JP4330461B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a so-called multifunction machine having these functions.

  Conventionally, the above-described image forming apparatus has various functions such as executing image formation on a user's favorite size and type of paper, or transmitting image data to another person by e-mail. It has come to be added. However, in order to make full use of these functions, it is necessary for the user to input and set various information in advance (for example, when using the function related to the e-mail described above, It may be troublesome if the user needs to input an address (hereinafter, the various types of information may be referred to as “setting information”). In addition, the items related to the setting information increase in accordance with the increase in functions of the image forming apparatus, and the input operation or setting operation becomes complicated, so that the above-described problem can be more remarkable.

Therefore, conventionally, there is known a technique for solving the above-described problem by storing setting information having a predetermined content in an image forming apparatus in advance. A technique is also known in which setting information for each user is stored in the image forming apparatus in consideration of the case where one image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users. Further, in this case, when the image forming apparatus and a plurality of user terminals constitute a network, the setting information for each person can be stored in a server on the network. As a conventional example of such a technique, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, personal identification means for identifying personal information and customization of the operation of the apparatus based on the personal information identified by the personal identification means There has been proposed one having customizing means.
JP 2000-231309 A

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus has the following problems. That is, as described above, according to the technique of storing setting information having predetermined contents in the image forming apparatus or the like, it is certainly freed from the troublesomeness of the user having to input the setting information one by one. However, when the user wants to operate the image forming apparatus in accordance with the setting information having contents different from the contents of the stored setting information, the user cannot cope with it well. This is because the user has to cancel the stored setting information and then input desired setting information. In other words, in this case, an additional process or operation related to the release is necessary, which may cause the user to be troublesome.

  Further, as described above, in the case where one image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, a request to use the image forming apparatus is received from two or more of the plurality of users. It is necessary to handle these conflicting requests appropriately. In order to realize this, it is not impossible to cope with the contents of the setting information. However, even in this case, if the contents of the setting information are fixed, Even if such processing or operation is performed, it is not possible to cope well.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if a user desires different setting information each time, it is possible to operate according to the setting information, and usage requests from a plurality of users overlap. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus excellent in operability such that it can be appropriately processed in some cases.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on image data, and the operation mode of the image forming apparatus that is input to the image forming apparatus. Based on the storage means for temporarily storing the mode setting information for determining and the priority information including the priority determined for the user, and the user specifying information and / or the occupation request information included in the mode setting information, And an occupancy permission / refusal unit that determines whether or not occupancy is permitted by the user instructed by the user identification information of the image forming apparatus. Here, when the occupation setting information is included in the mode setting information , the occupation permission / rejection unit causes the user to occupy the image forming apparatus if the image forming apparatus is not occupied, and the image forming apparatus occupies the image forming apparatus. If the image forming apparatus is occupied by an already occupied user and a user having a higher priority among the users and the mode setting information does not include the occupation request information, the user is determined. was priority Ru is occupying the image forming apparatus to the user is higher.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the mode setting information is first input from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus via an appropriate network. The mode setting information includes user specifying information and occupation request information, which will be described later. For example, an image forming mode (more specifically, the size and type of paper to be used, monochrome or color, Further, image forming mode setting information for determining whether or not to perform stapling or punching, or data transmission destination information such as a FAX telephone number and an e-mail address is also included. The operation mode of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is determined by such mode setting information. Such mode setting information is temporarily stored in the storage means. As described above, according to the present invention, the mode setting information is not constantly stored in the image forming apparatus, but is temporarily stored. Information can be input, and thus the image forming apparatus can be operated in a desired operation mode each time. For users who do not like to change the contents of the mode setting information so much, it is only necessary to store the contents of the user-specific mode setting information in the user's terminal or the like. It never happens.

  In particular, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with an exclusive permission / refusal unit, which determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is occupied based on the user specifying information and the occupation request information included in the mode setting information. To do. That is, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a user inputs mode setting information, the user is permitted to occupy the image forming apparatus (that is, the use of the image forming apparatus is A state that is allowed only by a user and not allowed by anyone other than the user can be created.

  Here, in the present invention, the determination as to whether or not the occupancy is permitted by the occupancy permission / refusal means is made based on priority information determined for the user. For example, assuming that there are two users, and priority is given to the first and second in order, even if the user is initially occupied by the second priority user, Subsequently, when the user with the first priority inputs the mode setting information, the occupation by the user with the second priority is released, and the occupation with the user with the first priority is started. -ing

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if the user desires different setting information each time, the user can perform the operation according to the setting information, and when the use requests from a plurality of users overlap, Can be processed appropriately. As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to allow the user to enjoy better operability.

  Such operations, effects and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit 1, a printer unit 2, a storage device 3, a fax interface (hereinafter referred to as “FAX I / F”) 4, a network I / F 5, a scanner unit 6, and an operation unit 7. It is configured.

  Among these, the printer unit 2 is, for example, image data configured based on image information sent from a personal computer (not shown), read by the scanner unit 6, and further received by the FAX I / F 4, or the like. Processes a print job set based on image data. Note that the print job processing mainly means printing characters / drawings and the like based on the image information on paper or the like previously stored in the printer unit 2. The storage device 3 stores a print job scheduled to be executed or being executed, a print job in which an error has occurred, and the like. Particularly in the present embodiment, the storage device 3 stores priority information individually determined for each user who shares the image forming apparatus. The storage device 3 is also used to store mode setting information described later. How to use the priority information and the mode setting information will be described later with reference to FIG. The FAX I / F 4 is connected to a device outside the network (not shown) via a telephone line, and transmits and receives image information using a FAX function. The network I / F 5 is connected to the network and transmits and receives data within the network. For example, image information sent from the personal computer is taken into the image forming apparatus via the network I / F 5. The scanner unit 6 includes a platen, a light source unit, a CCD camera, and the like (not shown), and scans a document surface placed on the platen to read image information. The operation unit 7 is a user interface for the user to send various commands to the image forming apparatus. More specifically, for example, a touch panel method can be adopted as the operation unit 7.

  The control unit 1 controls the entire image forming apparatus through the above-described elements. The control unit 1 is composed of a CPU that issues a control command, a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and an NVRAM that stores nonvolatile data. Particularly in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the control unit 1 is based on user specifying information and occupancy request information included in mode setting information to be described later, and further on priority information stored in the storage device 3 described above. Then, whether or not the image forming apparatus is occupied by the user specified by the user specifying information is determined. This point will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above is operated as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, for example, and as a result, the following effects can be achieved. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of inputting mode setting information that can include occupancy request information from the user to the image forming apparatus and a flow of subsequent processes. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure performed by the user before and a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus related thereto. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the contents of the mode setting information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority information defined for each user.

  In the present embodiment, for easy understanding, the user transmits mode setting information to the image forming apparatus using the personal computer, and uses the scanner unit 6 or the like to set the mode. A mode of performing copying according to information will be described as an example.

  First, in FIG. 2, the user notifies the image forming apparatus of mode setting information from, for example, a personal computer (not shown) used by the user (step S101 in FIG. 2), and the image forming apparatus receives the mode setting information. Information is analyzed (step S102 in FIG. 2).

  Here, the mode setting information has contents as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, the mode setting information includes a user name, a user ID, presence / absence of occupation request information, image formation mode setting information, presence / absence of e-mail transmission designation, e-mail address of the transmission destination, FAX transmission destination name, FAX transmission destination. It consists of a phone number. Of these, the user name and user ID can identify the user who has transmitted the mode setting information. Further, the image formation mode setting information includes, for example, information on what size and type of paper image formation is performed, whether color image formation is performed, or monochrome image formation is performed. Furthermore, when specific designation is made in the data transmission destination information from “E-mail transmission designation” to “FAX transmission destination telephone number” in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus transmits, for example, from a certain terminal. The image is actually formed on the paper based on the image data configured based on the information, and at the same time, the image data is transmitted to another image forming apparatus designated by the data transmission destination information or a personal computer, etc. Will be performed. Needless to say, the contents of the mode setting information may include various contents other than those described above (see “...” Shown in the figure).

  As described above, when the mode setting information is notified to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is in the low power mode (more specifically, the power saving mode of the CPU or the LCD When the LED is in the LED extinguishing mode, and further in the power-off mode of the fixing device constituting the printer unit 2, etc.), a configuration for canceling this may be adopted. In this way, the user actually goes to the front of the image forming apparatus in order to perform the image forming process such as performing copying after transmitting the mode setting information as in the present embodiment. In this case, it is possible to save time (that is, a predetermined time is normally required for returning from the low power mode, so that the return is made when the user actually goes to the image forming apparatus. (If the mode setting information is sent, if the return is achieved at the time when the mode setting information is sent, such a problem is not incurred.)

  Next, in the mode setting information, it is confirmed whether or not the user makes an occupancy request for the image forming apparatus (step S103 in FIG. 2). In FIG. 4, if “1” is designated in the item of the transmission request information, it means that the user wants to occupy, and if “0” is designated, it means that the user does not want to occupy. Here, when the user does not wish to occupy, the transmitted mode setting information is stored in the storage device 3 (step S110 in FIG. 2), and the processing is terminated (END in FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when the user wishes to occupy the image forming apparatus, it is subsequently confirmed whether the occupancy by the user who requested the occupancy is permitted (step S104 in FIG. 2). This permission / denial can be determined by referring to the user name and user ID included in the mode setting information. The case where the user is rejected includes, for example, a case where the user is a complete outsider who is not planned to use the image forming apparatus. When the occupancy is rejected, the mode setting information sent is stored in the storage device 3 (step S104 in FIG. 2; NO to step S110), and the processing is terminated (END in FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when permitted (“permitted” here means that the user's general occupancy right is recognized, as is clear from the above description)) (step S104 in FIG. 2; YES). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the image forming apparatus is already occupied by another user (step S105). Here, when the image forming apparatus is not yet occupied, the occupation for the user who made the occupation request is started (step S105 in FIG. 2; step S108 in FIG. 2 from NO). Occupancy here refers to creating a state in which other users other than the user are not allowed to use the image forming apparatus. If the image forming apparatus is already in use by someone at the start of occupancy, the occupancy may be interrupted and the occupancy may be started. You may start. In the former case, image data or the like derived from a user who has already been used may be stored in the storage device 3.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus is already occupied by another user (step S105 in FIG. 2; YES), the priority of the user who is currently making the occupation request is the other priority. It is determined whether or not the priority of the user is lower (step S106 in FIG. 2). The priority comparison here is performed based on the priority information for each user stored in advance in the storage device 3 as described above. Here, the priority information is predetermined in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the priorities are determined in the order of user 1, user 5, user 3 and user 4 (they are in the same order), user 2, user 6 and user 7.

  When a negative determination is made in step S106, that is, when the priority of the user who made the occupation request is higher than the priority of the user who has already occupied (step S106 in FIG. 2; NO). ) Starts occupying the user who made the occupancy request (step S108 in FIG. 2). That is, in this case, the occupation by the user who has already occupied is released, and the occupation by the user who made the occupation request is permitted later. In this case, if image data or the like derived from the user who has already occupied is already in the image forming apparatus, it may be stored in the storage device 3. If the image forming apparatus is already in use by someone at the start of occupancy, the same processing as described above may be performed.

  When the occupation request is satisfied and a new occupation starts, the image forming apparatus displays the name of the user who made the occupation on the operation unit 7 (step S109 in FIG. 2). This process is performed in the same manner in the case where the occupancy is not yet made when the occupancy request is received in step S105, and the occupancy request is directly taken and the occupancy is started (step S105 in FIG. 2). ; After step S108 from NO, step S109). As a result, the user can recognize that the image forming apparatus is occupied by the user, and can recognize who is occupied by other persons other than the user. Further, the image forming apparatus stores the mode setting information sent by the user who has permitted the occupation in the storage device 3 (step S110 in FIG. 2). When the occupancy is started as described above, the occupancy is started for the user at the terminal of the occupying user in addition to or instead of the user name display process in the operation unit 7 described above. You may provide the structure which notifies that it is separately.

  On the other hand, in the reverse case, that is, when the priority of the user who made the occupation request is inferior to the priority of the user who has already occupied (step S106 in FIG. 2; YES), the occupation request Occupancy by the user who has made is put into a waiting state (step S107 in FIG. 2). That is, in this case, the occupation by the user who has already occupied is prioritized and maintained. However, the mode setting information sent by the user who has been forced to enter the occupation waiting state is stored in the storage device 3 (step S110 in FIG. 2). In this case, a process may be performed in which the fact that the occupancy request is rejected is transmitted to the user terminal and displayed on the user terminal. According to this, the user can clearly know that his / her own occupation request is rejected.

  As described above, when mode setting information including an occupancy request is sent, a state in which somebody is occupied is created, and the process proceeds to the stage of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, first, the user actually goes to the front of the image forming apparatus to perform copying, and inputs a user ID from the operation unit 7 (step S201 in FIG. 3). In addition to or instead of the input of the user ID from the operation unit 7, means such as voice input, handwriting verification, fingerprint verification, and insertion of an ID card may be employed.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the mode setting information having the input user ID is stored in the storage device 3 (step S202 in FIG. 3). Here, if such mode setting information does not exist, the processing is terminated (step S202 in FIG. 3; NO to END). On the other hand, if the mode setting information exists, it is confirmed whether or not the image forming apparatus is occupied by someone (step S203 in FIG. 3). If it is determined that the user has been occupied (step S203 in FIG. 3; YES), the user is further occupied by the user (that is, the user corresponding to the user ID confirmed above). Is determined (step S204 in FIG. 3). If it is determined that the user is not occupied by the user, the process is terminated (step S204 in FIG. 3; NO to END). That is, the use of the image forming apparatus by a person other than the occupying user is rejected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the occupation is attributed to the user, the use of the image forming apparatus is permitted (step S205 in FIG. 3), and the process proceeds to the subsequent process.

  When the use is permitted, the mode setting information whose existence is confirmed as described above is read (step S206 in FIG. 3), and the contents of the mode setting information are reflected in the image forming apparatus (FIG. 3). Step S207). For example, if “color image formation on A4 paper” is designated in the image formation mode setting information of FIG. 4, it seems that the system is prepared accordingly.

  Subsequently, in this case, since it is assumed that the user performs copying, the user presses a start button (not shown) constituting the operation unit 7 to cause the scanner unit 6 to read the document he has brought. . As a result, copying (image forming processing) is performed in accordance with the mode setting information designated by the user (step S208 in FIG. 3).

  When the predetermined processing is completed as described above (step S209 in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus deletes the mode setting information from the storage device 3 (step S210 in FIG. 3), and the image forming apparatus The occupied state by the user is released (step S211 in FIG. 3; “release processing”).

  Incidentally, if it is determined in step S203 that the occupation is not performed, the above-described processes are performed in the same manner except for steps S204 and S205 (step S203 in FIG. 3; NO). And after step S206). When there is a user who is forced to wait for occupation when the occupation is released (step S211 in FIG. 3) (see step S107 in FIG. 2), the image forming apparatus continues to the user. Enter the occupied state for.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment that is operated as described above, first, since the mode setting information is sent from the user each time (see step S101 in FIG. 2), the image formation is performed. The device always operates according to the setting information desired by the user. In other words, even if the user desires different setting information each time, the operation according to the setting information can be performed. In addition, when the configuration in which the mode setting information is sent from the user each time is adopted as described above, highly confidential information such as an e-mail address or a FAX transmission destination telephone number as shown in FIG. It is possible to avoid creating a state of being stored inside. That is, according to the present embodiment, the security for such highly confidential information can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, even when use requests from a plurality of users are overlapped, an occupancy process, a process using priority information, and the like are performed, so that this can be appropriately processed. It has become. For example, if the priorities shown in FIG. 5 are determined in order of job system (more specifically, this corresponds to the case where the user 1 is “director”, the user 5 is “section manager”, etc. in FIG. 5). Even when usage requests overlap, there is less risk of causing unnecessary conflicts and confusion among a plurality of users. Of course, the method of determining the priority information is not limited to this.

  By the way, when the usage requests from the persons set in the same order such as the users 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 5 overlap, it is sufficient to create a common occupation state for those persons. . In other words, effective occupation for both the user 3 and the user 4 is started. Such processing can be easily dealt with if appropriate changes are made in the determination processing in step S106 of FIG. 2 and step S204 of FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the usage mode in which the mode setting information is first transmitted to start occupancy and the second copy is performed has been described. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is the usage mode. Of course, it is not only operated. In other words, in addition to the copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, or the like may be used. Incidentally, among these, when using a function (typically a printer function) that the user does not actually need to visit in front of the image forming apparatus, the processes of FIGS. 2 and 3 need to be performed separately. There is no. In this case, these processes are performed in a series of flows (in this case, the process of step S201 in FIG. 3 may be omitted).

  In the above embodiment, the mode setting information once recorded is deleted from the storage device 3 only after a predetermined process by the occupying user is completed (step S209 in FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to such a form.

  For example, after the process shown in FIG. 2 is performed and the user occupies, no input (for example, input via the operation unit 7) If there is no input from the terminal of the user, a configuration of releasing the occupation can be employed. According to this, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, as in the above embodiment, in the case of a usage mode in which mode setting information is first transmitted to start occupancy and secondly copying is performed, the second process is completed. The user may actually have to go to the front of the image forming apparatus, and there may be a case where a considerably long time is left between the first and second processes. However, in this case, the occupation by the user continues for a long time, which may cause inconvenience to other users. Therefore, as described above, if the configuration in which the occupation of the image forming apparatus is automatically released after the lapse of the predetermined period is adopted, it is possible to avoid the above-described problems.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the occupancy process is performed only when the mode setting information includes an occupancy request (see step S103 in FIG. 2), but the present invention is also limited to such a form. Not. For example, even when the occupation setting request is not included in the mode setting information, the occupation processing may be performed when the priority of the user is high. In this case, the occupancy is determined only on the basis of the priority information.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the use of the image forming apparatus is permitted only to the occupying user (see step S204 in FIG. 2). You may comprise so that parallel processing may be permitted. For example, if the image forming apparatus is already occupied by a user, but another user wants to use only the scanner function of the image forming apparatus, the occupied state is maintained. It is possible to allow parallel processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and an image forming apparatus with such a change. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process in which mode setting information that can include occupancy request information is input from the user to the image forming apparatus and a subsequent process flow. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure performed by a user before the image forming apparatus is actually performed and a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus related thereto. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the content of mode setting information. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority information defined for every user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part 2 ... Printer part 3 ... Memory | storage device 4 ... FAX I / F
5 ... Network I / F
6 ... Scanner unit 7 ... Operation unit

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on image data,
Storage means for temporarily storing mode setting information input to the image forming apparatus and mode information for determining an operation mode of the image forming apparatus and priority information including a priority determined for the user ;
Based on user identification information and / or occupancy request information included in the mode setting information, an occupancy permission / refusal means for determining permission / prohibition of occupancy by the user instructed by the user identification information of the image forming apparatus,
If the mode setting information includes the occupancy request information , the occupancy permission / refusal means causes the user to occupy the image forming apparatus if the image forming apparatus is not occupied, and the image forming apparatus is occupied. If the image forming apparatus is occupied by a user who is already occupied and a user having a higher priority among the users and the mode setting information does not include the occupation request information, the priority determined for the user an image forming apparatus comprising Rukoto to occupy the image forming apparatus to the user when time is high.   2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the occupation permission / rejection unit cancels the occupation when an input to the image forming apparatus is not performed for a predetermined period after the occupation is started. apparatus.   3. The occupancy permission / refusal unit cancels the low power mode when the mode setting information is input when the image forming apparatus is in the low power mode. Image forming apparatus.

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