JP2003127474A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an imaging apparatus in which an operator can be specified from a recording sheet on which an image is formed even when a plurality of operators use a single imaging apparatus. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises means for printing out an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet, an operating means 103 for inputting various operations, means 101d for certificating an operator by inputting the user name and pass word of the operator from the operating means, and a stamp function managing means 101e having a stamp function for printing specified information along with an image, and an operator information stamp function for printing information (operator information) capable of specifying an operator certificated by the certificating means along with the image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to improvement of handling in an image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating an operator by inputting an operator's user name and password.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Copiers, facsimile machines, etc.
These are collectively referred to as “image forming apparatus”), and there is an apparatus provided with an electronic key counter having a function of authenticating the operator by inputting the user name and password of the operator.

In this type of image forming apparatus, password information corresponding to the user name of the operator of the apparatus is stored in the password storage means, and the operator's user name and password are input from the operation means. With reference to the password storage means, the operator is authenticated. Then, the output history from the printing means (print engine) is managed for each authenticated operator, and the charging information for each operator is managed.

That is, when the image forming apparatus is used, a user name and a password are input from the operation unit, and when the operator is authenticated, the printout is permitted and the charge of the operator is managed. Has become.

Further, some image forming apparatuses are provided with a function called a stamp function for printing predetermined information together with an image. By setting the stamp function, the date, page number, etc. are printed on the margin of the recording paper.

[0006]

As described above, even in an image forming apparatus which is equipped with an electronic key counter and manages for each operator, it is difficult for any operator to see the recording paper on which an image is formed. It was not possible to determine whether it was output by the (user).

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, the operator is specified by the recording paper on which the image is formed. It is an object of the present invention to realize an image forming apparatus capable of realizing the above.

[0008]

That is, the present invention for solving the above problems is as described below. (1) The invention according to claim 1 is a print means for forming and outputting an image according to image data on a recording paper, an operating means for inputting various operations, and a user of an operator from the operating means. An operator authentication means for authenticating an operator by inputting a name and a password, a stamp function for printing predetermined information together with an image, and information capable of specifying the operator authenticated by the operator authentication means (operator information (2) is printed together with an image, a stamp function managing unit having a stamp function of operator information is provided.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and is output, the operator authenticating means is operated by the operator by inputting the user name and password of the operator from the operating means. The stamp function managing means has an operator information stamp function of printing information (operator information) that can identify the operator authenticated by the operator authenticating means together with an image.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stamp function management means uses, as the operator information, information of a group to which an operator registered for authentication by the operator authentication means belongs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and outputted, the operator authentication means operates the operator's user name and password by inputting the operator's user name and password. The operator information stamp function prints the operator information together with the image by using the information of the group to which the operator registered for authentication by the operator authentication means belongs as operator information. Is provided in the stamp function management means.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stamp function management means uses the information of the name of the operator registered for authentication by the operator authentication means as the operator information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and outputted, the operator authenticating means operates the operator's user name and password by inputting from the operating means. An operator information stamp function for printing the operator information together with the image by using the information of the name of the operator registered for the authentication by the operator authentication means as the operator information. Is provided in the stamp function management means.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(4) The invention according to claim 4 is characterized by comprising scanner means for reading an original to generate image data, and outputting the image data generated by the scanner means by the printing means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to the present invention, in the copying machine having the scanner means, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, the operator can be identified by the recording paper on which the image is formed. Image forming apparatus can be realized.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 100 has a function of outputting image data obtained from a computer via a network 1 or image data read by a built-in scanner by image formation, an operator authentication function of authenticating an operator, and an output history. A charge management function that manages the charge for each operator to manage the charge information, a network authentication function that authenticates a remote operator via the network and allows control of the device via the network, and a stamp that prints predetermined information with an image An image forming apparatus having a function and an operator information stamp function of printing information (operator information) capable of specifying an operator authenticated by the operator authentication means together with an image. These various functions are controlled by the CPU
101 has.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 100, 10
Reference numeral 1 is a CPU as a control means for controlling each unit, 102 is an interface (I / F) as a communication means for communicating via the network 1, and 103 is an operation for inputting various operations of the apparatus and performing various displays. Display unit, 104
Reference numeral 105 denotes a scanner that reads a document image and generates image data; 105, a non-volatile memory as a table for storing various data and setting values of the image forming apparatus 100; and 107, image data expansion for image formation. And a memory such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk for temporarily storing various data, and a print engine 108 for forming and outputting an image on a recording sheet.

Further, in FIG. 1, the CPU 101 manages an output history of the print engine 108 for each operator by a control unit 101a for performing image formation and other overall control, an image processing unit 101b for performing image processing. By referring to the charge management unit 101c that manages the charge information for each operator and the stored contents of the password memory described later, the operation display unit 1
An operator authentication unit 101d that authenticates the operator by inputting the user name and password of the operator from 03, and a stamp function management unit 101e that manages stamp conditions for each author or in common.

The memory 107 includes an image memory 107a for expanding image data at the time of image processing, a billing information memory 107b for managing billing information generated by the billing management unit 101c, and an operator authentication unit 101d. Password memory 107c in which password information referred to by both the stamp function management unit 101e is stored
And a stamp function memory 107 for storing the stamp conditions.
and d.

Here, the "stamp function" is a function of printing predetermined information together with an image. The “operator information stamp function” is a function of printing information (operator information) that can identify the operator authenticated by the operator authenticating means together with the image. Further, the "stamp function memory" is a memory that acts as a table for registering stamp conditions for realizing the stamp function. The "stamp conditions" are various conditions for printing what kind of information.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the network 1 corresponds to various apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine and a printer. The print engine 108 may be an electrophotographic type using a laser beam, an LED print head type, or an inkjet type.

In the image forming apparatus as described above, as shown in FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to. The flowchart of FIG. 2 is called in the image forming control program running on the CPU 101.

In the following description of the operation of the embodiment, the control and operation by the CPU 101 and the subroutine of the image forming control program will be simply referred to as the control of the CPU 101.

In this image formation control program, C
The PU 101 monitors a signal from the operation display unit 103 incorporated in the apparatus and monitors whether any request (operation on the operation display unit 103) to the image forming apparatus has occurred (FIG. 2S1).

When an operation / input on the operation display unit 103 occurs (YES in S1 of FIG. 2), the control unit 1 of the CPU 101
01a displays a display requesting the accessor to input a user name and password for charge management.
3 display means. Then, when the user inputs the user name and the password from the operation display unit 103, the input is accepted (S2 in FIG. 2).

The user name and password input on the operation display unit 103 are transferred from the control unit 101a to the operator authentication unit 1
01d is transmitted. The operator authentication unit 101d refers to the data of the user name and password stored in the password memory 107c to perform user authentication (FIG. 2S).
3).

If the input user name and password do not match the data stored in the password memory 107c (NO in S2 of FIG. 2), or if the input of the user name and password is canceled, the stamp The function management unit 101e applies the standard stamp conditions read from the stamp function memory 107d (see FIG. 2S).
4), the CPU 101 executes image formation according to the standard stamp conditions in the stamp function memory 107 (FIG. 2).
S5).

Here, the "standard stamp condition" means
This is a stamp condition that has existed in the past, and is a condition when a date, page number, or the like is printed on the margin portion of the recording paper by the stamp function.

FIG. 3A schematically shows a state of a recording sheet as an image formation result obtained under standard stamp conditions. In this case, the page number is printed in the margin (here, the upper left portion) other than the image area (the portion indicated by a large number in FIG. 3A).

When the input user name and password match the data stored in the password memory 107c (YES in S2 of FIG. 2), and the normal mode (mode other than registration) is selected by the operator. (Normal in FIG. 2S6), the CPU 101 applies the “operator information stamp function” to the display unit of the operation display unit 103 (FIG. 2S7), and executes image formation (FIG. 2S8).

Here, the application of the "operator information stamp function" means that a stamp condition matching the operator information stamp function is applied to the operator whose user name is registered in the electronic key counter. means.

That is, the stamp function memory 107d is set as a stamp condition to print some information that can identify the operator.
The stamp function management unit 101e reads the stamp condition as the operator information stamp function, and the control unit 101a controls to apply the operator information stamp function.

Note that the stamp function memory 107d stores the stamp conditions, and the stamp function management unit notifies the operator authentication unit 101d at the time of image formation and controls to receive the information about the operator at the present time. You may. Alternatively, the stamp function memory 107d may temporarily store the operator information together with the stamp condition at the start of image formation, and read the stamp condition and the operator information from the stamp function memory 107.

3 (b) and 3 (c) schematically show the state of the recording paper of the image forming result made according to the stamp condition of the operator information stamp function. In this case, the page number is printed in the margin (here, the upper left portion) other than the image area (the portion indicated by a large number in FIG. 3A). Then, in FIG. 3B, the operator information of the group name is printed in the upper right margin. Further, in FIG. 3C, the operator information of the operator name is printed in the upper right margin. Although not shown here, both the operator information of the group name and the operator information of the operator name can be set as the stamp condition.

The input user name and password match the data stored in the password memory 107c (YES in S2 of FIG. 2), and the operator having special authority is in a registration mode (an abnormal mode). When selected (registered in S2 of FIG. 2), the CPU 101 executes control of "stamp condition registration" (S9 of FIG. 2).

Here, the "stamp condition registration" is to set the stamp condition for the operator whose user name is registered to print the information capable of identifying the operator on the margin of the recording paper at the time of image formation.・ Say the mode to register. In this way, the stamp condition is set, and the stamp function memory 107d is newly stored or updated and registered (FIGS. 2S9 and 2S10).

When the above stamp condition registration is completed (YES in S10 of FIG. 2), the CPU 101 applies the registered stamp function memory for each operator (FIG. 2).
S11), image formation is executed (S12 in FIG. 2).

By applying the operator information stamp function as described above, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, the operator is specified by the recording paper on which the image is formed. It is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

In the above embodiment, the operator name and the group name are illustrated as the operator information, but the operator information is not limited to this, and some information about the operator (for example, a telephone number and a fax). Number, etc.) can be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the stamp is executed on the header portion of the recording paper, but the invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a margin such as a footer.

Further, it is desirable to provide a position specifying function that allows the user to arbitrarily specify the position of the stamp, because it is convenient for the user. Further, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment can be applied not only to a printer but also to a copying machine equipped with a scanner means, and even when a plurality of different operators use one copying machine, The recording paper on which the image is formed makes it possible to identify the operator.

[0046]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following respective effects can be obtained.

(1) In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and is output, the operator's user name and password are input from the operating means. The operator authentication means has a function of authenticating the operator, and the operator information stamp function for printing the information (operator information) that can identify the operator authenticated by the operator authentication means together with the image is stamp function management. Means are provided.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(2) In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and is output, the operator's user name and password are input from the operating means. The operator authenticating means has a function of authenticating the operator, and by using the information of the group to which the operator registered for authentication by the operator authenticating means belongs as the operator information, the operator information is displayed together with the image. The stamp function management means has the operator information stamp function for printing.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(3) In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording paper and is output, the operator's user name and password are input from the operating means. The operator authenticating means has a function of authenticating the operator, and by using the information of the name of the operator registered for authentication by the operator authenticating means as the operator information, the operator information is displayed together with the image. The stamp function management means has the operator information stamp function for printing.

As a result, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

(4) In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, even when a plurality of different operators use one image forming apparatus in the copying machine having the scanner means,
An image forming apparatus capable of identifying the operator can be realized by the recording paper on which the image is formed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of an output result by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 image forming apparatus 101 CPU 101a control unit 101b Image processing unit 101c Billing management unit 101d operator authentication unit 101e Stamp function management unit 101f Destination memory management unit 102 interface (I / F) 103 Operation display section 104 scanner 105 non-volatile memory 107 memory 107a image memory 107b Billing information memory 107c password memory 107d stamp function memory 108 print engine

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 3/12 G03G 21/00 382 392 H04N 1/387 B41J 29/00 Z F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 CL08 JJ04 JJ07 JJ14 2C087 AA03 AA09 AA13 AB05 AC08 BD07 BD56 BD57 CA03 CA04 CA05 CB07 DA02 DA14 2H027 EJ03 EJ04 EJ06 EJ08 FD08 FD10 ZA07 5B021 AA01 LA01 NN18 5C076 AA16 BA04 CA09

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing means for forming and outputting an image corresponding to image data on a recording paper, an operating means for inputting various operations, and an input of an operator's user name and password from the operating means. An operator authentication means for authenticating an operator, a stamp function for printing predetermined information together with an image, and information for identifying an operator authenticated by the operator authentication means (operator information) together with an image An image forming apparatus comprising: a stamp function managing unit having an operator information stamp function. 2. The stamp function management means uses information of a group to which an operator registered for authentication by the operator authentication means belongs, as the operator information. Image forming device. 3. The stamp function managing means uses the information of the name of the operator registered for authentication by the operator authenticating means as the operator information. Image forming apparatus. 4. The scanner according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner unit for reading an original to generate image data, and the image data generated by the scanner unit is output by the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.