JP2010002470A - Image processing apparatus and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus or the like capable of easily outputting the print of an original that is the same as an original forgotten to be taken out when the original forgotten to be taken out is not found. <P>SOLUTION: In an ordinary mode, image data of a read image or a printed image and attribute information (such as date of executing a job, number of originals, and kinds of jobs) about reading or printing of the image are associated with each other and stored in a storage part 24. In a mode for informing of forgetting to take out an original, an image agreeing with a read original image is detected from the storage part 24 and set as the image of the original forgotten to be taken out. In a reprinting mode, a retrieving condition such as the date of executing the job or the like is input, the image agreeing with the retrieving condition is retrieved from the image of the original forgotten to be taken out in the storage part 24, and the list of the images is displayed, then the image of the original forgotten to be taken out, which is selected from the list, is printed and outputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a function relating to a document or printed matter that has been left unattended.

  In an image forming apparatus having a copy function and a printer function, a document or printed matter may be left on the document table, a paper discharge tray, or the periphery of the device and forgotten. Therefore, the output image and the user information of the requester of the output job are stored in association with each other, and when a forgotten printed matter is read with a scanner, a past output image that matches the read image is detected, An apparatus has been devised that identifies and presents the owner of a printed matter that has been forgotten from user information associated with the output image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-25160 A

  In the above technique, the user who scans the forgotten printed matter (referred to as user A) can know the owner of the printed matter (referred to as user B). If it can be delivered to the user B, no particular problem occurs.

  However, if the user B cannot be delivered just by notifying the user B who is the owner of the printed matter by e-mail, or if the user A cannot deliver the user B without knowing it, There is a possibility that the forgotten printed matter is left as it is near the image forming apparatus.

  In particular, user B who owns a forgotten document or printed matter (collectively referred to as a forgotten document) is not a registered user but is a public user who is temporarily permitted to copy on the image forming apparatus. In this case, the owner cannot be specified and notified, and there is a high possibility that a document that has been forgotten to be left is left unattended for a long time.

  On the other hand, in recent years, due to the strict prevention of confidential information leakage, if a forgotten manuscript is found, it may be ruled in the workplace so that it is immediately crushed and discarded. For this reason, when the user B who has noticed that he / she has forgotten to return the document returns to the image forming apparatus, the original to be removed has already been crushed and discarded, and reprinting or copying is required to retrieve the original that has been forgotten. In such a case, there is a problem that the trouble of reprinting or copying is complicated and the burden on the user is large.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of easily performing print output of the same document when a forgotten document is not found. It is aimed.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a printing section;
A reading unit for optically reading a document image;
An image storage unit;
An input unit for receiving search conditions;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
Associating the image printed by the printing unit and the printing attribute information in the storage unit,
When an instruction to read a forgotten document is received, the reading unit is caused to read the document, and an image matching the image of the document is detected from the storage unit and set as a forgotten image,
When a search condition for a document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, an image that matches the input search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search is performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display screen for displaying a selection screen of a print target using a forgotten image taken as an option.

  In the above invention, at the time of printing, the printed image is associated with the printing attribute information (for example, job information such as job execution date / time, number of sheets, job type, and user information) and stored in the storage unit. When an instruction to read a forgotten original is received, the forgotten original is read, and an image that matches the read image is detected from the storage unit and set as the forgotten image. When a search condition is input, an image that matches the search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and a print target selection screen is displayed using the searched forgotten image as an option. Display on the display. Then, the forgotten image selected from these options is printed. As search conditions, attribute information such as job execution date and time, number of jobs, job type, and user information is used.

[2] a reading unit that optically reads a document image;
An image storage unit;
An input unit for receiving search conditions;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
The image read by the reading unit and the attribute information of the reading are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit,
When an instruction to read a forgotten document is received, the reading unit is caused to read the document, and an image matching the image of the document is detected from the storage unit and set as a forgotten image,
When a search condition for a document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, an image that matches the input search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search is performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display screen for displaying a selection screen of a print target using a forgotten image taken as an option.

  In the above invention, at the time of reading a document, the read image is associated with the reading attribute information (for example, job information such as job execution date / time, number of sheets, job type, and user information) and stored in the storage unit. When an instruction to read a forgotten original is received, the forgotten original is read, and an image matching the image is detected from the storage unit and set as the forgotten image. When a search condition is input, an image that matches the search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and a print target selection screen is displayed using the searched forgotten image as an option. Display on the display. Then, an image selected from these options is printed. As search conditions, attribute information such as job execution date and time, number of jobs, job type, and user information is used.

[3] The attribute information includes at least one item among printing time, number of sheets, job name, and identification information of a user who has instructed printing.
The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the search condition is the attribute information.

[4] The attribute information includes at least one item among reading time, number of sheets, job name, and identification information of a user who instructed reading.
The image forming apparatus according to [2], wherein the search condition is the attribute information.

[5] If the control unit fails to search for forgotten images that match the input search conditions, the control unit displays a print target selection screen using all forgotten images stored in the storage unit as options. The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the image is displayed on the display unit.

  In the above invention, if an image matching the input search condition cannot be detected, all forgotten images are displayed as options to be printed. Even when the search condition is not specified, all forgotten images are displayed as options to be printed.

[6] When the input search condition does not include the user identification information and the forgotten image that matches the search condition cannot be searched, the control unit is stored in the storage unit. [1] or [2], wherein the display unit displays the selection screen using, as options, all forgotten images that do not include user identification information in the associated attribute information among the forgotten images. ] The image forming apparatus described in the above.

  In the above invention, when only items other than the user identification information are input as the search conditions, and the forgotten image that matches the search conditions cannot be detected, the image that does not include the user information in the associated attribute information Are all selected for printing. An image including user information in attribute information is not an option.

[7] It further comprises a notification means for notifying the user of the fact of forgetting to remove,
When the control unit sets the image stored in the storage unit as a forgotten image and the attribute information associated with the forgotten image includes user identification information, The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the fact of forgetting is notified to a user.

  In the above invention, when the owner of the forgotten document can be specified by the user information included in the attribute information, the fact of the forgetting is notified to the owner user.

[8] An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server that are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit that optically reads a document image, an input unit that receives input of a search condition, and a display unit,
The server includes a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus transmits the image printed by the printing unit and the printing attribute information to the server;
The server that has received the image and the attribute information stores the image and the attribute information in association with each other in the storage unit,
When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to read a forgotten document, the image forming apparatus causes the reading unit to read the document and transmits an image of the document to the server.
The server that has received the image of the document detects an image that matches the image of the document from the storage unit, sets the image to be forgotten,
When the search condition for the document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, the image forming apparatus transmits the input search condition to the server,
The server that has received the search condition searches for an image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and transmits the search result to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the search result displays, on the display unit, a print target selection screen that uses the searched forgotten image as an option based on the search result. .

  In the above invention, at the time of printing, the printed image and the printing attribute information (for example, job information such as job execution date / time, number of sheets, job type, and user information) are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the server. These are associated and stored in the storage unit. When receiving an instruction to read a forgotten original, the image forming apparatus reads the forgotten original and transmits the image to the server, and the server detects an image that matches the image from the storage unit and converts it into the forgotten image. Set. When the search condition is input, the image forming apparatus transmits the search condition to the server, and the server searches the image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search result Is returned to the image forming apparatus. Based on the search result received from the server, the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display a print target selection screen using the searched forgotten image as an option. Then, an image selected from these options is printed. As search conditions, attribute information such as job execution date and time, number of jobs, job type, and user information is used.

[9] An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server that are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit that optically reads a document image, an input unit that receives input of a search condition, and a display unit,
The server includes a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus transmits the image read by the reading unit and the read attribute information to the server,
The server that has received the image and the attribute information stores the image and the attribute information in association with each other in the storage unit,
When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to read a forgotten document, the image forming apparatus causes the reading unit to read the document and transmits an image of the document to the server.
The server that has received the image of the document detects an image that matches the image of the document from the storage unit, sets the image to be forgotten,
When the search condition for the document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, the image forming apparatus transmits the input search condition to the server,
The server that has received the search condition searches for an image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and transmits the search result to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the search result displays, on the display unit, a print target selection screen that uses the searched forgotten image as an option based on the search result. .

  In the above invention, at the time of reading a document, the read image and the read attribute information (for example, job information such as job execution date / time, number of sheets, job type, and user information) are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the server, The server associates them and stores them in the storage unit. When receiving an instruction to read a forgotten original, the image forming apparatus reads the forgotten original and transmits the image to the server, and the server detects an image that matches the image from the storage unit and converts it into the forgotten image. Set. When the search condition is input, the image forming apparatus transmits the search condition to the server, and the server searches the image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search result Is returned to the image forming apparatus. Based on the search result received from the server, the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display a print target selection screen using the searched forgotten image as an option. Then, an image selected from these options is printed. As search conditions, attribute information such as job execution date and time, number of jobs, job type, and user information is used.

[10] The attribute information includes at least one item of printing time, number of sheets, job name, and identification information of a user who has instructed printing.
The image forming system according to [8], wherein the search condition is the attribute information.

[11] The attribute information includes at least one item among the reading time, the number of sheets, the job name, and the identification information of the user who instructed reading.
The image forming system according to [9], wherein the search condition is the attribute information.

[12] If the server fails to search for forgotten images that match the received search condition, the image forming apparatus displays search results for all the forgotten images stored in the storage unit as the options. The image forming system according to any one of [8] to [11], wherein:

  In the above invention, if an image that matches the input search condition cannot be detected, the server returns a search result with all the forgotten images as options to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is based on the search result. Then, a selection screen in which all forgotten images are selected for printing is displayed. Even when the search condition is not specified, all forgotten images are displayed as options to be printed.

[13] When the received search condition does not include the user identification information and the server cannot retrieve a forgotten image that matches the search condition, the server forgets the information stored in the storage unit. [8] or [9], wherein a search result using all the forgotten images that do not include user identification information in the associated attribute information among the images as the option is transmitted to the image forming apparatus [8] or [9] The image forming system described in 1.

  In the above invention, when only items other than the user identification information are input as the search conditions, and the forgotten image that matches the search conditions cannot be detected, the image that does not include the user information in the associated attribute information Are all selected for printing.

[14] In the case where the server sets the image stored in the storage unit as a forgotten image and the attribute information associated with the forgotten image includes user identification information The image forming system according to any one of [8] to [13], wherein the fact that the user has forgotten to be taken is notified to the user.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention, when a document left behind on the document table or a printed matter left on the paper discharge tray is returned to the document, the document left out is not found. Sometimes, it is possible to easily obtain a print output of the same original or printed matter.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 has a copy function for optically reading a document image and printing the duplicate image on a recording paper, a scan function for saving the image data of the read document as a file, or transmitting it to an external terminal, an external The printer is configured as a so-called multi-function machine having a printer function for printing a rasterized image based on print data received from a terminal and outputting it on a recording paper, and a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 can output the same printed material as the forgotten original even if the forgotten original or the forgotten printed matter (collectively referred to as “forgotten original”) is discarded. It has a function.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a reading unit 13, a printing unit 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 via a bus 12. A random access memory (RAM) 16, a nonvolatile memory 17, a user authentication input unit 18, an operation display unit 19, an image processing unit 21, a network I / F unit 22, a facsimile communication control unit 23, a large capacity The hard disk device 24, which is a nonvolatile storage device, is connected.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 15, and the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 are realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 16 is a random access memory used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program and an image memory for storing image data.

  The nonvolatile memory 17 stores various types of information that should be saved even when the power is turned off, such as user information and a counter indicating the usage frequency. For example, a user ID for uniquely identifying each user, a password used for user authentication, an e-mail address of the user, and the like are registered as user information.

  The reading unit 13 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. In addition, an automatic document feeder is provided, and a function of automatically reading a plurality of documents sequentially by feeding documents one by one from a document bundle set on a document table is provided. The reading unit 13 is a light source that irradiates light on the document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a movement that sequentially moves the reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. Means, an optical path composed of a lens, a mirror and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, and the like. Composed.

  The printing unit 14 has a function of printing an image corresponding to input image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other image forming type printers may be used.

  The operation display unit 19 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD ... Liquid Crystal Display) having a touch panel for detecting a pressed coordinate position and various operation switches such as a numeric keypad and a start button. Various operation screens and setting screens are provided. A selection screen, a guidance screen, and the like are displayed, and various operations such as user authentication information (user ID and password), search conditions, and selection of a print target are received from the user.

  The image processing unit 21 is a rasterization process that converts print data into image data, a compression / encryption process that compresses and encrypts image data, a decompression / decryption process that decrypts and decompresses the compressed / encrypted image data, Perform image rotation processing.

  The network I / F unit 22 performs a function of communicating with various devices on the network by connecting to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The facsimile communication control unit 23 performs communication control for facsimile transmission and facsimile reception, outgoing call (dial), incoming call, connection with a telephone line, and the like.

  The hard disk device 24 stores print data, image data, and the like. Here, the attribute information stored in association with the image data of the original read in copy or facsimile transmission or the image data used for print output and the attribute information related to the copy or facsimile transmission or print output is stored in the attribute information. , Job information (for example, job execution date / time, number of originals / printed sheets, job type, etc.) and user information (user ID, etc.) of the user who requested the job.

  The user authentication input unit 18 functions to input information necessary for authenticating the user, such as biometric authentication information, a password, and a user ID. The user authentication input unit 18 includes a biometric authentication unit (fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, etc.) provided separately in the image forming apparatus 10 and a card reader (contact type or non-contact) that reads a card (with an IC chip) owned by the user. It may be an expression). The operation display unit 19 may be configured to receive the user ID, password, and the like from the operation display unit 19 and use the operation display unit 19 as the user authentication input unit 18.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  Before accepting a job request from a user through the operation display unit 19, the image forming apparatus 10 authenticates (user authentication) whether or not the user has a use authority. The user authentication is performed by comparing the input user ID and password with authentication data stored in advance, for example, reading an ID card in which user authentication information such as a user ID is registered, or reading biometric information This is done by collation. If the user authentication is successful, it is possible to execute a copy job, a facsimile transmission job, or the like according to the setting of the user, and the job history is recorded in association with the user.

  The copy can be used without user authentication. A user who is not authenticated is treated as a public user, and a history of jobs performed by the public user is stored as a history of public users (unspecified users).

  In a copy job, image data obtained by reading a document by the reading unit 13 is subjected to necessary image processing by the image processing unit 21 and then temporarily stored in the RAM 16 or the hard disk device 24. The stored image data is sequentially read and output to the printing unit 14, and the printing unit 14 forms an image corresponding to the input image data on a recording sheet and prints it out.

  In the print job, print data is received from an external terminal through the network I / F unit 22, and the print data is rasterized by the image processing unit 21 to generate bitmap format image data. The bitmap-format image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 16 or the hard disk device 24, then read in order, output to the printing unit 14, and printed out. In the print job, information (user information) that can identify the user who requested the print job is added to the print data header or the like, and the user who requested the job is authenticated (specified) based on this information. ).

  In a scan job, image data obtained by reading a document with the reading unit 13 is converted into a file and stored in the hard disk device 24, or the file is transmitted to an external terminal through the network I / F unit 22.

  In the facsimile transmission job, the image data obtained by reading the document by the reading unit 13 is subjected to necessary processing by the image processing unit 21 and then compressed and transmitted from the facsimile communication control unit 23 to the partner machine.

  In the facsimile reception job, an operation is performed in which data received from the partner machine through the facsimile communication control unit 23 is decoded into image data in an image format and printed by the printing unit 14.

  Documents read by the reading unit 13 in such various jobs and printed matter printed out from the printing unit 14 are forgotten, and are on the document discharge tray or platen glass of the reading unit 13, the discharge tray of the printing unit 14, Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 10 may be rejected and left behind. The image forming apparatus 10 has a function of printing out and reproducing the same printed matter even when such a forgotten document is discarded.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 related to reproduction of a forgotten document. As shown in FIG. 2A, when a copy job, a print job, or the like is performed in the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the image data F of the read original document or the output image of the printed image, The attribute information J related to printing (job information and user information of the user who requested the job) is associated and stored in the hard disk device 24 (P1). This association and storage is referred to as “reference storage”.

  A friendly user who notices a forgotten document that has been neglected presses the forget-not-notify button 31 on the operation mode setting screen 30 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 is caused to read the forgotten document.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the forgetting-notification mode, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the forgetting document set in the reading unit 13 (P2), and the image (image data) of the document and the hard disk device 24. Are compared with the image (image data) stored in the reference, and the matching image stored in the reference is set as the “forgotten image” (P3). If user information is included in the attribute information J associated with the forgotten image, the user who owns the forgotten original read this time can be identified. Notification is made by e-mail (P4).

  The owner user of a forgotten original returns to the original, but when the original is not found nearby, the user presses the reprint button 32 on the operation mode setting screen 30 in FIG. 3 to set the reprint mode. Forgotten documents can be printed out.

  In the reprint mode, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a search condition (attribute information such as user information and job information) for a document to be left out is input from the operation display unit 19 or the like (P5). The image forming apparatus 10 searches for an image that matches the input search condition from among the forgotten images stored in the hard disk device 24 by reference. Then, a print target selection screen using the retrieved forgotten image as an option is displayed on the operation display unit 19 (P6), and an image selected by the user is printed out (P7). As a result, the user can obtain the same printed matter as the forgotten original document that has been crushed and discarded.

  Hereinafter, each operation shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow of processing related to a forgetting notification performed by the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a job such as a copy job or a print job. The operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the normal mode by default, and the operation mode when performing a copy job or a print job is the normal mode.

  If the job to be executed is a print job (step S101; Yes), the user who has requested this job can be identified from the user information added to the header of the print data. The job information of the job and the image data obtained by rasterizing the received print data are associated with each other and stored (reference saved) in the hard disk device 24 (step S103).

  On the other hand, if it is not a print job (step S101; No), it is determined whether or not the user is authenticated (step S102). If the user is authenticated (step S102; Yes), it is specified by the user authentication. The user information of the user, the job information of the job, and the image data of the image read or printed by the job are associated with each other and stored (reference saved) in the hard disk device 24 (step S103).

  If the user is not authenticated, that is, if the current job is a copy job by a public user, the user information is not obtained, so the job information of the job and the image data of the image read or printed by the job Are stored (reference saved) in the hard disk device 24 (step S104).

  FIG. 5 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the forgetting to remove notification mode. For example, on a document discharge tray or platen glass, a discharge tray of the printing unit 14, or a forgotten document that has been rejected and left behind in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10, the forgotten document is read by a kind user. When the forgetting notification button 31 on the operation mode setting screen 30 is pressed after being set in the unit 13, the image forming apparatus 10 starts the processing shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 reads the image of the set document to be left behind by the reading unit 13 (step S201). The CPU 11 compares the image data of the read image with each image data already stored by reference in the hard disk device 24, and detects matching image data (step S202). Comparison of image data is performed by a matching process or the like.

    If no matching image data is detected (step S202; No), a message such as “not a forgotten document” is displayed (step S204), and the process is terminated (END).

  When matching image data is detected (step S202; Yes), it is checked whether or not user information is included in the attribute information associated with the matched image data that is stored by reference (step S202). S205). When the user information is included (step S205; Yes), the user indicated by the user information (this is detected user information) is notified of forgetting to take the document, for example, by e-mail (step S206). .

  Further, the matched image data stored by reference is set as “forgotten image”. Here, as an operation to set to “forgotten image”, a box (user box) dedicated to the detection user is created, and the matched image data and attribute information associated therewith are moved to the user box And saving (step S207). A box is a storage location for image data or the like provided for each user or group.

  If the user information is not included in the attribute information associated with the matched image data (step S205; No), the matched image data is set as “forgotten image”. Here, as the operation to set to “forgotten image”, the matched image data and attribute information associated therewith are moved to a publicly forgotten public box that has been created for public users. (Step S208).

  It should be noted that the processing after step S202 is performed on all of the forgotten documents when the reading unit 13 reads a plurality of forgotten documents.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the forgetting-notification e-mail 40 transmitted to the user of the owner of the forgotten document in step S206 of FIG. In addition to the user name (41), the content part of the e-mail 40 includes information (42) indicating the fact that the user has forgotten to remove it and the installation location of the image forming apparatus 10, job type (43), output date and time (44), A location (45) such as a paper tray, a part (46) of a forgotten document, and the like are included. Other job information may be included.

  FIG. 7 shows a print example of a list of forgotten images that match the document read in the forget-not-notify mode. The forgotten document list 50 is printed when a list print button (not shown) is operated after reading a document in the forget-notification mode.

  In the forgotten document list 50, reduced images (thumbnail images) 51 and 52 of forgotten images are arranged, and attribute information associated with the forgotten images is associated with the reduced images 51 and 52, respectively. It is written.

  Specifically, for an image associated with user information, the user information (user name) and job information (job type, etc.) are written together in the reduced image 51. For images for which the owner user could not be specified, only job information such as time is written in the reduced image 52. The user who has read the original in the forget-not-notify-notification mode looks at the forgotten-forget original list 50, for example, if there is a person near his / her seat among the forgotten originals specified by the user. It can be sent to the owner or notified of the existence of a forgotten manuscript. For example, a forgotten original document that has not been specified by the user or a forgotten original document that could not be delivered is left, for example, in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10 or is crushed and discarded according to workplace rules.

  Next, the operation in the reprint mode will be described. When the reprint button 32 on the operation mode setting screen 30 in FIG. 4 is operated, the reprint mode is entered. For example, when a user who has received a notification of forgetting to take it back or notices that he has forgotten to take it back to the image forming apparatus 10 to return the forgotten original, the forgotten original is discarded and cannot be found, and the forgotten original The reprint mode is selected when it is desired to print out the same printed matter.

  FIG. 8 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the reprint mode. When the reprint mode is selected, the CPU 11 displays a user ID input screen 61 shown in FIG. 9 on the operation display unit 19 and requests input of user authentication information from the user (step S251). For example, a user ID and a password are input.

  When user authentication information such as a user ID is input (step S251; Yes), user authentication is performed using the input user authentication information. When user authentication is not successful (step S252; No), an error to that effect Display is performed (step S254), and the process is terminated.

  If the user authentication is successful (step S252; Yes), it is checked whether or not there is a user box in which an image forgotten to be taken by the authenticated user is stored (step S253). If the user box does not exist (step S253). No), an error display to that effect is performed (step S254), and the process is terminated.

  If there is a user box of the authenticated user (step S253; Yes), a list of forgotten images stored in the user box is displayed on the operation display unit 19 (step S255). That is, a list of the results of searching for forgotten images using the user as a search condition is displayed.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the user forgetting image selection screen 63 displaying a list of forgetting images stored in the user box. On the user forgotten image selection screen 63, forgotten images stored in the user box of the authenticated user (here, the user with the user ID “002”) are displayed as a list of images to be printed. The list 64 displays an identification number, job type, job execution time, and the like for each forgotten image. These pieces of information are generated from attribute information associated with the forgotten image.

  The user can select an arbitrary forgotten image from the list 64 of the user forgotten image selection screen 63, for example, by pressing the display location, and press the OK button 65 in the selected state. By pressing the button, it is possible to instruct to print out the selected forgotten image.

  When the CPU 11 receives a print instruction (step S260; Yes), the CPU 11 reads out the selected forgotten image from the user box and causes the printing unit 14 to print it (step S261), and ends the process. If the OK button 65 is pressed while nothing is selected in the list 64, it is determined that there is no print instruction (step S260; No), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the user ID is not input (step S251; No), the search condition input screen 70 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the operation display unit 19, and the input of the search condition of the forgotten document to be printed out is received from the user ( Step S256). On the search condition input screen 70, a search condition can be input for an arbitrary number of items from the date and time (period) when a job related to a forgotten document is executed, the number of documents, the job type, and the like. An item that can be input as a search condition may be any item stored as attribute information.

  When a search condition is input from the user (step S256; Yes), an image that matches the search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the forgotten release box (step S257). Specifically, the attribute information associated with each image stored in the forgotten disclosure box is compared with the input search, and a matching image is extracted.

  If a matching image can be retrieved (step S257; Yes), a selection screen for printing using the matching image as an option is displayed on the operation display unit 19 (step S259). FIG. 12A shows an example of a forgotten release image selection screen (match) 75 that displays a list 76 of forgotten images that match search conditions among the forgotten images stored in the forgotten release box. ing. The example of FIG. 12A shows a search result when a date and time period “10:00 to 11:00” is input as a search condition. The list 76 displays an identification number, job type, job execution time, and the like for each forgotten image. These pieces of information are generated from attribute information associated with the forgotten image.

  When there is no forgotten image that matches the input search condition (step S257; No), as shown in FIG. 12B, all forgotten images stored in the forgotten open box are selected as options. A print target selection screen (image to be left unpublished selection screen (all images) 75B) is displayed on the operation display unit 19 (step S258).

  In the forgotten release image selection screen (match) 75 or the forgotten release image selection screen (all images) 75B, the user presses an arbitrary forgotten image from the list 76, for example, by pressing the display location to be printed. Can be selected. By pressing the OK button 77 in the selected state, it is possible to instruct the printing output of the selected forgotten image.

  When the CPU 11 receives a print instruction (step S260; Yes), the CPU 11 reads the selected forgotten image from the forget-to-open box and causes the printing unit 14 to print it (step S261), and ends the process. If the OK button 77 is pressed in a state where nothing is selected in the list 76, it is determined that there is no print instruction (step S260; No), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, when user information is input in the reprint mode, images of forgotten originals stored in the user box of the user are displayed in a list as options to be printed in the reprint mode. Can easily select a headline of a forgotten manuscript and print it out. In addition, since the forgotten image associated with the user information is displayed in the print target list 64 only when the user information is input, there is no possibility that the image will be printed out by others, and security is ensured. Can do.

  If the user information is not entered, the image corresponding to the user's forgotten document can be searched from the forgotten release box using the job execution time, job type, etc. as search conditions. You can easily select and print out your forgotten manuscript. In addition, if you do not enter search conditions, all forgotten images in the forget-to-open box are displayed as a list to be printed, so the user was displayed in the list even if they could not remember the information that was the search condition. You can search for your forgotten images based on the information.

  In addition, if you enter search conditions, only the forgotten images that match the search conditions are displayed in a list, making it difficult to list other people's forgotten images, and displaying all forgotten images in a list. Compared to security.

  Even when user information is input, it may be configured such that search conditions such as job execution date and time can be further input to narrow down forgotten images displayed in a list.

  In addition, when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 10 (user authentication) in a state where the image of the forgotten document is already stored in the user box, the user is notified of the presence of the forgotten document. May be. For example, a forgetting to leave warning screen 80 shown in FIG. 13A is displayed on the operation display unit 19. Further, when the detail display button 81 is pressed on the forgetting to remove warning screen 80, a detail screen 83 shown in FIG. 13B is displayed on the operation display unit 19, and when the print button 84 is pressed here, The notified image of the forgotten document may be printed out.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 shows a system configuration example of an image forming system 300 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 300 is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 310 and a server 320 via a network 301. Further, a terminal device 303 of each user configured by a personal computer or the like is connected to the network 301.

  The image forming system 300 is provided with the functions relating to the document to be left out of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the first embodiment by distributing the functions to the image forming apparatus 310 and the server 320. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 310 compares the image data read in the normal mode or the image data of the printed image and the attribute information, and the image read in the forgetting-notification notification mode. The server 320 has a function of setting a matching image among images stored by reference as a forgotten image, a function of searching for a forgotten image based on user information or search conditions input in the reprint mode, and the like. The functions are distributed. The screen displayed on the image forming apparatus 310, the content of the e-mail notified to the user who has forgotten to take, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 310 is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The meanings of attribute information and reference storage in the following description are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 15 shows a schematic configuration of the server 320. The server 320 includes a CPU 321 that functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the server 320. A program memory 323, a system memory 324, an operation display unit 325, a hard disk device 326, a network I / F unit 327, and the like are connected to the CPU 321 through a bus 322.

  The program memory 323 stores a program, and the CPU 321 executes various processes according to the program. The system memory 324 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 321 executes a program. The operation display unit 325 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a user operation input device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The hard disk device 326 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device, and is used as a storage destination when image data and attribute information (user information, job information, etc.) are associated with each other and stored as a storage, a user box, or a forget-to-open box. The The network I / F unit 327 has a function of communicating with the image forming apparatus 310 and the terminal apparatus 303 through the network 301.

  Next, an operation related to a forgotten document in the image forming system 300 will be described with reference to FIG. When the image forming apparatus 310 executes a job such as a copy job or a print job in the normal mode (step S401), the image data read by the job or the image data of the printed image and attribute information related to the reading or printing (user If there is information, user information and job information are transmitted to the server 320 (step S402).

  Receiving this, the server 320 associates the received image data with the attribute information and stores (references and saves) them in the hard disk device 326 (step S403).

  When the image forming apparatus 310 receives an instruction to read a forgotten document in the state where the forgetting to remove notification button 31 in FIG. At the same time, the image data of the forgotten document is transmitted to the server 320 (step S405).

  The server 320 that received the image data of the forgotten document read in the forget-not-notify mode detects image data that matches the received image data from the image data that is stored in the hard disk device 326 by reference. Is set to an image forgetting to remove (step S406).

  Specifically, when user information is included in attribute information stored in association with the detected image data, the detected image is displayed in a user box (created newly if there is no user information). Move data and attribute information. Also, the user indicated by the user information is notified of the fact of forgetting by e-mail or the like. Further, the server 320 notifies the image forming apparatus 310 of the detection result, and the image forming apparatus 310 displays the detection result on the operation display unit 19.

  Note that the mail address of the notification destination for each user is registered in the server 320 in advance. Further, the image forming apparatus 310 may be configured to notify the owner user of forgetting to take out by the electronic mail 40.

  If the user information is not included in the attribute information associated with the detected image data, the detected image data and attribute information are moved to the forgetting disclosure box and stored.

  When the reprint button 32 in FIG. 3 is operated to set the reprint mode (step S407), the image forming apparatus 310 accepts input of user authentication information on the user ID input screen 61. When user authentication information is input and user authentication is successful, a search request with the user information added is transmitted to the server 320. When the user authentication information is not input, the search condition input screen 70 is displayed. When the search condition input screen 70 receives an input of the search condition, a search request with the search condition added is transmitted to the server 320. When neither the user authentication information nor the search condition is input, a search request with information indicating “no search condition” is transmitted to the server 320 (step S408).

  The server 320 that has received the search request searches for an image to forget based on the search request, and returns the search result to the image forming apparatus 310 (step S409). Specifically, when user information is added to the received search request, the information about each forgotten image stored in the user box of the user indicated by the user information is used as a search result. The attribute information associated with the forgotten image is returned to the image forming apparatus 310 as a search result.

  When a search condition is added to the received search request, an image that matches the search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the forget-to-open box and associated with the searched forgotten image. The attribute information is returned to the image forming apparatus 310 as a search result.

  When information indicating “no search condition” is added to the received search request, the attribute information associated with the forgotten image for all the forgotten images stored in the forgotten disclosure box is searched. To the image forming apparatus 310.

  The image forming apparatus 310 that has received the search result displays on the operation display unit 19 a print target selection screen using the forgotten image indicated by the search result as an option. Specifically, when a search result is received from the server 320 in response to a search request to which user information is added, the user forgetting image selection screen 63 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation display unit 19 based on the search result. To display. When a search result is received from the server 320 in response to a search request to which a search condition is added, based on the search result, a forget-to-open image selection screen (match) 75 as shown in FIG. Displayed on the unit 19. When a search result is received from the server 320 in response to a search request to which “no search condition” is added, based on the search result, a forgotten disclosure image selection screen (all images) 75B as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the operation display unit 19 (step S410).

  When the user selects a forgotten image, the image data of the image is obtained from the server 320 (steps S411 and S412), and the corresponding printed matter is printed out from the printing unit 14 (step S413). For example, it is possible to add an identification number to each attribute information of a search result returned from the server 320 to the image forming apparatus 310 and request the image data from the server 320 using the identification number as a key.

  As described above, in the image forming system 300 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to notify the owner of the forgotten original document about the fact that the forgotten original document is forgotten, printout of the same printed matter as the forgotten original document, Further, since the image forming system 300 performs reference storage on the server 320 side, the image forming apparatus 310 consumes the storage capacity of the hard disk device 24 for reference storage. It will not be done. Further, since the image data comparison or search based on the search condition is performed on the server 320 side, the image forming apparatus 310 does not need to perform image data comparison processing and the like, and the burden on the image forming apparatus 310 can be reduced.

  Note that other functions performed in the image forming apparatus 310 may be transferred to the server 320 and performed. For example, in user authentication, information for user authentication is acquired by the image forming apparatus 310, this information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 310 to the server 320, actual authentication processing is performed on the server 320 side, and the result is displayed as an image. It may be configured to notify the forming apparatus 310. In addition, print data for printing the forgotten original document list 50 may be created on the server 320 side and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 310 to be printed.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the case where there are an authenticated user and a public user has been described as an example of the user type. However, the user authentication function may not be provided, and all users may be public users. When only the public user is selected, if there are no search conditions, all forgotten images are displayed as a list to be printed. Further, user information may not be included as an item of attribute information.

  In addition, whether the notification of forgetting to be valid / invalid or the notification method (transmission of e-mail 40, printing output of the forgotten document list 50, etc.), whether to enable the warning function illustrated in FIG. It may be configured to be able to set in advance, and may be configured to operate according to the setting content.

  Further, when there are a plurality of pages of originals or printed materials related to the job, the image data of all the pages may be referenced and saved, or only a specific page may be referenced and saved. The specific page may be only the first page or from the top to several pages. Further, a page close to a blank sheet may be detected, and the page may be excluded from the reference storage target.

  User forgotten image selection screen 63, public forgetting image selection screen (match) 75, public forgetting image selection screen (all images) 75B, search condition input screen 70, notification e-mail 40, shown in the embodiment. The screen configuration and format of the forgotten document list 50 and the like are examples, and are not limited to those illustrated.

  The forgotten image may be deleted automatically when it is printed in the reprint mode, or the user is inquired whether to delete it, and is deleted when the user selects “Delete”. It may be configured.

  In addition, the reference-stored image may be automatically deleted after a certain period of time, or stored and stored as long as the storage capacity permits, and the oldest one is deleted when the storage capacity is limited. The erasing timing of each reference stored data may be set appropriately. For example, it can be deleted when a predetermined number of days (for example, one day or two days) has elapsed after the job is executed, or when the image forming apparatus 10 is powered off.

  In the image forming system 300, since the server 320 is associated with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 310, the image forming apparatus 310 is identified as the apparatus ID (for example, the apparatus number) of the image forming apparatus 310. It is better to discriminate by information. For example, the image forming apparatus 310 transmits its own apparatus ID when accessing the server 320, and the server 320 identifies and returns the partner image forming apparatus 310 based on the received apparatus ID.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of operations (respective modes in a normal mode, a forgetting notification mode, and a reprint mode) related to reproduction of a forgotten document that is performed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows an example of an operation mode setting screen. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode performed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation in the forgetting-notification mode of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the email for notification of forgetting to take. 4 is a front view showing an example of a forgotten document list 50. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a reprint mode of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows an example of a user ID input screen. It is a front view which shows an example of a user forgetting image selection screen. It is a front view which shows an example of a search condition input screen. It is a front view which shows an example of an image selection screen forgetting to open. It is a front view which shows an example of a forgetting to remove warning screen and its detailed screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example of the image forming system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the server contained in the image forming system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... Bus 13 ... Reading unit 14 ... Printing unit 15 ... ROM
16 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Non-volatile memory 18 ... User authentication input part 19 ... Operation display part 21 ... Image processing part 22 ... Network I / F part 23 ... Facsimile communication control part 24 ... Hard disk apparatus 30 ... Operation mode setting screen 31 ... Forgetting notification button 32 ... Reprint button 40 ... E-mail 50 ... List of forgotten originals 61 ... User ID input screen 63 ... User forgotten image selection screen 64 ... List 65 ... OK button 70 ... Search condition input screen 75 ... Forgotten release image selection screen ( Match)
75B ... Forgetting to open image selection screen (all images)
80 ... Forgetting to remove warning screen 83 ... Detail screen 84 ... Print button 300 ... Image forming system 301 ... Network 303 ... Terminal device 310 ... Image forming device 320 ... Server 321 ... CPU
322 ... Bus 323 ... Program memory 324 ... System memory 325 ... Operation display unit 326 ... Hard disk device 327 ... Network I / F unit F ... Reference saved image data J ... Reference saved attribute information

Claims (14)

A printing section;
A reading unit for optically reading a document image;
An image storage unit;
An input unit for receiving search conditions;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
Associating the image printed by the printing unit and the printing attribute information in the storage unit,
When an instruction to read a forgotten document is received, the reading unit is caused to read the document, and an image matching the image of the document is detected from the storage unit and set as a forgotten image,
When a search condition for a document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, an image that matches the input search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search is performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display screen for displaying a selection screen of a print target using a forgotten image taken as an option. A reading unit for optically reading a document image;
An image storage unit;
An input unit for receiving search conditions;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
The image read by the reading unit and the attribute information of the reading are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit,
When an instruction to read a forgotten document is received, the reading unit is caused to read the document, and an image matching the image of the document is detected from the storage unit and set as a forgotten image,
When a search condition for a document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, an image that matches the input search condition is searched from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and the search is performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display screen for displaying a selection screen of a print target using a forgotten image taken as an option. The attribute information includes at least one item of printing time, number of sheets, job name, and identification information of a user who instructs printing.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search condition is the attribute information. The attribute information includes at least one item among the reading time, the number of sheets, the job name, and the identification information of the user who instructed reading.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search condition is the attribute information. If the controller cannot search for forgotten images that match the input search condition, the display unit displays a selection screen for printing using all forgotten images stored in the storage unit as options. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays the image. If the input search condition does not include the user identification information and the search unit cannot search for a forgotten image that matches the search condition, the control unit stores the forgotten image stored in the storage unit. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the selection screen with options of all forgotten images that do not include user identification information in the associated attribute information. 5. Forming equipment. A notification means for notifying the user of the fact that the user has forgotten,
When the control unit sets the image stored in the storage unit as a forgotten image and the attribute information associated with the forgotten image includes user identification information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user is notified of the fact that the user has forgotten to remove the image. An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server which are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit that optically reads a document image, an input unit that receives input of a search condition, and a display unit,
The server includes a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus transmits the image printed by the printing unit and the printing attribute information to the server;
The server that has received the image and the attribute information stores the image and the attribute information in association with each other in the storage unit,
When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to read a forgotten document, the image forming apparatus causes the reading unit to read the document and transmits an image of the document to the server.
The server that has received the image of the document detects an image that matches the image of the document from the storage unit, sets the image to be forgotten,
When the search condition for the document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, the image forming apparatus transmits the input search condition to the server,
The server that has received the search condition searches for an image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and transmits the search result to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the search result displays, on the display unit, a print target selection screen that uses the searched forgotten image as an option based on the search result. . An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server which are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit that optically reads a document image, an input unit that receives input of a search condition, and a display unit,
The server includes a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus transmits the image read by the reading unit and the read attribute information to the server,
The server that has received the image and the attribute information stores the image and the attribute information in association with each other in the storage unit,
When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to read a forgotten document, the image forming apparatus causes the reading unit to read the document and transmits an image of the document to the server.
The server that has received the image of the document detects an image that matches the image of the document from the storage unit, sets the image to be forgotten,
When the search condition for the document to be left out to be printed is input from the input unit, the image forming apparatus transmits the input search condition to the server,
The server that has received the search condition searches for an image that matches the search condition from the forgotten images stored in the storage unit, and transmits the search result to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the search result displays, on the display unit, a print target selection screen that uses the searched forgotten image as an option based on the search result. . The attribute information includes at least one item of printing time, number of sheets, job name, and identification information of a user who instructs printing.
The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the search condition is the attribute information. The attribute information includes at least one item among the reading time, the number of sheets, the job name, and the identification information of the user who instructed reading.
The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the search condition is the attribute information. If the server fails to search for forgotten images that match the received search condition, the server transmits a search result using all forgotten images stored in the storage unit as the options to the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The server, when the received search condition does not include the identification information of the user and cannot search for the forgotten image that matches the search condition, among the forgotten images stored in the storage unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a search result using all the forgotten images not including user identification information in the associated attribute information as the option is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. system. When the server stores the image stored in the storage unit as a forgotten image and the attribute information associated with the forgotten image includes user identification information, the server The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein a fact of forgetting is notified to the image forming apparatus.

Images