Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

To print the number of sheets within a range where the number of actually printed sheets does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets among the number of printed sheets of a print job.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a first control unit configured to, when the number of printed sheets of the print job exceeds the upper limit number of sheets after printing, perform control to print the number of sheets within a range in which the number of printed sheets does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets among the number of printed sheets of the print job, and perform control to store the print job of the portion that is not printed among the number of printed sheets of the print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) and copiers that have functions such as copying, printing, scanning, and facsimile have become widespread and developed for a wide range of uses, from business to personal. As user needs become more diverse, the content of maintenance contracts for such image forming devices has also become more diverse.

[0003] Traditionally, the mainstream billing system was a counter system in which users purchased an image forming device and paid a fee for the number of pages printed, allowing them to receive maintenance services including the purchase of consumables such as toner.

[0004] However, in recent years, a billing system called a subscription system has become popular, which allows users to receive maintenance services, including for consumables such as toner, within the scope of the basic fee paid initially, without purchasing an image forming device.

[0005] When signing a subscription-based maintenance contract, for example, the contract may state that "up to 1,000 pages per month can be printed within the scope of the initial basic fee paid." If a user signs such a maintenance contract and prints 1,100 pages per month, they will have to pay an additional fee for 100 pages.

[0006] Patent document 1 discloses a method for preventing unintentional exceeding of the contracted limit by displaying on a screen whether printing is possible or not when a print instruction is given that would exceed the contracted limit, thereby confirming the user's intention to print. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-124342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] When a print job that exceeds the contracted limit is sent to an image forming device, users who do not want to pay the additional fee will give up on printing even if there are still pages that can be printed. For example, if the remaining number of pages that can be printed within the fixed payment limit is 100, even if a user instructs to print a 110-page document, the printing cannot be completed within the period unless the user agrees to incur the additional fee. In such a case, the user will have to print again next period, leaving the remaining number of pages that can be printed, which can lead to user dissatisfaction.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to enable the number of sheets printed in a print job to be printed within a range in which the number of sheets actually printed does not exceed the upper limit number. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The image forming device has a first control means that, when printing the number of sheets of a print job causes the number of sheets actually printed to exceed an upper limit, controls the number of sheets of the print job to be printed so that the number of sheets actually printed does not exceed the upper limit, and controls the print job to store the portion of the print job that is not printed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to print a number of sheets within a range in which the number of sheets actually printed in a print job does not exceed the upper limit number. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of processes when the contract upper limit number is exceeded. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display that prompts a user to store a job when the contracted upper limit number of sheets has been exceeded. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display for confirming the intention to print in excess of the contract upper limit number of sheets. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for printing a stored job. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display for confirming the intention to print a stored job. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Examples of contract types] The image forming apparatus (multifunction peripheral) according to this embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, a subscription-type maintenance contract for the multifunction peripheral is concluded, under which maintenance services, including consumables, are provided for a basic fee as long as printing is performed within a set maximum number of pages within one counting period. For example, a contract is concluded under which a monthly fee is paid with a maximum number of 1,000 pages printed per month, and the maximum number of pages is registered in the multifunction peripheral. Furthermore, the number of pages actually printed is reset after one counting period has elapsed.

[0014] [Configuration of image forming device] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 100 has an original reading unit 101, an operation panel unit 102, an image forming unit 103, a conveying unit 104, a FAX sending / receiving unit 105, a network sending / receiving unit 106, an image processing unit 108, and a storage unit 109. These units are connected to a control unit 107, which controls the operation of each of these units.

[0015] The document reading unit 101 can recognize documents one by one using a scanner provided in the image forming apparatus 100, read an image within a predetermined range corresponding to the recognized size, and generate image data.

[0016] The operation panel unit 102 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, and an input unit for inputting instructions related to printing, such as a start key and a numeric keypad. A user operates the operation panel unit 102 to execute instructions for various jobs.

[0017] The image forming unit 103 includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure unit, a development unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, etc. The exposure unit exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The development unit uses toner to form a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. The transfer unit transfers the formed toner image to a recording medium (e.g., paper). The fixing unit fixes the toner image by heating the recording medium onto which it has been transferred.

[0018] The conveying unit 104 includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a discharge roller. The paper feed roller feeds the recording medium onto a transport path. The transport roller transports the recording medium fed onto the transport path to the image forming unit 103. The discharge roller discharges the recording medium onto a stack tray after recording has been performed by the image forming unit 103.

[0019] FAX transmission / reception unit 105 transmits and receives facsimiles and is connected to a telephone line or the like. FAX transmission / reception unit 105 outputs received image data directly from image forming unit 103 or stores the received image data as job data 109-1 to 109-n in storage unit 109. FAX transmission / reception unit 105 also transmits job data 109-1 to 109-n of a FAX transmission job received from terminal 111 operated by user 110 by facsimile instead of outputting the job data from image forming unit 103. FAX transmission / reception unit 105 also transmits print job data 109-1 to 109-n stored in storage unit 109 by facsimile in response to an instruction from user 110.

[0020] The network transmitting / receiving unit 106 can transmit to and receive from the terminal 111 via the network.

[0021] The image processing unit 108 is a control and calculation unit such as a CPU. The image processing unit 108 is a means for performing predetermined image processing on image data, and performs various types of image processing, such as image improvement processing by enlargement / reduction, density adjustment, and gradation adjustment. The image processing unit 108 can also store the image read by the document reading unit 101 in a storage unit 109.

[0022] The storage unit 109 is a storage unit that uses a storage medium such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 109 stores image data scanned by the document reading unit 101, image data that has been image-processed by the image processing unit 108, print data transmitted from the terminal 111, etc. The storage unit 109 functions as a job data storage unit that stores job data 109-1 to 109-n.

[0023] [Processing when a job exceeding the contract limit is submitted by the image forming device] Next, a process performed by image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment when a print job is submitted will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Control unit 107 is, for example, a CPU, and executes a program stored in storage unit 109 to realize the process of the flowchart in Fig. 2. A control method for image forming apparatus 100 will be described below.

[0024] In step S201, the control unit 107 inputs a print instruction for a print job (e.g., a copy job) through operation of the operation panel unit 102 by the user 110. The control unit 107 also inputs a print instruction for a print job from the terminal 111 via the network transmission / reception unit 106 based on the operation of the user 110.

[0025] When a print instruction is given by a print job, the control unit 107 determines whether the number of pages actually printed will exceed the contracted upper limit if the number of pages printed in the print job is printed. Here, the contracted upper limit is the upper limit for a subscription-type contract, as described above, and is, for example, 1,000 pages printed per month. If it is determined that the contracted upper limit will not be exceeded, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined that the contracted upper limit will be exceeded, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0026] In step S202, the control unit 107 confirms with the user 110 whether or not to print up to the contracted upper limit. For example, as a confirmation method, the control unit 107 controls the operation panel unit 102 to display the selection screen of FIG. 3. The selection screen of FIG. 3 is a selection screen for selecting whether or not to print a number of sheets within the contracted upper limit. The user 110 selects the desired printing method by pressing the "Yes" or "No" panel button.

[0027] If the user 110 presses "No," that is, if the selection is made in step S202 not to print the number of sheets that does not exceed the contracted upper limit, the process proceeds to step S207. If the user 110 presses "Yes," that is, if the selection is made in step S202 to print the number of sheets that does not exceed the contracted upper limit, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0028] In step S207, the control unit 107 confirms with the user 110 whether or not to print more than the contracted upper limit. For example, as a confirmation method, the control unit 107 controls the operation panel unit 102 to display the selection screen of FIG. 4. The selection screen of FIG. 4 is a selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute printing of a print job that exceeds the contracted upper limit. The user 110 selects the desired printing method by pressing the "Yes" or "No" panel button.

[0029] If the user 110 presses "No," that is, if the user selects not to print the print job that exceeds the contracted upper limit in step S207, the process proceeds to step S209. If the user 110 presses "Yes," that is, if the user selects to print the print job that exceeds the contracted upper limit in step S207, the process proceeds to step S208.

[0030] In step S208, control unit 107 controls the printing of the number of pages of the print job instructed by user 110, and when the final page of the instructed print job is printed, the print job ends. In this case, the number of pages printed exceeds the contracted upper limit, and user 110 must pay an excess fee.

[0031] In step S209, the control unit 107 performs control so as to cancel the print job instructed by the user 110 without performing the print process.

[0032] In step S203, the control unit 107 sets the number of sheets to be printed for the print job to be the difference between the contracted upper limit and the actual number of sheets printed. This difference is the number of sheets to be printed without paying an excess fee.

[0033] In step S204, the control unit 107 controls the storage unit 109 to store the print jobs that are not printed out of the print number of the print jobs as reserved print jobs.

[0034] In step S205, the control unit 107 controls the number of sheets printed on the recording medium (for example, paper) so that the number of sheets actually printed out of the number of sheets printed in the print job does not exceed the upper limit number.

[0035] In step S206, the control unit 107 performs control so that a recognition mark is printed on the last page of the printed recording medium. Here, the recognition mark is information indicating that there are subsequent pages. This makes it easier to visually understand up to which pages have been printed in the print job that has been instructed to be printed. For example, the control unit 107 performs control so that characters such as "last page" are printed on the recording medium as the recognition mark to be printed on the last page of the recording medium.

[0036] For example, suppose a user has signed a contract with a maximum print limit of 1,000 sheets, has actually printed 900 sheets, and has issued a print command to the image forming device 100 for a print job of 110 sheets. If the user wants to use up the remaining 100 printable sheets for the current term, they select "Yes" in response to the display shown in Figure 3. By performing this operation, only the 100 sheets available within the fixed fee are printed, and the print job for the print image data for the remaining 10 sheets is stored in the image forming device 100. Furthermore, since the 100th printed sheet has a "last page" recognition mark stamped on it, it is easy to determine the seam with the prints to be printed in the next term.

[0037] [Printing process of prints stored in the previous period by the image forming device] Next, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5, we will explain the processing of image forming device 100 when the contracted maximum number of pages is exceeded, the excess print jobs are stored in step S204 in Figure 2, and then one counting period ends and the number of pages actually printed is reset.

[0038] In step S500, when one counting period has ended, the control unit 107 resets the number of pages printed. Then, the control unit 107 confirms with the user in step S204 of FIG. 2 whether or not to print the print jobs that were saved in the previous period. For example, the control unit 107 controls the operation panel unit 102 to display the selection screen of FIG. 6. The selection screen of FIG. 6 is a selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute the print jobs that were saved in step S204 but not printed. The user 110 selects the desired printing method by pressing the "Yes" or "No" panel button.

[0039] If the user 110 presses "No," that is, if the user selects not to execute the print job for the portion not printed in step S500, the process proceeds to step S503. If the user 110 presses "Yes," that is, if the user selects to execute the print job for the portion not printed in step S500, the process proceeds to step S501.

[0040] In step S503, the control unit 107 closes the display of the selection screen in FIG. 6, and performs control so as to cancel the print jobs that were saved in step S204 and that are not to be printed.

[0041] In step S501, control unit 107 controls to print on the recording medium based on the print job that was saved in step S204 and that is not printed. At this time, the print job to be printed is the print job saved in storage unit 109 in step S204 of Fig. 2, and the number of prints is set so that it is a continuation of the recording medium that has already been printed.

[0042] In step S502, the control unit 107 controls to print a recognition mark on the first page of the printed recording medium. Here, the recognition mark is information indicating that it is a subsequent page. This makes it visually easy to understand that the printed recording medium is a continuation of the recording medium printed in the previous stage of step S205. For example, the control unit 107 prints characters such as "first page" on the recording medium as the recognition mark to be printed on the first page of the recording medium.

[0043] For example, if 100 sheets of a previous 110-sheet print job have already been printed and the remaining 10 sheets are to be printed, select "Yes" in response to the message shown in Figure 6. The image forming apparatus 100 will start printing from the 101st sheet of the original print job. Also, since the first page of the print job is stamped with "first page," it is easy to identify the connection with the previous print job.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a print instruction is issued that exceeds the contracted upper limit, the image forming device 100 can execute printing up to the contracted upper limit and guide the user to store the excess print jobs. This allows the contracted upper limit to be used up within the period.

[0045] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0046] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of implementing the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0047] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus characterized by having a first control means that, when printing the number of prints of a print job, would cause the number of actual prints to exceed an upper limit, controls to print a number of prints of the print job so that the number of actual prints does not exceed the upper limit, and controls to save the print job for the number of prints of the print job that is not printed. (Configuration 2) a second control means for controlling the display of a first selection screen for selecting whether to print a number of sheets within a range not exceeding the upper limit number when the number of sheets printed in the print job is printed exceeds the upper limit number; The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that when printing a number of sheets within a range not exceeding the upper limit number is selected on the first selection screen, the first control means controls the number of sheets printed of the print job to be printed within a range not exceeding the upper limit number of sheets, and controls the number of sheets not printed of the print job to be saved. (Configuration 3) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when the first control means controls the printing of a number of sheets within a range in which the number of sheets actually printed of the print job does not exceed the upper limit number, the first control means controls the printing of information indicating that there are subsequent pages for the final page of the number of sheets to be printed. (Configuration 4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first control means controls the number of prints of the print job to be printed if the number of prints actually printed does not exceed the upper limit number even after the number of prints of the print job has been printed. (Configuration 5) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the first control means controls the printing of the number of sheets of the print job or cancels the print job when it is selected on the first selection screen not to print a number of sheets that does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets. (Configuration 6) the second control means controls to display a second selection screen for selecting whether or not to print a print job that exceeds the upper limit number of sheets when it is selected on the first selection screen not to print a number of sheets that does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2 or 5, wherein the first control means controls the printing of the print job so that the number of sheets of the print job is printed when it is selected on the second selection screen to print a print job that exceeds the upper limit of the number of sheets. (Configuration 7) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the first control means controls to cancel the print job when it is selected on the second selection screen not to print a print job that exceeds the upper limit number of sheets. (Configuration 8) 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, further comprising a third control means for resetting the number of sheets printed when a counting period has ended. (Configuration 9) 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the third control means resets the number of printed sheets, and then controls to perform printing based on the print job for the portion of the sheet that has not been printed. (Configuration 10) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, wherein the third control means, when controlling printing based on the print job for the portion of the sheet that is not to be printed, controls to print information indicating that the first page of the number of sheets to be printed is a subsequent page. (Configuration 11) a fourth control means for controlling the display of a third selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute the print job for the portion of the print job that has not been printed after the number of pages printed has been reset; The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, wherein the third control means controls to perform printing based on the print job for the portion that will not be printed when execution of the print job for the portion that will not be printed is selected on the third selection screen. (Configuration 12) The image forming apparatus according to configuration 11, wherein the third control means controls to cancel the print job for the portion that is not to be printed when it is selected not to execute the print job for the portion that is not to be printed on the third selection screen. (Method 1) A control method for an image forming device, comprising: a first control step of, when printing the number of prints of a print job would cause the number of actual prints to exceed an upper limit, controlling to print a number of prints of the print job so that the number of actual prints does not exceed the upper limit, and controlling to save the print job for the number of prints of the print job that is not printed. (Program 1) 13. A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100 Image forming apparatus, 101 Document reading unit, 102 Operation panel unit, 103 Image forming unit, 104 Conveying unit, 105 FAX transmitting / receiving unit, 106 Network transmitting / receiving unit, 107 Control unit, 108 Image processing unit, 109 Storage unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus characterized by having a first control means that, when printing the number of prints of a print job, causes the number of actual prints to exceed an upper limit, controls to print a number of prints of the print job so that the number of actual prints does not exceed the upper limit, and controls to save the print job for the number of prints of the print job that is not printed.

2. a second control means for controlling the display of a first selection screen for selecting whether to print a number of sheets within a range not exceeding the upper limit number when the number of sheets printed in the print job is printed exceeds the upper limit number; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when printing a number of sheets within a range not exceeding the upper limit number is selected on the first selection screen, the first control means controls the printing of a number of sheets within a range not exceeding the upper limit number of sheets, of the number of sheets printed in the print job, so that the number of sheets actually printed does not exceed the upper limit number, and controls the printing job to save the portion of the number of sheets printed in the print job that is not printed.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the first control means controls the printing of a number of sheets within a range in which the actual number of printed sheets of the print job does not exceed the upper limit number, the first control means controls the printing of information indicating that there are subsequent pages for the final page of the number of sheets to be printed.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit controls the number of prints of the print job to be printed when the number of prints performed does not exceed the upper limit number even if the number of prints of the print job is printed.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first control means controls the printing of the number of sheets of the print job or cancels the print job when it is selected on the first selection screen not to print a number of sheets that does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets.

6. the second control means controls to display a second selection screen for selecting whether or not to print a print job that exceeds the upper limit number of sheets when it is selected on the first selection screen not to print a number of sheets that does not exceed the upper limit number of sheets, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first control means controls the printing of the number of sheets of the print job when it is selected on the second selection screen to execute printing of the print job that exceeds the upper limit of the number of sheets.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first control unit controls the print job to be canceled when a selection is made on the second selection screen not to print a print job that exceeds the upper limit number of sheets.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third control unit that resets the number of printed sheets when a counting period has ended.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the third control unit controls to perform printing based on the print job for the portion of the print job that has not been printed after resetting the number of pages printed.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the third control means, when controlling printing based on the print job for the portion of the sheet that is not to be printed, controls to print information indicating that the first page of the number of sheets to be printed is a subsequent page.

11. a fourth control means for controlling the display of a third selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute the print job for the portion of the print job that has not been printed after the number of pages printed has been reset; The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the third control means controls to perform printing based on the print job for the portion that will not be printed when execution of the print job for the portion that will not be printed is selected on the third selection screen.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the third control means controls to cancel the print job for the portion that is not to be printed when it is selected on the third selection screen not to execute the print job for the portion that is not to be printed.

13. A control method for an image forming device, characterized by having a first control step of, when printing the number of prints of a print job would cause the number of actual prints to exceed an upper limit, controlling to print a number of prints of the print job so that the number of actual prints does not exceed the upper limit, and controlling to save the print job for the number of prints of the print job that is not printed.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images