JPH11136414A - Image formation device, control method therefor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of easily performing unitary department management relating to the use of plural functions, the control method and a storage medium. SOLUTION: A sub address is allocated as an inputted department ID (step S1103) in the case that the sub address is provided in received data and the department ID corresponding to the telephone number of an opposite party or the department ID provided exclusively for an unspecified person or the like is allocated (step S1104) in the case that no sub address is provided. Then, in the case that an outputtable remaining sheet number is present, the received data are automatically printed corresponding to setting or the received data are stored in a hard disk part along with the department ID (steps S1107 and S1108). On the other hand, in the case that no remaining sheet number is present, the received data are only stored corresponding to the setting or a communication error is informed (steps S1108 and S1110).

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 having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a print data transmission / reception function, and a print function, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, department management is performed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. Department management refers to the individual who uses the device or the department to which the device belongs, and permits its use,
This means managing the setting of the upper limit of usage, totaling of the number of sheets used, collection of usage fees, and the like for each department. The department management generally uses a department ID for identifying the department of the operator and a password for identifying the individual operator.

For example, in a single-function copying machine having only a copy function, an operator is required to input a department ID using a card or the like at the start of operation, and use is permitted. When the number of used copies exceeds the upper limit, use is refused. And so on. Alternatively, a usage fee is collected according to the number of sheets used.

In a printer that prints out image data or the like stored in a memory or received from an external device, the network server uses a log-in ID or an IP (Internet Protocol) address to identify itself to the network server. Is responsible for department management.

[0005] In a facsimile machine, department management is not generally performed.

On the other hand, an image forming apparatus connected to a public line and capable of performing facsimile transmission and reception, and capable of performing data communication with a client computer connected to a network has been known. Such a device is a complex multifunctional device having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile transmission / reception function and a print data transmission / reception function as well as a copy function and a print function.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, when department management is performed for all of a plurality of functions of the same apparatus, for example, different department IDs are assigned to a print function and a facsimile function. Although it is possible to provide each section, management is complicated in such a case. In the facsimile and print data reception functions, the transmission source usually transmits the information without grasping the usage status of the reception side device, etc.
It is necessary to sufficiently consider the handling of received data. Therefore, department management was not easy.

Further, it has been difficult to make the department ID for the copy function coincide with the management ID on the network server for the print function.

[0009] Further, a user without a print server cannot perform department management on print functions.

Therefore, regardless of the presence or absence of a print server or the like, there is a problem that it is difficult to centrally perform the department management for all of the plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus without depending on the function of each department. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 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 provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing centralized department management with respect to use of a plurality of functions and a control thereof. A method and a storage medium are provided.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions. User identification information obtaining means for obtaining the user identification information of each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the user identification information obtained by the user identification information obtaining means. And use management means.

[0013] Claim 2 of the present invention achieves the same object.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A storage unit for storing a use status of each of the plurality of functions for each of the plurality of functions, and management of use of each of the plurality of functions by the user-based use management unit is stored by the storage unit; It is characterized in that it is performed based on the usage status of each function performed.

[0014] To achieve the same object, claim 3 of the present invention.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions include a data receiving function,
The user identification information is obtained from received data.

[0015] In order to achieve the same object, claim 4 of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
When the user identification information cannot be acquired from the received data, the user identification information acquiring means assigns predetermined identification information.

[0016] To achieve the same object, claim 5 of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a subaddress defined in ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data. It is characterized by that.

[0017] To achieve the same object, claim 6 of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is acquired based on an NSS defined in an ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data. It is characterized by that.

[0018] To achieve the same object, claim 7 of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a telephone number of a transmission source received together with the facsimile data. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the same object, claim 8 of the present invention
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function, and the user-specific usage management unit receives the data. If you forbid printing data,
One of a process for rejecting the reception of the data and a process for receiving the data and storing the received data is performed.

[0020] In order to achieve the same object, claim 9 of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a receiving data printing function, and the user identification information acquiring unit includes: If the user identification information cannot be obtained from the received data, a process of refusing to receive the data, a process of printing the received data while receiving the data, or a process of receiving the data and receiving the data. It is characterized in that any one of the processes for visually displaying the received data is performed.

[0021] To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of functions include a facsimile reservation transmission function, and the user-specific use management unit should transmit. Calculating means for calculating an estimated transmission time based on the facsimile data amount and the data receiving capability of the destination facsimile apparatus; and managing the use of the facsimile reservation transmission function based on the estimated transmission time calculated by the calculating means. After transmitting the facsimile data to be transmitted, a reservation transmission management unit and a correction unit for correcting the predicted transmission time based on the actual transmission time of the data are provided.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
In the configuration described in the section, the management of use of each function is at least one of determination of permission of use, limitation of use mode, and calculation of usage fee.

[0023] To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention.
A control method of the image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions; a user identification information acquisition step of acquiring user identification information set for each user and identifying each user; A user-specific use management step of managing use of each of the plurality of functions for each function based on the user identification information acquired in the user identification information acquisition step.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
13. The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 12, further comprising: a storage step of storing a use status of each of the plurality of functions for each of the plurality of functions in the configuration of claim 12; The management of the use of each function for the plurality of functions is performed based on the use status of each function stored in the storage step.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the configuration according to claim 12 or 13, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained from received data. Features.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
The control method of an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user identification information obtaining step is performed when the user identification information cannot be obtained from the received data. Is assigned.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
16. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is ITU.
It is obtained based on a subaddress defined in the recommendation and received together with facsimile data.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is ITU.
N received in facsimile data as specified in the recommendation
It is obtained based on SS.

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
8. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data reception function is a facsimile reception function, and the user identification information is a telephone number of a transmission source received together with facsimile data. It is characterized by being acquired based on

To achieve the same object, claim 1 of the present invention
The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
In the configuration according to any one of the above, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function, and the use management process for each user includes the step of: One of a process for rejecting reception and a process for receiving the data and storing the received data is performed.

To achieve the same object, claim 2 of the present invention
20. The control method according to claim 12, wherein
In the configuration according to any one of the above, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function of received data, and the user identification information obtaining step obtains the user identification information from received data. If not, a process of refusing to receive the data, a process of receiving the data and printing the received data,
Alternatively, any one of a process of receiving the data and displaying the received data visually is performed.

In order to achieve the same object, claim 2 of the present invention
21. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
In the configuration according to any one of the above, the plurality of functions include a facsimile reservation transmission function, and the use management process for each user includes a facsimile data amount to be transmitted and a data reception capability of the destination facsimile apparatus. A calculating step of calculating an estimated transmission time based on the, and a reservation transmission management step of managing the use of the facsimile reservation transmission function based on the estimated transmission time calculated in the calculation step,
A step of correcting the predicted transmission time based on the actual transmission time of the facsimile data to be transmitted after transmitting the data.

To achieve the same object, claim 2 of the present invention
22. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
In the configuration according to any one of the above, the management of use of each function is at least one of determination of permission of use, limitation of use mode, and calculation of usage fee.

In order to achieve the same object, claim 2 of the present invention
A storage medium storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, a user identification information acquisition module configured to acquire user identification information set for each user and identifying each user; Storing a program having a user-specific use management module for managing use of each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition module. And

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input / output device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus is configured by connecting a printer unit 2 and an image input / output control unit 3 to a reader unit 1.

The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording paper (not shown). The image input / output control unit 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a hard disk unit 6, a network interface unit 7, a LIPS (page description language) formatter unit 8, a PS (postscript, page description language) formatter unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like. .

The facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. Then, the compressed image data is transmitted to the outside via a telephone line.

The hard disk unit 6 temporarily stores the received compressed image data. The hard disk unit 6
Stores information for managing the usage status of a user (department) who uses the functions of the image forming apparatus in, for example, a database. Specifically, for each department ID (user identification information) for identifying the department that uses the image forming apparatus, a value indicating the upper limit of the usage of each function, a value indicating the current usage status, and The calculated value indicating the remaining usable amount is stored as, for example, the number of used sheets, the used time, the usage fee, and the like. These values may be set and managed on a monthly basis. The section ID is the same for all functions in one section. These determinations will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The use management of each function based on the department ID is performed by the core unit 10 as described later. Then, each time the function is used, the hard disk unit 6 rewrites the stored information and updates the value indicating the usage status of each function. Note that a RAM (not shown) backed up by a battery may be provided in the facsimile unit 4 and a database for managing the use status may be stored in the RAM.

The network interface unit 7 is provided with a personal computer or a workstation (PC / PC).
WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The network interface unit 7 includes a RAM (not shown) backed up by a battery.
A database called MIB (Management Information Base) is being constructed. This MIB database uses SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
This is a set of objects expressing information on devices using the protocol. With this, it is possible to communicate with computers on a network by the SNMP protocol and manage each computer. Also,
The number of prints, various settings, management, and various information can be obtained not only from the operation unit 115 (described later) of the image forming apparatus, but also from a computer on a network. The setting of the number of prints and the like can be set for each department ID as described later. The MIB database may be stored in the hard disk unit 6.

The network server 12 is connected to the image forming apparatus and the PC / WS 11 via a network, and is the center of the network. The LIPS formatter unit 8 and the PS formatter unit 9 develop PDL (page description language) data transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be output by the printer unit 2.

The details of the core section 10 will be described later.
The core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, network interface unit 7, and formatter units 8 and 9.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds the document one by one sequentially from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and after the reading operation of the document is completed, the platen glass 102
Discharge the upper document. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 starts moving, and performs exposure scanning of the document.
The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105, 106,
The light is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as “CCD”) 109 by a lens 107 and a lens 108. In this manner, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is
After a predetermined process is performed, it is transferred to the core unit 10 of the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to generate laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 20
2 and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, where the photosensitive drum 202
Is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper with the developer is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. Fixing unit 2
The recording paper that has passed through 07 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the printer unit 2 is configured to be able to set various modes related to output, and the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set in the above mode. When double-sided printing is set in the above mode, after the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. Further, when multiplex recording is set in the above mode, the recording paper is discharged from the discharge roller 208.
The sheet is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the sheet feeding path. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is transferred to the transfer unit 2 at the above-described laser beam irradiation start timing.
06 is fed.

Next, the reader section 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1. C
The image data output from the CD 109 is
The analog-to-digital conversion is performed by the A / D / SH unit 110 connected to the, and shading correction is performed. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 connected to the A / D / SH unit 110, and the image data is input via the interface unit 113. The data is transferred to the core unit 10 of the output control unit 3. The CPU 114 is connected to the image processing unit 111, the operation unit 115, the memory 116, and the interface 113, and controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which a trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set, the CPU 114 causes the image processing unit 111 to perform a trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2.
Further, a control command corresponding to the facsimile transmission mode is transferred to the core unit 10 by the operation unit 115. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Further, the memory 116 stores the CPU 114
Also used as a work area.

Next, the core section 10 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core unit 10 and related elements. The core unit 10 includes an interface 120, an interface 122, a data processing unit 121, a CPU 1
23 and a memory 124, and the interface 12
0 indicates a facsimile unit 4, a hard disk unit 6, a network interface unit 7, and formatter units 8 and 9.
Connect. The data processing unit 121 is connected to the interface 120 and the interface 122 and has a CPU
123 is connected to the interfaces 120 and 122 and the data processing unit 121, and the CPU 123 is further connected to a memory 124.

The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 122, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transmitted to the CPU 12
3 is transferred. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 includes:
In accordance with the control command transferred from the reader unit 1, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, hard disk unit 6, and network interface unit 7 via the interface 120. Also, PDL code data representing an image input via the network interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 120, and the data processing unit 121 determines whether the PDL code data is LIPS or PostScript. Is determined, and is transferred to the LIPS formatter unit 8 or the PS formatter unit 9 according to the determination result.
Expanded to image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121, temporarily transferred to the hard disk unit 6, and then transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2 connected to the reader unit 1.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2 and the computer interface unit 7. CPU1
23 is a control program stored in the memory 124,
Such control is performed according to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Further, the memory 124 is a CPU 1
It is also used as a work area for 23.

When the image forming apparatus is used as a scanner, an original is scanned by the reader unit 1 and the read image data is stored in the hard disk unit 6.
Thereafter, the image data is transferred to a predetermined computer or another information processing device via the network interface unit 7 based on an instruction from the operation unit 115 or an external computer.

The CPU 123 further performs, as described later,
Based on the department ID and the password, the use of each function is managed by comparing the upper limit value of each function with the value indicating the use status (or the remaining number calculated based on these).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit 115 of the reader unit 1.

In the figure, keys 201, 202, 20
Reference numeral 3 denotes a selection key for selecting a copy function, a facsimile function, and a print function, respectively. Display 204
Is composed of an LCD and is integrated with a touch panel, and is used for various displays and various settings. Display unit 20
Reference numeral 4 further indicates that an image can be displayed, and the image data and the like transferred from the core unit 10 are visually displayed.

A numeric keypad 205 is a key for inputting various numbers. For example, in the case of copy, the number of copies is set.
In the case of facsimile transmission, a telephone number is input. The start key 206 is a key for instructing the start of operation of each function, and the stop key 207 is a key for stopping each operation.

When the set values and initial values of each function, the department ID, the password, and the like are input by the operation unit 115, the input data is stored in the hard disk unit 6.

As described above, reading the original image, printing the image, transmitting / receiving the image data,
Complex processing such as storage of image data and input / output of data from a computer can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the core 10
Constitute user-specific use management means and user identification information acquisition means.

Next, processing when the copy function is used will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the copy function is used.

First, when an operator presses the copy key 201 of the operation unit 115 (step S601), an input screen is displayed on the display unit 204.

FIG. 7 shows the input screen. In the figure,
“1234” is displayed as the department ID, and the password indicates a state of waiting for input.

Next, the section ID of the section of the operator and the password of the operator are received (step S602). At this time, the CPU 123 of the core unit 10
It is determined whether or not the input department ID and password have been registered, and if not, the user is prompted to re-enter the department ID and password. If the input department ID and password are already registered, as shown in FIG. 8, the remaining usable number of sheets corresponding to the department ID "1234" is displayed on the display unit 204 as "998", for example (see FIG. 8). Step S603). The remaining number is a preset upper limit number (for example, 1000) and a department ID.
The number actually used by “1234” (for example, 2
The number is calculated by the CPU 123 of the core unit 10. At this time, when the operator touches the touch key in the “OK” portion at the lower right in FIG.
Go to 04.

Next, in step S604, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number of sheets. If there is no remaining number of sheets, that is, if the number is "0", the present process is immediately terminated. That is, the use of the copy function by the operator is rejected.
On the other hand, if there is a remaining number of sheets, the setting of the operation mode for copying is received from the operator (step S605), the copy processing is executed (step S606), and this processing ends.

According to this processing, the use of the copy function can be managed for each department by the department ID.

Next, processing when the facsimile transmission function is used will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the facsimile transmission function is used.

First, when the operator presses the facsimile key 202 of the operation unit 115 (step S90)
1) The display unit 204 displays an input screen similar to that shown in FIG.

Next, the same processing as in step S602 of FIG. 6 is executed (step S902), and the inputted department I
The remaining available time of the facsimile transmission function corresponding to D is displayed on the display unit 204 (step S903). The remaining time is determined by the CPU 12 of the core unit 10 based on the preset upper limit time and the time actually used by the department ID.
3 is calculated. In addition, you may make it manage by communication fee instead of time. In this case, for example, a charge for each area code may be registered in a database, and the communication charge may be calculated from the communication time.

Next, after confirmation by the operator, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining time (step S904). If there is no remaining time, this process is immediately terminated. That is, the use of the facsimile transmission function by the operator is rejected. On the other hand, if there is remaining time, the operation mode (transmission mode, telephone number, resolution, etc.) for facsimile transmission is set by the operator (step S905), and the facsimile transmission process of FIG. (Step S
906), this process ends.

According to this processing, the use of the facsimile transmission function can be managed for each department by the department ID.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the facsimile transmission process executed in step S906 of FIG.

First, the image data obtained by scanning the original is temporarily stored in the hard disk unit 6 (step S
1001) It is determined whether or not the desired transmission mode is the reservation mode (timer transmission) (step S1002),
As a result of the determination, if the desired transmission mode is not the reservation mode, the stored image data is transmitted as usual (step S1012), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1002 is that the desired transmission mode is the reservation mode, it is determined whether or not the transmission destination is a previously registered partner (step S1003). As a result of the determination, if the transmission destination is a pre-registered partner, the image data is compressed according to the receiving capability of the partner (step S1004), and the predicted transmission is performed according to the amount of data to be transmitted and the region of the partner. The time is calculated (step S1005), and the process proceeds to step S1007.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1003 is that the destination is not a previously registered destination, the image data is compressed by the MH method (step S1012),
A predicted transmission time is calculated from a value (worst value) assuming that compression is performed by the MH method and transmission is performed at 2400 bps (step S1006), and the process proceeds to step S1007.

Next, in step S1007, it is determined whether or not the estimated transmission time calculated in step S1005 or step S1006 is within the range of the remaining transmittable time. As a result of the determination, the estimated transmission time can be transmitted. If it is within the range of the remaining time, the reception of the reservation transmission is completed (step S1009), the transmission processing is performed after a predetermined time (step S1010), the estimated transmission time is corrected (step S1011), and this processing is performed. finish. The correction of the estimated transmission time is performed, for example, by newly setting the value of the actual transmission time required for data transmission to the value of the calculated estimated transmission time. Thus, the use time of the facsimile function can be managed accurately.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1007, if the estimated transmission time is not within the range of the remaining transmittable time, the acceptance of the reservation transmission is rejected (step S100
8), end this processing. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where a reservation is made but transmission is not performed.

Note that the transmission time may be managed instead of the transmission time.

According to this processing, when facsimile data is transmitted in the reservation mode, whether transmission is possible is determined in advance from the amount of data and the remaining time. Can be.

Next, processing when the facsimile reception function is used will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the facsimile reception function is used.

First, a facsimile call is received (step S1101), and the received data is written in ITU Recommendation T30.
It is determined whether or not there is a sub address defined in (step S1102). At this time, the sub-address corresponding to the department on the receiving side is informed to the user on the transmitting side in advance, and when transmitting to the own department, the sub-address is added so that the data is transmitted.

If the apparatus on the transmitting side is made by the same maker as the image forming apparatus on the receiving side, a department ID is set in the NSS for setting the functions and performances unique to the maker, and this is used. You may do so. The NSS is composed of 8 bits and is normally transmitted in a plurality of octets (8 bits = 1 octet). For example, based on the ITU recommendation, a bit that can be freely set by the manufacturer in the NSS (for example, a predetermined bit after the fourth octet). ) Is the department ID
It can be used as

If the result of determination in step S1102 is that there is a sub-address, the sub-address is assigned as the input department ID (step S1103), and the process proceeds to step S1105. If there is no sub-address, a predetermined department ID is assigned (step S1105). S1104).
For example, if the transmitting party is a registered party, a department ID corresponding to the phone number of the party is assigned, and if it is other party, a department ID dedicated to an unspecified person is assigned. Next, the process proceeds to step S1105.

In the following step S1105, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number of printable sheets corresponding to the department ID determined in step S1103 or step S1104. The remaining number is calculated from the upper limit number set in advance and the number actually used by the department ID.
0 is calculated by the CPU 123. It should be noted that management may be performed based on communication time or communication fee instead of the number of sheets.

As a result of the determination, if there is a remaining number,
It is determined whether or not the setting for automatically outputting the received data (automatic output setting) has been made (step S1106). If the result of the determination is that the automatic output setting has been made, the facsimile call is received and received. The data is immediately printed (step S1107), and the process is terminated. If the automatic output setting has not been made, a facsimile call is received, and the received data is stored in the hard disk unit 6 together with the department ID (step S110).
8), end this processing.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1105 is that there is no remaining number of sheets, printing is prohibited even if data is received. Therefore, the setting for rejecting data reception and notifying the transmission source of this is set ( It is determined whether an error has been set (step S1109). As a result of the determination, if an error setting has not been made, the process proceeds to step S1108, while if an error setting has been made, a communication error is reported to the transmission source without receiving data (step S1110). That is,
Reception of a facsimile call is rejected. This rejection of reception is performed, for example, according to ITU recommendation T30, by using bit 10 of the DIS.
Is set to “0” to disable reception. Next, the present process ends.

According to this processing, if there is a remaining number, the received data can be automatically or manually output based on the setting of the user. Further, when the reception data printing is prohibited because there is no remaining number, the storage of the reception data or the error processing is performed based on the setting of the user.
Also, the department ID can be easily obtained from the subaddress or the NSS, and even if there is no department ID, a predetermined department ID is assigned, so that the data is transmitted regardless of the status of the receiving apparatus. Even in such a case, the management of the use of the facsimile receiving function can be easily performed for each department by the department ID.

Next, processing when the print data receiving function is used will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the print data receiving function is used.

First, the network from the PC / WS 11
The print data is received via the network interface unit 7, and the core unit 10 transfers the received data to the LIPS formatter unit 8 or the PS formatter unit 9 (step S1201). Note that the PC / WS 11 is installed with a printer driver for transmitting any of the department IDs registered in advance or input for each printing operation together with the print data.

Next, the formatter units 8 and 9 detect the department ID received together with the received data (step S1).
202), the CPU 123 of the core unit 10 determines whether or not the detected department ID exists (step S1203),
As a result of the discrimination, if there is a department ID, the received data is expanded and the expanded received data along with information such as the department ID, the file name, and the reception time is stored in the hard disk unit 6
(Step S1204), and this process ends. Note that the stored data may be automatically and visually displayed by setting in advance.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1203 is that there is no detected department ID, it is determined whether or not a setting (error setting) for notifying the transmission source without storing received data has been made. (Step S12
05). As a result of the determination, if an error setting has been made, the received data is discarded without being stored, the PC / WS 11 is notified of the error (step S1206), and the process ends. That is, the print data is not stored.

In this case, as a notification method of the error, for example, the error is displayed on a predetermined object in the MIB database constructed in the network interface unit 7 or the received data is set to H
For example, there is a method in which a file in the TML format is used, and the error is notified by known browser software.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1205 indicates that no error has been set, the received data contains a predetermined department ID, for example, the department I specified for the unspecified person.
D is assigned (step S1207). In this case, the department ID may be the same as the department ID dedicated to the unspecified person in the facsimile reception process.

Next, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number of printable sheets (step S1208). If the result of the determination is that there is a remaining number of sheets, a setting for automatically outputting received data (automatic output setting) is made. It is determined whether or not the received data is present (step S1209). If the result of the determination is that automatic output setting has been made, the received data is printed (step S1210), and this processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is no remaining number in step S1208 or if the automatic output setting has not been made in step S1209, the process proceeds to step S1204.
Proceed to.

According to this processing, if there is no department ID, error processing is performed based on the setting of the user, or a predetermined department ID is assigned. Can be output automatically or manually. Therefore, the management of the use of the print data receiving function can be performed for each department by the department ID.

Even if there is a department ID as a result of the discrimination in step S1203, the storage capacity of the department ID may be limited and managed in the same manner as the above-mentioned number and time.

Next, a description will be given of a process when the print function for printing the received print data or the like is used.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the print function is used.

This processing is performed when a plurality of facsimile data and print data are already stored in the hard disk unit 6 by the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example.

First, in step S1301, the print key 203 of the operation unit 115 is pressed by the operator, and an input screen is displayed on the display unit 204 of the reader unit 1.

FIG. 14 shows the input screen. As shown in the figure, the type of function, the name of the data, the time when the data is stored, and the like are displayed for each department ID.

In step S1302, the operator receives an input of the department ID on the input screen shown in FIG. 14, and causes the display unit 204 to display an input screen similar to the screen shown in FIG. The registration of the department ID has already been confirmed (by the processing in FIGS. 11 and 12), and this input screen shows a state in which a password input is awaited. Then, the operator's personal password is input. At this time, the CPU 123 of the core unit 10 may determine whether or not the input password is registered, and prompt the user to re-enter the password if the input password is not registered.

In the following step S1303, if the entered password is already registered, as shown in FIG. 15, the remaining printable number corresponding to the department ID "1234" is displayed as "800", for example. 204 is displayed. The display unit 204 further displays a file name, a transmission source facsimile number, and the like of data corresponding to the input department ID.

Next, in step S1304, it is determined whether there is a remaining number of printable sheets. If there is a remaining number of sheets, a file is selected (step S130).
5). For example, when a facsimile data file is selected, a menu input screen shown in FIG. Then, an input of a menu selection from among display, print, and delete is received (step S130).
6) In accordance with the input menu selection, one of data visual display, print, and data erase processing is executed (step S1307), and this processing ends.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1304 is that there is no remaining number, a file is selected (step S1308). In this case, since printing is prohibited, a screen similar to the menu input screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 204, but "print" is grayed out or not displayed at this time. Therefore, only either display or erasure can be selected.

Next, a menu selection input is received (step S1309), and it is determined whether or not the input menu is to be deleted (step S1310). As a result of the determination, when the input menu is to be deleted Deletes the data from the hard disk unit 6 (step S13).
11), end this processing.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1310 is that the input menu is not erased, that is, displayed, the data is displayed in a visible manner (step S131).
2), and return to step S1309.

According to this processing, the use of the print function can be managed for each department by the department ID.

Next, a description will be given of a process of setting various conditions for management by department ID.

Various conditions are set in the hard disk unit 6.
The contents of the management database stored in the
5 is displayed on the display unit 204 as an input screen, and input by an administrator.

FIG. 17 shows an input screen for setting various conditions displayed on the display unit 204.

As shown in the figure, conditions can be individually set for each function for each department ID. For example, functions such as copy, print, print of received data (receive output), transmission, and scan are performed. Can be set to the maximum number, time, or number of times that can be used. In addition, the above-described error setting (step S1109 in FIG. 11, step S1206 in FIG. 12), automatic output setting (step S1 in FIG. 11)
106, step S11209 in FIG. 12, and the like can also be set. These settings are made by moving the cursor shown on the right side of the figure and pressing the OK key.

For each function, various items may be set in addition to the above upper limit number of sheets. For example, in the scan function, as shown in FIG. 18, not only the number of scans but also the scan length, the number of copies,
, "2", the length of the recording paper, the amount of toner and ink, and the like. In the facsimile function, as described above, in addition to the number of sheets used, a communication fee, a communication time, a number of times of communication, and the like can be considered.

As described above, by performing various settings for each section ID and for each function, it is possible to easily manage detailed items in a unified manner, thereby improving usability.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the upper limit number of sheets, the time, the number of times, or the mode of use for each function are set as a database for each section ID set for each user. Then, according to the usage status of each function, the permission / prohibition of the use and the use mode are determined, or the usage fee is calculated. Therefore, it is not necessary to set a separate department ID for each user for each function, and it is easy to centrally manage a plurality of functions, for example, by imposing restrictions on usage frequency and usage fee according to the usage status. Can be done.

A memory such as a floppy disk (FD) storing a control program represented by software for achieving the present invention is read out via an external storage device (not shown) in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, the same effect can be obtained by receiving from PC / WS11.

Hereinafter, a storage medium that can be used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, a storage medium for storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions includes a “user identification information acquisition module” and a “user-specific use management module”. What is necessary is just to store the program of a module.

Here, the “user identification information acquisition module” is a module for acquiring user identification information set for each user and identifying each user.

The "user-specific use management module" is a module for managing the use of each of the plurality of functions for each user based on the user identification information obtained by the user identification information obtaining module. is there.

In this embodiment, the use of each function may be managed for each individual operator by using a password in addition to the department ID.

[0126]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control method of the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, or the storage medium of the twenty-third aspect, user identification information set for each user and identifying each user is acquired, and the acquired user Since the use of each of the plurality of functions for each user is managed based on the identification information, the use of each of the plurality of functions can be managed by the identification information of each user. It is not necessary to set separate identification information for each function, and centralized department management can be easily performed for use of a plurality of functions.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the use status of each of the plurality of functions is stored for each of the users. Since the management of the use of each function related to the function is performed based on the stored use state of each function, it is possible to manage the use of the function according to the use state, for example, the use frequency and the usage fee Management such as imposing restrictions due to

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3 or the control method of the image forming apparatus of claim 14, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function, and the user identification information is received. Since it is obtained from the data, the user identification information can be easily obtained.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the user identification information cannot be obtained from the received data, the predetermined identification is performed. Since the information is assigned, even if the user identification information cannot be acquired, the centralized department management can be performed by the predetermined identification information.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is defined by ITU recommendations. Since the user identification information is obtained based on the subaddress received together with the facsimile data, the user identification information can be obtained more easily.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is defined by an ITU recommendation. Since it is obtained based on the NSS received together with the facsimile data, it becomes easier to obtain the user identification information.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 7 or the control method of the image forming apparatus of claim 18, the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is received together with facsimile data. Since the user identification information is obtained based on the telephone number of the sender, the user identification information is more easily obtained.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 8 or the control method of the image forming apparatus of claim 19, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function.
When the printing of the received data is prohibited, either the processing of rejecting the reception of the data or the processing of receiving the data and storing the received data is performed, thereby improving the usability. can do.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a receiving data printing function, and are received. If the user identification information cannot be obtained from the data, a process of rejecting the reception of the data, a process of receiving the data and printing the received data, or a process of receiving the data and receiving the data Since any one of the processes for visually displaying is performed, the usability can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of functions include a facsimile reservation transmitting function. The estimated transmission time is calculated based on the data reception capability of the destination facsimile machine, the use of the facsimile reservation transmission function is managed based on the calculated estimated transmission time, and the facsimile data to be transmitted is transmitted. After that, since the estimated transmission time is corrected based on the actual transmission time of the data,
In the case of transmitting a reservation, the use time can be managed more accurately, and the transmission of the reservation can be reliably performed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the use of each function is managed by deciding whether or not to use the function, limiting the use mode, and Since it is at least one of the fee calculation,
Detailed management becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit of the reader unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a copy function is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the facsimile transmission function is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of facsimile transmission processing executed in step S906 of FIG. 9 in the same embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the facsimile reception function is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a print data receiving function is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a print function is used in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the same embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an input screen displayed on a display unit in the same embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing program modules stored in a storage medium of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 image input / output control unit 4 facsimile unit 6 hard disk unit 7 network interface unit 8 LIPS formatter unit 9 PS formatter unit 10 core unit 11 PC / WS 114 CPU 115 operation unit 123 CPU 204 display unit

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, a user identification information acquisition unit configured to acquire user identification information set for each user and identifying each user, and acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a use management unit for each user that manages use of each of the plurality of functions based on the user identification information. 2. A storage unit for storing a use status of each of the plurality of functions for each of the users, wherein the use management of each of the plurality of functions by the user-specific use management unit includes: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting is performed based on the use status of each function stored in the storage unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions include a data receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained from received data. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the user identification information acquiring unit assigns predetermined identification information when the user identification information cannot be acquired from the received data. apparatus. 5. The data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a subaddress defined in an ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 6. The data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on an NSS defined in an ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data. Image forming apparatus. 7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a telephone number of a transmission source received together with the facsimile data. Image forming device. 8. The plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function, and the use management means for each user includes:
The method according to claim 1, wherein when printing of the received data is prohibited, one of a process of rejecting the reception of the data and a process of receiving the data and storing the received data is performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The plurality of functions include a data reception function and a print function of received data, and the user identification information acquisition unit may be configured to acquire the user identification information from received data when the user identification information cannot be acquired. Performing one of a process of rejecting the reception of the data, a process of receiving the data and printing the received data, or a process of receiving the data and displaying the received data visually. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The plurality of functions include a facsimile reservation transmission function, and the user-specific use management unit predicts transmission based on the amount of facsimile data to be transmitted and the data reception capability of the destination facsimile machine. Calculating means for calculating the time, reserved transmission management means for managing the use of the reserved transmission function of the facsimile based on the estimated transmission time calculated by the calculated means, and transmitting the facsimile data to be transmitted, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit configured to correct the predicted transmission time based on the actual transmission time. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the management of use of each function is at least one of determination of permission of use, limitation of a use mode, and calculation of a usage fee. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 12. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, comprising: a user identification information acquisition step of acquiring user identification information set for each user and identifying each user; and a user identification information acquisition step. A use management process for each user, the use of each of the plurality of functions being managed based on the user identification information acquired in the step (a). 13. A storage step of storing a use status of each of the plurality of functions for each of the plurality of functions for each of the users, wherein the management of the use of each of the plurality of functions by the user-based use management step includes: 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the control is performed based on the usage status of each function stored in the storage step. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of functions include a data receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained from received data. . 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the user identification information acquiring step assigns predetermined identification information when the user identification information cannot be acquired from the received data. How to control the device. 16. The data reception function is a facsimile reception function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a subaddress defined in an ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on an NSS defined in an ITU recommendation and received together with facsimile data.
The control method of the image forming apparatus described in the above. 18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the data receiving function is a facsimile receiving function, and the user identification information is obtained based on a telephone number of a transmission source received together with the facsimile data. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 19. The plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function, and the user-specific use management step includes a step of rejecting the reception of the data when the printing of the received data is prohibited. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein one of a process of receiving the data and a process of storing the received data is performed. 20. The plurality of functions include a data receiving function and a printing function of received data, and the user identification information acquiring step includes the steps of: when the user identification information cannot be acquired from the received data; Performing one of a process of rejecting the reception of the data, a process of receiving the data and printing the received data, or a process of receiving the data and displaying the received data visually. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein 21. The plurality of functions include a facsimile reservation transmission function, and the user-specific use management step includes predicting transmission based on the amount of facsimile data to be transmitted and the data reception capability of the destination facsimile machine. A calculating step of calculating time; a reservation transmission managing step of managing use of the facsimile reservation transmitting function based on the estimated transmission time calculated in the calculating step; and after transmitting the facsimile data to be transmitted, 21. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: correcting the predicted transmission time based on the actual transmission time. 22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the management of use of each function is at least one of determination of permission of use, limitation of use mode, and calculation of usage fee. 2. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 23. A storage medium storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, a user identification information acquisition module configured to acquire user identification information set for each user and identifying each user, Storing a program having a user-specific use management module for managing use of each of the plurality of functions for each of the users based on the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquisition module. Storage media.