JP6045998B2 - Print number management apparatus and print number management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print number management apparatus and a print number management method, and more specifically, a combination of bottom-up type print number management and top-down type print number management makes it easy to use print number management for each user as a whole. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a printing number management method.

  A job generation device such as a PC or workstation that generates a print job and a printer device that receives a print job from the job generation device and performs printing are connected to a network, and can be used in common by multiple users. Thus, a printing apparatus is considered.

  By the way, in such a case, it is necessary to perform authentication to check whether or not the user who has requested printing has a so-called access right to use the printing apparatus and determine permission to print. In addition, in the conventional technology, after identifying the user, the degree of freedom of control according to the user is expanded, and special processing is enabled for a specific user, thereby improving convenience. I am trying. Furthermore, print management apparatuses that collectively manage user identification and authentication functions and charging functions of a plurality of printer apparatuses have appeared.

  In general, the running cost of a printer device is more expensive than the cost of using network resources, and the running cost is particularly expensive in a device such as a color printer, and there is a large difference in the running cost of each device. In such a case, if a situation occurs in which a specific user monopolizes a device having a high running cost, there arises a problem that the total use cost is increased for the specific user and other users are burdened.

  However, none of the prior arts employs the idea of calculating a charging fee based on running costs for printing restrictions on the user and allowing printing to the user only within the budget.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-92616 (Patent Document 1) has a plurality of printer devices and a printer server that controls the printer devices, and a computer or the like via a network. A printing apparatus that prints print data in response to a print request sent from a user terminal is disclosed. In this printing apparatus, the printer server includes a print control unit that controls printing of the printer apparatus, a network control unit that controls the network, a terminal identification unit that identifies the user terminal that has transmitted the print request, The present invention is characterized by comprising running cost management means for managing the running cost of the printer device in accordance with the contents of the print request and calculating a charging fee to be requested for the print request. Thereby, the expense used for printing can be managed easily, and the possibility of realizing print control using this is born.

  Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-83107 (Patent Document 2) includes a step of arranging a system having a hierarchical structure and a step of setting a problem to be achieved in a first system located in an upper layer in the hierarchical structure. And a step of selecting a responsible department and a system for managing the responsible department in order to achieve the object. In this system, a step of identifying a second system located in a lower layer, a step of setting a budget necessary for achieving the task, a budget to be transmitted to the second system, and the second Providing a first accommodating means for temporarily accommodating information indicating the set budget for receiving from the system. Transmitting information indicating the set budget to the second system via the first accommodation means, and transmitting information indicating the task and responsible department to the second system; In the second system, a second accommodation for temporarily accommodating the budget in order to accept a budget from the first system and to return a budget including surplus to the first system. Providing a means, and receiving a budget through the second accommodation means and receiving information indicating a task and a responsible department. Furthermore, transmission of information indicating the budget is executed only through the first accommodation means and the second accommodation means. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a system that can realize budget movement between departments, outside, or between departments with a simple configuration regardless of the form of the organization.

JP 2001-92616 A JP 2002-83107 A

  However, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, an excessive number of prints is set even for users who do not need to print, and can only set the budget corresponding to the number of prints to the user in a top-down manner. , Users who really need to print cannot set a sufficient number of copies, can only manage the budget for the entire organization or each department, can not consider the budget for the number of prints corresponding to the user's authority, and balance with other departments There is a problem that the budget for the number of prints cannot be set.

  In addition, cost management in company management is important, but as one of cost management, management of printing cost has become important with the recent trend toward electronic paper and paperless. Nevertheless, conventional print management still supports only the top-down method, and appropriate cost management can be performed to allow necessary users to perform necessary printing and optimize the overall printing cost. There is no problem.

  Also, in recent print management, transparent print management for the entire organization and department, print management that can respond to user movement and department change, and the number of required prints can be set according to user rights and roles Print management is required. On the other hand, for a company with many users (employees), it is troublesome to set a predetermined number of prints for each user, and the necessity for printing differs depending on the type of department. There is a problem that a predetermined number of printed sheets cannot be allocated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and by combining bottom-up type print number management with top-down type print number management, the number of prints that is easy to use for each user or for the whole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management device and a printing number management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a printing number management apparatus according to the present invention is a printing number management apparatus that permits a logged-in user to execute printing, and employs the following configuration.

  That is, the present invention calculates the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the number of authorized prints assigned to the authority of the logged-in user and the number of department prints assigned to the department to which the user belongs. And calculating means for permitting the user to print when the calculated permitted number of prints for the user exceeds the number of used prints already printed by the user.

  Further, the calculation means subtracts the authority print number from the department print number, calculates an assigned print number that can be assigned to all users in the department, and calculates the calculated assigned print number as a total number of users in the department. To calculate the number of unit assigned prints that can be assigned per user in the department, and add the calculated unit assigned print number to the authorized print number to calculate the permitted number of prints for the user. .

The calculation unit is assigned to a department other than the department to which the user belongs when the authority print sheet is larger than the department print sheet when the authority print sheet is subtracted from the department print sheet. The number of printed pages that can be assigned to all users of the department and the other departments by adding the number of printed pages of other departments to the number of printed departments of the department of the user and subtracting the number of authorized printed sheets from the added value. Is calculated.

In addition, when the authority of the user has a predetermined authority print number, the calculating unit calculates only the authority print number as the permitted print number of the user, and the user authority does not have the predetermined authority print number. In this case, only the unit assigned print number that can be assigned per user in the department, which is obtained by dividing the department print number by the total number of users in the department, is calculated as the permitted print number of the user.

  In addition, the present invention can be provided as a printing number management method of a printing number management apparatus that allows a logged-in user to execute printing.

  That is, the present invention calculates the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the number of authorized prints assigned to the authority of the logged-in user and the number of department prints assigned to the department to which the user belongs. And a step of permitting printing by the user when the calculated permitted number of prints of the user exceeds the number of used prints already printed by the user. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be provided as a program for causing a computer to circulate individually via a telecommunication line or the like. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) realizes the control operation in cooperation with each circuit other than the CPU according to the program of the present invention. Each means realized by using the program and the CPU can also be configured by using dedicated hardware. The program can also be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the printing number management apparatus and the printing number management method of the present invention, the combination of bottom-up type printing number management and top-down type printing number management improves usability for each user as a whole and reduces printing costs. It becomes possible to optimize sufficiently.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows an example of an authentication screen displayed on the touch panel according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6A), and FIG. 6B shows an example of an attribute information table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6B). It is. FIG. 7 shows an example of the authority number table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7A), and FIG. 7B shows an example of the department number table according to the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7B). FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a print disapproval screen displayed on the touch panel of the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 8A), and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus in which a printing number management apparatus of the present invention is incorporated will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. Moreover, the alphabet S added before the number in a flowchart means a step.

<Image forming apparatus>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus incorporating a print number management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multi-function machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. Function as an image forming apparatus.

  The operation of the MFP 100 (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) when using the copy function will be briefly described below.

  First, when the user uses the multifunction machine 100, the document is placed on the document table 101 provided on the upper surface of the casing. Subsequently, the user logs in using the operation unit 102 (operation panel) provided near the document table 101. Here, the MFP 100 calculates the permitted number of prints of the user based on the number of authorized prints assigned to the user's authority and the department prints assigned to the department to which the user belongs, Allow or disallow user printing.

  When the user is permitted to print, the user inputs input of setting conditions related to image formation from the operation screen of the operation unit 102. When the user presses a start key provided on the operation unit 102, the multifunction peripheral 100 starts image formation (print processing).

  Next, in the image reading unit 103, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected by the document placed on the document table 101. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108, and image data corresponding to the original is generated.

  An image forming unit 109 forms a toner image based on the image data. The image forming unit 109 is provided with a photosensitive drum 110. The photosensitive drum 110 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum, the exposure unit 112, the developing unit 113, the transfer unit 114, the cleaning unit 115, and the like in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The exposure unit 112 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 114 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the formed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, paper, sheet) by the transfer device 114. The cleaning unit 115 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 110.

  The sheets are conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 116 provided in the multi function peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 116 to the conveyance path by the pickup roller 117. Each sheet cassette 116 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on setting conditions relating to image formation.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer device 114 by the conveyance roller 118 and the registration roller 119. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 114 and conveyed to the fixing device 120.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between a heating roller and a pressure roller provided in the fixing device 120, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed on the sheet. The The amount of heat of the heating roller is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet and the image formation is completed, and the sheet is guided to the path switching unit 121 by the conveyance roller 118.

  In the path switching unit 121, the sheet is guided to the sheet discharge tray 122 provided on the side surface of the casing unit or the casing through the sheet discharge port 123 according to a switching instruction from the multifunction peripheral 100. To the in-body tray 124 provided in the body cylinder. The sheets are stacked and stored on the paper discharge tray 122 or the in-body tray 124. Through the above procedure, the housing unit of the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy function to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 201 (operation panel), a touch pen 202, and operation keys 203 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing a key in the screen displayed on the touch panel 201, a setting condition corresponding to the pressed key is input.

  A display unit (not shown) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on the back surface of the touch panel 201, and the display unit displays an operation screen such as the initial screen, for example. A touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201. When the user brings the tip of the touch pen 202 into contact with the touch panel 201, a sensor provided under the touch panel 201 detects the touch destination.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 203 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and for example, a ten key 204, a start key 205, a clear key 206, a stop key 207, a reset key 208, and a power key 209 are provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit, and an operation. The units 306 (102) are connected by the internal bus 307.

  The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like, and based on the execution result, data and instructions from the driver 305 and the operation unit 306, key 1 is sent and received, and the operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled.

  Also, each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later other than the drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing a program. The ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the like store programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configuration and execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction machine of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the multifunction device 100, the multifunction device 100 is activated, and the authentication unit 401 of the operation unit 102 of the multifunction device 100 displays an authentication screen on the touch panel 201.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the authentication screen 600 includes a message 601 indicating a login screen, a user ID input field 602, a password input field 603, a keyboard key 604, and an OK key 605. Is displayed.

  While viewing the login screen 600, the user uses the keyboard key 604 to input his / her user ID (eg, “AAA”) in the user ID input field 602 and his / her password (eg, “aaa”). ) Is entered in the password input field 603 and the OK key 605 is pressed, the authentication means 401 accepts the pressing of the OK key 605 and inputs the input user ID (“AAAA”) and the input password. ("Aaa") is compared with the authentication user ID and the authentication password stored in advance in a predetermined memory by the administrator or the like.

  If the input user ID and / or the input password does not match the human user ID and / or the authentication password as a result of the comparison, the authentication unit 401 displays the login screen in which the input user ID and the input password are deleted. 600 is displayed to prompt the user to input the correct user ID and password again (FIG. 5: S101 NO).

  On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, when the input user ID and the input password match the human user ID and the authentication password, the authentication unit 401 logs in the user (allows the user to use the MFP 100). (FIG. 5: S101 YES).

  When the authentication unit 401 logs the user in, the authentication unit 401 notifies the calculation unit 402 of the fact, and the calculation unit 402 calculates the number of authorized prints assigned to the authority (role) of the logged-in user (see FIG. 5: S102).

  Any method may be used as the method by which the calculation unit 402 calculates the number of authorized prints of the user, for example, as follows. That is, the calculation unit 402 first refers to an attribute information table stored in advance in the attribute information storage unit 403.

  In the attribute information table 606, as shown in FIG. 6B, the above-described user ID 607 (for example, “AAA”) and an authority ID 608 (for example, “department manager” indicating the authority given to the user with the user ID). ”), A department ID 609 (for example,“ department A ”) indicating the department to which the user with the user ID belongs, and a used print number 610 (for example,“ 10 ”) indicating the number of prints already printed by the user with the user ID. ) Is stored in association with each other.

  Here, the authority ID corresponds to “regular employee”, “temporary employee”, “temporary employee”, etc. in addition to “manager”, for example. The department ID corresponds to, for example, “department B”, “department C” in addition to “department A”.

  The calculation unit 402 referring to the attribute information table 606 collates the user ID 607 of the attribute information table 606 with the user ID (“AAA”) of the logged-in user, and matches the collated user ID 607 (“AAA”). The corresponding authority ID 608 (“manager”) is acquired.

  Next, the calculation unit 402 refers to an authorized number table stored in the authorized number storage unit 404 in advance.

  In the authority number table 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, the authority ID 701 (for example, “director”) described above and the authority print number 702 (for example, “20 sheets”) assigned to the authority ID 701 are included. Are stored in association with each other. As a result, the user having the predetermined authority ID 701 can reliably print the predetermined authority print number 702.

  Here, in the authority print sheet number 702, a predetermined print sheet number or zero sheet “0 sheet” is associated and stored. When the authority print number 702 is zero “0”, it means that the necessary print number is not allocated to the authority ID, but is covered by the print number allocated to a department ID described later. In the authority number table 700 of FIG. 7A, for example, when the authority ID 701 is “temporary employee”, the authority print number 702 is stored in association with zero “0”.

  The calculation unit 402 that refers to the authority number table 700 compares the authority ID 701 of the authority number table 700 with the authority ID (“director”) of the logged-in user, and the authority corresponding to the verified authority ID 701. The number of printed sheets 702 (“20 sheets”) is acquired. Accordingly, the calculation unit 402 can calculate the number of authorized prints assigned to the authority of the logged-in user.

  Next, the calculation unit 402 calculates the number of department prints assigned to the department to which the logged-in user belongs (FIG. 5: S102).

  Any method may be used for the calculation unit 402 to calculate the number of prints of the user's department, but as described above, for example, it is performed as follows. That is, the calculation unit 402 refers to the department number table stored in advance in the department number storage unit 405.

  In the department number table 703, as shown in FIG. 7B, the department ID 704 (for example, “department A”) and the department print number 705 (for example, “200 sheets”) assigned to the department ID 704 are displayed. ) Is stored in association with each other. As a result, the user belonging to the department with the predetermined department ID 704 can reliably print within the range of the predetermined department print number 705.

  The calculation unit 402 referring to the department authority number table 703 collates the department ID 704 of the department number table 703 with the department ID 704 (“Department A”) of the logged-in user, and compares the department ID 704 (“ The department print number 705 ("200 sheets") corresponding to "Department A") is acquired. Accordingly, the calculation unit 402 can calculate the number of department prints assigned to the department to which the logged-in user belongs.

  Next, the calculation unit 402 calculates the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the calculated authority print number and department print number (FIG. 5: S104).

  Any method may be used as the method by which the calculation unit 402 calculates the permitted number of prints for the user. For example, the calculation unit 402 is configured as follows. That is, the calculation unit 402 first refers to the attribute information table 606 and calculates the total number of users belonging to the department (“Department A”) to which the department print number 705 (“200 sheets”) is assigned. .

  Specifically, the calculation unit 402 collates the department ID 609 (“Department A”) of the attribute information table 606 with the department ID of the user (“Department A”), and compares the department ID 609 ( The total number of user IDs corresponding to “Department A”) is counted, and the total number of user IDs counted is set as the total number of users belonging to the department (“Department A”) (for example, “10” people). Here, the calculation unit 402 also counts the logged-in user ID in the total number.

  Next, the calculation means 402 subtracts the authority print sheet number (“20”) from the department print sheet number (“200”), and assigns the allocated print sheet number (“200” − “20” = “180”) is calculated, and the calculated assigned print number (“180”) is divided by the calculated total number of users (“10”) to obtain a user in the department (“department A”). The number of unit assigned prints that can be assigned per person (“180” / “10” = “18”) is calculated. Then, the calculation unit 402 adds the calculated unit assigned print number (“18”) to the authorized print number (“20”) to allow the user permitted print number (“20” + “18”). = "38"). Accordingly, the user is authorized based on the authority print number (“20”) based on his / her authority for bottom-up type print number management and his / her department which is used for top-down type print number management. Corresponding to the department print number (“18”), the permitted print number (“38”) is determined.

  When the calculation unit 402 calculates the permitted number of prints (“38”) of the user, the calculation unit 402 notifies the permission unit 406 to that effect, and the permission unit 406 that has received the notification notifies the user of the permitted print number (“38”). If “38”) exceeds the number of used prints already printed by the user, the user is permitted to print (FIG. 5: S105).

  Any method may be used as the method by which the permission unit 406 allows the user to print, for example, as follows. That is, the permission unit 406 first refers to the attribute information table 606 to obtain the used print number 610 (for example, “10”) of the user ID 607 of the user. Next, the permission unit 406 compares the permitted number of prints (“38”) of the user with the acquired number of used prints 610 (“10”), and the permitted number of prints indicates the number of used prints. It is determined whether or not it exceeds.

  As a result of the determination, if the permitted number of prints is less than or equal to the number of used prints, the permission unit 406 rejects the user's printing (FIG. 5: S105 NO) and notifies the display reception unit 407 accordingly. Upon receiving the notification, the display accepting unit 407 displays a printing non-permission screen on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 5: S106).

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the print disapproval screen 800 displays a message 801 indicating that the print disapproval screen is displayed, a message 802 indicating that the permitted number of prints has been exceeded, and a logout key 803. Is done. As a result, the user can know that printing cannot be executed at this time because the number of permitted printing sheets permitted by the user is exceeded. In addition, since the user cannot execute printing exceeding his / her permitted number of prints, the printing cost management can be ensured.

  When the user wants to execute printing, for example, the user presses the logout key 803 to log out to the authentication unit 401 via the display accepting unit 407 (FIG. 5: S107), and to the administrator. contact. Then, the administrator changes the authority ID of the user to increase the authority print number of the user or to increase the department print number of the user's department ID. Is increased so that the user can execute printing. Thereby, if the user logs in again in S101, printing can be executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S105 that the permitted number of prints exceeds the number of used prints, the permission unit 406 permits the user to print (FIG. 5: S105 YES), and the display reception unit 407 indicates that. The display receiving means 407 that has received the notification displays an operation screen (initial screen) corresponding to the print permission screen on the touch panel 201 (FIG. 5: S108).

  On the operation screen 804, as shown in FIG. 8B, a message 805 prompting execution of printing (copy function), a function item key 806 for inputting setting conditions for printing execution, and the user The permitted number of prints 807 (“38”), the currently used number of prints 808 (“10”), and a logout key 809 are displayed. As a result, the user can know that printing can be executed at the present time, and by confirming the permitted number of printed sheets 807 permitted by the user and the number of used printed sheets 808 that the user has printed in the past, You will be able to understand how much you can print later.

  Now, while viewing the operation screen 804, the user places a document on the document table 101, presses the function item key 806, inputs a desired setting condition, and presses the start key 205. The means 407 adds the number of printed sheets (for example, “3”) under the input setting condition to the used number of printed sheets (“10”) via the permission means 406 and uses the print after executing printing. It is determined whether or not the added value (“13”), which is the number of sheets, is less than or equal to the permitted number of prints (“38”) (FIG. 5: S109).

  As a result of the determination, when the added value exceeds the permitted number of prints, the display receiving unit 407 determines that printing cannot be executed under the input setting conditions (FIG. 5: S109 NO), and The input setting condition is erased, the operation screen 804 is displayed again (FIG. 5: S105), and an input of the setting condition within the range of the permitted number of prints is accepted from the user.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S109 that the added value is equal to or less than the permitted number of prints, the display accepting unit 407 determines that printing can be executed under the input setting conditions (FIG. 5: (S109 YES), the input of the setting condition and the pressing of the start key 205 are accepted and the printing unit 408 is notified of this. Upon receiving the notification, the printing unit 408 acquires image data from the document on the document table 101 based on the setting condition, forms an image of the image data on a predetermined sheet, and executes printing (FIG. 5: S110). ). As a result, a printed matter corresponding to the setting condition is output.

  When the printing unit 408 completes execution of the printing, the number of printed sheets (for example, “3”) output by the printing is counted (FIG. 5: S111), and the user's information in the attribute information table 606 is counted. The counted number of printed sheets (“3”) is added to the number of used printed sheets (“10”) corresponding to the user ID (“AAA”), and the added value (“13”) is added to the number of used printed sheets (“13”). 10 ”→“ 13 ”). As a result, the number of pages printed by the user is reflected in the previous attribute information table 606 (database).

  When the printing unit 408 completes the counting, the display receiving unit 407 is notified of the fact, and the display receiving unit 407 that has received the notification deletes the input setting condition and displays the operation screen 804. indicate.

  Here, when the user wishes to further execute printing while looking at the printed matter that has been printed (FIG. 5: S112 NO), the process returns to S105, and the display receiving means 407 displays the operation screen from the user. A desired setting condition is received via 804.

  On the other hand, when the user desires to end printing (FIG. 5: S112 YES), when the user presses the logout key 809 on the operation screen 804, the display receiving unit 407 receives the pressing of the logout key 809, The authentication unit 401 notifies the fact to that effect, and the authentication unit 401 that has received the notification logs out the user (not permitting the user to use the MFP 100) (FIG. 5: S107), and performs all the processing. finish.

  As described above, in the present invention, the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the number of authorized prints assigned to the authority of the logged-in user and the department prints assigned to the department to which the user belongs. And a calculating unit 402 that calculates the permitted printing number of the user, and a permission unit 406 that allows the user to print when the calculated number of permitted printings exceeds the number of used printings that the user has already printed. To do.

  Thus, by combining the bottom-up type print number management with the top-down type print number management, the user-friendliness is improved for each user as a whole, and the printing cost can be sufficiently optimized.

  In particular, according to the present invention, since the user's authority and the department to which the user belongs is determined, the permitted number of prints for the user is determined, so that the printing cost (budget management) can be set dynamically and easily. In addition, it is possible to reliably set the required number of prints according to the authority and role of the user, and to perform transparent comprehensive management of the printing cost of the entire company organization. In addition, the number of copies to be printed for each user and department is set for each user and department, and the permitted number of prints is determined. Therefore, it matches the authority of each user and the rules of each department. The number of printed pages can be set.

  Furthermore, in order to determine the permitted number of prints from the authority of the user, for example, even if the user moves the department, the total number of users in the department is changed, and the entire company organization is changed (changed), the permission of the user It is possible to easily determine the number of printed sheets.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the permitted number of prints is set for the authority ID of the user authority. However, other configurations may be used. For example, it may be configured to set the permitted number of monochrome printing and the permitted number of color printing for the authority ID. Here, the monochrome printing / color printing function is used. However, for example, the permitted number of prints may be determined in association with the function of the function item directly related to the cost.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the calculation unit 402 can subtract the authority print number from the department print number when assigning the permitted print number of the user and assign it to all users in the department. The allocated number of printed sheets is calculated, and the calculated allocated number of printed sheets is divided by the total number of users in the department to calculate the unit allocated number of printed sheets that can be allocated per user in the department. By adding the calculated unit assigned printing number, the permitted number of printings for the user is calculated. As a result, the number of allowed prints is increased by adding the number of department prints of the department to which the user belongs to the number of authorized prints to the user. However, other configurations may be used.

  For example, when the user has a predetermined authorized print number, the calculation unit 402 may calculate only the authorized print number as the permitted print number of the user. Accordingly, since the number of printed sheets is allocated only to the user's own authority, it is possible to prohibit excessive printing processing. In such a case, for example, when the authority ID of the user is “temporary employee” and the authority printing number of color printing corresponding to the user ID is to be permitted for color printing, the temporary employee excessively performs color printing. This is particularly effective. On the contrary, for example, when the user does not have a predetermined authority print number, the calculation unit 402 divides the department print number by the total number of users in the department, so that unit assignment that can be assigned per user in the department is performed. Only the number of printed sheets may be calculated as the permitted number of printed sheets for the user.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the calculation unit 402 calculates a minus value when the authority print number (“300”) is subtracted from the department print number (“200”) of the department ID (“department A”). If a value is generated, that is, if the number of authority prints is greater than the number of department prints, the number of other department prints assigned to a department ID ("Department B") other than the department to which the user belongs. (“500”) is added to the department print count (“200”) of the department ID (“department A”), and the authorized print count (“300”) is subtracted from the added value (“700”). Then, the allocated number of prints that can be allocated to all users of the department and the other departments (two department IDs, “department A” and “department B”) may be calculated. With such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately distribute the number of printed pages for each department and reliably distribute the permitted number of printed pages to users who need the number of printed pages.

  In addition, the calculation unit 402 assumes that a predetermined department print number is preset (stored) corresponding to the department ID when calculating the permitted print number of the user. One department print number may be set in advance for each department, and a predetermined number of department prints may be determined by varying for each department.

  For example, when the calculation unit 402 calculates the permitted number of prints for the user, the department print number (“200”) of the department ID (“Department A”) is subtracted from the authority print number, The number of assigned prints that can be assigned to all users is calculated. If the authorized print number (“300”) exceeds the department print number (“200”) fixed to a predetermined department, the calculation is performed. The means 402 cannot calculate the assigned print number.

  Therefore, for a predetermined number of department IDs ("department A", "department B"), one department print number ("1000") that is equal to or greater than the maximum authorized print number is set in advance, and the calculation is performed. The means 402 subtracts the authority print number (“300”) of the user from one department print number (“1000”) corresponding to the department ID to which the user belongs (“Department A”). It may be configured to calculate the number of prints that can be assigned to all users for a number of department IDs.

  Further, the calculating means 402 may be configured as follows. First, the calculation unit 402 subtracts the authorized print number from the department print number to calculate an assigned print number that can be assigned to an unauthorized user among the department users. The total number of unauthorized users is calculated by subtracting the total number of authorized users, and the calculated number of assigned prints is divided by the calculated total number of unauthorized users to obtain the number of authorized users per department. The assignable unit number of printed sheets is calculated. Then, when the authority of the user has a predetermined authority print number, the calculation unit 402 calculates only the authority print number as the authorized user print number, and the user authority has the predetermined authority print number. When there is no number of sheets, only the calculated unit assigned number of printed sheets is calculated as the permitted number of printed sheets for an unauthorized user. Thus, an authorized user can use only the authorized print number assigned to the authority, and an unauthorized user can use only the unit assigned print number assigned to the department.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the multi-function device 100 is configured to include the attribute information storage unit 403, the authority number storage unit 404, and the department number storage unit 405. For example, the multi-function device 100 is configured via a network. The server may include a server (storage unit) capable of communicating, and the server may include the attribute information storage unit 403, the authority number storage unit 404, and the department number storage unit 405.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In this configuration, the multifunction device 100 reads the program, and the multifunction device 100 implements the respective units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the print number management apparatus and the print number management method according to the present invention are useful not only for multifunction peripherals but also for copiers, printers, etc., and for top-down type print number management. By combining these, the usability is improved for each user as a whole, and it is effective as a printing number management apparatus and a printing number management method capable of sufficiently optimizing the printing cost.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Operation part 401 Authentication means 402 Calculation means 403 Attribute information storage means 404 Authority number storage means 405 Department number storage means 406 Authorization means 407 Display reception means 408 Printing means

Claims (3)

A printing number management device that allows a logged-in user to execute printing,
Calculating means for calculating the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the authority print number assigned to the authority of the logged-in user and the department print number assigned to the department to which the user belongs;
Permission means for permitting printing of the user when the calculated permitted number of prints of the user exceeds the number of used prints already printed by the user,
The calculation means subtracts the authority print number from the department print number to calculate an assigned print number that can be assigned to all users in the department, and divides the calculated assigned print number by the total number of users in the department. Calculating the number of unit assigned prints that can be assigned per user in the department, adding the calculated unit assigned print number to the authority print number, and calculating the permitted print number of the user, When subtracting the authority print number from the department print number, if the authority print number is larger than the department print number, another department print number assigned to a department other than the department to which the user belongs is determined. Adding the number of printed pages of the department of the user, subtracting the number of authorized prints from the added value, and assigning the number of prints that can be assigned to all users of the department and the other departments. Print number management unit, characterized in that the output. The calculating means calculates, when the user authority has a predetermined authority print number, only the authority print number as the user permitted print number, and when the user authority does not have the predetermined authority print number. 2. The number-of-prints management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the unit-assigned number of prints that can be assigned to each user in the department is calculated as the permitted number of prints for the user by dividing the department print number by the total number of users in the department. . A method for managing the number of prints of a print number management apparatus that allows a logged-in user to execute printing,
Calculating the permitted number of prints that can be printed by the user based on the authority print number assigned to the authority of the logged-in user and the department print number assigned to the department to which the user belongs;
Allowing the user to print when the calculated permitted number of prints of the user exceeds the number of used prints already printed by the user,
The calculating step subtracts the authority print number from the department print number to calculate an assigned print number that can be assigned to all users in the department, and divides the calculated assigned print number by the total number of users in the department. Calculating the number of unit assigned prints that can be assigned per user in the department, and adding the calculated unit assigned print number to the authorized print number to calculate the permitted print number of the user, When subtracting the authority print number from the print number, if the authority print number is larger than the department print number, another department print number assigned to a department other than the department to which the user belongs, Assigned number of prints that can be assigned to all users in the department and the other departments by adding the number of printed pages in the department of the user and subtracting the number of authorized prints from the added value Print number management method and calculating.

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