Apparatus, use limiting method, and storage medium

An apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a first value indicating usage of the apparatus from a portable storage medium, a use limiting unit that updates the first value according to use of the apparatus and limits use of the apparatus when the updated first value reaches a predetermined value, and a writing unit that writes the updated first value into the portable storage medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-096853 filed on May 2, 2013 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-037010 filed on Feb. 27, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus, a use limiting method, and a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

There exists a technology for managing upper use limits for respective users of an image forming apparatus that is shared by the users in, for example, an office. In such a technology, for example, the use of an image forming apparatus within a predetermined period by each user is limited up to points given to the user in advance. The points are consumed in proportion to the use of the image forming apparatus.

To perform total upper limit management across multiple image forming apparatuses in an office, points of users are centrally managed by a server computer that can communicate via a network with the image forming apparatuses (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-197830).

However, it is difficult to centrally manage points by a server computer in an environment where some image forming apparatuses are not connected to a network for communicating with the server computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus including a reading unit that reads a first value indicating usage of the apparatus from a portable storage medium, a use limiting unit that updates the first value according to use of the apparatus and limits use of the apparatus when the updated first value reaches a predetermined value, and a writing unit that writes the updated first value into the portable storage medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus10according to a first embodiment. As illustrated byFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus10may include, as hardware components, a controller11, a scanner12, a printer13, a modem14, an operations panel15, a network interface16, a secure digital (SD) card slot17, and a card reader-writer18.

The controller11may include a central processing unit (CPU)111, a random access memory (RAM)112, a read-only memory (ROM)113, a hard disk drive (HDD)114, and a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)115. The ROM113stores, for example, programs and data used by the programs. The RAM112is used, for example, as a storage area into which programs are loaded and as a work area for the loaded programs. The CPU111executes the programs loaded into the RAM112to implement various functions. The HDD114stores, for example, programs and data used by the programs. The NVRAM115stores, for example, various settings.

The scanner12is a hardware component (image scanning unit) for scanning a document to obtain image data. The printer13is a hardware component (printing unit) for printing print data on a recording medium such as paper. The modem14is a hardware component for connecting the image forming apparatus10to a telephone line and is used to send and receive image data via facsimile communications. The operations panel15is a hardware component including an input unit such as buttons for receiving user inputs and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel. For example, a liquid crystal display panel including a touch panel function may be used as the display unit. In this case, the liquid crystal display panel may also function as the input unit. The network interface16is a hardware component for connecting the image forming apparatus10to a (wired or wireless) network such as a local area network (LAN). The SD card slot17reads, for example, programs stored in a secure digital (SD) card80. With the image forming apparatus10configured as described above, in addition to the programs stored in the ROM113and the HDD114, programs stored in the SD card80can also be loaded into the RAM112and executed. Instead of the SD card80, any other storage medium (e.g., a CD-ROM or a universal serial bus (USB) memory) may be used for this purpose. That is, a storage medium that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus10is not limited to the SD card80. When a storage medium other than the SD card80is used, the SD card slot17may be replaced with a hardware component corresponding to the storage medium used.

The card reader-writer18reads and writes information from and to an integrated circuit (IC) card20. The card reader-writer18may be included in the image forming apparatus10, or may be provided as an external device connected to the image forming apparatus10via an interface such as a USB interface.

FIG. 2is a drawing illustrating exemplary functional configurations of the image forming apparatus10, the card reader-writer18, and the IC card20according to the first embodiment;

As illustrated byFIG. 2, the IC card20includes a consumed point storage unit21and a card ID storage unit22. These storage units may be implemented, for example, by a storage medium (or media) included in the IC card20.

The consumed point storage unit21stores points (hereafter referred to as “consumed points”) consumed by a user of the IC card20, and the last updated date and time of the consumed points. In the present embodiment, points are an example of units indicating a degree up to which the image forming apparatus10can be used. A user is allowed to use the image forming apparatus10up to points given to the user. The points are consumed according to the use of the image forming apparatus10by the user. When consumed points reach the upper limit (in other words, when points held by the user become zero), the use of the image forming apparatus10by the user is limited (or restricted). Consumed points are reset (or initialized) at an initialization timing that occurs at regular intervals (e.g., at the beginning of each month). In other words, remaining (or retained) points of a user are restored to the upper limit at regular intervals. Also, points may be given to a user according to the amount of money paid by the user.

The card ID storage unit22stores a card ID. The card ID is identification information assigned to each IC card20. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one IC card20is given to each user. Accordingly, the card ID can also be used as identification information of each user. Also, one IC card20may be shared by multiple users constituting a group such as a department.

The card reader-writer18may include a point writing unit181, a point reading unit182, and a card ID reading unit183.

The point reading unit182reads consumed points and the last updated date and time of the consumed points from the consumed point storage unit21. The point writing unit181writes, into the consumed point storage unit21, consumed points that are updated according to use of the image forming apparatus10and the last updated date and time. The card ID reading unit183reads the card ID from the card ID storage unit22.

The image forming apparatus10may include an authentication unit121, an apparatus control unit122, a log generation unit123, a point calculation unit124, and a use limiting unit125. These functional units may be implemented by executing one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus10by the CPU111. The image forming apparatus10may also include a local user information storage unit131, a local upper limit storage unit132, and a local point coefficient storage unit133. These storage units may be implemented, for example, by the HDD114and/or a storage device connected via a network to the image forming apparatus10.

The authentication unit121performs authentication of users of the image forming apparatus10by referring to the local user information storage unit131based on card IDs read by the card ID reading unit183. The local user information storage unit131stores user information including a card ID for each user. The apparatus control unit122controls execution of processes (jobs) corresponding to user operations. The log generation unit123generates log data for executed jobs. The point calculation unit124calculates consumed points corresponding to the executed jobs based on the log data. In the calculation of consumed points, the local point coefficient storage unit133is used. The local point coefficient storage unit133stores coefficients used to calculate consumed points. The use limiting unit125limits use of the image forming apparatus10by a user when the total consumed points of the user reaches an upper limit (which is hereafter referred to as a “point upper limit”) stored in the local upper limit storage unit132. Manners of limiting the use of the image forming apparatus10include, for example, preventing the use of all functions of the image forming apparatus10, preventing the use of one or more of the functions of the image forming apparatus10, and forcing the use of a predetermined output format. Forcing the use of a predetermined output format indicates, for example, forcing to use duplex printing or monochrome printing. Also, instead of directly limiting the use of the image forming apparatus10, an alert message may be displayed. As still another example, an alert message may be sent to an administrator terminal. The local upper limit storage unit132stores a point upper limit(s). The local upper limit storage unit132may store different point upper limits for respective users or store the same point upper limit for all users.

An exemplary process performed by the image forming apparatus10is described below.FIG. 3is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary process involving user authentication according to the first embodiment.

For example, when starting to use the image forming apparatus10, a user sets the IC card20of the user on the card reader-writer18. Setting the IC card20on the card reader-writer18indicates enabling the IC card20to communicate with the card reader-writer18. For example, the IC card20may be inserted into the card reader-writer18or held over the card reader-writer18. The IC card20may be a contactless IC card.

When detecting that the IC card20is set on the card reader-writer18(S110), the card ID reading unit183reads a card ID from the card ID storage unit22of the IC card20(S120, S130). The card ID reading unit183inputs the read card ID to the authentication unit121(S140). Inputting the card ID to the authentication unit121is an example of making an authentication request. In the descriptions of the process below, the IC card20indicates the IC card20set on the card reader-writer18.

The authentication unit121searches the local user information storage unit131for user information corresponding to the card ID (S150, S160).

FIG. 4is a table illustrating an exemplary configuration of the local user information storage unit131. As illustrated byFIG. 4, the local user information storage unit131stores user information for each user. The user information includes, for example, a user name, a password, a right, and a card ID. The user name is an identifier of the user. The password is used by the user to access the image forming apparatus10. The right is information indicating, for example, a function(s) that the user is allowed to use and/or a parameter(s) that the user is allowed to set. The card ID is identification information of the IC card20given to the user.

In the present embodiment, the authentication unit121determines that the authentication of the user is successful when user information including the card ID read at step S130is found. When the authentication is successful, the user is treated as a logged-in user who has logged into the image forming apparatus10. The user information of the user is stored, for example, in the RAM112while the user is logged in.

As another example, the IC card20may store a user name. In this case, the card reader-writer18reads the user name instead of the card ID from the IC card20, and the authentication unit121performs authentication using the read user name. As still another example, the authentication unit121may be configured to search the local user information storage unit131to find user information including the read card ID, send a user name and a password in the found user information to an external authentication apparatus, and determine whether the authentication is successful based on an authorization result received from the external authentication apparatus. Thus, the IC card20may store any type of authentication information that is used directly for user authentication (i.e., information read from the IC card20is used to determine whether the user is authorized) or used indirectly for user authentication (i.e., information obtained based on information read from the IC card20is used to determine whether the user is authorized).

When the corresponding user information is not found, the authentication unit121determines that the authentication of the user has failed, and the remaining part of the process is not performed.

When the authentication is successful, the authentication unit121requests the use limiting unit125to perform a use limitation determining process for the logged-in user (S170).

Next, an exemplary process performed in response to step S170ofFIG. 3is described.FIG. 5is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary use limitation determining process according to the first embodiment.

In response to the request to perform a use limitation determining process, the use limiting unit125requests the point reading unit182of the card reader-writer18to obtain consumed points (S201).

The point reading unit182reads consumed points and the last updated date and time of the consumed points from the consumed point storage unit21of the IC card20(S202, S203). The point reading unit182sends the consumed points and the last updated date and time read from the consumed point storage unit21to the use limiting unit125(S204). The consumed points are represented by, for example, a value.

Next, the use limiting unit125reads, from the local upper limit storage unit132, the point upper limit and information indicating the initialization timing when consumed points are initialized (S205, S206). The information indicating the initialization timing is, for example, a value that indicates the beginning of each month. Next, the use limiting unit125determines whether it is necessary to initialize consumed points (S207). More specifically, when the initialization timing is between the last updated date and time and the current date and time, the use limiting unit125determines that initialization of the consumed points is necessary. That is, when the logged-in user uses the image forming apparatus10for the first time after the initialization timing, the use limiting unit125determines that initialization of the consumed points is necessary.

When initialization of the consumed points is necessary, the use limiting unit125requests the point writing unit181to write a consumed point initial value and new last updated date and time indicating the current date and time (S208). The point writing unit181overwrites the consumed points and the last updated date and time in the consumed point storage unit21with the consumed point initial value and the new last updated date and time (S209). The consumed point initial value is, for example, 0 that indicates no point has been consumed.

Next, the use limiting unit125determines whether use limitation is necessary (i.e., whether it is necessary to limit the use of the image forming apparatus10by the user) by comparing the consumed points with the point upper limit (S210). More specifically, when the consumed points have reached the point upper limit (in other words, when remaining points of the user are zero), the use limiting unit125determines that use limitation is necessary. On the other hand, when the consumed points are less than the point upper limit (in other words, when remaining points of the user are greater than or equal to 1), the use limiting unit125determines that use limitation is not necessary. In the case where the consumed points are initialized (i.e., when steps S208and S209) have been performed, the consumed point initial value is compared with the point upper limit.

Also, the use limiting unit125may be configured to determine that use limitation is necessary even when the remaining points are greater than or equal to 1. For example, the use limiting unit125may be configured to gradually apply different levels of use limitation depending on the number of remaining points.

When it is necessary to limit the use of the image forming apparatus10, the use limiting unit125sends a use limitation request to the apparatus control unit122(S211). In response, the apparatus control unit122sets the logged-in user in a use limited state (S212). As a result, the use of the image forming apparatus10by the logged-in user is limited. When the use of the image forming apparatus10by the logged-in user is limited, for example, a screen where some of the functions of the image forming apparatus10are disabled for the logged-in user may be displayed, or a job requested by the logged-in user may be cancelled when the job requires a function that the logged-in user is not allowed to use.

Next, an exemplary process performed when a job is executed is described.FIG. 6is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary process performed when a job is executed.

During a job that is executed in response to a user operation, each time a process (which is hereafter referred to as a “one-side process”) for one side of a document or a paper sheet (hereafter, a “page” also indicates one side of a document or a paper sheet) is completed, the apparatus control unit122sends process information indicating the one-side process to the log generation unit123(S301). The process information indicates, for example, a copying, scanning, or printing process for one page. In the present embodiment, to determine the necessity of use limitation for each page, the apparatus control unit122is configured to send process information to the log generation unit123each time a one-side process is completed. Alternatively, when it is sufficient to determine the necessity of use limitation for each job, the apparatus control unit122may be configured to send job information to the log generation unit123each time a job is completed.

Next, the log generation unit123generates log data based on the process information sent from the apparatus control unit122, and sends the generated log data to the point calculation unit124(S302).

FIG. 7is a drawing illustrating an exemplary configuration of log data.FIG. 7illustrates three examples of log data. Each set of log data includes the type of a job (e.g., copy or scan) and parameters for the job. The last item in the log data indicates the number of pages (or sides) processed. In the present embodiment, because log data is generated for each page, the number of pages in the log data is “1”.

Next, the point calculation unit124obtains coefficients used to calculate consumed points from the local point coefficient storage unit133(S303, S304).

FIG. 8is a table illustrating an exemplary configuration of the local point coefficient storage unit133. As illustrated byFIG. 8, the local point coefficient storage unit133stores coefficients for job types and job parameters.

Next, the point calculation unit124calculates consumed points for the “current” one-side process (S305). Consumed points are calculated, for example, according to a formula below.
Consumed points=number of pages×coefficient of job type×coefficients of parameters

For example, consumed points for the first log data (uppermost log data) inFIG. 7are calculated as follows:
Consumed points=1.0(one page)×1.0(copy)×1.0(monochrome)×1.0(A4)

The point calculation unit124adds the calculated consumed points (for the current one-side process) to consumed points stored in the RAM112to obtain updated consumed points, and requests the point writing unit181to write the updated consumed points into the consumed point storage unit21(S306). The point writing unit181overwrites the consumed points and the last updated date and time in the consumed point storage unit21with the updated consumed points and new last updated date and time (S307).

Thus, according to the present embodiment, consumed points in the IC card20are updated each time a one-side process is performed. This configuration makes it possible to prevent, for example, a dishonest act where the IC card20is removed from the card reader-writer18while a job is being executed to obtain an output of the job without updating consumed points in the IC card20.

The point calculation unit124requests the use limiting unit125to perform a use limitation determining process for the logged-in user based on the updated consumed points (S308). In response to the request, the use limiting unit125performs a use limitation determining process as described above with reference toFIG. 5. The above process makes it possible to determine the necessity of use limitation for each page.

Next, an exemplary process performed when communication with the IC card20fails is described.FIG. 9is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary process performed when communication with the IC card20fails.

For example, the process ofFIG. 9is performed when the point reading unit182fails to read consumed points at step S202ofFIG. 5, or the point writing unit181fails to write the initial value or consumed points at step S209ofFIG. 5or step S307ofFIG. 6. When failed in reading or writing consumed points, the point reading unit182or the point writing unit181reports the failure (“access failed”) to the use limiting unit125(S401). When receiving the report, the use limiting unit125sends a deactivation request to the apparatus control unit122(S402). In response to the deactivation request, the apparatus control unit122deactivates all functions of the image forming apparatus10or functions of the image forming apparatus10that require consumption of points (S403).

The process ofFIG. 9may be performed when the card reader-writer18detects that the IC card20is removed.

The process ofFIG. 9makes it possible to more effectively prevent a dishonest act of obtaining an output of a job without consuming points.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, consumed points are stored in the IC card20. This configuration makes it possible to use the same IC card20for multiple image forming apparatuses10, and thereby makes it possible to perform total upper limit management across the multiple image forming apparatuses10without using a network.

The present embodiment may also be applied to an environment where multiple image forming apparatuses10are connected to each other via a network. Further, the present embodiment may be applied to an environment including a server computer for centrally managing consumed points. In this case, consumed points can be managed by both of the server computer and the IC card20. For example, consumed points may be managed by the IC card20while a network failure occurs, and the consumed points being managed by the IC card20may be sent to the server computer after the network recovers from the failure.

The point upper limit and the coefficients used to calculate points may be stored in the IC card20. Instead of consumed points, remaining points may be stored in the IC card20. In other words, remaining points are also an example of a value indicating consumption of points.

A portable storage medium other than the IC card20may also be used. Examples of storage media include a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a secure digital (SD) card, and a portable information processing terminal (e.g., a cell phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal).

Next, a second embodiment is described. Below, differences between the first and second embodiments are mainly described. Accordingly, configurations and methods of the second embodiment that are not described below may be substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10is a drawing illustrating an exemplary configuration of an upper limit management system1according to the second embodiment. In the upper limit management system1ofFIG. 10, one or more image forming apparatuses10and an upper limit management apparatus30are connected to each other via a network such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.

The upper limit management apparatus30centrally manages various types of information related to upper limit management of the image forming apparatuses10. In the second embodiment, for example, consumed points of users and point upper limits are centrally managed by the upper limit management apparatus30to perform total upper limit management across multiple image forming apparatuses10. However, to effectively perform upper limit management even when a communication failure occurs between the upper limit management apparatus30and the image forming apparatuses10, the IC card20is also used as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of the upper limit management apparatus30according to the second embodiment. As illustrated byFIG. 11, the upper limit management apparatus30may include a drive300, a secondary storage302, a memory303, a CPU304, and an interface305that are connected to each other via a bus B.

Programs for executing various processes at the upper limit management apparatus30may be provided via a storage medium301such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory. When the storage medium301storing programs is mounted on the drive300, the programs are read by the drive300from the storage medium301and are installed in the secondary storage302. Programs may not necessarily be installed from the storage medium301. For example, programs may be downloaded via a network from another computer. The secondary storage unit302stores the installed programs and other necessary files and data.

The memory303temporarily stores programs read from the secondary storage302when the programs are executed. The CPU304implements functions of the upper limit management apparatus30according to the programs temporarily stored in the memory303. The interface305connects the upper limit management apparatus30to a network.

FIG. 12is a drawing illustrating an exemplary functional configuration of the upper limit management system1according to the second embodiment. The same reference numbers as inFIG. 11are assigned to the corresponding components inFIG. 12, and descriptions of those components are omitted here.

As illustrated byFIG. 12, the upper limit management apparatus30may include a log reception unit31, a point updating unit32, and a user search unit33. These functional units may be implemented by executing one or more programs installed in the upper limit management apparatus30by the CPU304. The upper limit management apparatus30may also include a point coefficient storage unit34, a log storage unit35, and a user information storage unit36. These storage units may be implemented, for example, by the secondary storage302and/or a storage device connected via a network to the upper limit management apparatus30.

The log reception unit31receives, from the image forming apparatus10, log data that is generated by the log generation unit123during a period after a user logs into the image forming apparatus10and until the user logs out of the image forming apparatus10. The log reception unit31stores the received log data in the log storage unit35.

The point updating unit32calculates consumed points for the log data received by the log reception unit31based on coefficients stored in the point coefficient storage unit34. The point updating unit32updates consumed points, which are stored in the user information storage unit36in association with a user corresponding to the log data, based on the calculated consumed points.

The user search unit33searches the user information storage unit36for user information of a user attempting to log into the image forming apparatus10, in response to a request from the authentication unit121of the image forming apparatus10. The user search unit33sends found user information to the authentication unit121.

The user information storage unit36stores information items that are stored in the local user information storage unit131for each user, and also stores consumed points and a point upper limit for each user.

The point coefficient storage unit34stores coefficients used to calculate consumed points. For example, the point coefficient storage unit34has a configuration similar to the local point coefficient storage unit133illustrated byFIG. 8.

The image forming apparatus10may also include a point coefficient obtaining unit126and a log transfer unit127. These functional units may be implemented by executing one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus10by the CPU111. The image forming apparatus10may also include a local log storage unit134. The local log storage unit134may be implemented, for example, by the HDD114and/or a storage device connected via a network to the image forming apparatus10.

The point coefficient obtaining unit126performs a process to synchronize contents of the local point coefficient storage unit133with the contents of the point coefficient storage unit34. Here, point coefficients may be changed according to changes in prices of, for example, toner and paper. The changes to the point coefficients are applied to the point coefficient storage unit34of the upper limit management apparatus30. As a result, the contents of the local point coefficient storage unit133become different from the contents of the point coefficient storage unit34. The point coefficient obtaining unit126performs a synchronization process to resolve the difference. For example, the point coefficient obtaining unit126periodically downloads information stored in the point coefficient storage unit34, and stores the downloaded information in the local point coefficient storage unit133. Point coefficients may be managed by versions. In this case, the point coefficient obtaining unit126may be configured to download information stored in the point coefficient storage unit34when the version of point coefficients stored in the point coefficient storage unit34is newer than the version of point coefficients store in the local point coefficient storage unit133.

The local log storage unit134stores log data generated by the log generation unit123. The local log storage unit134may also be used in the image forming apparatus10of the first embodiment. The log transfer unit127transfers, to the upper limit management apparatus30, log data that is generated and stored in the local log storage unit134during a period after a user logs into the image forming apparatus10and until the user logs out of the image forming apparatus10.

The IC card20also includes a point upper limit storage unit23. The point upper limit storage unit23stores a point upper limit that is included in user information obtained (or downloaded) from the upper limit management apparatus30when the user logs into the image forming apparatus10. The point upper limit is also stored in the IC card20to make it possible to obtain the point upper limit of the user even when communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30.

Also, similarly to in the first embodiment, the point upper limit of each user may be stored in the local point upper limit storage unit132. The second embodiment employs a design concept where information of each user is stored in the IC card20, and therefore the point upper limit is stored in the IC card20. For this reason, as illustrated byFIG. 12, the image forming apparatus10of the second embodiment does not include the local point upper limit storage unit132.

An exemplary process performed by the upper limit management system1is described below.FIG. 13is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary process involving user authentication according to the second embodiment. The same reference numbers as inFIG. 3are assigned to the corresponding steps inFIG. 13, and descriptions of those steps are omitted. InFIG. 13, steps S150and S160ofFIG. 3are replaced with steps S150aand S160a, and steps S161through S164are added.

At step S150a, when the image forming apparatus10can communicate with the upper limit management apparatus30, the authentication unit121sends a search request to request the user search unit33of the upper limit management apparatus30to search for user information corresponding to a card ID. The user search unit33searches the user information storage unit36to find user information corresponding to the card ID in the search request.

FIG. 14is a table illustrating an exemplary configuration of the user information storage unit36. As illustrated byFIG. 14, the user information storage unit36stores information items that are stored in the local user information storage unit131illustrated byFIG. 4, and also stores consumed points and a point upper limit for each user. The consumed points of each user stored in the user information storage unit36are initialized at regular intervals by the point updating unit32.

The user search unit33sends the found user information to the authentication unit121(S160a). When the corresponding user information is not found, the user search unit33sends the authentication unit121information indicating that the corresponding user information is not present in the user information storage unit36.

When the user information is received, the authentication unit121determines that the authentication is successful. When no user information is received, the authentication unit121determines that the authentication has failed. When the authentication fails, subsequent steps are not performed.

When the authentication is successful, the authentication unit121requests the point writing unit181to write consumed points and a point upper limit included in the received user information into the IC card20(S161). The authentication unit121may be configured to store information items in the received user information other than the consumed points and the point upper limit in the local user information storage unit131. When user information including the card ID that is the same as the card ID in the received user information is already stored in the local user information storage unit131, the user information in the local user information storage unit131may be overwritten with the received user information. This makes it possible to keep user information of logged-in users in the local user information storage unit131up to date.

The point writing unit181stores the consumed points in the consumed point storage unit21of the IC card20(S162). Also, the point writing unit181updates the last updated date and time stored in the consumed point storage unit21with, for example, the current date and time. Further, the point writing unit181stores the point upper limit in the point upper limit storage unit23of the IC card20(S163). Through the above steps, values stored in the consumed point storage unit21and the point upper limit storage unit23are overwritten (or updated). After the writing process by the point writing unit181is completed (S164), step S170(use limitation determination request) is performed.

According to the process ofFIG. 13, each time a user logs into the image forming apparatus10, the consumed points and the point upper limit in the IC card20of the user are overwritten with the consumed points and the point upper limit stored in the upper limit management apparatus30. This is because there is possibility that the consumed points and the point upper limit in the IC card20are different from the consumed points and the point upper limit stored in the upper limit management apparatus30. Here, the point upper limit of each user may be changed. The change in the point upper limit is applied to the user information storage unit36. Also, in the second embodiment, as described later, the upper management apparatus30calculates consumed points separately from the image forming apparatus10. When, for example, coefficients in the point coefficient storage unit34are updated while a user is logged in the image forming apparatus10, consumed points calculated by the image forming apparatus10and consumed points calculated by the upper limit management apparatus30based on the same log data may become different from each other. For the above reasons, in the second embodiment, the consumed points and the point upper limit in the IC card20of a user are overwritten with the consumed points and the point upper limit stored in the upper limit management apparatus30each time the user logs into the image forming apparatus10. In an environment where the above problem hardly occurs, steps S161through S164may be omitted as long as consumed points and a point upper limit are stored in the IC card20.

Next, an exemplary process performed in response to step S170ofFIG. 13is described.FIG. 15is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary use limitation determining process according to the second embodiment. The same reference numbers as inFIG. 5are assigned to the corresponding steps inFIG. 15, and descriptions of those steps are omitted. InFIG. 15, steps S201through S204ofFIG. 5are replaced with steps S201athrough S204a, and steps S205and S206are removed.

In response to the request to perform a use limitation determining process, the use limiting unit125requests the point reading unit182of the card reader-writer18to obtain consumed points and a point upper limit (S201a). The point reading unit182reads the consumed points and the last updated date and time from the consumed point storage unit21of the IC card20, and also reads the point upper limit from the point upper limit storage unit23(S202a, S203a). The point reading unit182sends the consumed points, the last updated date and time, and the point upper limit read from the IC card20to the use limiting unit125(S204a). Thus, in the second embodiment, the point upper limit is also read from the IC card20, and therefore steps S205and S206are not necessary.

Steps S207through S212are substantially the same as those described with reference toFIG. 5. However, when user information of the user is received from the upper limit management apparatus30at step S160aofFIG. 13during the login process, steps S207through S209may be omitted. This is because consumed points in the upper limit management apparatus30are initialized at regular intervals. Still, however, when the user continues to be in the logged-in state across the initialization timing, steps S207through S209may be performed.

A process that is substantially the same as the process described in the first embodiment with reference toFIG. 6is also performed in the second embodiment, except that the log generation unit123stores the log data generated in response to step S301in the local log storage unit134.

Next, an exemplary process performed when a user logs out of the image forming apparatus10is described.FIG. 16is a sequence chart illustrating an exemplary process performed when a logout is detected.

When, for example, a logout of a user is detected, the authentication unit121reports the logout to the log transfer unit127(S501). The user logs out of the image forming apparatus10by, for example, removing the IC card20from the card reader-writer18.

When receiving the report of the logout, the log transfer unit127obtains, from the local log storage unit134, the entire log data of the logged-out user that is generated and stored in the local log storage unit134while the user is logged in the image forming apparatus10(S502, S503). When the local log storage unit134stores only log data that is generated while the user is logged in (for example, when the image forming apparatus10is configured such that information in the local log storage unit134is initialized each time a user logs out), the log transfer unit127may be configured to simply obtain the entire log data stored in the local log storage unit134. On the other hand, when information in the local log storage unit134is not initialized, the local log storage unit134may contain log data of multiple users. In this case, log data may include a user name and date and time, and the log transfer unit127may be configured to obtain log data that includes the user name of the logged-out user and the date and time corresponding to a log-in period of the logged-out user.

Next, the log transfer unit127sends the user name of the logged-out user and the obtained log data (or sets of log data) to the upper limit management apparatus30(S504). Here, in a case where the log data includes a user name, the log transfer unit127may be configured to not send the user name separately.

The log reception unit31of the upper limit management apparatus30receives the user name and the log data. The log reception unit31stores the received log data in the log storage unit35in association with the user name (S505). Next, the log reception unit31requests the point updating unit32to update consumed points corresponding to the user name (S506). The point updating unit32calculates consumed points based on the log data (S507). The method of calculating consumed points at step S507may be substantially the same as the method used at step S305ofFIG. 6. At step S507, however, point coefficients stored in the point coefficient storage unit34are used. Also, different from step S305ofFIG. 6where consumed points for a one-side process are calculated, consumed points for one or more processes performed during a period after the user logs in and until the user logs out are calculated at step S507.

The point updating unit32updates consumed points that are stored in the user information storage unit36in association with the user name (S508). More specifically, the point updating unit32adds the consumed points calculated at step S507to the consumed points stored in the user information storage unit36.

Next, processes performed by the image forming apparatus10when the image forming apparatus10cannot communicate with the upper limit management apparatus30due to, for example, a network failure are described.

When communication with the upper limit management apparatus30is disabled, a process similar to the process ofFIG. 3is performed to authenticate a user. That is, when a communication failure between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30is detected during a login process, the authentication unit121performs steps S150through S170ofFIG. 3. The authentication unit121may be configured to detect a communication failure between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30by sending a user search request at step S150, or by determining whether communication is possible before step S150.

The use limiting unit125of the image forming apparatus10performs a use limitation determining process that is substantially the same as the process described with reference toFIG. 15. Even when communication with the upper limit management apparatus30is not possible, the use limiting unit125can determine whether use limitation is necessary, because the point coefficients are stored in the local point coefficient storage unit133and the point upper limit and the consumed points of the logged-in user are stored, respectively, in the point upper limit storage unit23and the consumed point storage unit21of the IC card20. Thus, when consumed points cannot be obtained from the upper limit management apparatus30, the use limiting unit125uses consumed points stored in the IC card20.

The process performed by the image forming apparatus10when a job is executed is substantially the same as the process described with reference toFIG. 6.

When communication between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30is not possible, the steps following step S501ofFIG. 16may not be performed even when the logout of a user is detected. In this case, after communication between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30is restored, step S502and subsequent steps may be performed for log data that is generated and stored in the local log storage unit134while communication is disabled. This makes it possible to update consumed points stored in the user information storage unit36of the upper limit management apparatus30to correct values. For example, the log transfer unit127may be configured to detect that the communication is restored. When transfer of log data at step S504fails, the log transfer unit127monitors the status of communication between the image forming apparatus10and the upper limit management apparatus30. The monitoring may be performed, for example, by sending a ping command to the upper limit management apparatus30at regular intervals. The log transfer unit127may be configured to resume step S502and subsequent steps when communication with the upper limit management apparatus30is restored.

As described above, with the upper limit management system1of the second embodiment that includes the upper limit management apparatus30for centrally managing consumed points and point upper limits, it is possible to perform total upper limit management across multiple image forming apparatuses10using the IC cards20even when communication between the upper limit management apparatus30and the image forming apparatuses10is disabled.

In the second embodiment, the upper limit management apparatus30is an example of an information management apparatus. One set of consumed points and a point upper limit may be commonly used for multiple users. In this case, common consumed points are updated according to use of the image forming apparatus10by multiple users, and the necessity of use limitation is determined by comparing the common consumed points with a common point upper limit.

The above embodiments may also be applied to apparatuses and systems such as a projector, a video conference system, and a digital camera that are different from the image forming apparatus10.

In the above embodiments, consumed points are an example of a first value that indicates consumption of units indicating a degree up to which an apparatus is usable. In other words, consumed points are an example of a first value indicating usage of an apparatus (i.e., how much the apparatus is used). The point upper limit may also be referred to as “maximum points”. The point writing unit181is an example of a writing unit. The point writing unit181, the point reading unit182, or the card reader-writer18is an example of a detection unit. The upper limit management apparatus30of the second embodiment is an example of an information management apparatus. The authentication unit121is an example of an obtaining unit. Log data is an example of information indicating use of an apparatus. The log transfer unit127is an example of a transmission unit. Consumed points stored in the user information storage unit36are an example of a second value.

An aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus, a use limiting method, and a storage medium that make it possible to perform total upper limit management across multiple apparatuses without using a network.

An apparatus, a use limiting method, and a storage medium according to embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.