JPH11168589A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently operate and manage an image forming device that forms an image based on image information. SOLUTION: An image signal integration section (integration means) 5 calculates a signal level of each pixel from image data received or read from an external device. An accumulated toner consumption is predicted from the calculation result. When the consumption exceeds a prescribed limit, a printer controller (control means) 10 interrupts the image forming operation.

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 for forming an image based on image information, such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in an environment in which a computer network is used, a network-compatible digital multifunction peripheral that combines a printer function and a facsimile function mainly with a printing function on paper has begun to spread.

[0003] This is a multifunction device that is based on a digital copying machine and combines a network connection function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanning function, and the like. This is effective in simplifying the operation.

[0004] These digital multifunction machines are characterized in that information to be finally printed on paper is once handled as a digital signal.

In the case of the copying function, an original image is captured by an image scanner, converted into a digital signal, subjected to appropriate image processing, and visualized on paper by the image forming apparatus main body.

In the case of the print function, print information is transmitted in a printer language from a computer connected via a network, and converted into digital information that can be directly handled by the digital multifunction peripheral in a printer language processing unit of the digital multifunction peripheral. You. Thereafter, appropriate image processing is performed, and the image is visualized on paper by the image forming apparatus main body.

In the case of the facsimile function, a facsimile signal is received via a telephone line, and this signal is converted into digital information which can be directly handled by the digital multifunction peripheral in a facsimile signal processing section of the digital multifunction peripheral.
Thereafter, appropriate image processing is performed, and the image is visualized on paper by the image forming apparatus main body.

Conventionally, a digital multi-function peripheral has received an image signal from a variety of sources as an index for restricting the reception processing by limiting the number of output signals or by using a network OS.
In such a case, means such as a limitation on the use time of a user or a group and a limitation on the number of sheets are established.

[0009]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, for example, in a case where the number of output images is limited, even if the number of output images is generally the same, each image is They differ in the usage ratio (use amount) of the developer such as ink and toner, the load on the conveying means, and the degree of consumption of various consumables. Therefore, it can be said that the load on the apparatus body is not necessarily a linear index. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine an appropriate interval for replenishment of consumables such as toner and to set an appropriate maintenance interval for the main body.

Further, when a restriction is imposed using a network OS, there is a problem in that the restriction is generally applied only to the case of operating as a printer and not to the operation of other copiers or the operation of a facsimile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently operating and managing the apparatus.

[0012]

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following construction.

(1) In an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit and an image forming unit for forming an image based on the image information read by the image reading unit, each pixel is read from the image information read by the image reading unit. , And control means for controlling the operation of the image forming unit in accordance with the result of the integration.

(2) In the image forming apparatus of the above (1), management means for managing a user's account when copying a document, and an integrated value of a signal value for each pixel of a copied document of each user. Setting means for setting an upper limit, the control means being provided with a function of restricting the operation of the image forming section when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit.

(3) In an image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an image based on image information from an external information processing apparatus, a signal value for each pixel is obtained from the image information from the external information processing apparatus. There is provided an integrating means for integrating, and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming unit according to the integration result.

(4) In the image forming apparatus of (3), setting means for setting an upper limit to the integrated value of the signal value for each pixel of the print image for each user or group for printing is provided, and the control means includes: A function is provided for restricting the operation of the image forming section when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit.

(5) In an image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an image based on image information from an external facsimile apparatus, a signal value for each pixel is integrated from the image information from the external facsimile apparatus. Multiplication means,
Control means for controlling the operation of the image forming unit according to the integration result.

(6) The image forming apparatus according to (5), further comprising: setting means for setting an upper limit to the integrated value of the signal value of each pixel of the facsimile reception image for each number of the facsimile sender. A function for restricting the operation of the image forming section when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a digital multi-functional peripheral suitable for the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a facsimile transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives facsimile data via a telephone line 6, 2 denotes an image scanner unit that reads a document image, 3 denotes a print processing unit that performs print processing, and 4 denotes received or read image data. Is an image processing unit that performs processing necessary for performing printing on.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an image signal integrating unit (integrating means) for integrating the signal level of each pixel from the received or read image data, and 9 denotes a personal computer, which is a LAN.
(Local Area Network) 8 is connected to the apparatus main body.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer controller (control means).
A paper feed unit control unit 10a for controlling the paper feed unit, an image forming unit control unit 10b for controlling the image forming unit, a transport unit control unit 10c for controlling the transport unit, and a fixing unit for controlling the fixing unit. Section control section 10d, control section 10 for controlling other sections
e.

When the digital multifunction peripheral having the above configuration operates as a copier, original information is read by the image scanner unit 2 and necessary processing such as level adjustment and gamma processing is performed by the image processing unit 4. At this time, the signal level for each pixel is calculated by the image signal integrating unit 5, and the toner amount per one surface of the output paper is calculated. The calculated result is stored in the memory of the image signal accumulating unit 5 and is used as data for calculating the expected toner consumption of the image forming unit.

Next, the image-processed data is sent to the printer controller 10, and the paper feed unit, the image forming unit, the transporting unit, the fixing unit, and the like are controlled and finally output to paper.

In the present embodiment, a certain limit value is provided for the estimated toner consumption accumulated by the image signal accumulating unit 5. The expected toner consumption is 90
When the value exceeds%, a warning is issued to the user through a display or a sound on the operation unit to notify that the use restriction is imminent. FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment.

First, in step S101, a document image is read by the image scanner unit 2. Next, in step S102, necessary processing is performed on the image data read by the image processing unit 4. Then, step S103
The image signal accumulating unit 5 calculates the signal level for each pixel from the image data read in step (1).

Subsequently, in step S104, the toner consumption is predicted based on the calculation result in step S103. Then, the accumulated toner consumption is calculated in step S105, and the calculation result is stored in the image signal accumulating unit 5 in step S105.

In step S107, step S10
It is determined whether or not the estimated accumulated toner consumption stored in step 6 exceeds the limit value. If the amount exceeds the limit value, the process proceeds to step S108 to warn that the limit has been exceeded, and interrupts the image forming operation. If the control value is not exceeded, the process proceeds to step S109, where it is determined whether the control value exceeds 90%. If the control value is exceeded, a warning is issued in step S110 that the limit is approached, and image formation is started in step S111.
If not exceeded, the process proceeds to step S111 to start image formation.

It should be noted that the above-described limitation based on the estimated cumulative toner amount can be set by an administrator for each user who uses the copying function, and a general user who uses the copying function can operate the digital multifunction peripheral using the operation unit. Registration ID of each user
To identify the individual. With this function, it is possible to manage the cumulative amount of expected toner usage of each user.

Therefore, individual users can be alerted not by the index of the number of sheets but by the index of the image ratio (the amount of image data), so that the toner consumption can be reduced, and the digital multifunction peripheral can be reduced. It is possible to set a more linear index for the life of the consumable parts of each part than the conventional index based on the number of sheets of paper.

(Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, a description will be given of a case in which a user who prints with respect to the print function of the digital multi-function peripheral is limited in the amount of toner used by calculating the expected amount of toner consumption.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a network interface of a printer unit, 22 denotes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit of the printer unit, and 30a
30c are computers on the network.

The flow from the computer 30a to printing on the digital MFP will be described.
The print image of the application software is converted into a page description language file via a printer driver, and received by the network interface 21 of the printer unit of the digital multi-function peripheral via the network. The received page description language file is stored in the RIP unit 2
In step 2, the image data is converted into raster image data and sent to the image processing unit 4 of the digital multi-function peripheral. The image processing unit 4 performs a process such as gamma conversion so as to match the characteristics of the digital multi-function peripheral, and the image signal integration unit 5 calculates a signal level for each pixel to calculate a toner amount per one sheet of output paper.

Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, each image forming unit is controlled by the printer controller and printed on paper. In this embodiment, the expected toner consumption is managed for each computer on the network. To ensure that the user does not need to go through any special procedures to keep the cumulative amount of toner used for each computer, and to limit printing to individual computers. Can be.

As a result, it is possible to restrict the user from indiscriminately printing data having a high image ratio,
It is possible to save toner and more accurately estimate the life of each part of the digital multifunction peripheral.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function according to a third embodiment. In the figure, 6 is a public telephone line, 51 is a fax modem, 52 is a fax image generation unit, and 40a to 40c are fax terminals connected to the public telephone line 6.

The fax information is received by the fax modem 51 through the public telephone line 6 and the fax image
2. Converted to raster image. The converted raster image is subjected to necessary processing such as level adjustment and gamma processing in the image processing unit 4. At this time, the signal level for each pixel is calculated by the image signal integrating unit 5, and the toner amount per one surface of the output paper is calculated. The calculated result is stored in the memory of the image signal accumulating unit 5 and is used as data for calculating the expected toner consumption of the digital image forming apparatus.

Next, the image-processed data is sent to the printer controller, and the paper feed unit, the image forming unit, the transporting unit, the fixing unit, and the like are controlled and finally output to paper.

Fax terminal 40a at the end of public telephone line 6
The flow of receiving fax information from the digital multi-function peripheral will be described. The exchange of the public telephone line 6 is connected between the telephone line to which the fax modem 51 is connected and the fax terminal 40a by the fax number applied from the fax terminal 40a. The image information is analog-modulated and transmitted from the fax terminal 40a. Fax modem 51
Now, we will convert the analog modulated image information to digital,
The raster image is developed by the fax image generation unit 52. This image data is sent to the image processing unit 4 of the digital multi-function peripheral. The image processing unit 4 performs processing such as gamma conversion so as to match the characteristics of the digital multi-function peripheral, and the image signal integrating unit 5 calculates the signal level of each pixel.
Calculate the amount of toner per output sheet.

Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, each image forming unit is controlled by the printer controller and printing is performed on paper. In this embodiment, a facsimile terminal which transmits from the additional information of the image data is used. After the fax terminals that frequently transmit are registered by using the function for specifying the number of toner, the calculated toner consumption amount is applied to each fax terminal.

For this reason, it is possible to suppress data transmission with a high image ratio from the registered transmission source fax terminal indiscriminately.
It is possible to save toner and more accurately predict the life of each part of the digital multifunction peripheral.

In general, in facsimile transmission / reception, when the image ratio is high, the compression ratio of the image is reduced, and the transmission time tends to be long. Therefore, suppressing the data transmission with the high image ratio requires reducing the communication cost. Also leads to.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information read by the image reading unit, a signal value for each pixel is integrated from the image information read by the image reading unit. Since an integrating means and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming section in accordance with the integration result are provided, it is possible to accurately predict the usage amount of the developing material and the like according to the contents of the original in the copying operation, and The use restriction on the amount can be imposed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and there is an effect that the apparatus can be efficiently operated and managed such that the user is prevented from copying an image having a high image ratio.

Further, there are provided control means for managing a user's account when copying a document, and setting means for setting an upper limit to an integrated value of signal values for each pixel of a copy document of each user. The means has a function of restricting the operation of the image forming unit when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit, so that the usage amount of the developing material or the like can be regulated for each user individually.
There is an effect that the awareness of the image ratio can be increased more strongly, and the usage amount of the developing material and the like can be further reduced.

In an image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an image based on image information from an external information processing apparatus, a signal value for each pixel is integrated from image information from the external information processing apparatus. And a control unit for controlling the operation of the image forming unit in accordance with the result of the integration. Therefore, it is possible to accurately predict the usage amount of the developing material and the like according to the content of the image to be printed. The use of the image forming apparatus can be restricted with respect to the amount of use of the image forming apparatus, and the user can efficiently operate and manage the apparatus by reducing printing of images with a high image ratio. is there.

Further, there is provided setting means for setting an upper limit to the integrated value of the signal value for each pixel of the print image for each user or group to be printed, and the control means is provided with an image when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit. Since the function of restricting the operation of the forming unit is provided, for example, the usage amount of the developing material can be regulated for each information processing device on the network, and the user can be more strongly aware of the image ratio, and This has the effect of reducing the amount of use.

In an image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an image based on image information from an external facsimile apparatus, an integration for integrating a signal value for each pixel from the image information from the external facsimile apparatus. Means,
Control means for controlling the operation of the image forming unit in accordance with the integration result, it is possible to accurately predict the usage of the developing material and the like based on the content of the received facsimile image, Use restrictions can be imposed on the image forming apparatus main body, so that there is an effect that efficient operation and management of the apparatus can be performed, such as reducing fax transmission of images with a high image ratio by the fax sender.

In general, for facsimile transmission / reception, if the image ratio is high, it takes a long time to transmit and communication costs are high. However, in order to encourage the user to pay attention to facsimile transmission of an image having a high image ratio, communication costs are increased. This also has the effect of reducing the amount of waste.

Further, the more accurate estimation of the amount of the used developer and the like has the effect that the index of the life of the consumable parts of each part of the apparatus main body can be set more linearly than the conventional index based on the number of sheets of paper.

[0049] Further, there is provided setting means for setting an upper limit to the integrated value of the signal value for each pixel of the facsimile reception image for each number of the facsimile sender, and the control means is provided when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit. Since the function of restricting the operation of the image forming unit is provided, the amount of developing material and the like used can be regulated for each facsimile on the transmitting side, so that the facsimile sender can be more strongly aware of the image ratio, and This has the effect of reducing the amount of used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming operation control process according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a third embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile transmission / reception part 2 Image scanner part 3 Print processing part 4 Image processing part 5 Image signal integration part (integration means) 10 Printer controller (control means)

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit; and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information read by the image reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: integrating means for integrating a signal value; and control means for controlling an operation of the image forming unit according to a result of the integration. And a setting means for setting an upper limit on an integrated value of a signal value for each pixel of a copy document of each user, wherein the management means manages a user account when copying the document.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a function of restricting an operation of the image forming unit when the integrated value exceeds an upper limit. 3. An image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an image based on image information from an external information processing apparatus, wherein a signal value for each pixel is integrated from image information from the external information processing apparatus. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an accumulating unit for performing the operation; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the image forming unit in accordance with the result of the accumulation. 4. Setting means for setting an upper limit on an integrated value of signal values for each pixel of a print image for each user or group to be printed, and controlling means for setting an image when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a function of restricting an operation of the forming unit. 5. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image based on image information from an external facsimile apparatus, wherein integration for integrating a signal value for each pixel from image information from the external facsimile apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for controlling the operation of the image forming unit in accordance with the integration result. 6. A setting means for setting an upper limit to an integrated value of a signal value for each pixel of a facsimile reception image for each number of a facsimile sender side, wherein the control means is provided when the integrated value exceeds the upper limit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a function of restricting an operation of the image forming unit.