JP2010210685A - Image forming apparatus and report outputting method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a report output method capable of appropriately executing report output.
An image forming apparatus, a consumables remaining amount acquisition unit for acquiring a remaining amount of consumables related to printing in the image forming apparatus, and a print condition of report information according to the remaining amount of consumables is stored. Output attribute storage means, output attribute acquisition means for acquiring printing conditions of the report information from the output attribute storage means based on the remaining amount of the consumables, and data included in the report information is acquired from the image forming apparatus. Data acquisition means; and print control means for executing printing of the report information including the acquired data in accordance with the printing conditions.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a report output method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a report output method for outputting a report.

  In the image forming apparatus, a report indicating the state and usage status of the image forming apparatus is output. For example, a transmission report by facsimile is one form of the report here. With such a report, the administrator or the user can confirm the state of the image forming apparatus, the usage status, the success or failure of execution of the job, and the like.

  However, depending on the remaining amount of consumables such as toner and the number of prints, the report may not be printed properly.

  In addition, since report output is not an original function, it is not preferable that a delay in job execution related to the original function occurs due to the consumption of the CPU or the occurrence of access to a storage device due to report output processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and a report output method capable of appropriately executing report output.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a consumables remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires a remaining amount of consumables related to printing in the image forming apparatus, and a response to the remaining amount of consumables. Output attribute storage means for storing report information printing conditions, output attribute acquisition means for acquiring the report information printing conditions from the output attribute storage means based on the remaining amount of the consumables, and data included in the report information Data acquisition means for acquiring image data from the image forming apparatus, and print control means for executing printing of the report information including the acquired data in accordance with the printing conditions.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately output a report.

  The report can be output appropriately.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a report. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a report. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the output attribute data selected when there is little paper remaining. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 2nd embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of output attribute data selected when a toner remaining amount is low. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the output attribute data selected when there are many jobs. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the output attribute data defined according to the user. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 5th embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the report output process in 6th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the registration process of output attribute data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus. The multifunction machine 1 is an image forming apparatus that realizes a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, a scanner, or a fax in a single housing. However, in implementing this embodiment, it is not always necessary to use a multifunction machine. It suffices to have at least a printing function. Further, the fifth or sixth embodiment may be provided with a display function or a recording function to an external recording medium.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the hardware of the multifunction device 1, there are a controller 601, an operation panel 602, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 603, an imaging unit 604, and a printing unit 605.

  The controller 601 includes a CPU 611, ASIC 612, NB621, SB622, MEM-P631, MEM-C632, HDD (hard disk drive) 633, memory card slot 634, NIC (network interface controller) 641, USB device 642, IEEE 1394 device 643, Centronics device. 644.

  The CPU 611 is an IC for various information processing. The ASIC 612 is an IC for various image processing. The NB 621 is a north bridge of the controller 601. The SB 622 is a south bridge of the controller 601. The MEM-P 631 is a system memory of the multifunction device 1. The MEM-C 632 is a local memory of the multifunction machine 1. The HDD 633 is storage of the multifunction device 1. The memory card slot 634 is a slot for setting a memory card 635. The NIC 641 is a controller for network communication using a MAC address. The USB device 642 is a device for providing a USB standard connection terminal. The IEEE 1394 device 643 is a device for providing a connection terminal of the IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics device 644 is a device for providing connection terminals of Centronics specifications. The operation panel 602 is hardware (operation device) for an operator to input to the multifunction device 1 and hardware (display device) for an operator to obtain an output from the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a UI control unit 11, a report output unit 12, a report management unit 13, a data management unit 14, a user management unit 15, a device status monitoring unit 16, and output attribute data 20.

  The UI control unit 11 is a Web browser provided in a computer such as an operation panel 602 or a PC (Personal Computer) connected via a network for receiving a report output request and displaying a result (success / failure) of a report output process. Etc. In the present embodiment, a report refers to a document (paper or electronic data) indicating the usage status, status information, setting information, and the like of the multifunction device 1.

  For example, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a report. In the figure, an example of a report in which the values of various counters of the multifunction device 1 are output is shown.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the report. In the figure, an example of a report in which the usage status of the multifunction device 1 by a certain user (Mr. Tanaka) is output is shown.

  3 and 4 are merely examples, and there are various forms of reports.

  In response to a report output request, the report output unit 12 inquires of the report management unit 13 about data to be included in the report (hereinafter referred to as “report data”), a report output form, and the like. The report output unit 12 prints or displays a report in response to a response from the report management unit 13. Note that the output of the report is not limited to the input of the report output request by the user. For example, it can be automatically executed when a predetermined amount of log information is accumulated or when a predetermined job is executed.

  The report management unit 13 performs collection of report data, selection of output attribute data 20 used for report output, and the like. The output attribute data 20 is data including attribute information related to report output (print conditions, data type (item) to be output, and the like). A plurality of output attribute data 20 is defined for each report type according to the state of the multifunction machine 1 or the amount of report data, and the like, and stored in the HDD 633.

  In response to a request from the report management unit 13, the data management unit 14 acquires various types of data that can be the target of report data. In FIG. 2, log information and counter information are illustrated as management targets of the data management unit 14. The log information is history information recorded in accordance with the execution of various jobs. The counter information is various counters for recording the usage status of the multifunction device 1 and the like. For example, specific examples of the counter include the number of color copies, the number of monochrome copies, and the number of copies for each user.

  The user management unit 15 executes a user authentication process and recognizes the authenticated user as a login user for the multifunction device 1.

  In response to a request from the report management unit 13, the device state monitoring unit 16 acquires device state information (for example, the number of staying jobs and the remaining amount of consumables).

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the report output form (printing conditions and the like) is changed according to the remaining amount of printing paper.

  In step S <b> 101, the UI control unit 11 inputs a report print request to the report output unit 12 in response to an input from the user. In the print request, a report type (report type) is specified. Subsequently, the report output unit 12 designates the report type and inputs a report data acquisition request to the report management unit 13 (S102). Subsequently, the report management unit 13 inputs an acquisition request for the remaining amount of printing paper to the device state monitoring unit 16 (S103). For example, the device status monitoring unit 16 determines the remaining amount of printing paper (paper remaining amount) based on a sensor or the like in the output tray and responds to the report management unit 13 with the remaining amount of paper (S104). The remaining amount of paper may be the number of sheets or the thickness.

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 determines whether the remaining amount of the paper belongs to which category divided by one or more threshold values (S105). For example, classifications such as classification 1 (0 to 5 sheets), classification 2 (6 to 10 sheets), classification 3 (10 to 15), and the like are defined by dividing the remaining amount of paper into five sheets. Note that the number of classifications to be divided and the maximum number of classifications to be defined may be determined based on, for example, the maximum number or average number of sheets that can be output as a report.

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 selects the output attribute data 20 corresponding to the specified report type and corresponding to the classification determined in step S105 as a usage target, and selects the memory (MEM− P631). (S106). That is, the classification corresponds to the type of the output attribute data 20. In other words, each output attribute data 20 is defined in association with the remaining amount of paper.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of output attribute data selected when the remaining amount of paper is low. As shown in the figure, the output attribute data 20a defines the printing conditions and the structure of data included in the report. That is, in the output attribute data 20a, aggregation, printing surface, and density correspond to printing conditions. In the output attribute data 20a in the figure, “2 in 1 (2 pages are consolidated into 1 page)” is set for aggregation. “Double-sided” is set for the print side. That is, in order to increase the possibility that a report of all pages is printed with a small amount of remaining paper, it is defined that the number of printed sheets is reduced by aggregation and duplex printing. In addition, in the output attribute data 20 corresponding to the classification with the smaller remaining amount of paper, for example, the aggregation may be set to “4 in 1”.

  In the output attribute data 20a, data 1, data 2, and data 3 define whether or not to make a report output target for each data type (that is, the configuration of data included in the report). Data 1, data 2, and data 3 are abstract representations of log types, counters, or identification information (identification names or identifiers) of parameters set in the multifunction device 1 for convenience. For example, data 1 indicates a log of a predetermined job, data 2 indicates a predetermined counter, data 3 indicates a predetermined parameter, and so on. In the figure, all data is output. However, the larger the amount of data to be output, the greater the consumption of printing paper. Therefore, in the output attribute data 20 corresponding to the classification with the smaller remaining amount of paper, only the data essential for report (for example, data 1 and 2) may be output. Note that the type (configuration) of data included in a report differs for each report type.

  Next, the report management unit 13 acquires report printing conditions from the selected output attribute data 20 (S107). Subsequently, the report management unit 13 specifies identification information of the data to be output in the selected output attribute data 20 (that is, report data), and sends an acquisition request for the report data to the data management unit 14. Input (S108). Subsequently, the data management unit 14 acquires each requested report data from the HDD 633 and outputs the acquired report data to the report management unit 13 (S109). Subsequently, the report management unit 13 outputs the acquired report data and printing conditions to the report output unit 12 (S110).

  Subsequently, the report output unit 12 applies the report data to an output format (format) corresponding to the report type, and prints the data generated as a result (for example, image data) in accordance with the print condition, the printing unit 605. (S111). Subsequently, the report output unit 12 notifies the UI control unit 11 of success or failure of the report output process (S112). In response to the notification, the UI control unit 11 displays the completion or failure of the report output process on a corresponding user interface (such as the operation panel 602 or a Web browser).

  Subsequently, the report output unit 12 inputs a request to delete the printed report data (reported data) to the report management unit 13 (S113). The report management unit 13 inputs the deletion request to the data management unit 14 (S114). The data management unit 14 deletes each reported data from the HDD 633 (S115). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that data printed as a report target is made permanent on paper. Therefore, it is considered that the same data need not be duplicated and made permanent on the paper and the HDD 633 or the like. Therefore, the reported data is deleted from the HDD 633 to effectively use the HDD 633.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to change the printing conditions and the configuration of report data according to the remaining amount of printing paper that is a consumable item. Therefore, if the normal setting is used, even if there is not enough printing paper, the possibility that all pages of the report are printed can be increased.

  Since the purpose of the report is mainly to confirm information described in the report, it is considered that the tolerance for print quality is high. Therefore, even if the report is printed in a mode different from the mode planned by the report output person, the possibility of causing a problem in practice is very low.

  Incidentally, the report data acquisition process (S108, S109) by the report management unit 13 may be executed before step S105. In this case, data to be acquired cannot be determined based on the output attribute data 20. Therefore, all report data to be output for the specified report type need only be acquired. Thereafter, the number of sheets expected (estimated) that is expected (estimated) is determined based on the data amount of the acquired report data, and the relationship between the estimated number of sheets and the remaining amount of sheets (for example, the expected number of sheets and the sheet) The output attribute data 20 corresponding to the difference with the remaining amount may be selected. That is, each output attribute data 20 is defined for each category in which the relationship between the expected number of sheets and the remaining amount of paper is delimited by a threshold. In step S105, which category the relationship between the expected number of sheets and the remaining amount of paper belongs. Is determined. In step S106, the output attribute data 20 corresponding to the determined classification is selected. In this case, all the report data may be printed, or only the report data to be output in the output attribute data 20 may be printed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing in the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the consumable item of interest is toner. Therefore, only the differences in the first implementation will be described.

  In step S153, the report management unit 13 inputs a toner remaining amount acquisition request to the device state monitoring unit 16 (S153). The device state monitoring unit 16 detects the remaining amount of toner (toner remaining amount), and responds to the report management unit 13 with the remaining amount of toner (S154).

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 determines whether the remaining amount of toner belongs to which category divided by one or more threshold values (S155). The classification may be determined based on, for example, the maximum number or average number of sheets that can be output as a report.

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 selects output attribute data 20 corresponding to the classification determined in step S155 as output attribute data 20 for the specified report type, and reads it into the memory. (S156).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of output attribute data selected when the remaining amount of toner is low. In the output attribute data 20b in the figure, “2 in 1 (2 pages are consolidated into 1 page)” is set for aggregation. In addition, “light” is set for the density. That is, in order to increase the possibility that a report of all pages is printed with a small amount of toner remaining, the toner consumption is defined to be reduced. Note that “single side” is set for the print side. This is because the printing surface is not related to the toner consumption. However, this does not exclude the setting that the printing surface is “both sides”.

  Step S157 and subsequent steps are the same as step S107 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to change the printing conditions and the configuration of report data according to the remaining amount of printing toner that is a consumable item. Therefore, the possibility of printing all the pages of the report can be increased even if the toner is insufficient in the normal setting.

  Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the report data acquisition process (S158, S159) by the report management unit 13 may be executed before step S155. Thereafter, the toner amount (toner expected consumption amount) that is expected (estimated) to be necessary based on the data amount of the acquired report data is determined, and the relationship between the expected toner consumption amount and the remaining amount of paper (for example, The output attribute data 20 corresponding to the difference between the estimated toner consumption amount converted into the number of printed sheets and the remaining amount of paper may be selected. That is, each output attribute data 20 is defined for each category in which the relationship between the expected toner consumption and the remaining amount of paper is divided by the threshold value. In step S155, the relationship between the expected toner consumption and the remaining amount of paper is any. It is determined whether it belongs to the classification. In step S156, the output attribute data 20 corresponding to the determined classification is selected. In this case, all the report data may be printed, or only the report data to be output in the output attribute data 20 may be printed.

  Further, the second embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment. Specifically, the output attribute data 20 may be defined for each combination of the remaining paper amount classification and the remaining toner amount classification. By doing so, the output form of the report can be changed according to the combination of the remaining amount of paper and the remaining amount of toner.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the printing conditions and the configuration of report data are changed according to the number of jobs (the number of staying jobs). Also in the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  In step S153, the report management unit 13 inputs a job number acquisition request to the device status monitoring unit 16 (S203). For example, the device state monitoring unit 16 determines the number of jobs based on, for example, a job queue (a storage area that manages the execution order of jobs in the memory), and responds to the report management unit 13 with the number of jobs (see FIG. S204).

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 determines which classification the job number belongs to by one or more threshold values (S205). Whether or not the classification is divided as follows may be determined based on, for example, the amount of data to be output in the report.

  Subsequently, the report management unit 13 selects output attribute data 20 corresponding to the classification determined in step S205 as output attribute data 20 for the specified report type, and reads it into the memory. (S206).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of output attribute data selected when the number of jobs is large. In the output attribute data 20c in the same figure, “none” is set for aggregation. Further, only data 1 is an output target, and data 2 and 3 are not output targets. Aggregation requires image processing and increases the load on the CPU 611 accordingly. In addition, acquisition of report data is accompanied by access to the HDD 633. In other words, the output attribute data 20c is defined such that factors that may hinder smooth execution of jobs, such as an increase in the load on the CPU 611 and access to the HDD 633, are reduced.

  Step S207 and subsequent steps are the same as step S107 and subsequent steps in FIG.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to change the printing conditions and the configuration of report data according to the number of jobs. Therefore, when the number of jobs is large, report output processing can be executed so that the influence on the jobs is reduced.

  Note that the third embodiment may be combined with at least one of the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the output attribute data 20 may be defined for each combination of the number of jobs classification and at least one of the remaining paper classification and the remaining toner classification. By doing so, the output form of the report can be changed according to the combination.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which the output attribute data 20 is for each report type and is defined for each user is added to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, points different from the first embodiment will be described.

  In step S241, the UI control unit 11 designates the user ID (user name) and password input by the user via the login screen displayed on the operation panel 602 or the web browser, and issues a login request to the user management unit 15. To enter. Subsequently, the user management unit 15 authenticates the user based on the user ID and the password, and outputs an authentication result (success / failure of authentication) to the UI control unit 11 (S242). If the authentication is successful, the user management unit 15 records the user ID of the user as a login user in the memory.

  Step S251 and subsequent steps are executed when authentication is successful. Upon receiving the report data acquisition request in step S252, the report management unit 13 inquires of the user management unit 15 about the login user (S253). The user management unit 15 outputs the user ID of the login user recorded in the memory to the report management unit 13.

  Step S255 and subsequent steps are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment (step S101 and subsequent steps in FIG. 5). However, in step S258, the report management unit 13 corresponds to the classification determined in step S257 from the output attribute data 20 of the specified report type and associated with the user ID of the login user. The output attribute data 20 to be selected is selected as a usage target.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of output attribute data defined according to a user. The configuration of the output attribute data 20c in the figure is the same as the configuration of the other output attribute data 20. However, in the fourth embodiment, the output attribute data 20 is defined for each user. Therefore, in addition to the remaining amount of paper, the report is output in a form that takes into account the user's authority related to report output (or to the print job in the first place). Can be output. For example, referenceable data can be changed according to the user. Also, it is possible to limit the available printing conditions depending on the user.

  In addition, the structure which defines the output attribute data 20 for every user is applicable also to 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment. The processing procedure in this case is self-evident based on FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 and FIG. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

  Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment (FIG. 9). Therefore, differences from the third embodiment will be described.

  In step S <b> 301, the UI control unit 11 inputs a report display request to the report output unit 12 in response to an input from the user. That is, in the fifth embodiment, display is requested instead of printing a report.

  Steps S302 to S310 are the same as S202 to S210 of FIG. Subsequent to step S310, the report output unit 12 applies the report data to an output format (format) corresponding to the report type, and requests the UI control unit 11 to display the screen data (for example, image data) generated as a result. (S311). The UI control unit 11 displays the screen data on the operation panel 602 or the web browser.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the configuration of report data can be changed according to the number of jobs. Therefore, when the number of jobs is large, the report display process can be executed so that the influence on the jobs is reduced.

  In the fifth embodiment, deletion of reported data is not executed. This is because the display of the report cannot be considered as the persistence of the report data.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, the output attribute data 20 may be defined for each user.

  Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the report output processing according to the sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment (FIG. 9). Therefore, differences from the third embodiment will be described.

  In step S <b> 351, the UI control unit 11 inputs a report recorded on an external recording medium to the report output unit 12 in response to an input from the user. In other words, in the sixth embodiment, recording on an external recording medium (for example, memory card 635) is required instead of printing a report.

  Steps S352 to S360 are the same as S202 to S210 of FIG. Subsequent to step S360, the report output unit 12 applies the report data to a recording format corresponding to the report type, and generates data (for example, CSV (Comma Separated Values) data or XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data, for example). Etc.) is recorded on an external recording medium (S361).

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the configuration of the report data can be changed according to the number of jobs. Therefore, when the number of jobs is large, it is possible to execute a process for recording a report on an external medium so as to reduce the influence on the jobs.

  In the sixth embodiment, the output attribute data 20 may be defined for each user.

  Next, the registration process of the output attribute data 20 will be described as a common process for the first to sixth embodiments. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of output attribute data registration processing.

  For example, the UI control unit 11 receives input of the output attribute data 20 via the output attribute data registration screen (S401). In the output attribute data registration screen, values of items (items related to printing conditions and data structure) constituting the output attribute data 20 are set, and the classification to which the output attribute data 20 belongs (classification by remaining amount of paper, remaining toner) Classification by quantity or classification by number of jobs) is set. Further, when the output attribute data 20 is managed for each user, a user ID is also input.

Subsequently, the UI control unit 11 designates input information and inputs a registration request for the output attribute data 20 to the report output unit 12 (S402). Subsequently, the report output unit 12 inputs the registration request to the report management unit 13 (S403). Subsequently, the report management unit 13 stores the output attribute data 20 in the HDD 633 so that the relationship with the designated classification, user ID, and the like is maintained (S404). For the association with the classification and the user ID, for example, the folder name of the storage destination of the file storing the output attribute data 20 may be used, or the file name of the file may be used. Further, the association may be performed by other methods. Subsequently, the report management unit 13 responds to the report output unit 12 with the registration result (success / failure) of the output attribute data 20 (S405). The report output unit 12 notifies the UI control unit 11 of the response (S406).
Note that it is possible to execute update or deletion of the existing output attribute data 20 by the same procedure. When operating the existing output attribute data 20, a list of the existing output attribute data 20 may be displayed, and the output attribute data 20 selected in the list may be an operation (update or deletion) target.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 11 UI control part 12 Report output part 13 Report management part 14 Data management part 15 User management part 16 Equipment state monitoring part 20 Output attribute data 601 Controller 602 Operation panel 603 Facsimile control unit 604 Imaging part 605 Printing part 611 CPU
612 ASIC
621 NB
622 SB
631 MEM-P
632 MEM-C
633 HDD
634 Memory card slot 635 Memory card 641 NIC
642 USB device 643 IEEE 1394 device 644 Centronics device

JP 2007-95058 A

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus,
Consumables remaining amount acquisition means for acquiring the remaining amount of consumables related to printing in the image forming apparatus;
Output attribute storage means for storing report information printing conditions in accordance with the remaining amount of consumables;
Output attribute acquisition means for acquiring printing conditions of the report information from the output attribute storage means based on the remaining amount of the consumables;
Data acquisition means for acquiring data included in the report information from the image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing control unit that executes printing of the report information including the acquired data according to the printing condition. The output attribute storage means stores the printing conditions of the report information according to the relationship between the information amount of the report information and the remaining amount of the consumables,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output attribute acquisition unit acquires a printing condition from the output attribute storage unit based on an information amount of the report information and a remaining amount of the consumable item. The output attribute storage means also stores a configuration of data included in the report information according to a remaining amount of the consumable item,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data information acquiring unit acquires data included in the configuration acquired from the output attribute storage unit based on a remaining amount of the consumable from the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is at least one of printing paper and toner. An image forming apparatus,
Job number acquisition means for acquiring the number of jobs in the image forming apparatus;
Output attribute storage means for storing the configuration of data to be included in the report information according to the number of jobs;
Output attribute acquisition means for acquiring a configuration of data included in the report information from the output attribute storage means based on the number of jobs;
Data acquisition means for acquiring data included in the configuration acquired by the output attribute means from the image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus comprising: output control means for executing output of report information including acquired data. A report output method executed by the image forming apparatus,
A consumables remaining amount acquisition procedure for acquiring the remaining amount of consumables related to printing in the image forming apparatus;
An output attribute acquisition procedure for acquiring a printing condition of the report information based on the remaining amount of the consumable, from an output attribute storage means storing a printing condition of the report information according to the remaining amount of the consumable;
A data acquisition procedure for acquiring data included in the report information from the image forming apparatus;
And a printing control procedure for executing printing of the report information including the acquired data in accordance with the printing conditions. The output attribute storage means stores the printing conditions of the report information according to the relationship between the information amount of the report information and the remaining amount of the consumables,
The report output method according to claim 6, wherein the output attribute acquisition procedure acquires a printing condition from the output attribute storage unit based on an information amount of the report information and a remaining amount of the consumables. The output attribute storage means also stores a configuration of data included in the report information according to a remaining amount of the consumable item,
The report output method according to claim 6, wherein the data information acquisition procedure acquires, from the image forming apparatus, data included in the configuration acquired from the output attribute storage unit based on a remaining amount of the consumable.   The report output method according to claim 6, wherein the consumable is at least one of printing paper and toner. A report output method executed by the image forming apparatus,
A job number acquisition procedure for acquiring the number of jobs in the image forming apparatus;
An output attribute acquisition procedure for acquiring a configuration of data to be included in the report information based on the number of jobs, from an output attribute storage unit that stores a configuration of data to be included in report information according to the number of jobs;
A data acquisition procedure for acquiring from the image forming apparatus data included in the configuration acquired in the output attribute procedure;
A report output method comprising: an output control procedure for executing output of report information including acquired data.

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