JPH11187226A - Image forming device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by outputting warning when used amount of an image storage area reaches a specified amount, when image data are registered in the image storage area which is allocated for plural users. SOLUTION: An image forming device is constituted so as to output a warning when the used amount of the image storage area reaches a specified amount, when the image data is registered in the image storage area allocated for plural users. A hard disc of an image storage part is divided into a temporary area 500 and a personal box area 501 in this device. Ten numbers of zero to nine are prepared for the number of the personal boxes, and PDL data from a host is stored in the personal box in a form such that the PDL data are extended to a luster image in an electronic sorter for each person. Then when the used amount of the entire personal box becomes equal to or higher than the specified amount, for example, at a moment when it exceeds 90% of the entire personal box area, the information for which 90% of the personal box area is used is written and printed on a copy sheet.

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 and method for registering image data in an image storage area assigned to a plurality of users, reading each image from the assigned image storage area, and forming an image. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic sort function for reading images of all originals to be copied, temporarily storing the read image data in a memory such as a hard disk, and repeatedly reading out image data of an arbitrary original from the memory and printing out. Digital copiers equipped with a printer are known. Thus, it is possible to discharge copy sheets in a sorted state without having a sorter device having a plurality of bins.

A digital copying machine receives page description language (PDL) code data created by an application of a host computer via a network, develops the data from the PDL into a bitmap image, and stores the data in a memory such as a hard disk. There is also known an electronic sort function for PDL images in which an image is stored once, an arbitrary image is repeatedly read from the memory, printed out, and sorted.

Further, the hard disk of the digital copying machine is divided into areas for each individual, a bitmap image in which PDL from the host is expanded is temporarily stored in each individual area (personal box), and the image is printed from the personal box. In this case, the user inputs a password for accessing his / her area from the operation unit of the copying machine and prints. This is effective when printing a PDL image that one does not want others to see.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional example, the memory such as a hard disk for storing image data is limited, and therefore, the capacity of the area used as the personal box is limited in advance. While each user uses his or her personal box, the capacity of the entire personal box becomes full, during which time no personal box can be used.

[0006] Further, the image of the personal box can be erased by the owner of the box who can know the password of the box, or by an administrator who can obtain the authority of erasing all personal boxes with a special password, for example. It is.

For this reason, there is a problem that it is troublesome for the administrator to always check the usage status of the personal box by operating the operation unit of the copying machine every time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. When image data is registered in an image storage area allocated to a plurality of users, a warning is output when the used amount reaches a predetermined amount. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a method therefor.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, image data is registered in an image storage area assigned to a plurality of users, and each user is read out from the image storage area assigned to the user. In an image forming apparatus for performing image formation, a registration unit for registering image data in the image storage area by a plurality of users, and when the registration unit registers image data, a usage amount of the image storage area is reduced to a predetermined amount. And a warning output means for outputting a warning when it has reached.

The present invention also provides an image forming method for registering image data in an image storage area assigned to a plurality of users and reading out the image from the assigned image storage area to form an image. A registration step of registering image data in the image storage area, and a warning output step of outputting a warning when the used amount of the image storage area reaches a predetermined amount when the image data is registered in the registration step. It is characterized by having.

[0011]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a copying apparatus main body as an image forming apparatus;
Reference numeral 180 denotes a circulation type automatic document feeder (RDF).

Reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass as a document table. Reference numeral 102 denotes a scanner, and a document illumination lamp 1
03, a scanning mirror 104 and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light 107 from the original is transmitted through the lens 108 via the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 to form an image on the CCD sensor unit 109.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit composed of a laser, a polygon scanner, etc., which is converted into an electric signal by the CCD sensor unit 109 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing described later. Light 129 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 110.

Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing unit 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided, and constitute an image forming unit 126. In the image forming unit 126,
The photosensitive drum 110 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, the photosensitive drum 110 is irradiated with a laser beam 129 from the exposure control unit 120. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the feed rollers 135 and 136, and is fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137. The visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 11.
The image is transferred to the transfer paper by 8. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum is cleaned of residual toner by a cleaner device 116, and residual charges are erased by a pre-exposure lamp 114.

The transfer paper after the transfer is separated to a transfer belt 130, and the toner image is recharged by pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to a fixing device 141, fixed by pressure and heat, and discharged. It is discharged out of the main body 100 by the roller 142.

Reference numeral 138 denotes an attraction charger for attracting the transfer paper sent from the registration roller 137 to the transfer belt 130. Reference numeral 139 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and, at the same time, forms a pair with the attraction charger 138. Transfer belt 13
This is a transfer belt roller that attracts and charges the transfer paper to zero.

The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 capable of storing, for example, 4000 transfer papers. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. In addition, a multi-bypass tray 15 capable of storing 100 sheets of transfer paper
3 are equipped.

Reference numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side.
The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched by the paper discharge flapper 154 to a double-sided recording side or a multiple recording side. Reference numeral 158 denotes a lower transport path, which guides the transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 142 to the re-feed tray 156 by turning the transfer paper upside down via the reversing path 155. Reference numeral 157 denotes a multiplex flapper that switches the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording. When the flapper is tilted to the left, the transfer paper is directly passed through the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155.
Lead to. Reference numeral 159 denotes a paper feed roller for feeding the transfer paper to the image forming unit 126 through the path 160. 161 is disposed near the discharge flapper 154, and the discharge flapper 1
A discharge roller for discharging the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by 54 to the outside of the apparatus. When recording on both sides (duplex copy),
The discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, and the multiple flapper 15
7 is moved to the right, the copied transfer paper is passed through the transport path 155, and then the multiple flapper 157 is moved to the left,
Then, the sheet is stored in the sheet re-feed tray 156 in a state where the sheet is turned over through the sheet feeding tray 8. At the time of multiplex recording, the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiplex flapper 157 is tilted to the left, and the copied transfer paper is passed through the transport path 158 and stored in the re-feed tray 156. Then, the transfer sheets stored in the re-feeding tray 156 are guided to the registration rollers 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the feeding rollers 159 one by one from below.

When the transfer paper is to be inverted and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward and the flapper 157 is discharged.
Is tilted to the right, and the copied transfer paper is transported to the transport path 155 side. After the rear end of the transfer paper passes through the first feed roller 162, it is transported by the reversing roller 163 to the second feed roller side. The transfer paper is turned over by the discharge rollers 161 and discharged outside the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a processing system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image reading unit 201 includes a CCD sensor unit 109, an analog signal processing unit 202, and the like.
9 is converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor unit 109. The converted image information is input to the analog signal processing unit 202 and subjected to analog-to-digital conversion (A / D conversion) after performing sample and hold, dark level correction, and the like. The digitized signal is
After the shading correction (correction of the variation of the sensor for reading the original and the light distribution characteristics of the original illumination lamp) and the scaling process, the image is input to the electronic sorter unit 203.

In the electronic sorter unit 203, correction processing necessary for an output system such as γ correction, smoothing processing, edge enhancement,
Other image processing or processing is performed, and the printer unit 20
4 is output.

The printer unit 204 includes an exposure control unit 120 composed of a laser or the like described with reference to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.
The image forming unit 126 includes a transfer sheet transfer control unit and the like, and records an image on the transfer sheet according to an input image signal.

Further, the CPU circuit unit 205
6, the image reading unit 201, the electronic sorter unit 203, the printer unit 20
4 and the like to control the sequence of the present apparatus in an integrated manner.

The external I / F processing unit 209 is a page description language (P) input from an external computer (not shown).
DL) is developed into a bitmap image and input to the electronic sorter unit 203 as image data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the electronic sorter unit 203. First, a read image sent from the image reading unit 201 is input as black luminance data and sent to the log conversion unit 301. log converter 30
Reference numeral 1 stores a look-up table (LUT) for converting input luminance data into density data, and converting the luminance data into density data by outputting a table value corresponding to the input data. I do.

Thereafter, the density data is sent to the binarizing section 302. In the binarization unit 302, the multi-value density data is binarized, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”. The binarized 8-bit image data is converted into 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, and the amount of image data when stored in the memory is reduced.

However, when an image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 gradations to two gradations. Thus, binarization of image data having a large number of halftones such as a photographic image generally causes deterioration of the image. Remarkable. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binarized data. For example, an error diffusion method is used as a method for pseudo-halftone expression using binary data. According to this method, when the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold, the density data is “255”, and when the density is less than a certain threshold, the density data is “0”.
After the binarization, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The distribution of the error is performed by multiplying a weight coefficient on a matrix prepared in advance by the error generated by the binarization and adding the result to surrounding pixels. This saves the average density value for the entire image,
Halftones can be simulated and represented by binary values.

Next, the binarized image data is sent to the control unit 303. The bitmap image input from the computer (not shown) to the external I / F processing unit 209 and expanded PDL is processed by the external I / F processing unit 209 as binary image data.
Sent to 3.

On the other hand, the control unit 303 temporarily stores in the image storage unit 304 all of the original read from the RDF and the bitmap image obtained by expanding the PDL from the external I / F processing unit 209 in response to a command from the main unit. Alternatively, image data is sequentially read from the image storage unit 304 and output.

The image storage unit 304 includes a SCSI controller 304a and a hard disk (memory) 304b.
And writes image data to the hard disk 304b in accordance with a command from the SCSI controller 304a.
The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk 304b are printed in an order according to the editing mode specified by the operation unit of the copying apparatus. For example, when the PDL images sent from the first page are printed in reverse order and electronically sorted, the PDL bitmap images of all pages sent from the host are temporarily stored in the hard disk 304.
After the image is stored in the hard disk 304b, the image is read from the hard disk 304b in order from the last page to the first page and printed. This is repeated for the number of copies requested by the host computer, thereby realizing electronic sorting.

The hard disk 304b of the image storage unit 304 is divided into a "temporary area" and a "personal box area". The “personal box area” will be further described later.

In the "temporary area", image data is temporarily stored in order to perform electronic sorting as described above.
After the job is completed, the image data is an area to be deleted. On the other hand, in the “personal box area”, the image data obtained by expanding the PDL image received from the host is
The user prints image data, which is stored in the personal box corresponding to the personal box number designated by the host and is developed from the PDL image, which is stored in the personal box of the user's personal box number from the operation unit described later. This area is used for

Next, the image data read from the image storage unit 304 and the image data not stored in the image storage unit 304 are sent to the smoothing unit 305. In the smoothing unit 305,
First, 1-bit data is converted into 8-bit data, and the signal of the image data is set to “0” or “255”.
Here, the converted image data is replaced with a weighted average value obtained by summing up multiplication of a coefficient on a predetermined matrix and density values of neighboring pixels.

As a result, the binary data is converted into multi-valued data in accordance with the density value of the neighboring pixels, and an image quality closer to the image read by the image reading unit 201 can be reproduced. Then, the smoothed image data is output to the γ correction unit 3.
06. When outputting the density data, the γ correction unit 306 performs conversion using an LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a basic screen displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that this screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the inside of the frame of each displayed function.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes an extended function key. By pressing this key, a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, moving, binding margin setting, frame erasing setting, etc. is entered. An image mode key 402 enters a setting mode for performing shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking on a copy image. 403 is a user mode key,
You can register the mode memory and set the standard mode screen.
Reference numeral 404 denotes an advanced zoom key, which enters a mode for independently changing the magnification in the X and Y directions of the document and a mode for a zoom program for calculating the magnification from the document size and the copy size.

Reference numerals 405, 406 and 407 denote M1 key, M2
Key and M3 key, which are pressed together with the call key 408 when calling the mode memory registered respectively. An option key 409 is used to set optional functions such as a film projector for directly copying from a film.

A sorter key 410 is used to set whether to use a mechanical sorter or an electronic sorter, to sort the sorter, and to set modes such as groups. 4
Reference numeral 11 denotes a document mixed key, which is pressed to set A4 size and A3 size, and B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder.

Reference numeral 412 denotes an equal-magnification key for setting the copy magnification to 10;
This key is pressed to set 0%. Reference numerals 414 and 415 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, which are pressed when performing a standard reduction or enlargement. A paper selection key 413 is pressed when selecting a copy paper. 4
Reference numerals 18 and 420 denote density keys. Each time the key 418 is pressed, a dark copy is made, and each time the key 420 is pressed, a light copy is made. Reference numeral 417 denotes a density display.
Pressing 20 changes the display left and right. 419 is AE
The key is pressed when performing automatic density adjustment copying of a document with a dark background such as a newspaper.

Reference numeral 421 denotes a HiFi key, which is pressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photo document. Reference numeral 422 denotes a character emphasis key, which is pressed to highlight characters when copying a character document. 4
Reference numeral 23 denotes a guide key which is pressed when the function of a certain key is not known, and a description of the key is displayed.

A copy mode key 424 is a key to be pressed when performing a copy operation. When the key 424 is pressed, a copy mode screen is displayed. 42
Reference numeral 5 denotes a fax key, which is pressed to perform faxing. Reference numeral 426 denotes a file key, which is pressed to output file data.

Reference numeral 427 denotes a printer key, which is pressed to change the print density or to refer to the print output result of the PDL image from the host.

Reference numeral 428 denotes a PB key, which is a personal box key in the present embodiment, and stores image data obtained by expanding a PDL image received from the host in a personal box area corresponding to a personal box number designated by the host. Then, when the user presses this key, the user refers to and designates a copy job stored in his / her personal box, and prints image data developed from the PDL image.

Next, the personal box in this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 5 illustrates the hard disk 30 of the image storage unit 304 of the electronic sorter unit 203 described above.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 4b. As shown in the figure, image data is temporarily stored in order to perform electronic sorting, and after the job is completed, the stored image data is deleted in a temporary area 500 and a PDL received from the host 510. The image is developed by the external I / F processing unit 209, and the developed image data is stored in the personal box corresponding to the personal box number designated by the host. It is divided into a personal box area 501 which is an area for printing the image data stored in the box.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the capacity of the hard disk is 1 GB, 300 MB is designated as a temporary area and 700 MB is designated as a personal box area. Also, as shown in this example, if the number of personal boxes is 10, 700 MB is used by the user of each personal box on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a specification in which the size of a box that can be held by an individual is fixed equally, for example, in this case, each box is divided into 70 MB. In the first and second embodiments, the former specification,
In the third embodiment, the latter specification will be described.

Each personal box is given a number, for example, boxes 502, 503, 504, 5
05 corresponds to box numbers 0, 1, 2, and 9, respectively. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the box for Tanaka is 1, and when a user named Tanaka wants to put a PDL document in his / her box from the host 510, he designates box number 1 on the host.

When a user named Tanaka wants to put his or her own PDL document from the host into another user's box, for example, a user named Kato, he / she wants to send to the host, that is, designates the box 9 for Kato. . This makes it possible to mail one's own PDL document to another person's box.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a window in the host 510 where document data is to be printed or a personal box is to be designated on application software.

Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 601 denotes a print window on the application software, which is displayed when printing is designated by a menu of the application. Reference numeral 602 denotes a currently set printer name, for example, in the case of the present embodiment, the name of a digital copying machine connected to a network. Reference numeral 603 denotes a print range setting, which specifies whether to print all the pages of the document or to put them in a personal box. Reference numeral 604 designates how many pages of the document are printed or how many pages are put in the personal box. Here, whether to specify all pages or a range of pages is selected by clicking the corresponding square mark with a mouse and placing a check mark. Reference numeral 605 denotes a setting of the number of copies, which sets how many copies are to be printed or how many copies are to be printed when a document to be put in a personal box is printed later.

Reference numeral 610 denotes a personal box designation button. When the user clicks on the □ mark with a mouse and puts a check mark, the document data is not printed but the document data is personalized in accordance with the contents set in the personal box window described later. Put in the box. Also,
If you do not click the mark on the □ mark and do not put a check mark, perform normal printing. A personal box setting button 606 is used to specify a personal box number, which will be described later. Reference numeral 609 denotes a detail button for setting, for example, a printing resolution. An OK button 607 completes the setting, starts printing, or starts transferring a document to a designated personal box number. 6
A cancel button 08 is pressed to invalidate the print or personal box settings and close the print window 601.

FIG. 7 shows the print window 601 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a personal box window that is opened when a personal box button 606 is pressed.

Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a personal box window, which number of a personal box on the hard disk of an electronic sorter of a digital copying machine stores document data of application software.
When the user later prints the document data in front of the digital copying machine, the user sets the copy mode of how to print the document data. 702 designates a storage box number;
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when the user named Tanaka wants to store the document data of the application in his own box, he specifies his box number “1”. If the user named Tanaka wants to pass the document data of the application to the user named Kato, the user specifies the box number “9” of the user named Kato. Note that, in this case, the input of the password is not particularly required for transmission as in the case of the normal electronic mail.

Reference numeral 703 denotes a single-sided print setting. When the user clicks the □ mark with a mouse and puts a check mark, the job of the document data stored in the personal box is set to be single-sided if the job is to be printed later. Reference numeral 704 denotes a double-sided print setting.
When the check mark is put, if the job of the document data stored in the personal box is to be printed later, the setting is made to perform double-sided printing. Reference numeral 705 denotes a non-sort setting. When the user clicks the □ mark with a mouse and puts a check mark, the job of the document data stored in the personal box is set to be non-sorted when the job is to be printed later. Reference numeral 706 denotes a sort setting. When the □ mark is clicked with a mouse to place a check mark, the job of the document data stored in the personal box is set to be electronically sorted when the job is to be printed later. 70
Reference numeral 7 denotes a group setting, which is set so as to perform group printing when printing a job of document data stored in the personal box later.

Reference numeral 708 denotes a sheet setting for setting the size of a sheet to be used when printing a job of document data stored in the personal box later. For example, right ▼
By clicking the mark with a mouse, paper size options such as A4, A5, and B4 are displayed and can be selected. Reference numeral 709 denotes a paper feed stage setting for setting a cassette stage to be used when printing a job of document data stored in the personal box later. For example, when the right ▼ mark is clicked with a mouse, options such as an upper row and a lower row are displayed and can be selected. In the case of "auto" as shown in the figure, a cassette stage storing copy paper of a designated paper size is automatically fed.

Reference numeral 712 denotes a detailed setting.
When performing a reduced layout such as 1, 4 in 1, etc., this button is pressed. Reference numeral 710 denotes an OK button, which is pressed when the settings for the personal box are completed and the settings are made valid. After that, returning to the window 601 shown in FIG. 6 and pressing the OK button 607,
The transfer of the application document to the personal box designated by the digital copier is started. Reference numeral 711 denotes a cancel button, which is depressed to invalidate the settings relating to the personal box and return to the window 601.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main screen of the personal box in this embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 01 denotes a main screen of the personal box which is opened when the PB key 428 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed. As shown in the figure, the number of personal boxes is from 00 to 09.
Are prepared, and P is received from the host for each individual.
The DL data is stored in a personal box of a hard disk in a form developed into a raster image by an electronic sorter. In addition, a name is given to the number of each personal box on the screen of the operation unit (not shown). For example, in the case of the box number 01, the name "box of Tanaka" is given, and it can be clearly indicated that the box is used by a person named Tanaka. The percentage displayed at the far right of each box column indicates the percentage of the hard disk capacity of the entire personal box area used by that box. For example, box number 01 indicates that the hard disk capacity of the personal box area is 700 MB.
2%, that is, about 14 MB is used.

Reference numeral 802 denotes a button for viewing a job stored in box number 00. Similarly, 803,
Buttons 804 and 805 are for viewing the jobs stored in the box numbers 01, 02 and 03, respectively.
For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when a person named Tanaka at the host transfers document data of an application to his / her box number “1” so as to be stored, later, Personal box screen 8 of operation unit
01, button 803 of own box number 01
Is pressed to start printing the document. 80
Reference numerals 6 and 807 denote up and down scroll keys. By pressing these keys, the screen can be scrolled, and the names of box numbers 00 to 09 and the used capacity can be viewed. 80
Reference numeral 8 denotes a close key which can be pressed to return to the main screen shown in FIG. Reference numeral 809 denotes a fax status key. By pressing this key, the status of fax transmission / reception can be confirmed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a password input screen of the personal box in the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 901 denotes a personal box password input screen. In FIG. 8, when a user presses a box number 802 to 805 corresponding to his / her personal box, this screen is displayed. Then, the user inputs his / her password, for example, a 6-digit numerical value, in order to print the document data of his / her personal box. In addition, in order to prevent the input numerical value from being seen by others, the input digit is indicated by * mark and the uninput digit is indicated by マ ー ク mark as shown at 902. For example, when a person named Tanaka at the host transfers the document data of the application to the first box number of his / her box, the user box number 01 is later displayed on the personal box screen 801 of the operation unit. After pressing the button 803 on this screen,
By entering your password, you can start printing the document.

As a result, the PDL that one does not want others to see
You can print the document yourself later, ensuring security. At the same time, as mentioned above,
It is also possible to implement a mail function in which a PDL document created by the user is sent to another person's personal box, and another person can print the PDL document with another person's password in the same manner. Reference numeral 903 denotes an OK key which is pressed to start collation of the input password. 90
A cancel key 4 is pressed to cancel the input of the password and return to the screen 801. A fax status key 905 can be pressed to check the status of fax transmission and reception.

As a method of obtaining authentication as the owner of the personal box, instead of inputting a password, the code of a magnetic card possessed by each individual read from a card reader (not shown) of the copying machine may be input. Good. In this case, the convenience that the authentication of the person is completed only by inserting the card is obtained.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying jobs stored in one personal box. Referring to FIG. 9, reference numeral 1001 denotes a screen for displaying a job stored in a personal box of a certain individual, which is displayed when an OK key 903 is pressed in FIG. 9 and the password is verified. For example, a person named Tanaka, who is the owner of box number 01, enters a password known only to him and verifies the password, and the screen 1001 is displayed. Reference numerals 1010 and 1011 denote jobs in which a PDL document is entered by designating the personal box number from the host. For example, in 1010, 1 on March 8
At 1:30, it is shown that the document "Project A" was put into this box by the host. Here, “printed” on the far right indicates that the document has been printed at least once since it was placed in the personal box. In addition, a case such as "NG" where the hard disk is full and the document cannot be correctly put in the box is also shown. 1011 indicates that the document “B meeting material” was entered into this box by the host at 21:14 on March 11. here,
"Printable" on the far right means that this document has not been printed since you put it in your personal box,
Indicates that printing is possible. For example, by touching this line, the line of this job is reversed as shown in the figure.

Reference numeral 1003 denotes a detailed information key for displaying details of the job on the reversed line. This displays in detail the job information such as "copy three copies on both sides of A4 paper" set in the print window of the host application. On this display screen, it is possible to change the job information, for example, by changing the number of copies from three to five, depending on the convenience of the user. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a print key, which is used to transfer the print data stored in the raster image of the job of the reversed line from the host to the personal box when the print job setting contents (detailed information) designated in FIGS. Printing is started in accordance with the key (displayed with the key 1003). An erase key 1005 is depressed when erasing a reversed line job. Reference numerals 1006 and 1007 denote up and down scroll keys, which scroll the screen when displaying a large number of jobs that cannot be displayed on one screen. A fax status key 1009 can be pressed to check the status of fax transmission and reception. A close key 1008 is pressed to return to the personal box screen 801 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows that when a document of a certain PDL job is registered in the personal box of the hard disk, a predetermined amount of the personal box, for example, 90
The state of the copy sheet automatically discharged when the value exceeds% is shown. Here, when the administrator of the personal box or the user of each personal box sees this paper discharge, for example, on the screen shown in FIG. 10, the user refers to the jobs registered in the personal box,
Jobs that can be determined to be unnecessary can be deleted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the used amount of the entire personal box exceeds a predetermined amount, for example, 90% of the entire personal box area, 90% of the personal box area is copied to the copy paper. The information that the printer is in use is printed and printed, so the user or administrator of the personal box can easily understand the status by looking at the printed paper. This has the effect of preventing the troublesomeness of confirming.

Further, this can encourage each user or the administrator to delete unnecessary images in the personal box, thereby preventing unnecessary PDL jobs that cause the memory of the personal box to become full. Effective for improving productivity.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the use status of the personal box in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, paper discharged when the entire personal box has a capacity equal to or larger than a predetermined amount (FIG. 11)
At the same time, the information of the personal box use status shown in FIG. 12 is printed. Further, it may be printed on paper different from the paper shown in FIG. 11, or may be printed on the back of the paper shown in FIG. 11 in order to make detailed information inconspicuous. In this case, at the time of paper ejection, there is an effect that personal information such as the used capacity of the box, which is not required for general users to know each other, is less noticeable.

For example, the personal box manager or user refers to the detailed information to determine which personal box should be deleted by the manager, and each user should determine which personal box should be deleted. It can be done easily. For example, a criterion for selecting a personal box to be erased is a used capacity ratio. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the box number 1 and the box number 4 have an extremely high used capacity ratio as compared with the other boxes, and thus can be determined as boxes to be deleted. Whether or not all the PDL jobs registered in the personal box have been printed can also be a determination item when selecting a personal box to be deleted. In the case of FIG. 12, a personal box in which the “unprinted” job is “none” can be a determination item when selecting a personal box to be deleted.

As described above, in the case of FIG. 12, for example, the box number 1 and the box number 4 can be determined as the targets of the personal box to be deleted because the used capacity ratio is high and there is no unprinted job. . Then, the administrator or the user of box number 1 and box number 4 selects a job and presses the delete key 1005 on the screen shown in FIG. Deletes unnecessary jobs in the personal box.

According to this embodiment, when the used amount of the entire personal box exceeds a predetermined amount, for example, 90% of the entire personal box area, 90% of the personal box area is used for copy paper. In addition to the information described above, the information is printed with a list of information such as the used capacity (ratio) of each personal box and the presence / absence of an unprinted job. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the administrator can determine which personal box There is an effect that it is easy to determine which image data should be deleted.

Further, as in the prior art, in order to prevent the memory full from occurring as much as possible, it is possible to prevent the administrator from having to periodically check the use status of each personal box from the operation unit.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 13 shows that each personal box is separated by a fixed area one by one. For example, when each personal box is limited to 70 MB, a predetermined amount, for example, 90%, is set for each personal box. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of a copy sheet when a personal box number exceeding the limit is displayed and a warning is issued.

As for the timing of outputting the warning shown in FIG. 13, if at least one personal box exceeding 90% occurs, it is determined whether the condition is satisfied every three days or periodically. If so, the paper may be discharged.

When the user of each personal box views this paper discharge, the corresponding user refers to the job registered in the personal box on the screen shown in FIG. 10, for example, and deletes the job that can be determined to be unnecessary. It is possible to avoid personal box full in advance.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, when image data is registered in image storage areas allocated to a plurality of users, a warning is issued when the usage of the image storage area reaches a predetermined amount. Is output, the convenience of the user and the device can be improved.

[0083]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing system of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an electronic sorter unit 203 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a basic screen displayed on a display unit of the copying apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hard disk 304b of the image storage unit 304.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a window for printing document data or designating a personal box on application software.

7 is a diagram showing a personal box window that is opened when a personal box button 606 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main screen of the personal box in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a password input screen of the personal box in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying a job stored in one personal box.

FIG. 11 illustrates a state of copy paper that is automatically discharged when the personal box exceeds a predetermined amount in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of a personal box according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state of a copy sheet when a number of a personal box exceeding a predetermined amount is displayed and a warning is issued in the third embodiment.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus which registers image data in image storage areas assigned to a plurality of users and reads out the image storage areas assigned to the respective users to form an image. Registering means for registering image data in an area, and warning output means for outputting a warning when the used amount of the image storage area reaches a predetermined amount when the image data is registered by the registering means. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit includes an input unit for inputting a user code, and performs registration when the user code is authenticated. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit inputs the information using a card reader. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the warning output unit prints out the fact that the used amount of the image storage area has reached a predetermined amount on a recording medium and outputs it. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the warning output unit prints the usage status of each user together. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the warning output unit prints and outputs the usage status of each user on a back surface of the recording medium. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the warning output unit prints a user whose usage amount of the image storage area has reached a predetermined amount on a recording medium and outputs the user. 8. An image forming method in which image data is registered in image storage areas assigned to a plurality of users and each user reads out from the assigned image storage area to form an image. A registration step of registering image data in an area, and a warning output step of outputting a warning when the used amount of the image storage area reaches a predetermined amount when the image data is registered in the registration step. Characteristic image forming method. 9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program code of an image forming method, wherein: a plurality of users have a code of a registration step of registering image data in the image storage area; A warning output step of outputting a warning when the used amount of the image storage area reaches a predetermined amount.