JP2008183739A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus to manage the upper-limit of the number of each user's printed sheets, in which the image forming apparatus can update other variables too and continue smooth managing of the number of printed sheets by updating only a part of elements such as the total number of printed sheets (number of total printed-sheets) on which a manager places special emphasis. <P>SOLUTION: When the input of the rate of change of the total upper-limit which is the sum total of the upper-limit of the number of printed sheets assigned to each user is received (S14), the upper-limit is recalculated and each user's upper-limit is updated (S15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that manages the number of printed sheets of each user.

In an image forming apparatus having a printing function, there is a technique for managing the number of printed sheets of each user from the viewpoint of reducing the printing cost, and performing a procedure for prohibiting printing to a user who exceeds a set upper limit value.
JP 2005-32004

By the way, in recent years, there has been a tendency to further reduce the number of printed sheets against the background of increasing awareness of the global environment, such as CO ₂ reduction and consideration for environmental ISO.
When it is desired to reduce the number of printed sheets, an administrator of the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus can manually change the upper limit value of each user.
In addition, the purpose of managing the number of printed sheets is to manage the total number of printed sheets for each department in a company, and it is normal that importance is not given to the specific management of the number of printed sheets of individual users.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and in an image forming apparatus that manages the upper limit value of the number of printed sheets for each user, the total number of printed sheets ( Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of continuing smooth print number management by updating other variables only by changing some elements that are particularly important by the administrator (total number of prints). For the purpose.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user, a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values, and a receiving unit that receives a change in the total upper limit value. The re-assignment means calculates and reassigns the upper limit value for each user based on the accepted total upper limit value after change.

  According to the configuration described in the means for solving the problem, when the accepting unit accepts a change in the total upper limit value, which is an element that the print number manager will attach importance to, the reassigning unit accepts the change. Since the upper limit value for each user is calculated and reassigned based on the total upper limit value after the change, it is possible to manage the number of printed sheets corresponding to the change of the total number of printed sheets without forcing the administrator to perform troublesome work. It becomes possible.

Further, the receiving means further accepts a change in the total number of users, and the reassigning means reassigns an upper limit value for each user based on the accepted total number of people after the change.
According to this configuration, by accepting a change in the total number of users, which is an element that the print number manager will place importance on, the upper limit value is reassigned for each user, so it is also possible to change the total number of users The number of printed pages can be managed.

Specifically, there was an increase or decrease in the total number of users, but in situations where the total number of printed pages is to be constant, the administrator can simply enter the change in the total number of users and set an upper limit for appropriate users. Allocation can be performed.
The storage means stores a weighting coefficient for each user, and the reassignment means calculates an upper limit value using the weighting coefficient.

The weighting coefficient is a coefficient indicating the importance set for each user.
For example, for a user who conducts general affairs at a company, by setting the importance to assign a large number of printed sheets, even if the total number of printed sheets or the total number of people changes, the number of printed sheets tends to increase due to document distribution. It is possible to allocate a sufficient number of users to the user.

In addition, the weighting coefficient is a coefficient related to a printing usage history of each user.
Further, the coefficient relating to the print use history is a coefficient relating to a saving index of the number of printed sheets, and the reallocation means reduces the number of printed sheets to be assigned to a user whose saving index is less prone to saving. .

According to this configuration, for example, by reducing the number of prints to be allocated to users who have a large number of wasted prints and are less likely to save the number of sheets, it is possible to prevent waste after allocation. Further, it can be expected that the user is encouraged to save the number of printed sheets.
Further, the saving index is an index based on at least one of a use history of an aggregation function for printing a plurality of originals in a single sheet and a use history of printing whose contents are almost the same.

According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to correct the number of sheets that are effectively reassigned to a user who does not use the aggregation function sufficiently and has a low saving tendency such as a large number of prints with matching contents. .
Further, the information processing apparatus further comprises notification means for notifying each user of the upper limit value reassigned by the reassignment means.

Further, the image processing apparatus further comprises display control means for displaying an upper limit value reassigned by the reassignment means and information relating to a weighting factor relied upon in calculating the upper limit value.
According to this configuration, for example, by displaying information related to the saving index used for the calculation, it becomes possible to increase the user's awareness of printing cost reduction.

  The accepting unit accepts the total upper limit value or the target change value of the total number of people, a management period for managing the number of printed sheets, and a plurality of changes within the management period, and further, the management period and the number of changes And a schedule determination means for determining a change schedule including a change timing from the start to the end of the management period and a value group that gradually approaches the change target value received each time the change timing arrives. The reassigning means reassigns an upper limit value according to the change schedule.

According to this configuration, since the schedule for changing to the change target value stepwise is used, the manager of the number of printed sheets can perform a moderate number of sheets management with a medium- to long-term plan.
An upper limit calculation system according to the present invention is an upper limit calculation system including an image forming apparatus and an upper limit calculation apparatus for recalculating the upper limit value of the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: Storage means for storing an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user and a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values, and the upper limit value recalculation device includes a receiving means for receiving a change in the total upper limit value; And a calculating means for calculating the upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user based on the received total upper limit value after the change.

  The upper limit calculation method according to the present invention is an upper limit calculation method for recalculating the upper limit value of the number of prints assigned to each user in the image forming apparatus, and the upper limit value of the number of prints assigned to each user. And a storage step for storing the total upper limit value that is the sum of the upper limit values, a reception step for receiving a change in the total upper limit value, and an upper limit value for each user is calculated based on the received total upper limit value after the change. And a reassignment step for reassignment.

(Embodiment)
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image formation number management system.
The image forming number management system 1 includes MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 2, 3, 4 and PCs (Personal Computers) 5, 6 in the LAN 8.

The PCs 5 and 6 include a known OS and a web browser that operates on the OS and browses web pages.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 2.
The MFP 2 includes a CPU 12, ROM 14, RAM 16, HDD 18, communication I / F 20, scanner 22, image forming unit 24, FAX 26, operation panel unit 28, and Web server unit 32.

The CPU 12 comprehensively controls each functional block of the MFP 2.
The ROM 14 stores a number calculation program 100 executed by the CPU 12.
The RAM 16 and the HDD 18 store various data.
The communication I / F unit 20 implements a communication interface.
The scanner unit 22 generates image data by reading a document.

The image forming unit 24 prints image data on a sheet. In addition, it has an aggregation function (for example, 2in1, 4in1 function) that aggregates and prints a plurality of known documents on one sheet.
Each time the image forming unit 24 performs printing, the CPU 12 stores the number of printed sheets (number of formed images) in the HDD 18 in association with the user who performed printing.
The FAX 26 realizes a facsimile function for transmitting image data input by the scanner unit via the LAN 8 or a known telephone line.

The operation panel unit 28 includes a touch panel and push button keys as hardware, and includes an operation unit 29 that receives an input operation from a user and a display unit 30 that displays to the user.
The web server unit 32 displays the web content stored in the HDD 18 in response to an access request from the web browser of the PCs 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the number calculation program 100.
The number calculation program 100 includes an upper limit recalculation unit 102, an upper limit change rate reception unit 104, a user number change reception unit 105, an importance level storage unit 106, and a history information storage unit 108. Further, processing is performed using the database 110 in the HDD 18 (see FIG. 2).
The importance level storage unit 106 stores an importance level fixedly set for each user in the MFP 2.

The history information storage unit 108 includes (1) an upper limit value of the number of prints allocated to each user, (2) a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values, and (3) a print that has been performed by each user in the past. History information including the number of sheets and (4) use status of a function for saving the number of sheets during printing is stored.
Information in the history information storage unit 108 is backed up in the database 110 as necessary.

  The upper limit change rate receiving unit 104 receives the change rate of the total upper limit value. The user number change receiving unit 105 receives a change in the number of users. The reception of both of the receiving units 104 and 105 can be realized by, for example, publishing a change page on the Web content of the Web server unit 32 and making the change page accessible from a PC. A predetermined change screen may be displayed on the display unit 30 and an input from the operation unit 29 may be received.

The upper limit recalculation unit 102 considers the information in the importance storage unit 106 and the history information storage unit 108 and, based on the received total upper limit change rate or / and the change in the number of users, Recalculate the maximum number of prints. Then, the database 110 is updated from the result of recalculation.
<Operation>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents executed by the number calculation program 100.

First, if there is a login of an administrator who has authority to manage the number of printed sheets (S11: Yes), and if the administrator's upper limit recalculation function is executed (S12), the history information of all users from the history information storage unit 108 Is acquired (S13).
Next, the input of the change rate (change number of sheets) of the total upper limit value is accepted (S14).
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception screen corresponding to step S14 and receiving a change rate of the total upper limit value and the like.

The reception screen (window) 40 is a screen displayed by the Web browser in the PC 5.
In the upper part of the reception screen 40, the current upper limit value (total for all users): 10000 counts, the current number of printed sheets (total for all users): 5000 counts, and an increase coefficient when printing a large paper size such as A3 The count increase coefficient at the time of large size printing is 2 counts, the increase coefficient at the time of color printing, which is an increase coefficient at the time of color printing instead of monochrome, is 3 counts, and the total number of users of the MFP 2 is 100. . The count increase coefficient is added to the number of sheets and used for counting.

Input boxes 41 to 48 for accepting changes are displayed at the bottom of the acceptance screen 40.
The input box 41 is a total upper limit change rate box, and the input box 42 is a total upper limit box. The input box 41 is a percentage display, and the input box 42 is a number display. When one value is changed, the other value is also changed and displayed.
The input box 43 is an input box for changing the number of users, and the input box 44 is an upper limit value assigned to one new user when the number of users is increased.

Input boxes 45 and 46 are a remaining management period (period until the change is completed) and the number of changes, respectively.
In the example of FIG. 5, the management period is 5 months and the number of changes is 5. For example, if the input box 41 is set to 95%, 95% is set as the target change value, and 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, and 95% are divided into 5 times over 5 months, and the upper limit is set in stages. The value will be changed.

Input boxes 47 and 48 are count increment coefficients for large size printing and color printing, respectively.
When the apply button 49 is pressed, a change request including the numerical values in the input boxes 41 to 48 is transmitted from the Web browser of the PC 5 to the MFP 2, and the number calculation program 100 of the MFP 2 that has received the change request receives the input boxes 41 to 48. Will be accepted.

Returning to FIG. 4, the number calculation program 100 recalculates the upper limit value based on the received value, and updates (reassigns) the upper limit value of each user (S15).
Next, as an example of recalculation in step S15, a case will be described in which the number of users is not changed and the total number of all users is changed from 100% to 95%.
FIG. 6 shows history information stored in the history information storage unit 108 of the number calculation program 100, an upper limit value before calculation (“current upper limit value” in the figure), an upper limit value after calculation (“new upper limit value”), and the like. It is a list of.

Each item in the table of FIG. 6 is as follows.
“User” is a user name registered in the MFP 2. The total number of users is 36, including 26 from "A" to "Z" and 10 from "A" to "Ko".
The “current upper limit value” is an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user, and all of them are 1000 sheets. “TOTAL” of “current upper limit value” is a total upper limit value, which is 36000 sheets. In view of the current state of budget management of the office or the like where the MFP 2 is installed, the manager of the number of printed sheets tends to place particular importance on the total upper limit as a management target. On the other hand, there is often little interest in the details of the number of printed pages of individual users.

“Current value” is the number of printed sheets of each user at the time of recalculation.
The “importance” is a value that is fixedly set based on the job title of each user.
The “aggregate usage rate” is a usage rate of the aggregation function. The higher this value, the higher the tendency to save paper.
The “content matching rate” is a ratio at which the contents to be printed match. It can be said that the higher this value is, the more the wasteful printing is repeated (less saving tendency). Note that the content match is determined by, for example, comparing the degree of match of the characteristics (number of sheets, paper size, toner consumption, image data size, etc.) of jobs executed by the same user within a predetermined time. Can do.

The “deletable number” is a number derived from (upper limit value−current value) × (importance) × [100 (%) − consolidated usage rate (%)] × “content matching rate (%)”.
The “number of deleted sheets” is a number derived from (one user deleteable number of sheets) × (total upper limit value) × [100 (%) − change rate (%)] / (total number of deleteable sheets). .
The “new upper limit value” is a number derived from (current upper limit value) − (number of deleted sheets).

In the example of FIG. 6, since the change rate is 95%, for example, in the case of the user “Mr. A”,
“Number of sheets that can be deleted” is (1000−0) × 1 × (100−20) (%) × 20 (%) = 160 (sheets),
“Number of deleted sheets” is (160) × 36000 × (100-95) (%) / (19800) = 15 (sheets),
"New upper limit" is 1000-15 = 985 (sheets)
It becomes.

Returning to FIG. 4, the number calculation program 100 notifies each user of the change of the upper limit value (S16).
FIG. 7 corresponds to step S <b> 16 and shows the operation panel 50 of the MFP 2.
The operation panel 50 includes a push button key group 52 and a touch panel 54.
In the touch panel 54, as a notification of the upper limit value change for the user “Mr.”, (1) the number of sheets has been reduced (1000 sheets → 855 sheets), (2) the reason for significant reduction (use the aggregation function too much The content match rate is high).

In addition to the example shown in FIG. 7, notification to each user may be performed by mail delivery or voice addressed to the user.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the administrator of the number of printed sheets of MFP 2 can change the upper limit value of each user only by changing the total upper limit value without changing the upper limit value of each user. In addition, it is possible to automatically recalculate and change, and it is possible to reduce the management burden while satisfying the purpose of managing the number of printed sheets.
<Supplement>
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the method for calculating the number of printed sheets when a change rate is received has been described. However, the processing contents when a change in the number of users is received will be briefly described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the number calculation program 100 when a change in the number of users is accepted.
Steps S11 to S13 and S16 are the same as in FIG.
When an input for changing the number of users is received (S24), the upper limit value is recalculated and the upper limit value of each user is updated (S25).

The calculation formula of the change rate used for this recalculation is as follows.
Change rate = total of upper limit value / [total of upper limit value + (number of people to change x upper limit value assigned to the number of people to change)]
Here, the formulas described in step S15 are used as formulas for calculating the “deletable number”, “deletable number”, and “new upper limit value”.

Recalculation may be performed by combining the change rate and the change in the number of users.
(2) Although the number calculation program 100 is installed in the MFP 2 in the embodiment, it may be installed in the PC 5 (see FIG. 1). The PC 5 and the MFPs 2 to 4 may be configured as an upper limit calculation system, and the PC 5 may be configured to calculate the number of prints of the user in the MFPs 2 to 4.

(3) Although the number of printed sheets is managed in the embodiment, the number of printed sheets is not limited as long as it is a variable indicating the printing cost. For example, the amount of toner consumed for printing or a variable combining the number of printed sheets and the amount of toner may be used.
(4) The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied as an upper limit calculation method for the number of printed sheets. As the above-mentioned number calculation program 100, for example, a magnetic disk such as a magnetic tape or a flexible disk, an optical recording medium such as a DVD, CD-ROM, CD-R, MO, or PD, or a flash such as Smart Media (registered trademark). It can be recorded on various computer-readable recording media such as memory recording media, and may be produced, transferred, etc. in the form of the recording medium, or wired or wireless including the Internet in the form of a program. May be transmitted and supplied via various networks, broadcasts, telecommunication lines, satellite communications, and the like.

  Further, the number calculation program 100 does not need to include all modules for causing the computer to execute the processing described above. For example, a separate information processing apparatus such as a communication program or a program included in an operating system (OS). The computer may execute each process of the present invention using various general-purpose programs that can be installed in the computer. Accordingly, it is not always necessary to record all the modules on the recording medium of the present invention, and it is not always necessary to transmit all the modules. Further, there are cases where predetermined processing can be executed using dedicated hardware.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the upper limit value of each user can be changed only by changing the total upper limit value, it is possible to reduce the burden on the number manager when it is desired to change the upper limit value. Become.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an image formation number management system. 2 is a functional block diagram of an MFP. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a number calculation program 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content which a number management program performs. It is a figure which shows the reception screen which receives the change rate etc. of a total upper limit. It is a list including history information for each user, upper and lower limits before and after calculation, and variables used for calculating the number of sheets. It is a figure which shows an operation panel. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content which a number management program performs.

Explanation of symbols

1 System 2,3,4 MFP
5,6 PC
14 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Scanner 28 Operation panel part 29 Input part of operation panel part 30 Display part of operation panel part 32 Web server part 50 Operation panel 100 Number of sheets calculation program 102 Upper limit value recalculation part 104 Upper limit change change acceptance part 105 User number change acceptance part 106 importance storage unit 108 history information storage unit

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user and a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values;
Accepting means for accepting a change in the total upper limit value;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a reallocation unit that calculates and reassigns an upper limit value for each user based on the received total upper limit value after change. The accepting means further accepts a change in the total number of users,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reassigning unit reassigns an upper limit value for each user based on the received total number of people after the change. The storage means stores a weighting coefficient for each user,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reassigning unit calculates an upper limit value using the weighting coefficient. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the weighting coefficient is a coefficient indicating importance set for each user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the weighting coefficient is a coefficient related to a print usage history of each user. The coefficient related to the print usage history is a coefficient related to the saving index of the number of printed sheets,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reassigning unit reduces the number of prints to be assigned to a user whose saving index is less prone to saving.   7. The saving index is an index based on at least one of a use history of an aggregation function for printing a plurality of originals into one sheet, and a use history of printing with almost the same content. The image forming apparatus described. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying each user of the upper limit value reassigned by the reassignment means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display control means for displaying an upper limit value reassigned by the reassignment means and information relating to a weighting factor relied upon in calculating the upper limit value. . The accepting means accepts the total upper limit value or the target change value of the total number of people, a management period for managing the number of printed sheets, and a plurality of changes within the management period,
Further, based on the management period and the number of changes, a change timing that includes a change timing from the start to the end of the management period and a value group that gradually approaches the change target value received each time the change timing arrives A schedule determining means for determining a schedule;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reassigning unit reassigns an upper limit value according to the change schedule. An upper limit calculation system including an image forming apparatus and an upper limit calculation apparatus for recalculating the upper limit of the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user and a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values;
The upper limit recalculator is
Accepting means for accepting a change in the total upper limit value;
An upper limit value calculation system comprising: a calculation means for calculating an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user based on the received total upper limit value after change. An upper limit calculation method for recalculating the upper limit of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user in an image forming apparatus,
A storage step for storing an upper limit value of the number of printed sheets allocated to each user and a total upper limit value that is a sum of the upper limit values;
An accepting step for accepting a change in the total upper limit;
An upper limit calculation method comprising: a reassignment step of calculating and reassigning an upper limit value for each user based on the accepted total upper limit value after change.

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