Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To ensure the security of respectively ejected recording paper ejected by an image forming apparatus for each of a plurality of users.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 includes: a communication part 14 for receiving a password CP associated with either a document image or each storage box 51 from an information processing device 30 through a network N; an image formation part 16 for forming the received document image on recording paper; and a control part 21 for storing the recording paper on which the document image is formed, in the storage box 51 associated with the received password CP, locking the storage box 51, and unlocking a lock of the storage box in the cases that a password CP inputted by a user matches a password CP associated with the storage box 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for storing recording paper on which an image is formed, and more particularly to a technique for ensuring the security of the stored recording paper.

Background Art

[0002] In a multifunction device as an example of an image forming apparatus, a current image is read by an image reading unit, or an image is received from an external terminal device, and the image is printed on recording paper. Here, in the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, a password is input from a host computer to the image forming apparatus to reserve a locked paper discharge tray, and recording paper on which a confidential document or the like is printed is stored in the reserved locked paper discharge tray. Then, when a password is input to the input operation unit of the image forming apparatus and the password input at the time of reserving the locked paper discharge tray matches the password input by the operation of the input operation unit, the locked paper discharge tray is unlocked to enable the recording paper stored in the locked paper discharge tray to be taken out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, recording paper is stored in a locked paper discharge tray to improve the security of the recording paper on which a confidential document or the like is printed. However, it is not possible to ensure the security of the recording paper discharged by each of a plurality of users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to ensure the security of the recording paper discharged by each of a plurality of users.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, a plurality of storage boxes each having a locking mechanism and being associated with user information for storing the recording sheet after image formation by the image forming unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an image to be formed and user information associated with any one of the plurality of storage boxes, an input unit for inputting user information, a transport unit that transports the recording sheet on which the image to be formed by the acquisition unit is formed into the plurality of storage boxes, and a control unit that locks the locking mechanism of the storage box associated with the acquired user information among the plurality of storage boxes and then causes the transport unit to transport the recording sheet. The control unit includes a control unit that unlocks the locking mechanism of the storage box when the user information input by the input unit matches the user information associated with the storage box that transported the recording sheet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the security of the recording sheets discharged by each of a plurality of users.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an image storage method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing system to which an image storage method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and the configurations of an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus in the image processing system. In the image processing system Sy of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 30 are connected through a network (such as an intranet) N.

[0010] In this image processing system Sy, the image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a touch panel 13, a communication unit 14, an image reading unit 15, an image forming unit 16, a biological sensor 17, a storage unit 18, and a control unit 19, etc. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals to and from each other through a bus.

[0011] The display unit 11 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, etc.

[0012] The touch panel 13 is overlaid on the screen of the display unit 11. The touch panel 13 detects a contact (touch) of a user's finger or the like on the touch panel 13 together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to the control unit 19. Thereby, operations such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen of the display unit 11 can be performed through the touch panel 13. Therefore, the touch panel 13 functions as an operation unit for inputting user operations on the screen of the display unit 11.

[0013] The operation unit 12 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad, an enter key, and a start key. The operation unit 12 receives various instructions corresponding to these operations.

[0014] The image reading unit 15 has an imaging element that optically reads an image of a document, and image data indicating the image of the document M is generated from the analog output of this imaging element. The image forming unit 16 prints the image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet.

[0015] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface equipped with a communication module such as a LAN chip. This communication unit 14 is connected to the information processing device 30 through a network (such as an intranet) N and performs data communication with the information processing device 30.

[0016] The biometric sensor 17 is, for example, a sensor that detects the fingerprint of a user, and is a known sensor such as an optical type, a capacitance type, an electric field strength measurement type, a pressure sensitive type, or a heat sensitive type.

[0017] The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various application programs and various data.

[0018] The control unit 19 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. This control unit 19 functions as a control unit 21 when the control program stored in the above ROM or storage unit 18 is executed by the above processor.

[0019] The control unit 21 is in charge of the overall control of the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the control unit 19 is connected to the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the touch panel 13, the communication unit 14, the image reading unit 15, the image forming unit 16, the biometric sensor 17, and the storage unit 18, etc. The control unit 21 controls the above respective components and performs transmission and reception of signals or data between the respective components.

[0020] The control unit 21 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes. Further, the control unit 21 has a function of controlling the display unit 11 and the communication unit 14.

[0021] In the image processing system Sy, the information processing apparatus 30 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and includes a display unit 31, an operation unit 32 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, a communication unit 34, a biological sensor 37, a storage unit 38, and a control unit 39. These components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other through a bus.

[0022] The communication unit 34 is, for example, a communication interface, and is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network N to transmit and receive data to and from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0023] The storage unit 38 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD or an HDD, and stores various application programs and various data.

[0024] The control unit 39 is composed of a processor, a RAM, a ROM, etc. When the control program stored in the above ROM or storage unit 38 is executed by the above processor, the control unit 39 functions as a control unit 41.

[0025] The control unit 41 is in charge of the overall control of the information processing apparatus 30. The control unit 39 is also connected to the display unit 31, the operation unit 32, the communication unit 34, the biological sensor 37, and the storage unit 38. The control unit 41 controls the above components and transmits and receives signals or data to and from the above components.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 10, the image reading unit 15 reads the image of the document M to generate image data indicating the image of the document M, or receives the image data indicating the image transmitted from the information processing apparatus 30 by the communication unit 14, and forms the image indicated by this image data on the recording paper by the image forming unit 16.

[0027] The image forming unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 3M for magenta, an image forming unit 3C for cyan, an image forming unit 3Y for yellow, and an image forming unit 3Bk for black. In any of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 8 from the paper feed unit 7 in the nip area N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0028] After that, the recording paper P is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 9, the toner image on the recording paper P is fixed by thermocompression bonding, and further the recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 22 through the discharge roller 23 or conveyed to the storage device 50 through the conveyance roller 24.

[0029] The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 controls the actuator of the switching claw provided upstream of the recording paper P in the conveyance direction from the discharge roller 23 and the conveyance roller 24, switches the position of the switching claw, and guides the recording paper P to the discharge roller 23 or the conveyance roller 24 by the switching claw.

[0030] The storage device 50 is provided with a plurality of storage boxes 51. These storage boxes 51 have an opening / closing lid 51A having a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking, and accommodate the recording paper on which an image is recorded by the image forming unit 16. Each opening / closing lid 51A of each storage box 51 is marked with a respective storage identifier ID for the user to distinguish and identify each storage box 51. For example, each storage box 51 is given a respective simple name (first row, second row, third row, etc.), and these simple names are set as the storage identifier IDs of each storage box 51.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the storage device 50. In FIG. 3, the recording paper P on which an image is recorded by the image forming unit 16 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow through the conveyance path 52. A pair of conveyance rollers 28 for conveying the recording paper is provided on the conveyance path 52. This conveyance path 52 is bent obliquely downward during the conveyance of the recording paper P. Each storage box 51 is arranged along the inclined portion bent obliquely downward of the conveyance path 52 and is stacked one above the other. The recording paper inlet of each storage box 51 faces the conveyance path 52 side, and respective switching claws 53 are provided at these recording paper inlets. Each switching claw 53 is rotatably supported about its respective shaft 54 and is rotationally driven by its respective actuator 55, and is reciprocally rotated and switched in the horizontal direction as shown by the solid line or obliquely upward as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. These actuators 55 are operationally controlled by the control unit 21.

[0032] Here, when all the switching claws 53 are switched horizontally as shown by the solid line, the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 52 is introduced into and stored in the uppermost first storage box 51. Also, when only the uppermost first switching claw 53 is switched obliquely upward as shown by the alternate long and short dash line, the recording paper P is introduced into and stored in the second storage box 51. Further, when the first and second switching claws 53 are switched obliquely upward as shown by the alternate long and short dash line, the recording paper P is introduced into and stored in the third storage box 51. Similarly, when the first to n (n is an integer)th switching claws 53 are switched obliquely upward as shown by the alternate long and short dash line, the recording paper P is introduced into and stored in the (n + 1)th storage box 51.

[0033] In addition, each storage box 51 is provided with an opening / closing lid 51A on its side wall. An electronic lock 57 is provided on each opening / closing lid 51A of each storage box 51. For each opening / closing lid 51A of each storage box 51, when the electronic lock 57 is locked, the opening of the opening / closing part 35A becomes impossible, and when the electronic lock 57 is unlocked, the opening of the opening / closing lid 51A becomes possible. The electronic lock 57 is a known one including, for example, a solenoid and a plunger. From each storage box 51, the internal recording paper can be taken out only when the opening / closing lid 51A is opened.

[0034] In addition, for each storage box 51, a fullness sensor 58 is provided to detect whether the storage box 51 is full of each recording paper P stored therein. The fullness sensor 58 is, for example, a reflection type distance sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element using the principle of triangulation. The light of the light emitting element is incident obliquely on the surface of the uppermost recording paper P stored in the storage box 51, and the light reflected by the surface is received by the light receiving element. Based on the light receiving position in the light receiving element, the distance from the fullness sensor 58 to the surface of the uppermost recording paper P is measured.

[0035] When any of the storage identifiers ID of each storage box 51 is instructed, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 individually controls each actuator 55 to switch each switching claw 53 to either the horizontal direction or the obliquely upward direction, and introduces the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 52 into the storage box 51 with the instructed storage identifier ID.

[0036] In addition, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 keeps the electronic lock 57 of the opening / closing lid 51A of each storage box 51 locked at all times. As a result, it is impossible to take out the recording paper P from each storage box 51. When any of the storage identifiers ID of each storage box 51 is instructed, the control unit 21 unlocks the electronic lock 57 of the storage box 51 with the instructed storage identifier ID. By this unlocking, the opening / closing lid 51A can be opened, and the recording paper P can be taken out from this storage identifier ID.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether each storage box 51 is full based on the distance to the surface of the uppermost recording paper P measured by the full sensor 58 for each storage box 51.

[0038] Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, the user sets a document on the image reading unit 15 and operates the start key of the operation unit 12. When a copy operation execution instruction is input to the operation unit 12 by this operation, the control unit 21 causes the image reading unit 15 to read the image of the document, and causes the image forming unit 16 to form the document image obtained by the document reading on the recording paper P as an image to be printed, and discharges the recording paper P after image formation to the paper discharge tray 22 through the discharge roller 23.

[0039] Also, in the information processing apparatus 30, the user instructs an image to be printed on the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 41 causes the image to be printed to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network N via the communication unit 34.

[0040] In the image forming apparatus 10, when the image to be printed is received by the communication unit 14, the control unit 21 causes the image to be printed to be formed on the recording paper P by the image forming unit 16, and discharges the recording paper P to the paper discharge tray 22 through the discharge roller 23.

[0041] Furthermore, when the user of the information processing apparatus 30 transmits the image to be printed to the image forming apparatus 10, the user operates a keyboard or a pointing device of the operation unit 32 to input a password CP associated with any one of the storage boxes 51 of the storage device 50 of the image forming apparatus 10, and an instruction for a storage mode for storing the recording paper after image formation in the storage box 51. In this case, the control unit 41 causes the image to be printed, the input password CP, and the instruction for the storage mode to be transmitted from the communication unit 34 to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network N.

[0042] In the image forming apparatus 10, when the communication unit 14 receives a print target image indicating the image of the document, a password CP, and an instruction for the storage mode, the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 16 to form the print target image on the recording paper P, and causes the recording paper P to be conveyed to the storage device 50 by the conveying rollers 24 and 28 as a conveying unit. Then, the control unit 21 controls the operation of the actuator 55 and the switching claw 53 to convey the recording paper P to the storage box 51 associated with the password CP in the storage device 50.

[0043] Since the electronic lock 57 of the storage box 51 is locked for the recording paper P that has entered and is stored in the storage box 51, the confidentiality of the recording paper P after image formation is maintained.

[0044] In addition, each time the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes a print job of forming a print target image on the recording paper P, the control unit 21 generates print job data rd indicating the execution date and time of the print job, the number of sheets of the recording paper P, etc., updates the history information RD of the print job formed by sequentially recording this print job data rd, and stores the history information RD of this print job in the storage unit 18.

[0045] However, when the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 carries the recording paper P on which the image of the document is formed into the storage box 51, at the time when the electronic lock 57 of this storage box 51 is unlocked, the print job data rd of the image of this document is recorded in the history information RD of the print job, and the history information RD of the print job is updated. Therefore, until the recording paper P on which the image of the document is formed becomes retrievable from the storage box 51, the print job data rd of the image of this document is not recorded in the history information RD of the print job.

[0046] To implement the above storage mode, a management table MD as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10. In the management table MD shown in FIG. 4, the names SN of a plurality of users, the email addresses AD of each user, the passwords CP of each user, the biometric information BI of each user, and the storage identifiers ID of the respective storage boxes 51 are stored in association with each other. The user's password CP and biometric information BI are associated with the storage identifier ID indicating one storage box 51, and correspond to the user information in the claims.

[0047] The name SN, email address AD, password CP, and biometric information BI of the user are different for each user.

[0048] Also, the storage identifier ID indicating one storage box 51 can be associated with the names SN, email addresses AD, passwords CP, and biometric information BI of a plurality of users. In this case, the storage identifier ID indicating one storage box 51 is shared among the users, and a plurality of recording papers on which the images of the manuscripts of each user are formed are stored in the storage box 51 with one storage identifier ID.

[0049] Next, a control procedure for storing the name SN, email address AD, password CP, biometric information BI, and storage identifier ID of the user in the management table MD in the storage unit 18 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

[0050] In the image forming apparatus 10, the user operates the GUI and touch panel 13 or the operation unit 12 displayed on the display unit 11 to input the name SN, email address AD, and password CP of the user. The control unit 21 acquires the input name SN, email address AD, and password CP of the user (S101).

[0051] Also, the user causes the biometric sensor 17 to detect his / her fingerprint. The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 generates biometric information BI indicating the user's fingerprint based on the detection output of the biometric sensor 17 (S102).

[0052] Also, the user operates the GUI and touch panel 13 or the operation unit 12 displayed on the display unit 11 to input an instruction to display the storage identifier ID of each storage box 51. The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 reads the storage identifier ID of each storage box 51 from the management table MD in the storage unit 18 according to the instruction, and displays the storage identifier ID of each storage box 51 on the screen of the display unit 11 (S103). The user selects any one of the storage identifier IDs displayed on the display unit 11 by a touch operation or an operation of the operation unit 12. The control unit 21 receives any one of the storage identifier IDs received by the touch panel 13 or the operation unit 12 by the operation (104).

[0053] When the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the user's name SN, email address AD, and password CP in S101, generates the biometric information BI indicating the user's fingerprint in S102, and acquires the storage identifier ID in S104, it associates these and stores them in the management table MD in the storage unit 18 (S105), and updates the management table MD.

[0054] Next, the control procedure for setting the above storage mode and storing the recording paper P on which the image of the original has been formed in the storage box 51 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the like.

[0055] In the information processing apparatus 30, the user (i) operates a keyboard or a pointing device of the operation unit 32 to input an instruction for the storage mode and the password CP, or (ii) inputs a transmission instruction to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to transmit an image to be printed without inputting an instruction for the storage mode and the password CP. The control unit 41 causes the communication unit 34 to transmit the image to be printed, the instruction for the storage mode, and the password CP to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network N ((i) case), or causes the communication unit 34 to transmit the image to be printed to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network N ((ii) case).

[0056] In the image forming apparatus 10, in case (i), the image to be printed, the instruction for the storage mode, and the password CP are received by the communication unit 14, and in case (ii), the image to be printed is received by the communication unit 14 (S201).

[0057] When the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the image to be printed but does not receive the instruction for the storage mode and the password CP (S202 “No”), the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 16 to form the image to be printed on the recording paper P, and discharges the recording paper P to the paper discharge tray 22 through the discharge roller 23 (S203). The control unit 21 generates print job data rd (execution date and time of the print job, number of sheets of the recording paper P, etc.) for the print job of the image to be printed (S204), records this print job data rd in the history information RD of the print jobs stored in the storage unit 18, and updates the history information RD of the print jobs (S205). After that, the process ends.

[0058] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the image to be printed is received and the instruction for the storage mode and the password CP are not received, the image to be printed is formed on the recording paper P, and this recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 22.

[0059] On the other hand, when the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the image to be printed and the instruction for the storage mode and the password CP (S202 “Yes”), the control unit 21 compares the received password CP with each password CP in the management table MD in the storage unit 18. When the received password CP does not match any of the password CPs in the management table MD, the received password CP is not approved (S206 “No”), and the image to be printed received in S201 is discarded (S207). After that, the process ends.

[0060] In addition, when the received password CP matches any of the passwords CP in the management table MD, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 approves the received password CP (S206 “Yes”), searches the management table MD in the storage unit 18 for the storage identifier ID associated with the approved password CP, and identifies and selects the storage box 51 of this storage identifier ID (S208).

[0061] Based on the distance to the surface of the uppermost recording paper P measured by the full sensor 58 of the storage box 51 selected in S208, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the storage box 51 is full (S209).

[0062] For example, when the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the storage box 51 selected in S208 is full (S209 “Yes”), it discards the image data indicating the image of the original received in S201 (S210). Then, the control unit 21 refers to the management table MD in the storage unit 18, searches for and reads out the user's email address AD associated with the password CP authenticated in S206 (S211). The control unit 21 creates an email addressed to this read email address AD, attaches an error message to the email stating that the image of the original was not formed on the recording paper because the storage box 51 was full, and causes this email to be transmitted from the communication unit 14 through the network N (S212). After this, the process ends.

[0063] In this case, regarding the print job for printing the image to be printed, the print job data rd is not recorded in the history information RD of the print jobs stored in the storage unit 18, and the history information RD of the print jobs is not updated.

[0064] The above email is received by a user who holds the destination email address AD using an information processing device such as a PC. Thereby, the user recognizes that the image to be printed was not formed on the recording paper.

[0065] Further, when the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the storage box 51 selected in S208 is not full (S209 "No"), the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 16 to form the image to be printed on the recording paper P, and conveys the recording paper P to the storage device 50 through the conveyance rollers 24 and 28 (S213).

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 21 individually controls each actuator 55 in the storage device 50 in order to guide the recording paper P on which the image to be printed is formed to the storage box 51 selected in S208, switches each switching claw 53 to either the horizontal direction or the diagonally upward direction, and loads the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 52 into the selected storage box 51 (S214).

[0067] At this time, the control unit 21 generates print job data rd for the print job of the image to be printed. However, at this point, the print job data rd is not recorded in the print job history information RD, and the print job history information RD is not updated.

[0068] Therefore, when the image to be printed, the instruction of the storage mode, and the password CP are received, the password CP is approved, and the storage box 51 of the storage identifier ID associated with the password CP is not full, the image to be printed is formed on the recording paper P, and this recording paper P is introduced into and stored in the storage box 51 of the storage identifier ID.

[0069] Note that at this point, the electronic lock 57 of the opening / closing lid 51A of each storage box 51 in the storage device 50 is locked, and the removal of the recording paper P from each storage box 51 is prohibited.

[0070] Next, a control procedure for taking out the recording paper P on which the image of the original is formed from the storage box 51 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the like.

[0071] The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the display unit 11 to display a function selection screen GS as shown in FIG. 8, for example. On this function selection screen GS, a plurality of function keys 71a to 71h and the like associated with the respective functions are displayed.

[0072] At this time, when the user touches the function key 71h associated with the storage function, the control unit 21 receives a storage release execution instruction through the touch panel 13 (S301). At this time, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 11 to display a biometric information input instruction screen G1 as shown in FIG. 9 as an example (S302). On the biometric information input instruction screen G1, a message E1 prompting the fingerprint to be detected by the biometric sensor 17 and a password key K21 for selecting a password CP instead of the fingerprint are displayed.

[0073] For example, the user looks at the message E1 on the biometric information input instruction screen G1 and causes the biometric sensor 17 to detect his / her fingerprint. The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 waits for the detection of the fingerprint by the biometric sensor 17 (S303 “No”), and also waits for the detection of a touch operation on the password key K21 by the touch panel 13 (S304 “No”).

[0074] When the control unit 21 detects a fingerprint by the biometric sensor 17 (S303 “Yes”), it generates biometric information BI indicating the user's fingerprint based on the detection output of the biometric sensor 17 (S305). Then, the control unit 21 compares the generated biometric information BI with each biometric information BI in the management table MD in the storage unit 18, and if the generated biometric information BI does not match any of the biometric information BI in the management table MD, it does not approve the generated biometric information BI (S306 “No”), and the process ends.

[0075] Further, when the biological information BI generated in S305 matches any of the biological information BI in the management table MD, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 approves this generated biological information BI (S306 "Yes"), refers to the management table MD in the storage unit 18, searches for and reads out the storage identifier ID associated with this approved biological information BI, and identifies and selects the storage box 51 of this storage identifier ID (S307).

[0076] Then, the control unit 21 unlocks the electronic lock of this storage box 51 (S308). As a result, the recording paper P can be taken out from this storage box 51. Then, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 11 to display a notification screen G2 as shown in FIG. 10 (S309). On the notification screen G2 shown in FIG. 10, the storage identifier ID of the storage box 51 selected in S306 and a message E2 indicating that the recording paper P can be taken out from this storage box 51 are displayed. When the removal of the recording paper P from this storage box 51 is permitted, the user opens the opening / closing lid 51A of the storage box 51 on which the storage identifier ID is written after seeing the storage identifier ID and the message E1, and takes out the recording paper P on which the image of the original document is formed from the storage box 51.

[0077] As described above, since the control unit 21 stores the print job data rd of the image of the original document recorded on the recording paper P in the storage box 51 in the storage unit 18 in step 205, the control unit 21 reads out this print job data rd from the storage unit 18, records it in the history information RD of the print job, and updates the history information RD of the print job (S310). After that, the process ends.

[0078] Further, when the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives an instruction to display a password input screen based on a touch operation on the password key K21 via the touch panel 13 (in S303, "No"; in S304, "Yes"), it causes the display unit 11 to display a password input screen G3 as shown in FIG. 11 (S311). On the password input screen G3, a text box T11 in which the password CP is displayed, an OK key K21, an unclear key K22 indicating that the password CP is unclear, and a soft keyboard SB are displayed.

[0079] The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the password CP input via the touch panel 13 based on the operation of the soft keyboard SB by the user to be displayed in the text box T11. After that, when a confirmation instruction for the input password is input via the touch panel 13 based on the operation of the OK key K21 by the user (in S312, "Yes"), the control unit 21 compares the input password CP with each password CP in the management table MD in the storage unit 18. If the input password CP does not match any of the passwords CP in the management table MD, the input password CP is not approved (in S315, "No"). After that, the process ends. In this case, none of the storage boxes 51 are unlocked, and the locked state is maintained.

[0080] Further, when the input password CP matches any of the passwords CP in the management table MD, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 approves the input password CP (in S315, "Yes"), searches for and reads out the storage identifier ID associated with the approved password CP, and selects the storage box 51 of this storage identifier ID (S316). Then, the control unit 21 unlocks the electronic lock of this storage box 51 (S308) and causes the display unit 11 to display the notification screen G2 shown in FIG. 10 (S309). This storage box 51 becomes in a state where the recording paper P stored inside can be taken out.

[0081] In S205, the control unit 21 causes the storage unit 18 to store print job data rd for the print job of the image formation. The control unit 21 reads the print job data rd from the storage unit 18, records it in the history information RD of the print job, and updates the history information RD of the print job (S310). After that, the process ends.

[0082] Also, when the user forgets the password CP, the user touches the unknown key K22. When the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a password notification instruction associated with a touch operation on the unknown key K22 via the touch panel 13 (S312 “No”, S313 “Yes”), the control unit 21 executes a process for notifying the user of the user's password CP (S317).

[0083] For example, when the user's name SN, email address AD, and password CP are stored in the management table MD according to the control procedure shown in FIG. 5, and a secret keyword (e.g., the name of the first pet) instructed by the user is associated with the password CP and stored in the management table MD, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the display unit 11 to display a keyword input screen G4 as shown in FIG. 12(A).

[0084] On the input screen G4, a text box T21 in which the input secret keyword is displayed, an OK key K21, and a soft keyboard SB are displayed. When the user inputs the secret keyword by operating each key of the soft keyboard SB and performs a touch operation on the OK key K21, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the input secret keyword through the touch panel 13, refers to the management table MD in the storage unit 18, and if the input secret keyword is stored in the management table MD, generates a release code, searches for and reads out the user's mail address AD associated with the secret keyword, creates an e-mail addressed to the read mail address AD, attaches the generated release code to the e-mail, and causes the communication unit 14 to transmit the e-mail through the network N. The user recognizes the release code by receiving the e-mail with an information processing apparatus such as a PC using the information processing apparatus.

[0085] Furthermore, after transmitting the above e-mail, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the display unit 11 to display a release code input screen G5 as shown in an example in FIG. 12(B). On the release code input screen G5, a text box T22 in which the input release code is displayed, an OK key K21, and a soft keyboard SB are displayed. When the user touches and operates each key of the soft keyboard SB to input the release code and performs a touch operation on the OK key K21, the control unit 21 receives the input release code through the touch panel 13. If the input release code matches the generated release code, the control unit 21 reads out the password CP associated with the input secret keyword from the management table MD and causes an e-mail including the password CP to be transmitted to the destination indicated by the mail address AD (S318 "Yes"). After this, the process returns to S311.

[0086] On the other hand, if the input release code does not match the generated release code, the control unit 21 does not cause the e-mail including the password CP to be transmitted (S318 "No"). After this, the process ends.

[0087] Thus, in the image processing system Sy of this embodiment, the image to be printed, the instruction of the storage mode, and the password CP associated with any one of the storage boxes 51 are transmitted from the information processing device 30 to the image forming device 10. The image forming unit 16 of the image forming device 10 forms the image to be printed on the recording paper P, and this recording paper P is carried into the storage box 51 with the storage identifier ID associated with the password CP, and the electronic lock 57 of the storage box 51 is not unlocked until the fingerprint or password CP of the user is approved. Therefore, the security of the recording paper P after image formation can be ensured.

[0088] Also, in the management table MD, the storage identifier ID indicating one storage box 51 is associated with the names SN, email addresses AD, passwords CP, and biometric information BI of a plurality of users, and one storage box 51 is shared among a plurality of users. For example, for each user in the same group, each recording paper formed by the instruction of a plurality of users can be stored in one storage box 51. In this case, the storage box 51 is likely to be full, but when the full sensor 58 detects that the storage box 51 has become full with each recording paper P stored in the storage box 51, the control unit 21 does not cause the image forming unit 16 to form the image to be printed on the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent paper jams caused by the storage box 51 being full.

[0089] Also, even after the recording paper P after image formation is carried into the storage box 51 and the image formation process for the recording paper P is completed, the print job data rd is not recorded in the print job history information RD until the electronic lock 57 of the storage box 51 is released, that is, until the recording paper P can be taken out from the storage box 51. Therefore, when the user views the print job history information RD, the user will not mistakenly think that the print job has been completed and the recording paper P after image formation has already been obtained, and it is possible to make the user have the intention to perform the operation to obtain the recording paper P after image formation.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the image processing system Sy including the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 30 has been exemplified. However, a server that performs data communication with the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 30 through the network N may be provided, and the management table MD may be stored in this server. In this case, the processes of S101 to S104 shown in FIG. 5 are performed on the image forming apparatus 10 side, and the user's name SN, email address AD, password CP, biometric information BI, and storage identifier ID are set, and these are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the server through the network N to store the management table MD in the server. Further, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs data communication with the server through the network N by the communication unit 14, and refers to the user's name SN, email address AD, password CP, biometric information BI, and storage identifier ID stored in the management table MD.

[0091] Further, a biometric sensor 37 may be provided in the information processing apparatus 30, and the processes of S101 to S104 shown in FIG. 5 are performed on the information processing apparatus 30 side, and the user's name SN, email address AD, password CP, biometric information BI, and storage identifier ID are set, and these are transmitted from the communication unit 34 of the information processing apparatus 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 or the above-described server through the network N, and may be stored in the server in the management table MD.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, fingerprint authentication is exemplified as biometric information, but other biometric information such as voiceprint authentication, face authentication, or iris authentication may be used.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The configuration and processing of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 are merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Display unit 12 Operation unit 13 Touch panel 14 Communication Unit 15 Image Reading Unit 16 Image Forming Unit 17 Biosensor 18 Memory Unit 19 Control Unit 21 Control Section 30 Information Processing Apparatus 31 Display Section 32 Operation Section 34 Communication Unit 37 Biosensor 38 Memory Unit 39 Control Unit 41 Control Section 50 Storage Device 51 Storage Box

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; A plurality of storage boxes each having a locking mechanism, which are associated with different user information and store the recording sheets after image formation by the image forming unit; An acquisition unit that acquires an image to be formed and user information associated with any one of the plurality of storage boxes; An input unit for inputting user information; A conveyance unit that conveys the recording sheet on which the image to be formed, acquired by the acquisition unit, is formed into the plurality of storage boxes; A control unit that locks the locking mechanism of the storage box associated with the acquired user information among the plurality of storage boxes, and then causes the conveyance unit to convey the recording sheet on which the image to be formed is formed; The control unit includes a control unit that unlocks the locking mechanism of the storage box when the user information input by the input unit matches the user information associated with the storage box that has conveyed the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus.

2. The acquisition unit is associated with one or more pieces of user information associated with each storage box, The control unit unlocks the locking mechanism of the storage box when the user information input by the input unit matches any of the user information associated with the storage box that has conveyed the recording sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit does not cause the image forming unit to form the image to be formed on the recording sheet when the storage box associated with the user information acquired by the acquisition unit is in a full state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit completes all image formation on the recording paper by the image forming unit based on the print job, and after transporting all the recording papers after image formation to the storage box associated with the user information, and further unlocking the lock mechanism of the storage box, the control unit performs a process of storing history information indicating completion of the print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The user information is biometric information or a password of the user, In the input unit, biometric information or the password of the user is input. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images