... First receiving means, 3004... Image forming means, 3005. 3 transmission means

Claims (6)

Means for transmitting first information including a user identifier for identifying a user who uses the own device and a device identifier for identifying a device connected to the communication line to the device connected to the communication line; When transmitting information to another image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, first information including a device identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus, and the first information is transmitted to the server apparatus. In this case, first transmission means for transmitting first information including a device identifier representing the server device to the server device;
First receiving means for receiving the image forming data to which the device identifier included in the first information is added from the device that has received the first information;
Image forming means for forming an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving means on a recording medium;
First storage means for storing user information related to the processing result of the image formation data for each user of the device;
The user information is generated according to the processing result of the image formation data, and when the device identifier received by the first receiving unit is a device identifier representing the own device, the generated user information is stored in the first storage unit. When the device identifier is a device identifier of the server device, the image forming apparatus includes: a generation unit that does not store the user information in the first storage unit;
Second storage means for storing image formation data;
Second receiving means for receiving the first information transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
A second transmission means for transmitting the apparatus identifier included in the first information received by the second reception means and the image forming data stored in the second storage means to the image forming apparatus;
When the device identifier included in the first information is a device identifier representing the own device, a server device having storage unit control means for storing the user information in the second storage means;
An image forming system comprising: The image forming apparatus includes a predetermined upper limit number of use of the recording medium for the user before the image forming unit forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit. The number of recording media used for image formation according to the user's instruction is acquired from the device that transmitted the image formation data,
When the addition result of the number of recording media used when the image forming unit forms an image represented by the image forming data received by the first receiving unit on the recording medium and the number of uses exceeds the upper limit number. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit does not form an image represented by the image forming data. When the addition result is equal to or less than the upper limit number, the image forming apparatus forms an image represented by the image formation data by the image forming unit, and transmits the addition result to the apparatus that transmitted the image formation data. ,
The apparatus which received the addition result updates the number of uses with the received addition result, and notifies the updated number of uses to another apparatus connected to the communication line. The image forming system described. When image formation is being performed by the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, image formation by the user's instruction is not performed in another image forming apparatus connected to the communication line. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Means for transmitting first information including a user identifier for identifying a user who uses the own device and a device identifier for identifying a device connected to the communication line to the device connected to the communication line; When transmitting information to another image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, first information including a device identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus, and the first information is transmitted to the server apparatus. In this case, transmission means for transmitting first information including a device identifier representing the server device to the server device;
Receiving means for receiving the image forming data to which the device identifier included in the first information is added from the device that has received the first information;
Image forming means for forming an image represented by the image forming data received by the receiving means on a recording medium;
Storage means for storing user information related to the processing result of the image formation data for each user of the device;
When the user information is generated according to the processing result of the image formation data and the device identifier received by the receiving unit is a device identifier representing the own device, the generated user information is stored in the storage unit, and the device An image forming apparatus comprising: a generation unit that does not store the user information in the storage unit when the identifier is a device identifier of the server device. Computer
Means for transmitting first information including a user identifier for identifying a user who uses the own device and a device identifier for identifying a device connected to the communication line to the device connected to the communication line; When transmitting information to an image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, first information including a device identifier representing the own apparatus is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus, and the first information is transmitted to the server. When transmitting to a device, a transmission means for transmitting first information including a device identifier representing the server device to the server device;
Receiving means for receiving the image forming data to which the device identifier included in the first information is added from the device that has received the first information;
Image forming means for forming an image represented by the image forming data received by the receiving means on a recording medium;
When user information related to the processing result of the image formation data is generated for each user of the device according to the processing result of the image formation data, and the device identifier received by the receiving unit is a device identifier representing the device, Generation means for storing the generated user information in a storage means for storing the user information for each user of the own apparatus, and not storing the user information in the storage means when the apparatus identifier is the apparatus identifier of the server apparatus Program to function as.