U.S. patent application number 12/351280 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for image forming apparatus, charge server and image forming system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kyocera Mita. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Takaishi, Toru Yasui.
Application Number | 20090180141 12/351280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40850380 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090180141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takaishi; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
July 16, 2009 |
Image Forming Apparatus, Charge Server and Image Forming System
Abstract
An image forming apparatus has a communication interface, a
processor, and a storage unit. The storage unit stores a job log
and a job log transmission program. The job log transmission
program causes the processor to transmit a job log of a finished
job via the communication interface to a charge server connected to
a network. The job log transmission program causes the processor to
execute the steps of: (a) via the communication interface,
determining whether or not the charge server can receive the job
log currently, and (b) if it is determined that the charge server
can not receive the job log currently, keeping the job log to be
transmitted in the storage unit and transmitting the job log kept
in the storage unit to the charge server when a job log of a next
job is transmitted to the charge server.
Inventors: |
Takaishi; Hiroyuki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Yasui; Toru; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VON SIMSON & CHIN
62 WILLIAM STREET, 6TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10005
US
|
Assignee: |
Kyocera Mita
|
Family ID: |
40850380 |
Appl. No.: |
12/351280 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1288 20130101;
H04N 1/32502 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06F 3/1238 20130101;
H04N 1/00915 20130101; G06F 3/1273 20130101; G06F 3/1222 20130101;
G03G 15/5075 20130101; G06F 21/608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 11, 2008 |
JP |
2008-003936 |
Jan 11, 2008 |
JP |
2008-003937 |
Jan 11, 2008 |
JP |
2008-003938 |
Jan 11, 2008 |
JP |
2008-003939 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a communication
interface; a processor; and a storage unit that stores a job log
and a job log transmission program, the job log transmission
program causing the processor to transmit a job log of a finished
job via the communication interface to a charge server connected to
a network; wherein the job log transmission program causes the
processor to execute the steps of: (a) via the communication
interface, determining whether or not the charge server can receive
the job log currently, and (b) if it is determined that the charge
server can not receive the job log currently, keeping the job log
to be transmitted in the storage unit and transmitting the job log
kept in the storage unit to the charge server when a job log of a
next job is transmitted to the charge server.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in
the step (a), the job log transmission program causes the processor
to try to transmit the job log to the charge server and determining
that the charge server can not receive the job log currently if an
acknowledgement is not received from the charge server within a
predetermined time.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
job log transmission program causes the processor to serially link
the job log kept in the storage unit and a job log of a finished
job, and to transmit all the linked job logs to the charge
server.
4. An image forming system comprising: a charge server connected to
a network, and an image forming apparatus connected to the network;
wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: a communication
interface; a processor; and a storage unit that stores a job log
and a job log transmission program, the job log transmission
program causing the processor to transmit a job log of a finished
job via the communication interface to the charge server; wherein
the job log transmission program causes the processor to execute
the steps of: (a) via the communication interface, determining
whether or not the charge server can receive the job log currently,
and (b) if it is determined that the charge server can not receive
the job log currently, keeping the job log to be transmitted in the
storage unit and transmitting the job log kept in the storage unit
to the charge server when a job log of a next job is transmitted to
the charge server.
5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further
comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to
the network, the respective image forming apparatuses same as said
image forming apparatus; a print server connected to the network;
an authentication server connected to the network; and a plurality
of clients connected to the network.
6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein at least
one of the clients transmits device independent print job data to
the print server, and the device independent print job data
contains user authentication information; and the print server
transmits the user authentication information to the authentication
server, receives an authentication result from the authentication
server, converts the device independent print job data to device
dependent print job data if the authentication result indicates
successful authentication, and transmits the device dependent print
job data to one of the image forming apparatuses corresponding to
the device dependent print job data.
7. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein one
computer system comprises the authentication server and the charge
server.
8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a processor; an input
device; a communication interface connected to a management server
on a network; and a storage unit that stores a program and data;
wherein the program causes the processor to execute the steps of:
(a) via the communication interface, transmitting authentication
information input with the input device to the management server to
request authentication, (b) if an authentication result of the
request is not received, causing the storage unit to store the
unprocessed authentication information, and receiving a job under
an assumption of successful authentication, and (c) at a
predetermined timing, transmitting the unprocessed authentication
information stored in the storage unit to the management
server.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising: a timer that outputs a current time and date; wherein
the program causes the processor to execute: in the step (a),
detecting a login attempting time and date with output of the
timer, and transmitting the login attempting time and date with the
authentication information, and in the step (b), causing the
storage unit to store the login attempting time and date with the
unprocessed authentication information, and in the step (c),
transmitting the login attempting time and date with the
unprocessed authentication information to the management
server.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
program causes the processor to execute the steps of: (d)
transmitting a job log of a job via the communication interface to
the management server when the job ends, and (e) causing the
storage unit to store this job log if an acknowledgement to
indicate the management server receives the job log is not received
from the management server; and in the step (c), transmitting the
job log stored in the step (e) to the management server together
with the unprocessed authentication information.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
program causes the processor to execute: in the step (b), assigning
a temporal session ID and a temporal job ID and causing the storage
unit to store the temporal session ID and the temporal job ID with
the unprocessed authentication information; in the step (c),
transmitting the temporal session ID and the temporal job ID to the
management server together with the authentication information; and
in the step (d), inserting the temporal session ID and the temporal
job ID in a job log corresponding thereto.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
program causes the processor to execute the step of: (f) when an
authentication result of the authentication information transmitted
in the step (c) is received from the management server, determining
whether or not a job corresponding to the authentication
information has ended, and stopping the job if it is determined
that the job has not ended.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
predetermined timing in the step (c) includes a timing of the
authentication request in the step (a).
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
timer makes an interruption to the processor every predetermined
time repeatedly in a period that an interruption mask is reset; the
program causes the processor to reset the interruption mask in the
step (b) and to set the interruption mask after the transmission in
the step (c); and the predetermined timing in the step (c) is a
timing of interruption by the timer.
15. An image forming system comprising: a management server
connected to a network; and a plurality of image forming
apparatuses connected to the network; wherein each of the image
forming apparatuses comprises: a processor; an input device; a
communication interface connected to the management server; and a
storage unit that stores a program and data, the program causing
the processor to execute the steps of: (a) via the communication
interface, transmitting authentication information input with the
input device to the management server to request authentication,
(b) if an authentication result of the request is not received,
causing the storage unit to store the unprocessed authentication
information, and receiving a job under an assumption of successful
authentication, and (c) at a predetermined timing, transmitting the
unprocessed authentication information stored in the storage unit
to the management server; and the management server performs
authentication for the authentication information received from one
of the image forming apparatus, and transmits an authentication
result thereof to the image forming apparatus.
16. The image forming system according to claim 15, wherein the
management server comprises a storage unit that stores an email
address of an administrator, transmits email to the administrator
if the authentication of the unprocessed authentication information
results in failure, and the email contains information indicating
unsuccessful authentication and the authentication information.
17. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the
management server inserts information to the email if the
authentication of the unprocessed authentication information
results in failure, the inserted information indicates whether or
not a job log is received from the image forming apparatus, and the
management server also inserts content of a job log to the email if
the job log is received from the image forming apparatus.
18. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the
management server watches whether or not a total usage amount of a
user ID exceeds a limit usage amount, increases the total usage
amount of a user ID corresponding to a job log received from the
image forming apparatus by a usage amount indicated in the job log
if the authentication of the unprocessed authentication information
results in success, and inserts information indicating an excess of
the limit usage amount into the email if the total usage amount
exceeds the limit usage amount after the total usage amount is
increased.
19. An image forming apparatus comprising: a processor; a
communication interface; and a storage unit that stores a program
causing the processor to write a log of a print job in the storage
unit, to read out the log of a finished print job from the storage
unit, and to transmit the log via the communication interface to a
charge server connected to a network; wherein the program causes
the processor to write information common to all pages of the print
job in the log, and to write charge information in the log for
every page of the print job when the page is printed.
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
charge information includes a page size, a sheet type, and
information indicating whether or not the one page is printed in
duplex printing.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the
charge information further includes page count information.
22. A charge server comprising: a processor; a communication
interface; and a storage unit that stores a program causing the
processor to receive a log of a finished job via the communication
interface from an image forming apparatus connected to a network
and to store the log in the storage unit; wherein the log includes
information common to all pages of the job and charge information
on the respective pages printed; and the program causes the
processor to add a page count to the charge information of each of
the pages, and to convert the charge information of k pages to that
of one page with the page count of k if the charge information of k
pages has the same k parts except for the page count.
23. A charge server comprising: a processor; a communication
interface; and a storage unit that stores a program causing the
processor to receive a log of a finished job via the communication
interface from an image forming apparatus connected to a network
and to store the log in the storage unit; wherein the log includes
information common to all pages of the job and charge information
of the respective pages printed, and the charge information
contains a page count; and the program causes the processor to
convert the charge information of k pages to that of one page with
the page count of k if the charge information of k pages has the
same k parts except for the page count.
24. An image forming system comprising: a charge server connected
to a network, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses
connected to the network; wherein the charge server comprises: a
first processor, a first communication interface, and a first
storage unit that stores a first program causing the first
processor to receive a log of a finished job via the communication
interface from the image forming apparatuses and to store the log
in the first storage unit, wherein the log includes information
common to all pages of the job and charge information of the
respective pages printed; and the first program causes the first
processor to add a page count to the charge information of each of
the pages, and to convert the charge information of k pages to that
of one page with the page count of k if the charge information of k
pages has same k parts except for the page count; and each of the
image forming apparatuses comprises: a second processor, a second
communication interface, and a second storage unit that stores a
second program causing the second processor to write a log of a
print job in the second storage unit, reading out the log of a
finished print job from the second storage unit, and transmitting
the log via the second communication interface to the charge
server, wherein the second program causes the second processor to
write information common to all pages of the print job in the log,
and to write charge information in the log for every page of the
print job when the page is printed.
25. An image forming system comprising: a charge server connected
to a network; and a plurality of image forming apparatuses
connected to the network; wherein the charge server comprises: a
first processor, a first communication interface, and a first
storage unit that stores a first program causing the first
processor to receive a log of a finished job via the first
communication interface from the image forming apparatuses and to
store the log in the first storage unit, wherein the log includes
information common to all pages of the job and charge information
of the respective pages printed, and the charge information
contains a page count; and the first program causes the first
processor to convert the charge information of k pages to that of
one page with the page count of k if the charge information of k
pages has same k parts except for the page count; and each of the
image forming apparatuses comprises: a second processor, a second
communication interface, and a second storage unit that stores a
second program causing the second processor to write a log of a
print job in the second storage unit, reading out the log of an
ended print job from the second storage unit, and transmitting the
log via the second communication interface to the charge server,
wherein the second program causes the second processor to write
information common to all pages of the print job in the log, and to
write charge information in the log for every page of the print job
when the page is printed, and the charge information includes the
page count.
26. An image forming apparatus comprising: an input device; a
communication interface connected to a management server on a
network; a processor; and a storage unit that stores a database and
a program, the database having a first user ID, a first password,
usage limit information, and other information that are related to
each other, the program causing the processor to update the usage
limit information corresponding to job execution, and to maintain
the usage limit information to obey a rule; wherein to cause a user
of a second user ID input with the input device to pretend to be a
user of the first user ID locally, the program causes the processor
to execute the steps of: (a) transmitting authentication
information that includes the second user ID via the communication
interface to the management server, (b) overwriting the usage limit
information with usage limit information received from the
management server for the second user ID, and overwriting the other
information with the second user ID, and (c) locally authenticating
the user of the second user ID with authentication information that
includes the first user ID and the first password to enable job
execution.
27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the
program causes the processor to further execute the step of: (d)
transmitting the usage limit information updated upon the end of
the job execution to the management server with the second user
ID.
28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the
database includes a user table and a group management table, the
user table has the first user ID, the first password, a group ID
and the other information that are related to each other, and the
group management table has the group ID and the usage limit
information related to each other.
29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the
usage limit information includes a limit number of usage and the
total number of usage, the total number of usage is increased
corresponding to job execution for updating the usage limit
information, and the rule is set that the total number does not
exceed the limit number.
30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the
limit number of usage and the total number of usage are a limit
number of pages on image forming and the total number of pages on
image forming, respectively.
31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the
other information is a user name.
32. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus
that is connected to a network and comprises a first storage unit,
the first storage unit storing a first database that has a first
user ID, a first password, usage limit information, and other
information that are related with each other; and a management
server that is connected to the network and comprises a second
storage unit, the second storage unit storing a second database
that has a second user ID, a second password, and usage limit
information related with each other; wherein (a) the management
server reads out the usage limit information of the second user ID
from the second storage unit, and transmits the usage limit
information with a result of user authentication to the image
forming apparatus after successful user authentication with
received authentication information that includes the second user
ID, and to cause a user of the second user ID to pretend to be a
user of the first user ID in the image forming apparatus, the image
forming apparatus executes the steps of: (b) overwriting the other
information with the second user ID, and overwriting the usage
limit information of the first user ID with usage limit information
received from the management server, and (c) performing user
authentication with the first user ID and the first password
locally.
33. The image forming system according to claim 32, wherein the
image forming apparatus further executes the steps of: (d)
executing a requested job, updating the usage limit information
corresponding to the job execution and maintaining the usage limit
information to obey a rule, and (e) transmitting the usage limit
information updated upon the end of the job execution to the
management server with the second user ID.
34. The image forming system according to claim 32, wherein the
first database includes a user table and a group management table,
the user table has the first user ID, the first password, a group
ID and other information that are related to each other, and the
group management table has the group ID and the usage limit
information that are related to each other.
35. The image forming system according to claim 33, wherein the
usage limit information includes a limit number of usage and the
total number of usage, and in the step (d), the total number of
usage is increased corresponding to job execution for updating the
usage limit information, and the rule is set that the total number
does not exceed the limit number.
36. The image forming system according to claim 35, wherein the
limit number of usage and the total number of usage are a limit
number of pages on image forming and the total number of pages on
image forming, respectively.
37. The image forming system according to claim 32, wherein the
other information is a user name.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority rights from
a Japanese Patent Applications:
[0002] No. 2008-003936, filed on Jan. 11, 2008,
[0003] No. 2008-003937, filed on Jan. 11, 2008,
[0004] No. 2008-003938, filed on Jan. 11, 2008, and
[0005] No. 2008-003939, filed on Jan. 11, 2008,
the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] This invention relates to image forming apparatus, charge
server, and image forming system.
[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] In an environment, a user can choose one from image forming
apparatuses, and uses it for copying, printing or transmitting
facsimile data. In the environment, to perform charge management
for each of users or each of sections, a charge server is connected
to a network with the image forming apparatuses, and every time
when a job ends in one of the image forming apparatuses, a job log
is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the charge
server. The job log contains information necessary to charge
management.
[0010] In general, the image forming apparatus organizes charge
information on many pages, and inserts it to the job log.
[0011] In a specific example, upon a request from an image forming
apparatus, a functional server obtains, for example, news data from
a database, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus. The
image forming apparatus executes printing of the news data. In this
system, it is possible to charge adequately for only pages chosen
by a user before printing. The functional server generates print
data files of respective pages, and transmits the respective files
with respective charge information (that contains a charge amount)
to the image forming apparatus in turn. The image forming apparatus
displays a total charge amount for the pages chosen by the user,
and transmits the total charge amount information to the functional
server upon a printing start instruction by the user.
[0012] In the aforementioned environment, to perform
authentication, authorization, charge management, usage limitation
and so on for each of users, a management server is connected to a
network with the image forming apparatuses, and unitarily manages
authentication, authorization, charge management, usage limitation,
and so on.
[0013] However, a user can not use the image forming apparatus when
the management server can not execute authentication and
authorization due to server down, disconnection in a wired/wireless
network, or the like. To solve this problem, an image forming
apparatus performs user authentication locally with authentication
information stored in a removable medium capable of connecting to
the server.
[0014] An image forming apparatus has a section management function
for limiting the number of pages printed in a predetermined period
by each of sections. In the section management function, a user
table has a user ID and a section ID that are related to each
other, a section management table has the section ID, a limit
number of printed pages and the total number of printed pages that
are related to each other. With referring to the tables, it is
determined whether or not the total number exceeds the limit number
when every page is finished printing, and a user is forbidden to
use this apparatus if it is determined that the total number
exceeds the limit number.
[0015] In an image forming system, many image forming apparatuses
like the aforementioned image forming apparatus are connected to a
LAN, and a user can use whichever of the apparatuses. This system
can not perform the section management at one place. In addition,
due to increment of users, the user table can not be stored in a
memory in an image forming apparatus if the memory is not large
enough. To solve this problem, in the system, a management server
is connected to the LAN, stores the user table in a storage device
of the server, and performs authentication and charge management
with the user table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In a circumstance, if the charge server can not receive a
job log from the image forming apparatus due to server down,
disconnection in a wired/wireless network, or the like, the image
forming apparatus transmits the job log to the charge server
repeatedly. In this case, the image forming apparatus can not
handle a next process.
[0017] Accordingly, an objective of this invention is to provide an
image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which even
if the charge server can not receive a job log from the image
forming apparatus temporarily, the image forming apparatus can
handle a next process, and the charge server can perform charge
management.
[0018] In another circumstance, due to increment of users, user
authentication information, usage limit information, total usage
information and so on can not be stored in a memory in the image
forming apparatus. In addition, in case that one user can use
whichever of the image forming apparatuses, usage limitation can
not be done adequately.
[0019] Accordingly, another objective of this invention is to
provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in
which even if the management server can not perform user
authentication temporarily due to any reasons, a user can use the
image forming apparatus, and unauthorized use can be prevented or
controlled.
[0020] In the aforementioned specific example, when all pages of a
job are printed, the job is substantially divided into one-page
jobs. Therefore, processing the job is complicated and it is not
practical. Some jobs contain both color printing and monochrome
printing, or both duplex printing and simplex printing, or
different sheet sizes and types. Therefore, the image forming
apparatus classifies pages into groups of pages charged equally,
and organizes charge information on each of the groups, and
consequently, process may be delayed due to lower processing speed
and a smaller size of a memory of the image forming apparatus than
those of a client computer. To solve this problem, it may increase
a cost to configure the system.
[0021] Accordingly, another objective of this invention is to
provide an image forming apparatus, a charge server and an image
forming system thereof, in which even if the structure of charge
information on one job is complicated, the system can prevent
process delay. It can prevent a cost to configure the system from
increasing.
[0022] In another circumstance that the system performs user
management rather than section management, the image forming
apparatus is required to be available without a connection to the
network. Therefore, the image forming apparatus has to have a
computer program capable of performing both the user management and
the section management, and consequently, software configuration of
the image forming apparatus becomes complicated.
[0023] Accordingly, another objective of this invention is to
provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system
thereof, in which existent programs can be used effectively to
limit usage with referring to usage limit information in the image
forming apparatus connected to a network.
[0024] In the first aspect of this invention, an image forming
apparatus has a processor; a storage unit that stores a job log
transmission program and a job log; and a communication interface.
The job log transmission program causes the processor to transmit a
job log of a finished job via the communication interface to a
charge server connected to a network. Further, the job log
transmission program causes the processor to execute the steps
of:
[0025] (a) via the communication interface, determining whether or
not the charge server can receive the job log currently, and
[0026] (b) if it is determined that the charge server can not
receive currently, keeping the job log to be transmitted in the
storage unit and transmitting the job log to the charge server when
a job log of a next job is transmitted to the charge server.
[0027] In the second aspect of this invention, in addition to the
first aspect, the job log transmission program causes the processor
to serially link the job log kept in the storage unit and a job log
of a finished job, and to transmit all the linked job logs to the
charge server.
[0028] According to the first aspect, even if the charge server can
not receive a job log due to server down, disconnection in a
wired/wireless network or the like, the image forming apparatus can
handle a next process, and the charge server can perform charge
management.
[0029] According to the second aspect, regardless of whether or not
the charge server can receive a job log from the image forming
apparatus, the image forming apparatus attaches a job log of a
finished job to the kept job log in the same manner.
[0030] In the third aspect of this invention, an image forming
apparatus has a processor; a storage unit that stores a program and
data; an input device; and a communication interface connected to a
management server on a network. The program causes the processor to
execute the steps of:
[0031] (a) via the communication interface, transmitting
authentication information input with the input device to the
management server to request authentication,
[0032] (b) if an authentication result of the request is not
received, causing the storage unit to store the unprocessed
authentication information, and receiving a job under an assumption
of successful authentication, and
[0033] (c) at a predetermined timing, transmitting the unprocessed
authentication information stored in the storage unit to the
management server.
[0034] In the fourth aspect of this invention, in addition to the
third aspect, the image forming apparatus has a timer that outputs
a current time and date. The program causes the processor to
execute:
[0035] in the step (a), detecting a login attempting time and date
with output of the timer, and transmitting the login attempting
time and date with the authentication information to the management
server;
[0036] in the step (b), causing the storage unit to store the login
attempting time and date with the unprocessed authentication
information; and
[0037] in the step (c), transmitting the login attempting time and
date with the unprocessed authentication information to the
management server.
[0038] In the fifth aspect of this invention, in addition to the
third or fourth aspect, the program causes the processor to execute
the steps of:
[0039] (d) transmitting a job log of a job via the communication
interface to the management server when the job ends, and
[0040] (e) causing the storage unit to store this job log if an
acknowledgement that indicates the management server receives the
job log is not received from the management server.
[0041] In the step (c), the program causes the processor to
transmit the job log stored in the step (e) to the management
server together with the authentication information kept in the
storage unit.
[0042] In the sixth aspect of this invention, in addition to the
fifth aspect, the program causes the processor to execute:
[0043] in the step (b), assigning a temporal session ID and a
temporal job ID and causing the storage unit to store the temporal
session ID and the temporal job ID with the authentication
information kept in the storage unit;
[0044] in the step (c), transmitting the temporal session ID and
the temporal job ID to the management server together with the
authentication information; and
[0045] in the step (d), inserting the temporal session ID and the
temporal job ID in a job log corresponding thereto.
[0046] In the seventh aspect of this invention, in addition to any
of the third to sixth aspects, the program causes the processor to
execute the step of: (f) when an authentication result of the
authentication information transmitted in the step (c) is received
from the management server, determining whether or not a job
corresponding to the authentication information has ended, and
stopping the job if it is determined that the job has not
ended.
[0047] In the eighth aspect of this invention, in addition to any
of the third to sixth aspects, the predetermined timing in the step
(c) includes a timing of the authentication request in the step
(a).
[0048] In the ninth aspect of this invention, in addition to any of
the third to eighth aspects, the timer makes an interruption to the
processor every predetermined time repeatedly in a period that an
interruption mask is reset, and the program causes the processor to
reset the interruption mask in the step (b) and to set the
interruption mask after the transmission in the step (c); and the
predetermined timing in the step (c) is a timing of the
interruption by the timer.
[0049] In the tenth aspect of this invention, an image forming
system has a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a
network, and a management server connected to the network. Each of
the image forming apparatuses is the same as the image forming
apparatus in any of the third to ninth aspects. The management
server performs authentication for the unprocessed authentication
information received from one of the image forming apparatus, and
transmits an authentication result thereof to the image forming
apparatus.
[0050] In the eleventh aspect of this invention, in addition to the
tenth aspect, the management server has a storage unit that stores
an email address of an administrator, and transmits email to the
administrator if the authentication results in failure. The email
contains information indicating unsuccessful authentication and the
authentication information.
[0051] In the twelfth aspect of this invention, in addition to the
eleventh aspect, the management server inserts information to the
email if the authentication results in failure. The inserted
information indicates whether or not a job log is received from the
image forming apparatus. The management server also inserts content
of a job log to the email if the job log is received from the image
forming apparatus.
[0052] In the thirteenth aspect of this invention, in addition to
the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the management server watches
whether or not a total usage amount of a user ID exceeds a limit
usage amount, and increases the total usage amount of a user ID
corresponding to a job log received from the image forming
apparatus by a usage amount indicated in the job log. The
management server inserts information indicating an excess of the
limit usage amount into the email if the total usage amount exceeds
the limit usage amount after the total usage amount is
increased.
[0053] According to the third or tenth aspect, even if the image
forming apparatus does not have authentication information on all
users, and the management server can not perform user
authentication temporarily due to any reasons, a user can use the
image forming apparatus, and unauthorized use can be prevented or
controlled.
[0054] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to identify a
login attempting time and date of the unprocessed authentication
information.
[0055] According to the fifth aspect, a job log is processed
adequately with the authentication information not
authenticated.
[0056] According to the sixth aspect, even if one user requests
executing jobs after a temporal login, the image forming apparatus
temporarily assigns a session ID and job IDs that should be
assigned by the management server, and inserts this session ID and
these job IDs with the unprocessed authentication information into
job logs corresponding thereto. Therefore, after ex post
authentication, the job logs are managed adequately in the
management server.
[0057] According to the seventh aspect, if ex post authentication
results in failure, a job that is being executed or has not been
started is immediately stopped. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent unauthorized use.
[0058] According to the eighth aspect, ex post authentication can
be tried when next authentication is requested.
[0059] According to the ninth aspect, regardless of whether or not
next authentication is requested, ex post authentication is tried
periodically until the ex post authentication is finished for the
unprocessed authentication information. Therefore, a job that is
being executed or has not been started is immediately stopped, and
it is possible to prevent unauthorized use.
[0060] According to the eleventh aspect, if ex post authentication
results in failure, email is automatically transmitted to an
administrator, and the email indicates the failure and the
authentication information not authenticated. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus
effectively.
[0061] According to the twelfth aspect, if ex post authentication
results in failure, the email also indicates whether or not a job
log is received, and content of the job log. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus
more effectively.
[0062] According to the thirteenth aspect, even if ex post
authentication results in success but the total usage amount
exceeds the limit usage amount, the email indicates the excess.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use.
[0063] In the fourteenth aspect of this invention, an image forming
apparatus has a processor, a storage unit that stores a program,
and a communication interface. The program causes the processor to
write a log of a print job in the storage unit, to read out the log
of an ended print job from the storage unit, and to transmit the
log via the communication interface to a charge server connected to
a network. Further, the program causes the processor to write
information common to all pages of the print job in the log, and to
write charge information in the log for every page of the print job
when the page is printed.
[0064] In the fifteenth aspect of this invention, a charge server
has a processor, a storage unit that stores a program, and a
communication interface. The program causes the processor to
receive a log of a finished job via the communication interface
from an image forming apparatus, and to store the log in the
storage unit. The log includes information common to all pages of
the job and charge information of the respective pages printed. The
program causes the processor to add a page count to the charge
information of each of the pages, and to convert the charge
information of k pages to that of one page with the page count of k
if the charge information of k pages has the same k parts except
for the page count.
[0065] In the sixteenth aspect of this invention, a charge server
has a processor, a storage unit that stores a program, and a
communication interface. The program causes the processor to
receive a log of a finished job via the communication interface
from an image forming apparatus, and to store the log in the
storage unit. The log includes information common to all pages of
the job and charge information of the respective pages printed. The
charge information contains a page count. The program causes the
processor to convert the charge information of k pages to that of
one page with the page count of k if the charge information of k
pages has the same k parts except for the page count.
[0066] According to the fourteenth aspect, information common to
all pages of the print job is written in the log, and charge
information is written in the log for every page of the print job
when the page is printed. Therefore, even if one job includes both
color printing and monochrome printing, or both duplex printing and
simplex printing, or different sheet sizes and types, or a
combination thereof, it is not complicated to generate a job log in
the image forming apparatus. Consequently, process delay is
prevented, and a cost to configure the apparatus can be
reduced.
[0067] According to the fifteenth aspect, for a job log received by
the charge server, a page count is added to the charge information
of each of the pages, and the charge information of k pages is
converted to that of one page with the page count of k if the
charge information of k pages has the same k parts except for the
page count. Therefore, it is unnecessary to perform the data
compression process in the image forming apparatus, and
consequently, process delay is prevented, and a cost to configure
the system can be reduced.
[0068] According to the sixteenth aspect, the image forming
apparatus adds a page count to charge information of each of pages,
and consequently, it is not complicated to process the charge
information in the charge server.
[0069] In the seventeenth aspect of this invention, an image
forming apparatus has an input device, a communication interface
connected to a management server on a network, a processor, and a
storage unit that stores a database and a program. The database has
a first user ID, a first password, usage limit information and
other information that are related to each other. The program
causes the processor to update the usage limit information
corresponding to job execution and to maintain the usage limit
information to obey a rule.
[0070] In order to cause a user of a second user ID to pretend to
be a user of the first user ID locally, the program causes the
processor to execute the steps of:
[0071] (a) transmitting authentication information that includes
the second user ID via the communication interface to the
management server,
[0072] (b) overwriting the usage limit information with usage limit
information received from the management server for the second user
ID, and overwriting the other information with the second user ID,
and
[0073] (c) locally authenticating the user of the second user ID
with authentication information that includes the first user ID and
the first password to enable job execution.
[0074] In the eighteenth aspect of this invention, in addition to
the seventeenth aspect, the program causes the processor to further
execute the step of: (d) transmitting the second user ID and the
usage limit information updated upon the end of the job execution
to the management server.
[0075] According to the seventeenth aspect, the user of the second
user ID can pretend to be a user of the first user ID. Therefore,
existent programs can be used effectively to limit usage with
referring to usage limit information when the image forming
apparatus is connected to a network.
[0076] According to the eighteenth aspect, the usage limit
information is updated upon the end of the job execution, and it is
transmitted with the second user ID to the management server.
Therefore, the management server understands that a user at the
image forming apparatus is a user of the second user ID capable of
logging in the management server.
[0077] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following detailed description along with the accompanied
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0078] FIG. 1A shows a flowchart that indicates a process of a job
log in an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this
invention, and FIG. 1B shows a diagram for explaining Step S6 in
FIG. 1A;
[0079] FIG. 2 shows a user table stored in a storage device of a
management server;
[0080] FIG. 3A shows a user table stored in a storage device of the
image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3B shows a section management
table stored in the storage device of the image forming
apparatus;
[0081] FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram in the case that a client
causes the image forming apparatus to execute a print job in a
system shown in FIG. 6;
[0082] FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram in the case that the image
forming apparatus executes a copy job, a facsimile transmission
job, or a print job of a file stored in a USB memory according to a
user operation to an operation panel on the image forming
apparatus;
[0083] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of an image forming
system;
[0084] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram that indicates
hardware configuration of a multi function peripheral as the image
forming apparatus;
[0085] FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram that indicates
hardware configuration of the management server;
[0086] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a part in Embodiment 2
corresponding to Step S6 of FIG. 1A;
[0087] FIG. 10 shows a diagram that indicates a job log described
in XML;
[0088] FIG. 11 shows a diagram that indicates a job log generated
by adding a page count corresponding to each of pages into the job
log shown in FIG. 10;
[0089] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart that indicates a compression
process of charge information in a job log by a management
server;
[0090] FIG. 13 shows a diagram that indicates a job log in which
charge information has been compressed according to the flowchart
of FIG. 12;
[0091] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart that indicates a job log
transmission process from an image forming apparatus to a
management server in Embodiment 3 of this invention;
[0092] FIG. 15 shows a diagram for explaining the process in the
flowchart of FIG. 14;
[0093] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart in Embodiment 4 corresponding to
FIG. 14;
[0094] FIG. 17 shows a diagram for explaining the process in the
flowchart of FIG. 16;
[0095] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart that indicates a login process in
an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 5 of this invention;
[0096] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart that indicates a timer
interruption process in the case that unprocessed authentication
information is stored in the image forming apparatus;
[0097] FIG. 20 shows a diagram that indicates authentication
information stored, as well as the case shown in FIG. 17, in a
buffer area of a PROM in the image forming apparatus when user
authentication in the management server is not available; and
[0098] FIG. 21 shows a flowchart that indicates an ex post
authentication process in a management server that receives the
unprocessed authentication information transmitted in Step S43 of
FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Embodiment 1
[0099] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of an image forming
system according to Embodiment 1 of this invention.
[0100] M image forming apparatuses 101 to 10m, n clients 201 to
20n, a print server 30, and a management server 31 are connected as
nodes to a LAN (Local Area Network) 33. The image forming apparatus
10i (i=1 to m) is a multi function peripheral, a printer, a
facsimile machine, or the like.
[0101] The print server 30 has a storage device that stores an OS
(Operating System), a server program, and an application program to
embody its functions. The OS includes printer drivers of the image
forming apparatuses 101 to 10m, a print spooler, and a network
interface driver. The network driver communicates with the clients
201 to 20n and the image forming apparatuses 101 to 10m, for
example, according to LPR protocol.
[0102] FIG. 6 shows a case that the system has one print server 30,
but it is also possible to set up print servers for respective
groups of the image forming apparatuses which are exchangeable with
each other, and to choose one in a ready state from the image
forming apparatuses in a group.
[0103] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram that indicates
hardware configuration of a multi function peripheral as the image
forming apparatus 101.
[0104] In the image forming apparatus 101, an MPU 11 is connected
via interfaces 12 to a PROM 13, a DRAM 14, an operation panel 15, a
printer 16, a scanner 17, a network interface 18, a FAX modem 19, a
USB port 20, an IC card reader-writer 21, and a timer 22. In FIG.
7, for simplicity, a plurality of interfaces 12 is depicted as one
block.
[0105] In the PROM 13 such as flash memory, an operating system
(OS), programs to be executed in an upper layer of the OS, setting
values, and a management table mentioned below have been
stored.
[0106] The programs are executed in the image forming apparatus 101
to embody functions of a multi function peripheral. The functions
include image forming functions, an authentication function, and a
job log generation-transmission function. The image forming
functions include copying, scanning, printing, transmitting and
receiving facsimile data, and transmitting and receiving email. The
authentication function is not used when the image forming
apparatus 101 takes part in an image forming system.
[0107] In the PROM 13, a job log is also stored temporarily. After
a careless power cut, the job log is still available.
[0108] The DRAM 14 is used as a work area for converting image data
to bitmap data, and so on.
[0109] The operation panel 15 has a display unit and a key input
unit, detects input of setting information or instruction, and
displays a screen such as selection screen or setting screen.
[0110] The printer 16 has a print engine, a fuser, a paper feeding
part, a paper transporting part, and a paper outputting part. The
printer 16 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor
drum in the print engine with bitmap data supplied as print data,
develops it with toner, transfers the toner image onto a sheet,
fixes the toner image, and outputs the sheet. The printer 16 may
have a postprocessing device.
[0111] The scanner 17 is a device to input an image for copying and
facsimile transmission. The FAX modem 19 is a communicating device
for facsimile transmission and reception. The network interface 18
is connected to the LAN 33, and the FAX modem 19 is connected to a
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) not shown.
[0112] The IC card reader-writer 21 communicates wirelessly with an
IC card 23 placed within a communicable area to transmit and
receive signals, reads out an ID and a password of a user from the
IC card 23, and outputs them as authentication information used to
login the image forming apparatus 101. The MPU 11 reads this
output.
[0113] The timer 22 is used for detecting current time and for a
timer interruption to the MPU 11.
[0114] A USB memory 24 is capable of being connected to the port
20, and has a memory unit such as flash memory chip used to store a
data file to be printed.
[0115] In the image forming system shown in FIG. 6, the management
server 31 limits the total numbers of pages on respective user IDs.
The image forming apparatus 101 is configured to be capable of
performing section management in a standalone state. Therefore, the
PROM 13 of the image forming apparatus 101 stores a section
management program, a user table, and a section management table.
These tables are used when the section management program is
executed.
[0116] FIG. 3A shows a user table 35 stored in the PROM 13, and
FIG. 3B shows a section management table 36 stored in the PROM
13.
[0117] The user table 35 contains fields of a user ID, a password,
a user name, a section ID, and a user account type.
[0118] The section management table 36 contains fields of a section
ID, a password, limit numbers of pages, the total numbers of pages,
and so on. The number of pages here means the number of pages
processed in image forming, i.e. the number of pages printed on
sheets in printing or copying, the number of pages of which image
data are generated in scanning, or the number of transmitted pages
in facsimile transmission.
[0119] The limit numbers of pages are set corresponding to
respective job types such as printing (i.e. copying or printing),
image scanning, and facsimile transmission. For printing, the limit
numbers of pages are set corresponding to "monochrome" printing,
"color" printing, and "all" printing that includes monochrome
printing and color printing.
[0120] The section management table 36 contains fields of the total
numbers of pages and job restriction flags corresponding to the
respective limit numbers of pages. Fields of the job restriction
flags may be most significant bits in the respective fields of the
total numbers of pages.
[0121] In an initializing process when power supply is started to
the image forming apparatus 101, user information on a virtual user
with a normal user account is registered in the user table 35, and
section management information on a virtual section that the
virtual user belongs is registered in the section management table
36. The virtual user and the virtual section are included in
predetermined records, and may be an existing user and an existing
section.
[0122] FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram indicates hardware
configuration of the management server 31.
[0123] This hardware configuration is based on an ordinary computer
system. In the management server 31, an MPU 41 is connected via
interfaces 42 to a PROM 43, a DRAM 44, an HDD 45, an interactive
input device 46, a display device 47, and a network interface 48.
In FIG. 8, for simplicity, the interfaces 42 are depicted as one
block.
[0124] In the PROM 43, a BIOS and setting values of the BIOS have
been stored. The DRAM 44 is used for a main memory device of a
virtual memory system.
[0125] In the HDD 45, programs and data have been stored. The
programs and data cause a server machine to function as the
management server 31. A job log received from the image forming
apparatus 101 is also stored in the HDD 45.
[0126] The programs include an OS such as server OS or general OS,
a server program executable on the OS, and applications for
performing authentication, charge management, and usage
limitation.
[0127] The application for performing charge management includes a
charge information compression program mentioned below. The
application for performing usage limitation includes a program for
counting the total number of usage pages on a user ID upon
reception of a job log.
[0128] The data in the HDD 45 include a user table 34 and charge
unit price information not shown. The user table 34 includes a user
ID, a password, limit numbers of pages, the total numbers of pages
and so on that are related to each other as shown in FIG. 2.
[0129] The limit numbers of pages are set corresponding to
respective job types, and can be set as different values as well as
in the section management table 36 shown in FIG. 3B. The user table
34 contains fields of the total numbers of pages and job
restriction flags corresponding to the respective limit numbers of
pages as well as in the section management table 36.
[0130] FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram in the case that the client
201 causes the image forming apparatus 101 to execute a print job
in the system shown in FIG. 6. In the following part, a process for
executing a print job is explained without an explanation of data
encryption and decryption, for simplicity. [0131] (Step C0) a user
starts an application program on the client 201, makes a document,
and starts a printing manager of OS by choosing it in a printing
menu. Consequently, a printing dialog is displayed. A user sets job
information onto the printing dialog. The job information includes
a page size, monochrome/color setting, layout information, the
number of copies, a sheet type, and finisher setting information.
The layout information includes aggregate printing setting such as
"4 in 1," simplex/duplex, and so on. The sheet type indicates
normal paper, recycled paper, or the like. The finisher setting
information includes information on setting of postprocessing such
as stapling and punching. [0132] (Step C1) the user pushes down an
OK button on the printing dialog, and upon this user operation,
document data in the application is converted into a device
independent EMF (Enhanced Meta File) file, for example, by a GDI
(Graphic Device Interface) of the OS such as Windows (Registered
trademark), and the aforementioned job information is attached to
the EMF. [0133] (Step C2) upon Step C1, the network interface
driver is triggered, and a user authentication dialog is displayed
as a pop up dialog. The user inputs a user ID and a password as
authentication information into the dialog. [0134] (Step C3) the
user pushes down an OK button on the user authentication dialog,
and upon this user operation, the authentication information is
added into the job information. The EMF file attached the job
information is transmitted as device independent print job data via
the network interface 18 to the print server 30. [0135] (Step C4)
the print server 30 receives the device independent print job data,
extracts a user ID and a password in the job information from the
device independent print job data, and transmits the user ID and
the password with job type data (i.e. printing) to the management
server 31. [0136] (Step C5) the management server 31 retrieves the
user table 34 for a record that contains the user ID, and
determines whether or not the received password is the same as that
in the found record. If it is determined that the passwords are the
same, the management server 31 reads out values of the job
restriction flags Ft, Fm, and Fc of "all" (i.e. total of monochrome
and color), "monochrome" and "color" from the record. [0137]
Initial values of the job restriction flags are set as zero that
indicates permission of job execution. Mentioned below is a process
to set the values of the flags as 1 that indicates restriction of
job execution. [0138] (Step C6) if it is determined that the
passwords are the same (i.e. successful authentication), and Ft=0
and none of Fm and Fc is 1 (i.e. successful authorization), the
management server 31 assigns a job ID and a session ID. The session
ID is to identify a series of processes from login to logout of
this user. To the print server 30, the management server 31
transmits the job ID and the session ID with the result of
authentication and authorization, the limit numbers of pages on
printing and the total numbers of pages on printing. Otherwise, the
management server 31 transmits the result of authentication and
authorization to the print server 30. [0139] (Step C7) the print
server 30 transmits the result of authentication and authorization
to the image forming apparatus 101, as a response to the
transmission in Step C3. [0140] (Step C8) if the user
authentication results in success, the print server 30 puts the job
ID and the user ID that are related to each other into a job queue.
[0141] (Step C9) the print server 30 takes a job ID out of the job
queue in FIFO order, and inquires to one or more image forming
apparatuses corresponding to the job ID whether or not a job can be
received. [0142] (Step C10) if the print server 30 receives a
response from an image forming apparatus, and the response
indicates that a job can be received, the print server 30 converts
an EMF file and job information included in device independent
print job data of this job ID into data described in a device
dependent PDL (Page Description Language) and data described in a
device dependent PJL (Print Job Language), respectively. The print
server 30 attaches the session ID and the job ID to the converted
job information, and generates device dependent print job data by
combining them. [0143] (Step C11) the print server 30 transmits the
device dependent print job data to an image forming apparatus
corresponding thereto, e.g. the image forming apparatus 101 in this
embodiment. [0144] (Step C12) the image forming apparatus 101 puts
this job into a queue to keep the job in a waiting state, and
starts executing an image forming process of the job when the job
becomes in a ready state. The image forming apparatus 101 generates
a job log and performs total page usage limitation management while
it is executing the process. [0145] (Step C13) the image forming
apparatus 101 transmits the job log to the print server 30 when the
job is finished. [0146] (Step C14) the print server 30 transmits
the job log to the management server 31. [0147] (Step C15) to
indicate that the job log is received, the management server 31
transmits an acknowledgement to the print server 30.
[0148] The management server 31 assigns and writes a billing ID
BillingID to the received job log, and increases the total numbers
of pages of ALL, MONOCHROME and COLOR in the user table 34 by the
numbers of pages of ALL, MONOCHROME and COLOR processed in the job.
The numbers of pages are identified with the charge information in
the job log. Further, the management server 31 compares the total
numbers of pages with the respective limit numbers of pages, and
changes the job restriction flag of the total number to 1 if the
total number exceeds the limit number corresponding thereto.
[0149] FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram in the case that the image
forming apparatus 101 executes a copy job, a facsimile transmission
job, or a print job of a file stored in a USB memory according to a
user operation to the operation panel 15 on the image forming
apparatus 101. [0150] (Step C20) a user pushes down a start key to
make the image forming apparatus 101 be in a ready state, and a
user authentication screen is displayed as a pop up screen on the
operation panel 15. The user inputs a user ID and a password by
operating the operation panel 15. Instead of inputting manually, it
is possible to input them automatically by making the IC card 23
approach the IC card reader-writer 21. [0151] (Step C21) the image
forming apparatus 101 transmits the user ID and the password to the
management server 31. [0152] (Step C22) the management server 31
performs user authentication as mentioned above, and assigns a
session ID if the user authentication results in success. [0153]
(Step C23) if the user authentication results in success, the
management server 31 transmits the session ID with the
authentication result to the image forming apparatus 101. If the
user authentication results in failure, the server 31 transmits the
authentication result to the image forming apparatus 101. [0154]
(Step C24) if the user authentication results in success, the image
forming apparatus 101 allows the user to input a service request.
The user chooses a job type of a job to be executed, and inputs
setting information, then pushes down the start key to start the
job. [0155] (Step C25) upon the user operation, the image forming
apparatus 101 transmits the job type with the session ID to the
management server 31. [0156] (Steps C26 and C27) the management
server 31 receives them, assigns a job ID to the job, retrieves the
user table 34 shown in FIG. 2 for a record that contains the user
ID, reads out the limit numbers of pages, the total numbers of
pages, and the job restriction flags corresponding to the job from
the record, and transmits the limit numbers of pages, the total
numbers of pages, and the job restriction flags with the user ID to
the image forming apparatus 101. [0157] (Step C28) the image
forming apparatus 101 receives them; then it starts processing the
job as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0158] Steps S1 to SA in FIG. 1A are a process in terms of the
section management program. This process generates a job log of
every page when the page is finished printing, and limits the total
numbers of pages of a section ID corresponding to a section that
the user belongs not to exceed the limit numbers corresponding to
the section ID.
[0159] In Embodiment 1, a process of Step S0 in FIG. 1A has been
attached to the section management program, and therefore, the
section management program is effectually used as a user management
program. [0160] (Step S0) in preprocessing (as characteristic of
this technique), the image forming apparatus 101 overwrites a user
name in a record of "No=2" in the user table 35 with the user ID
used to the management server 31, and overwrites the one or more
limit numbers, the one or more total numbers and the one or more
job restriction flags corresponding to the job type in a record of
"No=1" (i.e. a record that contains the section ID contained in the
record of "No=2" in the user table 35) in the section management
table 36 with those received from the management server 31. For
example, if the job type is copying, overwritten are the limit
numbers of pages of "all", "monochrome" and "color", the total
numbers of pages corresponding thereto, and the job restriction
flags corresponding thereto. [0161] (Step S1) the image forming
apparatus 101 performs an automatic login to itself internally
using a user ID and a password in a record of "No=2" in the user
table 35 to allow job execution.
[0162] It should be noted that it is not favorable that a login
process is skipped in the program, since the program can be
modified to pass in login without authentication in terms of
reverse assembling and tracing.
[0163] In general, a user can pass in a login with only a user ID
without a password in some settings. However, in the aforementioned
Step C22, a user can not locally login the image forming apparatus
101 with only his/her user ID. Accordingly, prevented is
unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus 101 disconnected
from the management server 31.
[0164] As mentioned above, a user name in a record of No=2 in the
user table 35 is overwritten with the input user ID used for
authentication in the management server 31. Therefore, a set of a
user ID and a password that has been registered in the user table
35 can be used for whomever of users, and the user is identified
with the overwritten user name. [0165] (Step S2) job log
information common to all pages is written in the job log file 32
shown in FIG. 2. This common information includes a job ID, a
session ID, a user ID, and a job type (copying, printing, facsimile
transmission, or the like) that are identified with the received
job data. [0166] (Step S3) a job starting time and date StartTime
of the job is written in the job log file 32. StartTime is obtained
with referring to the timer 22. [0167] (Step S4) for example, for
copying, a value of monochrome/color setting is identified with
input on the operation panel 15, and the limit number and the total
number corresponding to the value (i.e. monochrome or color) are
compared, and the limit number and the total number corresponding
to "all" are compared. If none of these total numbers exceeds these
respective limit numbers, Step S5 is executed next; otherwise, Step
S9 is executed next. [0168] (Step S5) the image forming apparatus
101 controls a laser diode based on image data scanned from a
document to modulate a laser beam, forms an electrostatic latent
image on a photoconductor drum by partially removing electric
charge on the photoconductor with the laser beam, develops it with
toner, transfers the toner image onto a sheet, fixes the toner
image, and outputs the sheet onto a tray. [0169] (Step S6) the
image forming apparatus 101 writes charge information of one page
in the job log file. The charge information includes at least one
information block BLK. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the
information block BLK consists of the number of pages PageCount, a
color flag ColorFlag, a duplex printing flag DuplexFlag, a page
size PageSixe such as A3, A4, B4, B5, Letter, Ledger, Legal or the
like, and a sheet type such as normal paper, recycled paper, glossy
paper or the like. ColorFlag is set as either 1 in case of color or
zero in case of monochrome. DuplexFlag is set as either 1 for
duplex printing or zero for simplex printing. An information block
BLK of the first page is generated to contain all of these
components, and PageCount in it is set as 1. For the second page or
a page after the second page, if an existent information block is
the same as an information block of a current page except for
PageCount, PageCount in the existent information block is increased
by 1; otherwise, a new information block is generated of the
current page. [0170] (Step S7) the image forming apparatus 101
increases one or more total numbers corresponding to the job in the
section management table 36 by 1. For example, if the job type is
monochrome copying, the total numbers of pages of "all" and
"monochrome" are increased by 1, respectively. [0171] (Step S8) if
any page in the job has not been printed, Step S4 is executed next;
otherwise, Step SA is executed next. [0172] (Step S9) the image
forming apparatus 101 sets one or more job restriction flags
corresponding to the job as 1, indicates an excess over the limit
number of pages on the operation panel 15, and stops the job; then
it executes Step SA next. [0173] (Step SA) a job ending time and
date EndTime of the job is written in the job log file 32. EndTime
is obtained with referring to the timer 22. [0174] (Step SB, i.e.
Step C29 in FIG. 5) the image forming apparatus 101 transmits the
job log file 32 generated as mentioned above to the network
interface 48 of the management server 31 using a driver of the OS
and the network interface 18. [0175] (Step C30) the management
server 31 receives the job log, and transmits an acknowledgement to
the image forming apparatus 101.
[0176] The management server 31 assigns and writes a BillingID to
the received job log, and increases the total numbers of pages in
the user table 34 by the respective numbers of usage pages in the
job (in case of copying, the respective numbers of usage pages of
"all", "monochrome" and "color"). The numbers of pages are
identified with the charge information in the job log. Further, the
management server 31 compares the total numbers of pages with the
respective limit numbers of pages, and changes the job restriction
flag of the total number to 1 if the total number exceeds the limit
number corresponding thereto.
[0177] In Embodiment 1, a user name in a predetermined record in
the user table 35 is overwritten with the input user ID used for
authentication in the management server 31, a record that contains
a section ID contained by the predetermined record is identified in
the section management table 36, and one or more limit numbers, one
or more total numbers and one or more job restriction flags in the
record are overwritten with those received from the management
server 31. The image forming apparatus 101 locally performs an
automatic login of a user with the predetermined record to allow
job execution. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 101 causes a
user with a user ID of the management server 31 to pretend to be a
user with a local user ID of the image forming apparatus 101.
[0178] According to this non-complex configuration, the section
management program is effectually used as a user management
program. Therefore, simplified is software configuration of the
image forming apparatus that performs either section management or
user management according to its usage situation, and its product
cost is reduced.
Embodiment 2
[0179] Information on charge to printing includes information on
whether color printing or not, information on whether duplex
printing or not, a page size, and sheet type. Some jobs contain
both color printing and monochrome printing, or both duplex
printing and simplex printing, or different sheet sizes and types.
In these cases, when every page is finished printing, it is
determined whether or not charge information of the page is the
same as any of the existent information blocks BLK, and if charge
information of the page is different from all of the existent
information blocks BLK, a new information block BLK is generated of
the page. Therefore, processes to be executed when every page is
finished printing are complicated.
[0180] In FIG. 6, the image forming apparatuses 101 to 10m
sometimes stay in a waiting state due to job concentration. On the
other hand, processes in the management server 31 are relatively
light, and the management server 31 can perform the charge
management in an idle time.
[0181] Thus, it is favorable to the whole system that the
management server 31 shrinks the charge information that contains
the same parts corresponding to respective pages, rather than the
image forming apparatus 10i does it.
[0182] In Embodiment 2, the image forming apparatus 101 writes the
charge information of a page (i.e. page charge information
PageInfo) into a job log XML file 320 shown in FIG. 10 in the PROM
13 when every page is finished printing. "0" in the last line in
FIG. 10 is a code that indicates the end of the file.
[0183] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a part corresponding to a
process to generate page charge information in Embodiment 2 of this
invention. This process is executed instead of Step S6 of FIG. 1A.
[0184] (Step S50) the image forming apparatus 101 writes a starting
tag <PageInfo> of page charge information PageInfo in the job
log XML file 320. [0185] (Step S51) next to the tag, the image
forming apparatus 101 writes charge data of the page in the job log
XML file 320. The page charge information is the same as the
information block BLK shown in FIG. 1B except for PageCount, and
has a color flag, a duplex printing flag, a page size, and a sheet
type. [0186] (Step S52) next to the charge data (i.e. page
information for the charge), the image forming apparatus 101 writes
an ending tag </PageInfo> of the page charge information
PageInfo in the job log XML file 320.
[0187] According to this configuration, even if one job includes
both color printing and monochrome printing, or both duplex
printing and simplex printing, or different sheet sizes and types,
or a combination thereof, the image forming apparatus 101 only
writes PageInfo in the job log XML file 320 when every page is
finished printing.
[0188] Consequently, it is not complicated to generate a job log in
the image forming apparatus, process delay is prevented, and a cost
to configure the apparatus can be reduced.
[0189] As shown in FIG. 11, the management server 31 attaches the
page count PageCount next to the starting tag of PageInfo in the
received job log XML file, and sets the initial value of the page
count as 1 in order to generate a job log XML file 320A from the
received one. The image forming apparatus 101 may attach an item of
PageCount to the job log XML file.
[0190] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart that indicates a compression
process of charge information in a job log by the management server
31. [0191] (Step S10) the management server 31 sets the top address
of the first page charge information PageInfo to a variable X, and
sets the top address of the second page charge information PageInfo
to a variable Y. [0192] (Step S11) if [X]=[Y], Step S12 is executed
next; otherwise, Step S14 is executed next. Here, [X] means the
remaining part other than the page count in the page charge
information PageInfo that the top address is equal to X. [0193]
(Step S12) the management server 31 deletes the page charge
information PageInfo that the top address is equal to Y. [0194]
(Step S13) the management server 31 increases the page count
PageCount in the PageInfo that the top address is equal to X by
1.
[0195] By executing this process one time, the page charge
information PageInfo 52 is deleted and the page count PageCount of
the page charge information PageInfo 51 is changed to 2, if the
page charge information PageInfo 51 and PageInfo 52 is the same
except for the page counts PageCount. [0196] (Step S14) the
management server 31 sets the top address of next page charge
information PageInfo to the variable Y. [0197] (Step S15) if in
Step S14 the next page charge information PageInfo is not found,
Step S16 is executed next; otherwise, Step S11 is executed next.
[0198] (Step S16) the management server 31 sets the top address of
next page charge information PageInfo to the variable X. [0199]
(Step S17) if in Step S16 the next page charge information PageInfo
is not found, the compression process shown in FIG. 12 ends;
otherwise, Step S11 is executed next.
[0200] As a result, this process compresses the page charge
information in the job log XML file.
[0201] The management server 31 calculates a billing amount
BillingValue of this job based on the job log XML file and the
charge unit price information stored in the HDD 45, and writes the
billing amount in the job log XML file to generate a complete job
log XML file 320B as shown in FIG. 13.
[0202] The other processes in Embodiment 2 are the same as those in
Embodiment 1.
[0203] In Embodiment 2, for a job log XML file 320 received by the
management server 31, a page count is added to the page charge
information PageInfo, and the page charge information of k pages is
converted to that of one page with the page count of k if k parts
corresponding to k pages in the page charge information are the
same except for the page count. Therefore, it is unnecessary to
perform the data compression process in the image forming
apparatus, and consequently, process delay is prevented, and a cost
to configure the system can be reduced.
[0204] In addition, the image forming apparatus adds an item of a
page count (e.g. tags "<PageCount></PageCount>" without
a value) to page charge information, and consequently, processing
the charge information in a charge server (i.e. the management
server) is simplified.
Embodiment 3
[0205] When the management server 31 can not receive a job log due
to a power cut or a program crash in the management server 31 or
the image forming apparatus, a problem on a wired/wireless
connection, or the like, i.e. when the image forming apparatus does
not receive the acknowledgement in Step C30 of FIG. 5, in general,
the image forming apparatus repeatedly transmits the job log to the
management server 31 until it receives an acknowledgement.
Therefore, the image forming apparatus does not start executing a
next job until it receives an acknowledgement.
[0206] However, in Embodiment 3, if the image forming apparatus 101
does not receive an acknowledgement within a predetermined time
after transmitting a job log to the management server 31, it stores
the job log in the PROM 13 temporarily, and transmits the
temporarily stored job log (i.e. the unprocessed job log) with a
next job log to the management server 31 when a next job is
finished.
[0207] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of detailed processes in Steps C29
and C30 of FIG. 5. [0208] (Step S20) the image forming apparatus
101 determines whether or not at least one unprocessed job log is
stored in a buffer area 130 of the PROM 13 as shown in FIG. 15. If
it is determined that at least one unprocessed job log is stored,
Step S21 is executed next; otherwise, Step S22 is executed next.
[0209] (Step S21) the image forming apparatus 101 transmits one or
more job log XML files temporarily stored in the buffer area 130 to
the management server 31. [0210] (Step S22) the image forming
apparatus 101 transmits a job log XML file of the current job to
the management server 31. [0211] (Step S23) if the image forming
apparatus 101 receives an acknowledgement from the management
server 31 within a predetermined time after transmitting one or
more job log XML files, Step S24 is executed next; otherwise, Step
S25 is executed next. [0212] (Step S24) the image forming apparatus
101 deletes the job log XML file 320 of the current job, and one or
more job log stored in the buffer area 130; then the process shown
in FIG. 14 ends. [0213] (Step S25) the image forming apparatus 101
adds the job log XML file 320 of the current job into the buffer
area 130; then the process shown in FIG. 14 ends.
[0214] The other processes in Embodiment 3 are the same as those in
Embodiment 1 or 2.
[0215] In Embodiment 3, even if the management server 31 can not
receive a job log due to server down, disconnection in a
wired/wireless network, or the like, the image forming apparatus
keeps the job log in a storage device, and transmits the kept job
log to the management server 31 when transmitting a next job log of
a next job. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can immediately
handle a next process, and the management server 31 can perform
charge management.
[0216] It should be noted that the aforementioned processes can be
applied to processes in Steps C14 and C15 of FIG. 4.
Embodiment 4
[0217] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart in Embodiment 4 corresponding to
FIG. 14.
[0218] This flowchart has Steps S20A and S21A instead of Steps S20
to S22 in FIG. 14, and does not have any step same as Step S25 in
FIG. 14.
[0219] In FIG. 17, if the buffer area 130 contains the job logs
that have not been transmitted, nodes 320N to 322N are serially
linked to a pointer part of a headnote 320H, and the job log XML
files 320 to 322 are linked to respective data parts of the nodes
320N to 322N with pointers to the files 320 to 322. As a result, a
linked list is generated. The data parts may contain file names of
the files 320 to 322. The nodes 320N to 322N may be structure
variables that contain the pointer parts and the data parts, and
the data parts contain the job log XML files 320 to 322,
respectively. If the buffer area 130 does not contain any job logs,
the pointer part of the headnote 320H is set as zero. As a result,
a NULL liked list (i.e. without a reference) is generated.
[0220] In Step S20A, the job log XML file 320 of the current job is
liked to the linked list (or the headnote 320H).
[0221] In Step S21A, the image forming apparatus 101 reads out all
job logs from the list, and transmits the job logs to the
management server 31. If in Step S23 the image forming apparatus
101 does not receive an acknowledgement on the job logs from the
management server 31 within a predetermined time after transmitting
the job logs, a process like Step S25 is not executed here. On the
other hand, if in Step S23 the image forming apparatus 101 receives
the acknowledgement from the management server 31 within the
predetermined time, the linked list is deleted and the headnote
320H is set as zero.
[0222] The other processes in Embodiment 4 are the same as those in
Embodiment 3.
[0223] In Embodiment 4, the image forming apparatus 101 serially
links the job logs that have not been transmitted and a job log of
a finished current job, and transmits all the linked job logs to
the management server 31. Therefore, regardless of whether or not
the management server 31 can receive a job log from the image
forming apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 101 attaches a
job log of a current job to the unprocessed job log in the same
manner.
[0224] Consequently, processes in the management server 31 are not
complicated.
Embodiment 5
[0225] In general, when the management server 31 can not perform
user authentication due to a program crash, disorder on a
communication path, or the like, a user can not use the image
forming apparatuses 101 to 10m.
[0226] In the case that many users can choose and use whichever of
the image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus can not
store the user table 34 as shown in FIG. 2 of all user IDs in an
internal memory if the image forming apparatus does not has any
external storage devices, and the internal memory is not large
enough. In addition, even if the user table 34 can be stored in the
internal memory, since one of the users can use a plurality of
image forming apparatus, the total numbers of usage pages by the
user can not be obtained at one place.
[0227] However, probability that the management server 31 is not
available is generally very low.
[0228] In Embodiment 5, when the management server 31 is not
available for user authentication, the image forming apparatus 101
temporarily enables a user to use it under an assumption that the
user passed authentication. Afterward, when the management server
31 becomes available, the image forming apparatus 101 causes the
management server 31 to immediately perform ex post authentication
to prevent unauthorized use.
[0229] FIG. 20 shows a diagram that indicates authentication
information stored, as well as the case shown in FIG. 17, in the
buffer area 130 of the PROM 13 when user authentication in the
management server 31 is not available.
[0230] In FIG. 20, a structure variable 321C and a structure
variable 320C are serially linked to a headnote 320HA.
[0231] Each of the structure variables 320C and 321C has a link
part and a data part. Components of the data part are a temporal
job ID, a temporal session ID, a user ID, a password, and a login
attempting time and date LIDateTime. When the management server 31
is available, the management server 31 assigns a job ID and a
session ID. However, when the management server 31 is not
available, the image forming apparatus 101 assigns a temporal job
ID and a temporal session ID. A job log corresponding to the
structure variable 320C or 321C is related to the same temporal job
ID and the same temporal session ID. The login attempting time and
date is used for an administrator at the management server 31 to
confirm it. Initial values of the temporal job ID and the temporal
session ID are NUL, and the image forming apparatus 101 sets new
values to the temporal job ID and the temporal session ID only when
the management server 31 is not available for user authentication.
The management server 31 determines that ex post user
authentication is necessary, for example, if the temporal session
ID is not NUL.
[0232] In order to prevent the same temporal job IDs and same
temporal session IDs from being assigned in the image forming
apparatuses 101 to 10m, each of a temporal job ID and a temporal
session ID contains an identification code of the image forming
apparatus that assigns it.
[0233] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart that indicates a login process in
the image forming apparatus 101 in Embodiment 5. [0234] (Step S30)
a user inputs a user ID and a password by operating the operation
panel 15 or making the IC card 23 approach the IC card
reader-writer 21. [0235] (Step S31) the image forming apparatus 101
reads a current time and date from the timer 22. [0236] (Step S32)
the image forming apparatus 101 adds a new structure variable 320C
(i.e. an instance of it) into the authentication information list
in the buffer area 130 as shown in FIG. 20, and writes the user ID,
the password, and the login attempting time and date into the
variable. [0237] (Step S40) the image forming apparatus 101
executes the following process in Steps S41 to S53 shown in FIG.
19. [0238] (Step S41) the image forming apparatus 101 establishes a
TCP/IP connection with the management server 31. [0239] (Step S42)
if the connection is established successfully, Step S43 is executed
next; otherwise, Step S52 is executed next. [0240] (Step S43) the
image forming apparatus 101 transmits contents of the
authentication information list and the job log list stored in the
buffer area 130 to the management server 31. [0241] (Step S44) if
authentication results are received within a predetermined time
from the transmission of the lists, Step S45 is executed next. If
any authentication results are not received, Step S52 is executed
next. Here, it is not considered that only a part of authentication
results is not received. [0242] (Step S45) the image forming
apparatus 101 deletes all the structure variables serially linked
to the headnote 320HA in the buffer area 130. [0243] (Step S46) the
image forming apparatus 101 sets a timer interruption mask
mentioned below to prevent a timer interruption event from
occurring. [0244] (Step S47) if all the authentication results
indicate success, the authentication process shown in FIG. 18 ends.
Consequently, a user can input job information such as job type and
sheet size by operating the operation panel 15, and push down the
start key to start a job. If any of the authentication results
indicates failure, Step S48 is executed next. [0245] (Step S48) if
the start key has not been pushed down, Step S49 is executed next
for a job on a user ID of unsuccessful authentication. If the job
has been started, Step S50 is executed next for the job. If there
is a plurality of jobs on a user ID of unsuccessful authentication,
the jobs are processed as mentioned above, one by one, for example,
in the descending order of the login attempting time and date
LIDateTime. For simplicity, this detailed process is not depicted
in FIG. 19. [0246] (Step S49) the image forming apparatus 101
indicates a request of re-input of a user ID and a password on the
operation panel 15; then it executes Step S30 in FIG. 18 next.
[0247] (Step S50) if the job on a user ID of unsuccessful
authentication is being executed, Step S51 is executed next;
otherwise, Step S40 in FIG. 18 ends. [0248] (Step S51) the image
forming apparatus 101 displays a message on the operation panel 15
to indicate that the job being executed is stopped due to user
authentication failure; then it executes Step S49 next.
[0249] This process achieves ex post authentication immediately
when the management server 31 becomes available for user
authentication, and returns to an input screen of a user ID and a
password even if a job is being executed in case of authentication
failure. Therefore, unauthorized use can be minimized. [0250] (Step
S52) the image forming apparatus 101 assigns a temporal job ID and
a temporal session ID and writes them in the structure variable
320C added in Step S32. [0251] (Step S53) the image forming
apparatus 101 resets the timer interruption mask, and enables a
timer interruption event to occur.
[0252] This causes to repeatedly interrupt the MPU 11 at a time
interval preset to a register in the timer 22, and this timer
interruption starts the process shown in FIG. 19.
[0253] This process immediately transmits unprocessed
authentication information kept in the FAX modem 19 to the
management server 31.
[0254] FIG. 21 shows a flowchart that indicates an ex post
authentication process in the management server 31 that receives
the unprocessed authentication information transmitted in Step S43
of FIG. 19. [0255] (Step S60) if the management server 31 has
received a job log that contains a set of a job ID and a session ID
that are the same as a temporal job ID and a temporal session ID
included in the authentication information, Step S61 is executed
next; otherwise, Step S62 is executed next. [0256] (Step S61) the
management server 31 compresses the job log by executing a process
same as the process shown in FIG. 12, and executes the
aforementioned charge process based on the job log and the charge
unit price information. Further, as mentioned above, the management
server 31 determines whether or not the total number of pages
exceeds the limit number of pages, and sets the job restriction
flag if it determines that the total number of pages exceeds the
limit number of pages. [0257] (Step S62) the management server 31
ex post performs the aforementioned user authentication for the
unprocessed authentication information, and transmits a result of
the ex post authentication as a response to the image forming
apparatus 101 that transmits the unprocessed authentication
information. The image forming apparatus 101 receives it, and
executes the process in Step S44 of FIG. 19. [0258] (Step S63) if
the ex post authentication results in success, Step S64 is executed
next; otherwise, Step S68 is executed next. If there is a plurality
of authentication results, the authentication results are processed
in the same manner, one by one, for example, in the descending
order of the login attempting time and date LIDateTime. For
simplicity, this detailed process is not depicted in FIG. 21.
[0259] (Step S64) if there is a job log corresponding to the
authentication information, Step S65 is executed next; otherwise,
the ex post authentication process shown in FIG. 21 ends. [0260]
(Step S65) if the job restriction flag is 1, Step S66 is executed
next; otherwise, the ex post authentication process shown in FIG.
21 ends. [0261] (Step S66) the management server 31 generates email
that contains a message, a login attempting time and date in the
unprocessed authentication information, a device ID in the
unprocessed authentication information, and content of the job log.
A device name may be contained instead of the device ID, and the
device name can be converted from the device ID with referring to a
table not shown. The message indicates that the user is a
registered user, but the total number of pages has exceeded the
limit number of pages due to ex post authentication. [0262] (Step
S67) the management server 31 automatically transmits the email to
a predetermined administrator; then the process shown in FIG. 21
ends. [0263] (Step S68) if there is a job log corresponding to the
authentication information, Step S69 is executed next; otherwise,
Step S70 is executed next. [0264] (Step S69) the management server
31 generates email that contains a message, a login attempting time
and date in the unprocessed authentication information, a device ID
in the unprocessed authentication information, and content of the
job log. The message indicates that an unauthorized user made job
execution due to post authentication. Then, Step S67 is executed
next. [0265] (Step S70) the management server 31 generates email
that contains a message, a login attempting time and date in the
unprocessed authentication information, and a device ID in the
unprocessed authentication information. The message indicates that
an unauthorized user is making job execution due to post
authentication. Then, Step S67 is executed next.
[0266] In this process, the management server 31 performs processes
according to the ex post authentication result, whether or not
there is a job log, and whether or not the total number of pages
exceeds the limit number of pages. Therefore, if the image forming
apparatus 101 allows a user to use it when the management server 31
is not available for user authentication, most unauthorized use is
prevented, and the management server 31 can unitarily manage user
authentication, charge process, and so on.
[0267] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. For example, some modifications can be
considered as follows. [0268] (1) The job log may be described in
another format other than XML, and only one of a header (e.g. the
starting tag) and a footer (e.g. the ending tag) may be used for a
delimiter between two page parts in the page charge information.
[0269] (2) The image forming apparatus may transmit only a part
such as header of a job log at first, and may determine whether or
not an acknowledgement is received from the management server 31 in
order to determine whether or not the management server 31 can
receive the job log. [0270] (3) The management server 31 may be
configured as two separated servers, i.e. an authentication server
that performs a user authentication process and a charge server
that performs charge management. The image forming apparatus may
contain the charge server. One machine may contain the print server
30 and the management server 31. [0271] (4) The group ID may be a
code for identifying a group such as project team or class, other
than the section ID of a section. [0272] (5) A result of comparison
between the limit number of pages and the total number of pages may
be used instead of the job restriction flag. [0273] (6) In the
aforementioned embodiments, the limit number of usage and the total
number of usage are the limit number of pages and the total number
of pages. Alternatively, the number of usage may be the number of
sheets, the number of sheet bunches that a sheet bunch consists of
a predetermined number of sheets, or the like.
* * * * *