Image forming device having division counters associated with each division and an undefined counter which is not associated with the division

In an image forming device, a plurality of division counters associated with each division to which each user belongs, and an undefined counter which is not associated with the division are set in an internal memory. In a case where a request for printing an image is accepted, it is judged whether or not the image to be printed includes a page to be chromatically printed. In a case where the page to be chromatically printed is included, the image forming device identifies the division which has requested the printing, the number of the pages to be chromatically printed is counted in the division counter corresponding to the division which has requested the printing, and the number of pages to be monochromatically printed is counted in the division undefined counter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-191963, filed Jun. 30, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming device such as a digital multifunction machine having a division management function which manages use results such as the number of pages printed for each division, and a method of managing the image forming device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, among image forming devices such as a digital multifunction machine, there is a device having a function which manages the number of printed pages. In an image forming device such as the digital multifunction machine or a printer having a network communication function, there is assumed an operation mode in which the device is utilized by a large number of users. Among such image forming devices, there is a device having a function referred to as a division management function which manages the number of pages printed by each management unit referred to as a division. In this division management function, a division counter set in each division counts the number of the pages printed by each division.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of this invention, an object is to provide an image forming device capable of appropriately managing use results in accordance with user's request, and a method of managing the image forming device.

An image forming device as one aspect of this invention has: an image forming unit having a first operation mode to form an image on an image forming medium and a second operation mode to form an image on the image forming medium, the first operation mode being different from the second operation mode; a plurality of first counters which are associated with each division to which each user belongs; a second counter which is not associated with any specific division; a first counting unit to count the number of the pages having the images formed thereon in the first operation mode in the image forming unit, by use of the first counter corresponding to the division to which the user belongs who has requested image forming; and a second counting unit to count the number of the pages having the images formed thereon in the second operation mode in the image forming unit, by use of the second counter.

A method of managing an image forming device, as another aspect of this invention, accepts, from a user, a request for image forming in a first operation mode or a request for image forming in a second operation mode which is different from the first operation mode, counts the number of pages having images formed thereon in the first operation mode as a first counter value associated with a division to which the user belongs who has requested the image forming, and counts the number of pages having images formed thereon in the second operation mode as a second counter value which is not associated with a specific division.

An image forming device as still another aspect of this invention has: image forming means for having a first operation mode to form an image on an image forming medium and a second operation mode to form an image on the image forming medium, the first operation mode being different from the second operation mode; a plurality of first counters which are associated with each division to which each user belongs; a second counter which is not associated with any specific division; first counting means for counting the number of the pages having the images formed thereon in the first operation mode in the image forming means, by use of the first counter corresponding to the division to which the user belongs who has requested image forming; and second counting means for counting the number of the pages having the images formed thereon in the second operation mode in the image forming means, by use of the second counter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There will be described hereinafter an embodiment for carrying out this invention with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a schematic constitution of an image forming system in the embodiment of this invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, in this image forming system, a digital multifunction machine (multifunction peripheral [MFP] )1as an image forming device is connected to a plurality of personal computers (PCs)2(2A1to2A4,2B1to2B4,2C1to2C4and2D1to2D4) by a network3such as a local area network (LAN).

The MFP1mainly has a printer function, a scanner function, a photocopying function and the like. The MFP1has a function which processes a color image and a function which processes a monochromatic image.

That is, the MFP1has: a color scanning function which chromatically reads an image of a draft; a monochromatic scanning function which monochromatically reads the image of the draft; a color printing function which forms a color image on an image forming medium; and a monochromatic printing function which forms a monochromatic image on the image forming medium. Accordingly, the MFP1realizes color photocopy and monochromatic photocopy as the photocopying function, and realizes color print and monochromatic print as the printer (network print) function.

Each PC2is constituted of a main body having a network interface (not shown), a display unit (not shown), an operation unit (not shown) and the like. The PC2has a function which requests the MFP1to print the image via the network3. In the function which requests the MFP1to print the image, each PC2transmits color image data or monochromatic image data as printing image data. For example, when the PC2requests the MFP1to print the color image data, the peripheral performs the color print based on the color image data received by a network printing function. When the MFP1is requested to print the monochromatic image data, from the PC2, the peripheral performs the monochromatic print based on the monochromatic image data received by the network printing function.

Moreover, it is assumed that the PCs2(2A1to2A4,2B1to2B4,2C1to2C4and2D1to2D4) are assigned to the users divided into groups referred to as divisions, respectively. Here, the division refers to the group to which each user having each PC2assigned thereto belongs. In an organization such as a company, it is assumed that a department, a section or the like as a place to which each of a plurality of users belongs corresponds to the division.

In a constitution example shown inFIG. 1, it is indicated that a plurality of PCs2A1to2A4are used by the users who belong to a division A. InFIG. 1, it is also indicated that a plurality of PCs2B1to2B4are used by the users who belong to a division B. It is further indicated inFIG. 1that a plurality of PCs2Cl to2C4are used by the users who belong to a division C. It is further indicated inFIG. 1that a plurality of PCs2D1to2D4are used by the users who belong to a division D.

Next, there will be described a constitution of a control system of the MFP1.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing a constitution example of the control system of the MFP1.

As shown inFIG. 2, this MFP1is constituted of a system control unit11, an operation panel unit12, a scanner unit13, a printer unit14and the like.

The system control unit11controls the whole MFP1. The system control unit11is connected to the operation panel unit12, the scanner unit13, the printer unit14and the like. Accordingly, the system control unit11accepts an operation instruction input into the operation panel unit12, controls the scanner unit13, or controls the printer unit14. In addition to the function which controls the scanner unit13and the printer unit14, the system control unit11also has a function which performs various types of processing such as network communication control, division (or user) authentication, data management, image judgment and image correction.

The operation panel unit12is a user interface. The operation panel unit12is constituted of hardware keys (not shown), a display device (not shown) containing a touch panel and the like. The operation panel unit12displays an operation guidance and the like, and an operation instruction is input. Settings of various types of functions, setting information and the like are input by the operation panel unit12.

The scanner unit13converts a draft image into image data. The scanner unit13converts the draft image into chromatic or monochromatic digital image data. The scanner unit13is constituted of: a scanning unit (not shown) which optically scans a draft face; a photoelectric converting section (not shown) such as a CCD line sensor which converts, into an electric signal, reflected light from the draft face optically scanned by the scanning section and the like. The scanner unit13supplies the digital image data as the read draft image to the system control unit11.

The printer unit14forms the image on the image forming medium. The printer unit14has a color printing function which forms a color image on the image forming medium based on the color image data, and a monochromatic printing function which forms a monochromatic image on the image forming medium based on the monochromatic image data. The printer unit14is constituted of: a conveying section (not shown) which conveys the image forming medium, an image forming section (not shown) which forms a color image or a monochromatic image on the image forming medium conveyed by the conveying section and the like. The printer unit14prints the image data of each page on the image forming medium based on the control performed by the system control unit11.

Moreover, as shown in FIG2, the system control unit11is constituted of: a central processing unit (CPU)21; a random access memory (RAM)22; an NVRAM23; a read only memory (ROM)24; a network communication section (NIC)25; an image processing section26; a page memory controller27; a page memory28; a hard disk drive (HDD)29and the like.

The CPU21controls the whole system control unit11. The CPU21operates based on a control program to perform various types of processing. The CPU21is connected to the operation panel unit12, the scanner unit13, the printer unit14and the like. The RAM22is a memory which temporarily stores data for an operation and the like. For example, the RAM22is loaded with the control program to be executed by the CPU21, or temporarily stores data being processed or transmission and reception data.

The NVRAM23is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. In the NVRAM23, setting data, management data and the like are stored. Further in the NVRAM23, there is stored division management information such as a division code corresponding to a division as a management object of a division management function described later. Furthermore, the NVRAM23includes: a division undefined counter30in which the corresponding division is not defined; a division counter31(31ato31d) for each division as the management object of the division management function and the like. It is to be noted that the division undefined counter30and the division counter31will be described later in detail.

The ROM24is a nonvolatile memory. In the ROM24, there are stored, for example, the control program, control data and the like for controlling the MFP1. The network communication section25controls data communication via the network3. The network communication section25is constituted of a network interface card (NIC) to be connected to the network3and the like. In the network communication section25, a network printer function receives a request for printing the printing image data and the like from each PC2via the network3.

The image processing section26subjects the image data to various types of image processing. The image processing section26is constituted of an image processing circuit and the like. The image processing section26performs image processing such as correction, compression or extension of the image data.

The page memory controller27controls the page memory28.

The page memory28is a memory having at least a storage region to develop the image data for one page to be printed by the printer unit14. In a case where the printer unit14performs the print processing, in the page memory28, there is developed (stored) the color image data or the monochromatic image data of each page to be printed by the printer unit14.

The HDD29is a large-capacity storage device. In this HDD29, there is stored, for example, data received via the network3, the image data read by the scanner unit13or the like, if necessary.

Moreover, as described above, the NVRAM23is provided with the division undefined counter30and the division counter31(31a,31b,31cand31d). The division undefined counter30is a counter which is not associated with a specific division. The division counters31a,31b,31cand31dare counters associated with the divisions as the management objects, respectively, by the division management function.

It is to be noted that in the constitution example shown inFIG. 2, there is assumed a case where, as shown inFIG. 1, the divisions A, B, C and D are set as the divisions constituting the management objects of the MFP1. Therefore, in the MFP1, the divisions A, B, C and D are set as the management objects of the division management function described later.

In this case, in the NVRAM23, there are stored division management information such as division codes corresponding to the divisions A, B, C and D, and there are arranged the division counters31a,31b,31cand31dassociated with the divisions A, B, C and D as the divisions constituting the management objects. That is, the division counter31is set for each division constituting the management object of the division management function of the MFP1.

Next, there will be described the color print and the monochromatic print in the MFP1constituted as described above.

Here, it is assumed that the MFP1manages various types of processing such as a series of photocopy processing, scanner processing and print processing every unit referred to as a job.

For example, the photocopy processing executed in accordance with one instruction is managed as a photocopying job. The photocopy processing includes: scan processing to read a draft image; and print processing to print the image read by the scan processing. Therefore, the photocopying job may be managed by a scanning job and a printing job.

Furthermore, in the network printing function, the print processing for one printing request is managed as a printing job. The printing job manages a series of print processing. Therefore, one printing job prints the image for one page in some case, and prints the image for a plurality of pages in the other case.

In addition, the MFP1has a monochromatic photocopy mode, a color (full color) photocopy mode, and an auto color mode as the above photocopying function. The monochromatic photocopy mode is a mode to read the draft image as the monochromatic image, and monochromatically print the read monochromatic image on the image forming medium. The color photocopy mode is a mode to read the draft image as the color image, and chromatically print the read color image on the image forming medium.

Moreover, in the auto color mode, it is judged whether or not the draft image is chromatic or monochromatic, and color photocopy (color scan and color print) or monochromatic photocopy (color scan and monochromatic print) is executed in accordance with the judgment result. Therefore, in the auto color mode, color photocopy and memory photocopy are mixed in one photocopy processing (one photocopying job). In such case, the MFP1has to judge whether the photocopy is the color photocopy or the monochromatic photocopy for each page.

On the other hand, the MFP1selectively executes, as the network printing function, the color print or the monochromatic print in accordance with the printing image data supplied together with the printing request from each PC2.

In this case, in the MFP1, the color print or the monochromatic print is not identified in some case at a time when the printing request from the PC2is received. There is also a case where the color print and monochromatic print are mixed in one print processing (one printing job). In such case, the MFP1has to judge whether or not the print is chromatic or monochromatic for each page.

For example, it is assumed that various applications are installed in each PC2. Even in a case where a printer driver corresponding to the MFP1is installed in the PC2, the printing image data is sometimes sent to the MFP1, not via the printer driver, in accordance with the application being executed by the PC2.

In such case, the MFP1cannot judge whether the image data of each page is the color image data (i.e., whether or not to execute the color print) or the monochromatic image data (i.e., whether or not to execute the monochromatic print), unless the printing image data of each page is developed in a page memory.

As described above, in the photocopying functions or the network printing function of the MFP1, in some case, unless it is checked whether the printing image data of each page is the color image data or the monochromatic image data, it cannot be judged whether or not to execute the color print or the monochromatic print.

Next, there will be described the division management function of the MFP1.

The division management function of the MFP1is a function which manages use results (the number of printed pages, etc.) of the MFP1for each division. For example, in the image forming system shown inFIG. 1, the division management function of the MFP1manages the number of the pages printed for each division or limits the number of printable pages for each division. It is to be noted that the division management function is set to be valid or invalid by an operation of the operation panel unit12.

Moreover, information (division management information such as the division code) on the division as the management object of the division management function is set beforehand by the operation panel unit12or the like, and stored in the NVRAM23or the like. That is, the division managed by the division management function is set beforehand in accordance with the division code for identifying the division. It is to be noted that in a case where an upper limit of the number of color print pages is set for each division, the upper limit of the number of the color print pages in the corresponding division is also stored in the NVRAM23.

For example, in the image forming system shown inFIG. 1, the divisions constituting the management objects are the divisions A, B, C and D. In this case, unique division codes are set to the divisions (divisions A, B, C and D), respectively. In a case where the thus set division management function is valid, the MFP1identifies the division to which the user belongs based on the division code designated by the user.

For example, in a case where the photocopying function is utilized in a state in which the division management function is valid, the user inputs the division code by the operation panel unit12of the MFP1. When the user inputs the division code by the operation panel unit12, the MFP1authenticates the user's division based on the division code input by the user and the division code as the division management information set beforehand. Accordingly, when the user s division is identified, the MFP1is brought into a state in which the photocopying is possible in response to the user's operation. When the user operates the operation panel unit12to request desired photocopy, the MFP1executes the requested photocopy processing, and manages the number of the printed photocopy pages as the use result of the identified division.

Moreover, in a case where the network printing function is utilized in a state in which the division management function is valid, the user designates, by each PC2, the printing image data and the division code of the division to which the user belongs. In this case, the PC2transmits a printing request including the printing image data and the division code to the MFP1via the network3. On receiving the printing request from the PC2via the network3, the MFP1authenticates the user's division based on the division code included in the received printing request and the division code as the division management information set beforehand. Accordingly, when the user's division is identified, the MFP1executes the print processing based on the received printing image data, and manages the number of the pages printed in the print processing as the use results of the identified division.

Next, there will be described management of the number of the printed pages by the division management function.

The MFP1has a color managing (management for color only) function which manages only the number of chromatically printed pages for each division in the division management function. In other words, this color management function is a function (function which does not manage the monochromatic print for each division) which does not count the number of monochromatically printed pages, by use of a division counter. In the MFP1having a state in which this color management function is valid, the monochromatic print is limitlessly performed without identifying any division or without any restriction on the upper limit of the number of the pages.

In general, in the monochromatic print, consumption of a developer such as toner, a photosensitive member or the like is small, and cost is small as compared with the color print. The monochromatic print is utilized in performing miscellaneous daily printings in many cases. In a case where any restriction is not imposed on the monochromatic print, and the color print only is managed in such situation, the above color management function is required. According to the color management function, the monochromatic print can limitlessly be performed, and it is possible to manage only the use result of the color print.

It is to be noted that the present embodiment will be described on presumptions that the color print is managed for each division, and the monochromatic print is judged to be other than the management object for each division in a state in which the division management function is valid.

Next, there will be described processing performed by the MFP1in a state in which the division management function and the color management function are valid.

FIG. 3is a flowchart showing processing to count the number of pages to be printed by the MFP1in a state in which the division management function and the color management function are valid.

For example, in the MFP1, in a case where the printing request is received as the network printing function from the PC2, or the draft image is read by a scanner as the photocopy function, one printing job is generated. When such printing job is generated, in the MFP1, the CPU21of the system control unit11performs processing to accept the corresponding printing job (step S11).

The above printing job acceptance processing manages the printing job as a job, and temporarily accumulates data of the printing job in the RAM22or the HDD29as a main memory. It is to be noted that the above data of one printing job includes data of all pages (one page or a plurality of pages) to be printed as the printing job.

Moreover, the printer unit14performs the print processing based on the image data stored in the page memory28. Therefore, the CPU21of the system control unit11successively generates the image data of each page from the printing job data accumulated in the main memory (RAM22or HDD29) every time each page is printed. Each generated page image data is developed as the printing image data in the page memory28.

For example, there will be described processing to accept the printing job by the network printing function of the MFP1in the image forming system.

In a case where the network printing function of the MFP1is utilized in the image forming system, the user designates the image to be printed and the division code by the PC2. Then, the PC2transmits the printing request to the MFP1via the network3. The printing request includes the data of the image to be printed and the division code.

Such printing request is received by the network communication section25in the system control unit11of the MFP1. On receiving the printing request, the system control unit11of the MFP1accumulates the received printing request data in the RAM22or the HDD29as the main memory, and accepts the printing request as one printing job.

On receiving the printing job by the above processing, the CPU21of the system control unit11executes the print processing of each page of the accepted printing job (steps S12to S20).

That is, in a case where one printing job is executed, the CPU21successively extracts each page data from the printing job data stored in the main memory, and generates image data of each page (step S12).

In the processing to generate the image data of each page, the data of the page is read out from the data of the printing job accumulated in the main memory, and the read page data is developed in the page memory28by raster image processing (RIP). Accordingly, in the page memory28, there is stored the image data of the page to be printed by the printer unit14.

When the image data of the page to be printed is developed in the page memory28, the CPU21of the system control unit11judges whether the page image data be chromatically or monochromatically printed (step S13). This judgment processing is performed by judgment in accordance with a data form of the image data developed in the page memory28.

That is, the judgment processing is performed by judging whether the image data developed in the page memory28is chromatic or monochromatic image data. For example, in a case where the image data developed in the page memory28is the color image data, the CPU21judges that the page is to be printed in a color printing mode. In a case where the image data developed in the page memory28is the monochromatic image data, the CPU21judges that the page is to be printed in a monochromatic printing mode.

However, in a case where the color print or the monochromatic print is designated as the printing mode of the printing job. In the above judgment processing, the color print or the monochromatic print is judged in accordance with the designated printing mode. That is, in a case where the color printing mode of the printing job is designated, the judgment processing judges that all pages be chromatically printed. In a case where the monochromatic printing mode of the printing job is designated, the judgment processing judges that all the pages be monochromatically printed.

In the following description, there is presumed a case where the color print or the monochromatic print is not designated with respect to each page to be printed in one printing job. That is, there is presumed a case where one printing job is a printing job generated by the photocopy processing in which the auto color mode is designated in the photocopying function or a printing job generated in response to the printing request without designating the color print or the monochromatic print in the network printing function.

In a case where the judgment processing judges that the image data developed in the page memory28is to be printed in the monochromatic printing mode (step S13, NO), the CPU21counts up a counter value of the division undefined counter30(step S14). In other words, in a case where it is judged that the page developed in the page memory28is to be monochromatically printed, the CPU21counts the number of the monochromatically printed pages by the division undefined counter30which is not associated with the specific division.

Moreover, in a case where it is judged by the above judgment processing that the image data developed in the page memory28is to be printed in the color printing mode (step S13, YES), the CPU21judges whether or not the division which has requested the printing job is determined (step S15). In other words, the CPU21judges whether or not there is selected the division counter31to count the number of the chromatically printed pages in the printing job.

In a case where the above judgment is that the division which has requested the printing job is not determined (step S15, NO), the CPU21performs division identification (division authentication) processing to determine the division which has requested the printing job (step S16). This division identification processing is performed based on, for example, the division code input by the user who has requested the printing job and the division code set beforehand.

For example, in the above network printing function, the division code is designated by the PC2, and transmitted together with the printing request. Therefore, during the network printing, the division which has requested the printing job is identified based on the division code included in the printing request from the PC2and the division code of the division constituting the management object of the division management function set beforehand. It is to be noted that in a case where the division code is not transmitted together with the printing request, the MEP1may request the PC2to input the division code, or stop the printing job.

Moreover, in the photocopying function of the auto color mode, the division which has requested the printing job is identified based on the division code input by the operation panel unit12by the user and the preset division code of the division as the management object of the division management function of the MFP1. It is to be noted that in the photocopy processing of the auto color mode, as the division management function of the MFP1, there are considered a case where the input of the division code is requested together with a photocopy instruction and a case where the input of the division code is requested as required (a case where the input of the division code is not requested together with the photocopy instruction).

For example, in a case where the input of the division code is requested together with the photocopy instruction, the user operates the operation panel unit12to instruct the photocopy and input the division code. In this case, the CPU21may perform division identification processing at a time when the division code is designated (the photocopy is instructed).

Moreover, in a case where the input of the division code is requested if necessary, the user does not input the division code together with the photocopy instruction in some case. In such situation, in a case where the division needs to be identified, that is, a need for the color print is generated, the CPU21displays a guidance to urge the user to input the division code in a display unit of the operation panel unit12, and accepts the input of the division code from the user. In this case, the CPU21may allow the user to identify the division by the input division code and the preset division code in the operation panel unit12.

In a case where the above judgment is that the division which has requested the printing job is determined (step S15, YES) or a case where the division identification processing determines the division (step S16), the CPU21judges whether or not the counter value of the division counter corresponding to the division reaches the upper limit of the number of the pages to be chromatically printed, the upper limit being set beforehand with respect to the division (step S17). It is to be noted that in a case where the upper limit of the number of the pages to be chromatically printed is not set, the above step S17is omitted.

In a case where the judgment is that the counter value of the division counter corresponding to the division reaches the upper limit of the number of the pages to be chromatically printed, preset with respect to the division (step S17, YES), the CPU21stops the printing job (step S18). In the processing to stop this printing job, the CPU21may stop the printing job, and notify the user that the printing has been stopped because the value has reached the upper limit of the number of the pages to be chromatically printed for the division.

Moreover, in a case where the judgment is that the counter value of the division counter corresponding to the division does not reach the upper limit of the number of the pages to be chromatically printed, preset with respect to the division (step S17, NO), the CPU21counts up as much as one value in the division counter31corresponding to the division (step S19). In other words, in a case where it is judged that the page developed in the page memory28be chromatically printed, the CPU21counts the number of the chromatically printed pages by the division counter31. corresponding to the division which has requested the printing job.

When the division undefined counter30or the division counter31is counted up, the CPU21prints, by the printer unit14, the image of the page developed in the page memory28(step S20). In this print processing, the image data developed in the page memory28is printed in the printing mode in the printer unit14in the step S13.

The above processing of the steps S12to S20is executed with respect to all of the pages in the printing job. Accordingly, each page of the printing job is printed in the color printing mode or the monochromatic printing mode. As a result of the execution of the printing job, the number of the chromatically printed pages is counted in the division counter31, and the number of the monochromatically printed pages is counted in the division undefined counter30.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the division counter for each division and the division undefined counter are set beforehand. In a case where there is accepted the request for printing, when there exists the page to be chromatically printed, the division which has requested the printing is identified, the number of the pages to be chromatically printed is counted in the division counter corresponding to the division which has requested the printing, and the number of the pages to be monochromatically printed is counted in the division undefined counter. Accordingly, only the number of the chromatically printed pages can be counted for each division, and the number of the pages printed in response to the user's request can be managed.

Moreover, even the monochromatically printed pages are counted in the division undefined counter. Therefore, in the MFP1, it is possible to manage the number of the chromatically printed pages for each division, and it is also possible to manage the total number of the monochromatically printed pages. As a result, the counter value for use in maintenance of the MFP1can normally be counted.

Furthermore, in a case where each page to be printed is developed in the page memory, it is judged whether each page is to be chromatically or monochromatically printed. Therefore, even in a case where the color print and the monochromatic print are mixed in one printing job, it is possible to manage the number of the pages printed in response to user's request without impairing user's convenience.