JPH10312137A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device capable of restricting or permitting the use of a color mode in accordance with each department and eliminating the need of remembering a specific password number and keeping it in secrecy by discriminating whether a mode capable of execution is a mode including a color mode or not, in accordance with an identification mark stored in a card. SOLUTION: A card reader 52 is provided on the main body side of a digital color copying device and reads the identification mark stored in the card 51. A CPU 53 is provided with both functions of an identification means for discriminating whether the mode capable of the execution is the color mode, a black and white mode or both modes in accordance with the identification mark stored in the card 51 and a control means for forming an image by the mode capable of the execution according to the result of the discrimination of the identification means. A program to be executed at the CPU 53 is previously stored in a ROM 54. In a nonvolatile memory 55 a management table is stored, consisting of the identification marks set in plural cards 51 respectively and the mode capable of the execution which is previously set according to the identification mark.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to a technique for managing an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine using a card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique for managing an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine using a card of this kind, there is a technique disclosed in, for example, JP-A-8-130654. An image processing apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-130654 is an image processing apparatus having a function of restricting an operation mode, and a first method for restricting use of the image processing apparatus.
Means, a second means for setting an operation mode of the image processing apparatus limited by the first means, and when the first means is in a state of restricting the use of the image processing apparatus, The image processing apparatus includes a control unit that restricts the use of the image processing apparatus according to an operation mode restricted by the first unit set by the second unit. The first means includes a management key,
A card that restricts the use of the image processing apparatus according to the attachment / detachment of the control card to the image processing apparatus or the input of a personal identification number to the image processing apparatus is used.

As described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-130654 describes
In order to arbitrarily restrict the use of the apparatus, the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-260, 1991 includes a management key set, insertion of a control card having a department code, and input of a password corresponding to the department code. Has control means. Therefore, in the image processing apparatus, the necessity / non-necessity of the three control means (set of the management key, insertion of the control card, and input of the password encryption) are determined on the use restriction setting screen dedicated to the key operator by the copy and print operations. Set restrictions / permission conditions separately for color mode black, full color, and others. The conditions set in this way are stored in a battery-backed RAM. In the above image processing apparatus, 3
Based on the state of each of the two control means and the contents of the RAM in which the setting conditions are stored, it is possible to determine whether or not copying or printing is possible, and to control the operation according to the color mode. .

[0004]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the image processing apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-130654, when a control card is used, the color mode restrictions are the same even if the department codes of the departments are different. Therefore, in the case of the image processing apparatus, it is not possible to restrict or permit the color mode for each department code. For example, in one department, only the black copy / print is restricted, and in another department, the color mode is restricted. There is a problem that the device cannot be used by setting to permit the color mode.

[0005] To explain further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
In the case of the image processing apparatus according to Japanese Patent No. 654, as shown in FIG. 14, printing from an external device is permitted without input of a management key, a card, and a password, and if there is no management key, , Local copy is prohibited regardless of the color mode or black and white mode, and if there is a management key, black and white copy is permitted even without a card,
If there is a management key and a card, even if a password is not entered, a monochrome color other than black and white copy and black (for example, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, blue, green, etc.)
Is permitted, and only full-color copying is not permitted unless all use restriction means permit use. Therefore, in the case of the above image processing apparatus,
Since the operation mode is set by the difference of the first means such as the management key, the card, the personal identification number, etc., the operation mode is made different for each department using the same first means such as a card. There was a problem that the settings could not be made.

Further, in the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-130654, once another user knows the password, it is no longer possible to restrict the operation mode with the password, and the specific mode cannot be specified. There is also a problem that the user has to memorize a specific password and manually input the password every time the device is used, which is troublesome for the user.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to restrict or permit use of a color mode according to each department. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of managing executable modes without having to remember a specific password and keeping it secret.

[0008]

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image having a card storing an identification code and an apparatus main body capable of forming an image by inserting the card. In the forming apparatus, identification means for identifying whether or not the mode that can be executed is a mode including a color mode according to the identification symbol stored in the card, and a mode that can be executed according to the identification result of the identification means And a control unit for forming an image by the control unit.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identification means for identifying whether or not an enabled mode is a mode including a color mode in accordance with an identification symbol stored in a card, and an identification result of the identification means. And control means for performing image formation in a mode that can be executed according to the above. Can be managed, so by setting the card identification code according to each department, it is possible to restrict or allow the use of the color mode according to each department,
There is no need to memorize a specific PIN and keep it secret,
Executable modes can be managed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a multi-transfer digital color copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the digital color copying apparatus. An image reading apparatus 3 (Image Input Terminator) for reading an image of a document 2 is provided at an upper end in the main body 1 of the digital color copying apparatus.
l) is arranged. The image reading device 3 illuminates the image of the document 2 placed on the platen glass 4 with the light source 6 while the document 2 placed on the platen glass 4 is pressed by the platen cover 5. First and second scanning mirrors 7 and 8 reflect the reflected light image of document 2.
The CCD sensor 10 scans and exposes the color material reflected light image of the original 2 to a predetermined dot density (for example, 16 dots / m) by the CCD sensor 10 via the imaging lens 9.
m).

The color material reflected light image of the original 2 read by the image reading device 3 is, for example, original reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (each 8 bits). As the image processing device 12 (Image Process)
The image processing device 12 sends the reflectance data of the document 2 to predetermined data such as shading correction, positional deviation correction, lightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasure, color / movement editing, and the like. Image processing is performed.

The image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing device 12 as described above includes black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (8 bi each).
t) is converted into the original color material gradation data of the three colors ROS1
5 (Raster Output Scanner), and the ROS 15 performs image exposure with laser light in accordance with the original color material gradation data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ROS 15 modulates the semiconductor laser 16 in accordance with the original color material gradation data, and emits a laser beam LB from the semiconductor laser 16 in accordance with the gradation data. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser 16 is deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 17 and is reflected by the photosensitive drum 2 via the reflection mirror 18.
Scanning exposure is performed on 0.

The photosensitive drum 20 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 15 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in a direction indicated by an arrow by driving means (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is
After being charged to a predetermined potential by the charging corotron 21 in advance, an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning and exposing a laser beam LB in accordance with document color material gradation data. The electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptor drum 20 include four color developing units 22K, 22Y, 22M, 22C of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
Are sequentially developed by a rotary type developing device 22 provided with a toner image having a predetermined color.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred onto a transfer material 24 such as a transfer sheet held on a transfer drum 23 disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 20 by a transfer corotron. The images are sequentially transferred by the charging of 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer material 24 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 2 stored in a lower portion of the copying apparatus main body 1.
8, 29, or 30, paper can be fed from a paper feed roll 31 or from a manual feed tray 38 arranged on a side surface outside the copying apparatus main body 1. The material 24 is conveyed to the surface of the transfer drum 23 by the conveying roller 32 and the registration roller 33 at a predetermined timing. The transfer material 24 is held on the surface of the transfer drum 23 in a state where the transfer material 24 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 23 by charging of the transfer corotron 25 which also serves as a charger for electrostatic attraction. In addition, from the manual feed tray 38, a transparent OH for an overhead projector other than a non-standard-size transfer paper such as a postcard is provided.
A P sheet or the like can be fed, and an image can be formed on an OHP sheet or the like. From the manual feed tray 38, the transfer material 24 on which an image is formed on one side is fed upside down, so that double-sided copying is possible.

The transfer material 24 onto which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is separated from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by discharging the corotron 34 for separation. The toner image is transferred to the transfer material 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 35.
The color image is fixed on the sheet and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 36, thereby completing the color image forming process.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 37 denotes a charge removing corotron pair for removing charge from the transfer drum 23.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the image forming unit of the digital color copying apparatus of the multiple transfer system.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes the photosensitive drum, and a transfer drum 23 as a transfer material carrier is provided so as to be in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 with a small gap therebetween. I have. The transfer drum 23 is driven to rotate at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 20 by a drive mechanism (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer drum 23 includes a pair of ring members 40, 4 as annular members disposed at both ends in the axial direction.
And a tie bar plate 41 as a connecting member for connecting the ring members 40 and 40 to each other. The tie bar plate 41 is made of a dielectric film such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyvinylidene fluoride. A circumferential front end portion 42a of the transfer film 42 is fixed, and both side ends are wound around a frame along the outer peripheral surfaces of the ring members 40, 40, and a circumferential rear end portion of the transfer film 42 is formed. 42b is fixed to the tie bar plate 41 and formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

As described above, the transfer material 24 is supplied to the transfer drum 23 from one of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 28, 29, and 30. The transfer material 24 is adsorbed from the back side of the transfer drum 23. It is charged by the transfer corotron 25, which also functions as a charging device, and is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer film 42 of the transfer drum 23. This transfer drum 23
On the transfer material 24 adsorbed thereon, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 20 are transferred.
5 is transferred by charging.

The transfer material 24 to which the toner image of a predetermined number of colors has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 is discharged by a peeling corotron 34 and is peeled off from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by a peeling device 44. The toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 35 via the conveyance guide 45, the toner image is fixed on the transfer material 24 by heat and pressure by the fixing roller 35 a and the pressure roller 35 b of the fixing device 35, and the outside of the device is Is discharged onto the discharge tray 36 of the.

In this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus including a card storing an identification code and an apparatus main body capable of forming an image by inserting the card, the card stored in the card is used. An identification unit that identifies whether the mode that can be executed is a color mode or a monochrome mode according to the identification symbol, and a control unit that performs image formation in the mode that can be executed according to the identification result of the identification unit. It is configured to have.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of a digital color copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 51 denotes a card storing an identification code; 52, a card reader provided on the main body of the digital color copying apparatus for reading the identification code stored in the card 51; A function of an identification means for identifying whether the mode that can be executed is a color mode or a black and white mode in accordance with the identification symbol, and a control means for performing image formation in the mode that can be executed in accordance with the identification result of the identification means CPU 54, which is a CPU
ROM in which a program to be executed in 53 is stored in advance, 55
Is a non-volatile memory (NVM) storing a management table including identification codes respectively set for the plurality of cards 51 and an executable mode set in advance corresponding to the identification symbols. A display unit 57 including a panel message display unit 61 and a keyboard 57 including a numeric keypad 75 and the like of an operation panel described later.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the digital color copying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 61 denotes a message display section comprising an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a predetermined message to the operator. Reference numeral 62 denotes an operation unit for performing a magnification selection.
The display unit 64 includes an up / down key 63 for selecting a fixed magnification and an LED for displaying a fixed magnification, an up / down key 65 for selecting an arbitrary magnification, and a display unit 66 for displaying an arbitrary magnification. It is composed of The display unit 64 for displaying the fixed magnification has a magnification of 100%.
In addition to% and automatic selection of automatic magnification selection, fixed magnifications such as predetermined fixed magnifications such as 70% and 81% are displayed. Reference numeral 67 denotes an operation unit for selecting a paper tray. The paper tray selection operation unit 67 includes an up / down key 68 for selecting a predetermined tray or an automatic paper selection mode, and a selected key. The display unit 69 includes LEDs for displaying the trays, and a display unit 70 for displaying the size of the sheets stored in the selected tray. The display unit 69 for displaying the paper size of the selected tray is automatically selected for automatic paper selection, and a tray such as Tray 1 or Tray 2 containing paper of a predetermined size is selected. And special paper such as a manual feed tray. In addition, the display unit 70 for displaying the size of the paper accommodated in the selected tray is lit with characters such as B4, B5, and A3 indicating the paper size. Reference numeral 71 denotes an operation unit for setting a color mode. The color mode setting operation unit 71 includes an up / down key 72 for selecting a color mode and an LED for displaying the selected color mode. And a display unit 73. Display unit 7 for displaying the color mode
Reference numeral 3 indicates black (arbitrary), black (text / photo), color (photo), color (text / photo), and automatic. Reference numeral 74 denotes a copy start key, and reference numeral 75 denotes a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies. By operating the copy start key 74, a predetermined copying operation of the copying apparatus is started. Note that 7
Reference numeral 6 denotes a password input key operated when a password is input.

In the above configuration, the digital color copying apparatus according to this embodiment can restrict or permit the use of the color mode according to each department as described below, and There is no need to memorize the secret number and keep it secret, and it is possible to manage the modes that can be executed.

That is, in the above digital color copying apparatus, as shown in FIG.
M) The management table in 55 has an area in which a card number and a color mode access right for the card number can be registered. This management table can also store the total value of the number of copies and the like. The access rights of the color mode include only black and white in which color mode access rights are not registered, such as card number 0001, and color mode access rights in which color mode access rights are registered, such as card number 0002. Only three types of settings are possible, i.e., only the case where there is no limitation, and the case where the access right of the color mode is registered as in the case of the card number 0003 and there is no restriction that not only color but also black and white copying can be performed.

The card 51 provided corresponding to the digital color copying machine stores an identification code for setting a mode which can be executed in the copying machine. In addition, the nonvolatile memory (NV
M) 55 has an area in which the number of copies can be counted for each card number, as described above, and the CPU 53 performs an operation of counting the number of copies.

As shown in FIG. 7, the digital color copying apparatus is powered on (step 1).
01), a card insertion request message is displayed on the message display section 61 of the operation panel (step 102).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the user inserts the card 51 into the card reader 52 of the digital color copying machine.
Is inserted (step 201), the registered card number is read and notified to the CPU 53 of the copier body. The CPU 53 of the copying apparatus main body stores the card number read from the card 51 and the nonvolatile memory (NV).
M) Check with a card number stored and registered in advance in 55 (step 202). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the job is being executed (step 203). If the job is not being executed, the color mode of the job is set by the access right (step 204). For example, when the card 51 with the card number “0001” is inserted, the access right is only for black and white, so that the black and white mode is set. Thereafter, the job is all cleared (step 205), and the card number and access right of the job are stored (step 20).
6), the process ends.

On the other hand, when the job is being executed, it is determined whether or not the card number and the access right of the inserted card 51 match the card number and the access right of the job storage (step). 207). And
If the card number and access right of the inserted card 51 match the card number and access right of the job storage, the job can be continued (step 2).
08), the process ends. If the card number and access right of the inserted card 51 do not match the card number and access right of the job storage, an error message indicating that the card number or the access right does not match is displayed on the message display section 61 of the operation panel. Is displayed (Step 2
09), the job is terminated.

At this time, even if the color mode of the access right which does not exist in the inserted card 51 is selected, it cannot be selected. For example, if the copying apparatus is started up using the card 51 having only black and white access right and the color of the color mode selection means 71 on the operation panel is selected, it cannot be selected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the user selects a color mode using the color mode selection means 71 on the operation panel (step 301), it is determined whether or not access to the job is permitted. (Step 302). Then, the CPU 53 compares the card number and access right of the card 51 with the stored card number and access right as a result of collation of the color mode actually selected by the user, and Controls to enable selection (step 303) and to form an image in accordance with the selected color mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that the access of the color mode actually selected by the user is not permitted, the selection is disabled (step 304), and the selected color mode is selected in the message display section 61 of the operation panel. Is displayed (step 30)
5) End the job.

If the card is removed after the copy job has been completed normally, the state returns to the state after the power is turned on.

If the card 51 is removed while the copy job is in progress, as shown in FIG. 10, if the card 51 is removed (step 401), it is determined whether or not the job is in progress (step 402). If the job is in the middle, the message display section 61 of the operation panel displays
A message requesting card insertion is displayed (step 405), and the copy job cannot be continued. If the job is not in the middle, the job is all cleared (step 403).
The card number and access right for the job storage are cleared (step 404), and a message requesting the card insertion is displayed on the message display section 61 of the operation panel (step 405).

Thereafter, when the card 51 is inserted, FIG.
As shown in (2), the card number and access right of the inserted card 51 are compared with the stored card number and access right, and if both match, the copy job can be continued.

However, if either is different, an error message is displayed indicating that the card has a different card number or access right (step 209 in FIG. 8), and the copy job cannot be continued.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, when an interrupt entry is input (step 501),
First, the card number and access right of the first job being executed are saved in the interrupt job (step 502).
When shifting to the interrupt job, the access right of the first job is taken over, the color mode of the interrupt job is set by the access right of the first job (step 503), and all the interrupting jobs are cleared (step 504). Control is performed in the same way as for jobs. At this time, the card 51 of another number having another access right can be replaced. In this case, after the card 51 is inserted and removed from the card reader 52, control is performed in the same manner as in the first job, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when returning from the interrupt job to the first job, as shown in FIG. 12, when an interrupt exit process is performed (step 601), the number of the card 51 replaced in the middle of the interrupt job and the color mode are displayed. It is determined whether the access right matches the card number and the access right of the stored first job (step 602). If the access rights are different, the card number or the access right does not match or a different card is used. An error message indicating that the job is 51 is displayed (step 603), and the first job cannot be continued. In this case, the copying apparatus can be used by re-inserting the same card 51 as the initial one or by clearing the job completely, including canceling the job and resetting the color mode. If the number of the card 51 replaced in the middle of the interrupt job and the access right of the color mode match the stored card number and access right of the first job, the job can be continued. (Step 604).

As shown in FIG. 13, when "all clear" is selected (step 701), it is determined whether or not an error of the card number or the access right has occurred (step 702). If no right error has occurred, the job is all cleared (step 705), and the process ends. on the other hand,
If an error occurs in the card number or the access right, the access right of the job is changed to the changed access right (step 703), and the color mode of the job is set by the changed access right (step 703). (Step 704), the job is all-cleared (Step 705), and the process ends.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the CPU 53 as identification means for identifying whether the mode that can be executed is the color mode or the monochrome mode according to the identification symbol stored in the card 51, and the CPU 53 And a CPU 53 which also has a function as a control unit for performing image formation in a mode that can be executed according to the identification result of the card 51. Since not only availability but also possible modes can be managed, by setting the identification symbol of the card 51 according to each department, it is possible to restrict or permit the use of the color mode according to each department. In addition, the identification code is stored in the card 51, and the mode that can be executed is determined based on the identification code. Without the need to hold the user to remember a specific PIN secret, it is possible to manage the feasible mode.

In the present invention, the card itself may have a color mode access right. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be realized. The card may be used in common for each department or the like, or may be used for each individual.

That is, the identification symbol to be stored in the card 51 is set to, for example, a five-digit number such as “10000”, the first digit is assigned to each department, and “1000” is assigned.
The “0” series is the A section, the “20000” series is the B section, and “3”.
The “0000” series is set as the c section. The second digit of the identification symbol consisting of five digits may be used for setting the access right in the color mode. At this time, for example, if the second digit of the identification symbol consisting of five digits is “1”, only black and white is used, if the second digit is “2”, only colors are used. 3
If the number in the first digit is “3”, it can be set as no limit. Specifically, as for the identification symbols of the “11000” series, such as “11001” and “11002”, a color mode of only black and white is possible, and “11000” is used.
Like "2001" and "12002"
The identification code of the "0" series can be set so that the color mode of only color is possible. In this case,
When reading the identification symbol of the card 51 with the card reader 52, the CPU 53 may identify the second digit to identify whether the mode that can be executed is the color mode or the monochrome mode. .

[0047]

According to the present invention, the use of the color mode can be restricted or permitted according to each department, and there is no need to memorize a specific password and keep it secret. An image forming apparatus capable of managing modes can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configuration showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a transfer drum.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a control panel.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing a management table stored in a nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation.

FIG. 14 is a table showing a setting state of a function restriction process of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

51 Card, 52 Card Reader, 53 CPU
(Identification means and control means), 54 ROM, 55 non-volatile memory (NVM), 56 display unit, 57 keyboard.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a card storing an identification code; and an apparatus main body capable of forming an image when the card is inserted, the image forming apparatus comprising: An identification unit that identifies whether the enabled mode is a mode including a color mode, and a control unit that performs image formation in an enabled mode according to the identification result of the identification unit. Image forming device.