Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes a code acquiring unit configured to acquire a code, an identification code storing unit configured to store an identification code for performing specific processing, an identification code judging unit configured to, when a code is acquired by the code acquiring unit, judge whether the code is an identification code stored in the identification code storing unit, and an executing unit configured to execute specific processing corresponding to the acquired identification code on the basis of the judgment by the identification code judging unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A print server is known that receives print information from plural terminal devices, stores the print information and temporarily saves a print enabling code associated with the print information. In this print server, when an identification code is subsequently inputted at a collating unit, it is judged whether there is an identification code that coincides with the inputted identification code. Then, if there is a coincident identification code, the printer server retrieves the print information corresponding to the identification code and sends the print information to a printer. Then, the printer carries out printing based on the print information sent thereto. 
         [0005]    In the foregoing technique, only the print processing for the print information corresponding to the identification code is carried out as a method of utilizing the identification code inputted at the collating unit. Therefore, special operations such as those carried out by the manager of the print server or printer cannot be carried out. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of this invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform a special operation by using an identification code. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect of this invention, an image forming apparatus includes a code acquiring unit configured to acquire a code, an identification code storing unit configured to store an identification code for performing specific processing, an identification code judging unit configured to, when a code is acquired by the code acquiring unit, judge whether the code is an identification code stored in the identification code storing unit, and an executing unit configured to execute specific processing corresponding to the acquired identification code on the basis of the judgment by the identification code judging unit. 
         [0008]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing a network configuration in a first embodiment of this invention 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view showing a personal card in the embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a maintenance mode starting card in the embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a print waiting file deleting card in the embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of essential parts of an image forming apparatus in the embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a table showing the correspondence between personal identification code and personal name in the embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a table showing the correspondence between identification code and specific function in the embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing essential parts of specific function execution processing in the embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a table showing the correspondence between identification code and specific function in a second embodiment of this invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing essential parts of specific function execution processing in the embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing essential parts of code saving processing in the embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Hereinafter, each embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing a network configuration in a first embodiment of this invention. A multifunction peripheral (MFP)  1  is connected to plural terminal devices (for example, PCs)  3   a ,  3   b , . . . ,  3   n  via a network  2 . Also, a card reader  4  is connected to the MFP  1 . This card reader  4  can read a code in a non-contact manner from a card  5  in which the code is stored. 
         [0023]    Next, the card  5  read by the card reader  4  will be described. A personal card  5   a , a maintenance mode starting card  5   b  and a print file deleting card  5   c  will be described as examples of the card  5  to be read. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the personal card  5   a  for specifying an individual who is the user of each terminal device  3   a ,  3   b , . . . ,  3   n . In this card  5   a , a personal identification code for specifying an individual is stored. The personal identification code may not only identify an individual but also identify a group. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the maintenance mode starting card  5   b . In this card  5   b , a maintenance mode starting code for giving an instruction to start the MFP  1  in a maintenance mode is stored. The maintenance mode is a mode in which the MFP  1  is started by a serviceman when carrying out maintenance such as maintenance service of the MFP  1 . Therefore, the maintenance mode starting card  5   b  is a card held by the serviceman. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the print waiting file deleting card  5   c . In this card  5   c , a print waiting file deleting code for deleting a print waiting file is stored. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the configuration of essential parts of the MFP  1 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the MFP  1  includes a CPU  11 , ROM  12 , RAM  13 , storage unit  14 , image processing unit  15 , control panel  16 , network interface  19 , scanner  20 , printer  21 , clock unit  22  and I/O  23 . The CPU  11  is connected with the ROM  12 , RAM  13 , storage unit  14 , image processing unit  15 , control panel  16 , network interface  19 , scanner  20 , printer  21 , clock unit  22  and I/O  23  via a bus line. 
         [0028]    The CPU  11  executes a control program stored in the ROM  12  and the storage unit  14 , thereby controlling the whole MFP  1 . The ROM  12  stores the control program to be executed by the CPU  11  and fixed data. The RAM  13  has a work area or the like required when the CPU  11  executes the control program stored in the ROM  12 . 
         [0029]    The storage unit  14  is, for example, a hard disk drive, The storage unit  14  has a control program storing unit  14   a , a print file saving unit  14   b , a storing unit  14   c  for storing a personal identification code table T 1 , a storing unit  14   d  for storing a specific function table T 2 , and the like. 
         [0030]    The storing unit  14   a  stores a control program such as a control program for performing specific function execution processing, which will be described later. The print file saving unit  14   b  saves a print file to which a personal identification code and a print enabling code transmitted from each terminal device  3   a ,  3   b , . . . ,  3   n  have been attached. 
         [0031]    The personal identification table T 1  stored in the storing unit  14   c  is a table showing the correspondence between personal identification code and individual,  FIG. 6  shows the personal identification table T 1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the table T 1 , personal names of the respective terminal devices  3   a ,  3   b , . . . ,  3   n  are stored corresponding to personal identification codes (A0001, A0002, . . . ). 
         [0032]    The specific function table T 2  stored in the storing unit  14   d  is a table showing the correspondence between identification code and specific function.  FIG. 7  shows the specific function table T 2 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the table T 2 , specific functions (start of maintenance mode, deletion of print waiting file) are stored corresponding to identification codes (01000, 01001). 
         [0033]    The image processing unit  15  performs processing such as compression and decompression of image data. The control panel  16  has an operating unit  17  and a display unit  18 . The operating unit  17  transmits an instruction received from a user, to the CPU  11 . The display unit  18  displays information necessary for the user, under the control of the CPU  11 . 
         [0034]    The network interface  19  is connected with the network  2  and performs data communication such as receiving a print file from each terminal device  3   a ,  3   b , . . . ,  3   n  connected to the network  2 . The scanner  20  reads an image from a manuscript set on a manuscript table, not shown, or a manuscript sent thereto by an automatic paper feeder, not shown, and generates image data. The printer  21  forms an image onto a paper on the basis of a print waiting file or the like received via the network  2 . 
         [0035]    The clock unit  22  generates date and time information. The date and time information generated by the clock unit  22  is acquired by the CPU  11 , when necessary. The I/O  23  is connected with the card reader  4 . The I/O  23  transmits the recognition of a card by the card reader  4  and a code that is read from the card in a non-contact manner, to the CPU  11 . 
         [0036]    Next, the specific function execution processing will be described.  FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing essential parts of the specific function execution processing executed by the CPU  11 . 
         [0037]    The CPU  11  judges whether the card reader  4  recognized the card  5  or not (ST 101 ). If it is judged that the card reader  4  recognized the card  5  (YES at ST 101 ), the CPU  11  acquires a code read from the card  5  by the card reader  4  (ST 102 ). 
         [0038]    The CPU  11  judges whether the acquired code is a code stored in the specific function table T 2  or not (ST 103 ). If it is judged that the code is a code stored in the specific function table T 2 , that is, an identification code (YES at ST 103 ), the CPU  11  executes processing that corresponds to a specific function corresponding to the identification code (ST 104 ). For example, if the identification code is a maintenance mode starting instruction code, the maintenance mode is started. For example, if the identification code is a print waiting file deleting code, a print waiting file stored in the print file storing unit  14   b  is deleted. 
         [0039]    Meanwhile, if it is judged that the code is not a code stored in the specific function table T 2  (NO at ST 103 ), the CPU  11  judges whether the code is a personal identification code or not (ST 105 ). If it is judged that the code is a personal identification code (YES at ST 105 ), the CPU  11  executes printing of a print file to which the personal identification code has been attached, of print files saved in the print file saving unit  14   b  (ST 106 ). If it is judged that the code is not a personal identification code (NO at ST 105 ), the CPU  11  ends the processing. 
         [0040]    According to this embodiment, for example, when the manager of the MFP  1  wants to start the MFP  1  in the maintenance mode, the manager can simply hold the maintenance mode starting card  5   a  over the card reader  4 , thereby starting the MFP  1  in the maintenance mode. Therefore, when starting the MFP  1  in the maintenance mode, the manager need not carry out any special operation and it is very convenient for the manager. Also, in the case where many print files are still stored in the print file storing unit  14   b  without being printed, the user can simply hold the print waiting file deleting card  5   c  over the card reader  4 , thereby deleting all the print files. Thus, the time and labor for deleting the print files can be reduced. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0041]    Next, a second embodiment will be described. The same parts as in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same numerals and will not be described further in detail. In this second embodiment, a specific function card and a personal identification card are combined to cause the MFP  1  to execute predetermined processing, In this second embodiment, along with the above-described personal identification table T 1 , a specific function table T 3  shown in  FIG. 9  is provided instead of the above-described specific function table T 2  in the storage unit  14 . In the specific function table T 3 , only a print waiting file deleting instruction code that instructs deletion of a print waiting file is stored. In this second embodiment, the case is described where only a print waiting file deleting instruction code is stored in the specific function table T 3 , but the table is not limited to this. 
         [0042]    The specific function execution processing will be described next.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the specific function execution processing executed by the CPU  11 . The processing of steps ST 201  to ST 203  is similar to the above-described steps ST 101  to ST 103 , respectively, and therefore will not be described further in detail. 
         [0043]    If the CPU  11  judges that the code is the code stored in the specific function table T 3 , that is, an identification code (YES at ST 203 ), the CPU  11  saves the code into the RAM  13 . This code is stored into a code saving unit (not shown) within the RAM  13 . Then, the processing ends. 
         [0044]    On the other hand, if the CPU  11  judges that the code is not the code stored in the specific function table T 3  (NO at ST 203 ), the CPU  11  then judges whether the code is a personal identification code or not (ST 205 ). If it is judged that the code is a personal identification code (YES at ST 205 ), the CPU  11  judges whether the code has been saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  or not (ST 206 ), 
         [0045]    If it is judged that the code has been saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  (YES at ST 206 ), processing corresponding to the saved code is executed to a print file specified by the personal identification code (ST 207 ). That is, only a print file containing the acquired personal identification code is deleted, of the print files stored in the specific print file storing unit  14   b.    
         [0046]    If it is judged that the code has not been saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  (NO at ST 206 ), the print file containing the acquired personal identification code is printed, of the print files stored in the specific print file storing unit  14   b  (ST 208 ). 
         [0047]    The CPU  11  ends the processing if it judges that the code is not a personal identification code (NO at ST 205 ), or if it the processing corresponding to the specific function is executed (ST 207 ), or if the print processing is executed (ST 208 ). 
         [0048]    Next, the handling of the code saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  will be described.  FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing code deletion processing executed by the CPU  11 . 
         [0049]    The CPU  11  judges whether the code has been saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  or not (ST 301 ). If it is judged that the code has been saved in the code saving unit (YES at ST 301 ), the CPU  11  judges whether or not a predetermined time, for example, three seconds, has passed since the code was saved to the code saving unit (ST 302 ). If it is judged that the predetermined time has not passed (NO at ST 302 ), the processing returns to step ST 301 . 
         [0050]    On the other hand, if it is judged that the predetermined time has passed (YES at ST 303 ), the code saved in the code saving unit of the RAM  13  is deleted (ST 303 ). Then, the processing ends. 
         [0051]    According to this embodiment, when the user wants to delete a print file stored in the MFP  1 , the user can simply perform an operation of holding the user&#39;s own personal identification card  5   a  over the card reader  4  within a predetermined time after holding the print waiting file deleting card  5   c  over the card reader  4 , thereby deleting only the print file sent by the user, of the print files stored in the MFP  1 . 
         [0052]    Moreover, a print file will not be deleted immediately even if the print waiting file deleting card  5   c  is recognized by the card reader  4 . Unless the personal identification card  5   a  is recognized after the card  5   c  is recognized, the print file corresponding to the personal identification card  5   a  will not be deleted. Therefore, unexpected deletion of the print file can be prevented. 
         [0053]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.