Image forming system, management device and control method

Abstract

To prevent an infectious disease caused by a pathogen such as a virus from spreading through an image forming apparatus shared by a plurality of users.SOLUTION: An image forming system 1 comprises an image forming apparatus 2, and a management device 3 that manages the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 transmits, to the management device 3, user information on a user identified by a user authentication unit 50 and contact information indicating a contact of a user detected by a contact detection unit 53. The management device 3 stores in advance operation history information 65 in which the user information and the contact information are associated with each other, in association with input of infected person information D20 indicating an infected person, determines whether the infected person has touched the image forming apparatus 2 based on the operation history information 65, and when the infected person has touched the image forming apparatus 2, causes the image forming apparatus 2 to issue a warning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, a management device, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) installed in offices and other locations are shared by multiple users. Many of these image forming devices are equipped with an operation panel that users can touch to accept job setting operations and the like.

[0003] Conventionally, in a device where a user performs a touch operation, a device has been proposed that counts the number of times the user performs a touch operation for each operation position where the user performs the touch operation, and when the count value reaches a predetermined number or more, outputs an alert indicating that the operation panel is dirty (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-162175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With the recent spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is necessary to prevent the spread of infection through image forming devices shared by multiple users. For example, if an infected person touches an image forming device, the image forming device may be contaminated with pathogens such as viruses. Therefore, if another user subsequently touches the image forming device, there is a possibility that the pathogens may become secondary and spread the infection.

[0006] The prior art of Patent Document 1 mentioned above can prompt the user to clean the operation panel by outputting an alert when the user touches the panel a predetermined number of times or more. However, if the user touches the panel less than the predetermined number of times, there is a possibility that multiple users may touch the same spot, which cannot prevent the spread of infection.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming system, a management device, and a control method that can prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by pathogens such as viruses through an image forming device shared by multiple users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 provides an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having a user authentication means for identifying a user and a detection means for detecting contact of the user, and a management device having an input means for inputting infected person information indicating that the user has been infected with a pathogen and for managing the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits user information regarding the user identified by the user authentication means and contact information indicating the user's contact detected by the detection means to the management device, and the management device stores operation history information that correlates the user information and the contact information, and when the infected person information is input to the input means, refers to the operation history information to determine whether the infected person input to the input means has come into contact with the image forming apparatus, and if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming apparatus, messenger of The image forming apparatus is configured to issue a warning regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is being used or not.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 1, the image forming device further has a display means, and the management device causes the display means to display a warning when the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that the warning display includes a display prohibiting use of the image forming device.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is an image forming system of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the image forming device is capable of switching the display means to a non-display state after a predetermined time has elapsed, and when the warning display is being displayed on the display means, the warning display is continued even after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is an image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the detection means is capable of detecting user contact with each of a plurality of operating points provided on the image forming device, and the management device, when causing the display means to display the warning, displays the operating point among the plurality of operating points that the infected person has contacted.

[0013] The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming system according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of operation points include a cover, a door, or a tray that can be opened and closed by the user.

[0014] The invention of claim 7 is an image forming system of claim 5 or 6, characterized in that when the management device causes the display means to display the warning, it also guides the user to disinfect the operation of the operation point that the infected person has come into contact with, among the multiple operation points.

[0015] The invention of claim 8 is the image forming system of claim 7, wherein when the image forming device receives a disinfection completion operation for the operation location that the infected person has touched, the image forming device sends disinfection completion information to the management device and ends the warning display, and the management device cancels the warning state of the image forming device based on the disinfection completion information.

[0016] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 7 or 8, when the management device determines based on the operation history information that the infected person is replacing or replenishing consumables of the image forming device, when causing the display means to display the warning, it further provides guidance on disinfection operations for the storage location of the consumables.

[0017] The invention of claim 10 is an image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the management device stores warning period information in which the period for issuing the warning is specified in advance, and after causing the image forming device to issue the warning, when the period specified in the warning period information has elapsed, the management device cancels the warning in the image forming device.

[0018] The invention of claim 11 is an image forming system of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the management device is configured, when the infected person information is input, to determine, based on the operation history information, whether another user has come into contact with the image forming device after the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, and if another user has come into contact with the image forming device, to identify the other user as a close contact.

[0019] The invention of claim 12 is an image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the image forming device transmits the user information and the contact information to the management device, it further transmits identification information of the image forming device to the management device, and the management device manages a plurality of image forming devices, correlates the user information, the contact information, and the identification information, and records them in the operation history information, and when the infected person information is input, identifies an image forming device that the infected person has come into contact with from among the plurality of image forming devices as a prohibited device based on the operation history information, and causes the image forming device identified as the prohibited device to issue a warning.

[0020] The invention of claim 13 is the image forming system of claim 12, wherein when the infected person information is input, the management device determines, based on the operation history information, whether another user has come into contact with the prohibited device after the infected person has come into contact with the prohibited device, and if another user has come into contact with the prohibited device, identifies the other user as a close contact.

[0021] The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 13, when the management device identifies the close contact when the infected person information is input, it further identifies the image forming device that the close contact came into contact with from among the multiple image forming devices as the prohibited device.

[0022] The invention according to claim 15 is 13 or 14 In the image forming system, the management device identifies an image forming device other than the prohibited device from among the plurality of image forming devices as an available device, and when causing the image forming device identified as the prohibited device to issue a warning, the management device notifies the user that the image forming device identified as the available device is available.

[0023] The invention of claim 16 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 15, the image forming device identified as the available device issues a warning prohibiting use if the user identified by the user authentication means is the infected person or a close contact.

[0024] The invention of claim 17 is a configuration in which, in the image forming system of claim 11 or 13, the management device sends an email to the user identified as a close contact indicating that they are a close contact.

[0025] The invention of claim 18 is a management device for managing an image forming apparatus having a user authentication means for identifying a user and a detection means for detecting contact of the user, the management device including: an acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, user information relating to the user identified by the user authentication means and contact information indicating the contact of the user detected by the detection means; a storage means for storing operation history information in which the user information and the contact information are correlated with each other; an input means for inputting infected person information indicating an infected person; and a display means for displaying the infected person information when the infected person information is input to the input means. When , the operation history information The input to the input means is determining whether an infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, and if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, Regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is used by a user or not and a warning unit that causes the image forming apparatus to issue a warning.

[0026] The invention of claim 19 is a control method for an image forming apparatus having a user authentication means for identifying a user and a detection means for detecting a touch by the user, wherein the control method stores operation history information that correlates user information about the user identified by the user authentication means with touch information indicating the user's touch detected by the detection means. At the same time , infected person information indicating infected people is entered When , the operation history information See determining whether the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, and if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, Regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is used by a user or not The image forming apparatus is configured to issue a warning. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, if an infected person uses an image forming device supplied by multiple users, a warning is issued on the image forming device, making it possible to prevent users other than the infected person from using the image forming device, and effectively preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the image forming device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of a management device. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation history information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for recording user information and the like in operation history information. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for causing the image forming apparatus to display a warning. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of how an image forming apparatus is used by multiple users. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for causing a plurality of image forming apparatuses to display a warning. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of operation when the management device identifies a close contact. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which a management device prohibits the use of an image forming device that has been used by an infected person or a close contact. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which the management device cancels a warning state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the embodiments described below are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system 1 is configured as a network system installed in, for example, an office. Specifically, the image forming system 1 includes multiple image forming devices 2, a management device 3, and multiple information processing devices 4 connected to a network 5, and these devices are capable of communicating with each other via the network 5. The network 5 is a communication network configured, for example, by a local area network (LAN). While FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the image forming system 1 includes three image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c, the number of image forming devices 2 is not limited to three. Hereinafter, when the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c are not distinguished from one another, they will be collectively referred to as image forming devices 2. Also, while FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the image forming system 1 includes three information processing devices 4a, 4b, and 4c, the number of information processing devices 4 is not limited to three. Hereinafter, when the multiple information processing devices 4a, 4b, and 4c are not distinguished from one another, they will be collectively referred to as information processing devices 4.

[0031] The image forming device 2 is configured, for example, as an MFP installed in an office or the like, and is a device shared and used by multiple users. The image forming device 2 executes jobs specified by the users, such as scan jobs, print jobs, and copy jobs.

[0032] The management device 3 is a server device that manages multiple image forming devices 2 connected to the network 5. When a user uses each of the multiple image forming devices 2, the management device 3 stores the usage history of the user. If it is determined that one of the multiple users is infected with a pathogen such as a virus, the management device identifies the image forming device 2 used by the infected person as a prohibited device based on the usage history stored up to that point, and causes the identified image forming device 2 to issue a warning, thereby preventing the infection from spreading.

[0033] The information processing device 4 is, for example, a personal computer (PC), and is a device used exclusively by each user. For example, user A uses information processing device 4a, user B uses information processing device 4b, and user C uses information processing device 4c. These information processing devices 4a, 4b, and 4c can obtain information (e.g., email) sent to each of users A, B, and C, and present it to each of users A, B, and C.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 has a printer unit 13 at the bottom of the apparatus body. The printer unit 13 forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium such as printing paper in response to a copy job, print job, or the like being executed in the image forming apparatus 2, and outputs the recording medium on which the image has been formed onto a paper output tray provided on the upper surface of the printer unit 13. The printer unit 13 includes an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on the recording medium, and multiple paper feed trays 16 that supply recording media to the image forming unit 14. For example, the image forming unit 14 is configured to form an image on the recording medium using an electrophotographic method, and forms the image by transferring and fixing a toner image onto the recording medium. Each paper feed tray 16 can accommodate multiple sheets of recording media. The image forming device 2 performs a paper feed operation for the recording medium contained in the paper feed tray 16 specified by the user among the multiple paper feed trays 16, transports the recording medium along a predetermined transport path provided inside the device body to the image forming unit 14, forms an image on the recording medium in the image forming unit 14, and discharges the recording medium with the image formed onto the paper output tray.

[0035] Each of the multiple paper feed trays 16 can be opened and closed relative to the device body. For example, when the recording media stored in each paper feed tray 16 becomes empty, the user can refill the recording media by pulling the paper feed tray 16 out toward the front and opening it. Therefore, each of the multiple paper feed trays 16 is one of the operating members 8 that the user can operate by directly touching it with their hands.

[0036] Furthermore, a front door 15 that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus body is provided on the front side of the image forming unit 14. For example, when the toner bottle attached to the image forming unit 14 becomes empty, the user can replace the toner bottle with a new one by opening the front door 15. Therefore, the front door 15 is also one of the operating members 8 that the user can operate by directly touching it with their hands.

[0037] In addition, a side door 17 that can be opened and closed relative to the device body is provided on the side of the printer unit 13. For example, if a jam occurs while a recording medium is being transported, the user can remove the recording medium that is causing the jam by opening the side door 17. Therefore, the side door 17 is also one of the operating members 8 that the user can operate by directly touching it with their hands.

[0038] The side door 17 is provided with a manual feed tray 18 that can be opened and closed relative to the device body. The manual feed tray 18 is a tray that is separate from the paper feed tray 16 and allows the user to manually load desired sheets. For example, when performing a copy job or a print job using the manual feed tray 18, the user can load the desired sheets onto the manual feed tray 18 by opening the manual feed tray 18. Therefore, the manual feed tray 18 is also one of the operating members 8 that the user can operate by directly contacting it with their hands.

[0039] The image forming apparatus 2 also includes a scanner unit 10 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 11 on top of the device body. The scanner unit 10 optically reads an image of a document set by a user and generates image data. The automatic document feeder 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the scanner unit 10 and includes a document placement unit 11a on which documents are placed. The automatic document feeder 11 then picks up documents placed on the document placement unit 11a one by one and, in conjunction with the reading operation of the scanner unit 10, automatically transports the documents to a predetermined reading position by the scanner unit 10.

[0040] The automatic document feeder 11 is equipped with a document cover 12 that opens and closes the document feed path. For example, if a jam occurs during document feed, the user can remove the document that is causing the jam by opening the document cover 12. Therefore, the document cover 12 is one of the operating members 8 that the user can operate by directly touching it with their hands.

[0041] The image forming apparatus 2 also has an operation panel 20 serving as a user interface on the front side of the apparatus body. The operation panel 20 is configured with a color liquid crystal display or the like and has a display unit 21 that displays various operation screens to the user. The operation panel 20 also has a touch panel function that detects touch operations by the user on the display unit 21. For example, a user who intends to execute a scan job or a copy job using the image forming apparatus 2 can perform various job setting operations by performing touch operations on the operation panel 20. Therefore, the operation panel 20 is one of the operation members 8 that the user can operate by directly touching it with their hands.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 2 also includes a card reader 22 provided near the operation panel 20 (below the operation panel 20 in FIG. 2). The card reader 22 is a device that contactlessly reads card information, on which user information and the like are recorded, from, for example, an IC card carried by a user.

[0043] Next, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a sensor group 30 that detects that each of a plurality of operation members 8 has been operated by a user, a control unit 40, and a communication interface 9. The communication interface 9 is used to connect the image forming apparatus 2 to a network 5 to communicate with other devices, and is configured by, for example, a network interface card (NIC).

[0044] The sensor group 30 includes a touch operation detection sensor 31, a paper feed tray open / close detection sensor 32, a front door open / close detection sensor 33, a side door open / close detection sensor 34, a manual feed tray open / close detection sensor 35, and a document cover open / close detection sensor 36. The touch operation detection sensor 31 detects a user's touch operation on the operation panel 20 and is also capable of detecting the user's touch position within the panel plane. The paper feed tray open / close detection sensor 32 detects whether the paper feed tray 16 is open or closed, and can individually detect whether each of the multiple paper feed trays 16 is open or closed. The front door open / close detection sensor 33 detects whether the front door 15 is open or closed. The side door open / close detection sensor 34 detects whether the side door 17 is open or closed. The manual feed tray open / close detection sensor 35 detects whether the manual feed tray 18 is open or closed. The document cover open / close detection sensor 36 detects whether the document cover 12 is open or closed. The plurality of sensors provided in the sensor group 30 detects the operation member 8 that the user operates by directly contacting it with his / her hand.

[0045] In addition, for example, the sensor group 30 includes a sensor that detects that a toner bottle has been replaced, and a sensor that detects that recording media has been replenished in the paper feed tray 16. Therefore, the image forming device 2 can detect that replacement or replenishment of consumables such as a toner bottle or recording media has been performed.

[0046] The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 and a storage unit 42, and controls the operation of each unit implemented in the image forming apparatus 2. The CPU 41 is a hardware processor that reads and executes computer-readable programs pre-stored in the storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 is a non-volatile storage device configured, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0047] The CPU 41 executes programs read from the memory unit 42 to function as a user authentication unit 50, an operation reception unit 51, a job control unit 52, a contact detection unit 53, an information transmission unit 54, a display control unit 55, and a power control unit 57.

[0048] The user authentication unit 50 performs user authentication to identify a user who is attempting to use the image forming apparatus 2. The authentication method used by the user authentication unit 50 is a card authentication method. For example, a user who is attempting to use the image forming apparatus 2 brings their IC card close to the card reader 22, causing the card reader 22 to contactlessly read the card information. After reading the card information from the user's IC card, the card reader 22 outputs the card information to the user authentication unit 50. This card information includes user information for identifying the user. Upon obtaining the card information from the card reader 22, the user authentication unit 50 performs user authentication and identifies the user based on the user information included in the card information. Therefore, the user authentication unit 50 can perform user authentication and identify the user before the user using the image forming apparatus 2 comes into contact with the image forming apparatus 2.

[0049] When the user authentication unit 50 identifies the user, it outputs user information that can identify the identified user to the information transmission unit 54. The user authentication unit 50 also transitions the operating state of the image forming apparatus 2 from a logged-out state to a logged-in state. At this time, the user authentication unit 50 sets the user identified by the user authentication as the logged-in user. The user authentication unit 50 then activates the operation reception unit 51 and the job control unit 52. This allows the logged-in user to use the image forming apparatus 2.

[0050] When the touch operation detection sensor 31 detects a user's touch operation on the operation panel 20, the operation reception unit 51 generates operation information corresponding to the touch operation and outputs it to the job control unit 52. The job control unit 52 sets up a job based on the operation information output from the operation reception unit 51. When the user instructs the job control unit 52 to start executing a job, the job control unit 52 drives the printer unit 13, scanner unit 10, and automatic document feeder 11 as necessary to control the execution of the job specified by the user. When the user performs a logout operation, the job control unit 52 transitions the operating state of the image forming apparatus 2 from the login state to the logout state. Note that the job control unit 52 may automatically transition the operating state of the image forming apparatus 2 from the login state to the logout state if no user's touch operation is detected continuously for a predetermined period of time or more in the login state.

[0051] The contact detection unit 53 is a processing unit that detects an operation in which a user directly touches one of the operation members 8 provided on the image forming apparatus 2 with his or her hand. For example, when a logged-in user performs a touch operation on the operation panel 20, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the operation panel 20 has been touched by the user. Furthermore, when the logged-in user pulls out the paper feed tray 16, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the paper feed tray 16 has been touched by the user. Furthermore, when the logged-in user opens the front door 15, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the front door 15 has been touched by the user. Furthermore, when the logged-in user opens the side door 17, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the side door 17 has been touched by the user. Furthermore, when the logged-in user opens the manual feed tray 18, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the manual feed tray 18 has been touched by the user. Furthermore, when the logged-in user opens the document cover 12, the contact detection unit 53 generates contact information indicating that the document cover 12 has been touched by the user. Then, the contact detection unit 53 outputs the contact information to the information transmission unit 54.

[0052] The information transmission unit 54 transmits information to the management device 3 via the communication interface 9. For example, when a user is identified by the user authentication unit 50, the information transmission unit 54 transmits user information about the user to the management device 3. At this time, the information transmission unit 54 adds identification information that can identify the image forming device 2 to the user information and transmits the user information. This allows the management device 3 to identify the image forming device 2 based on the identification information, and also to identify the logged-in user based on the user information. The management device 3 can also identify the login date and time when the logged-in user started using the image forming device 2.

[0053] Furthermore, the information transmitting unit 54 transmits the contact information generated by the contact detecting unit 53 to the management device 3. At this time, the information transmitting unit 54 transmits the contact information together with the identification information of the image forming device 2 and user information indicating the logged-in user. Therefore, the management device 3 can identify the location (operating member 8) that has been contacted by the user who has logged in to the image forming device 2, based on the contact information received from the image forming device 2.

[0054] Furthermore, when the operating state of the image forming apparatus 2 transitions from a logged-in state to a logged-out state, the information transmitting unit 54 transmits information indicating that the image forming apparatus 2 has logged out to the management device 3. At this time, the information transmitting unit 54 also transmits the information together with the identification information of the image forming apparatus 2 and user information indicating the logged-in user. This allows the management device 3 to identify the logout date and time when the image forming apparatus 2 logged out.

[0055] Note that the information transmitting unit 54 may be configured to transmit contact information to the management device 3 every time the contact information is generated by the contact detecting unit 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information transmitting unit 54 may accumulate and store the contact information generated by the contact detecting unit 53, and when the image forming device 2 transitions to a logged-out state, transmit all of the contact information accumulated up to that point together with information indicating that the image forming device 2 has logged out. In this case, the frequency of communication between the image forming device 2 and the management device 3 decreases, which has the advantage of reducing the load on the network 5.

[0056] The display control unit 55 controls the screen displayed on the display unit 21 of the operation panel 20. For example, when the image forming apparatus 2 transitions from a logged-out state to a logged-in state, the display control unit 55 displays a job setting screen or the like on the display unit 21. This allows the logged-in user to operate the operation panel 20 to perform job setting operations or the like.

[0057] The display control unit 55 has a warning display unit 56. The warning display unit 56 functions when a warning command is received from the management device 3, and displays a warning screen on the display unit 21. For example, when the management device 3 determines that the image forming device 2 has been used by a person infected with a virus, the management device 3 outputs a warning command to the image forming device 2. Based on the warning command, the warning display unit 56 displays a warning on the display unit 21 that the image forming device 2 has been used by a person infected with a virus, thereby preventing secondary infection when another non-infected user uses the image forming device 2.

[0058] The power control unit 57 controls the power supply to each unit of the image forming apparatus 2. For example, the power supply state of the image forming apparatus 2 includes a normal power state and a power saving state. The normal power state is a state in which power is supplied to the entire image forming apparatus 2, and a job can be executed in the image forming apparatus 2. In contrast, the power saving state is a state in which power supply to a part of the image forming apparatus 2 is stopped, and a job cannot be executed in the image forming apparatus 2. For example, the power control unit 57 transitions the image forming apparatus 2 from the normal power state to the power saving state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operating state of the image forming apparatus 2 transitioned to the logout state. At this time, the power control unit 57 switches the screen display of the display unit 21 to a non-display state. For example, the power control unit 57 switches the display unit 21 to a non-display state by turning off the backlight provided in the display unit 21. This reduces the power consumed by the display unit 21.

[0059] However, when the warning display unit 56 in the display control unit 55 is functioning and the display unit 21 is in a warning state where a warning is displayed, even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the image forming device 2 transitioned to the logout state, the power control unit 57 does not switch the display unit 21 to a non-display state, but continues to display the warning on the display unit 21. As a result, the warning is displayed continuously on the image forming device 2, and the user can check the warning without touching the image forming device 2.

[0060] Furthermore, if a warning command is received from the management device 3 while the device is in the power-saving state, the warning display unit 56 functions as described above. In this case, the power control unit 57 cancels the power-saving state and returns the device to the normal power state. This allows the warning display by the warning display unit 56 to be displayed normally on the display unit 21.

[0061] Next, the management device 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware and functional configuration of the management device 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 3 includes a control unit 60 and a communication interface 61. The communication interface 61 connects the management device 3 to a network 5 to communicate with other devices, and is configured, for example, by a NIC. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 62 and a storage unit 63, and communicates with each device connected to the network 5 via the communication interface 61. The CPU 62 is a hardware processor that reads and executes a computer-readable program 64 pre-stored in the storage unit 63. The storage unit 63 is a non-volatile storage device configured, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). In addition to the program 64 executed by the CPU 62, the storage unit 63 also stores operation history information 65 and warning period information 66. The operation history information 65 is information recording the operation history of each of the multiple image forming devices 2 when used by a user. In addition, the warning period information 66 is information that records the period of time required for a pathogen such as a virus to die if it adheres to the image forming device 2, and is information that is set in advance by, for example, an administrator of the management device 3.

[0062] By executing the program 64, the CPU 62 functions as an information acquisition unit 71, an information recording unit 72, an infected person information input unit 73, a prohibited device identification unit 74, an available device identification unit 75, a warning unit 76, and a warning cancellation unit 77.

[0063] The information acquiring unit 71 acquires information transmitted from the image forming device 2 as the image forming device 2 is used by a user, via the communication interface 61. For example, the information acquiring unit 71 acquires, from the image forming device 2, user information related to the logged-in user, identification information of the image forming device 2, and contact information indicating the operation location (operation member 8) touched by the logged-in user. Upon acquiring this information, the information acquiring unit 71 outputs it to the information recording unit 72.

[0064] Based on the information output from the information acquisition unit 71, the information recording unit 72 records the operation location touched by the user in the operation history information 65. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation history information 65. The operation history information 65 is information that records the user name of the logged-in user, the identification information of the image forming apparatus 2, the login date and time, the logout date and time, the operation location where the logged-in user performed the touch operation, and the number of times the operation location was touched. When the information recording unit 72 detects that a user has logged in to the image forming apparatus 2 based on the information acquired from the image forming apparatus 2, the information recording unit 72 records the user name, the identification information of the image forming apparatus 2, and the login date and time in the operation history information 65. Thereafter, upon receiving touch information from the image forming apparatus 2, the information recording unit 72 records the operation location in the operation history information 65 and records "1" as the number of touches. If the operation location (operation member 8) indicated in the touch information has already been recorded in the operation history information 65, the information recording unit 72 adds "1" to the number of touches corresponding to that operation location. Therefore, the number of times the user has touched one operation location is recorded in the number of touches. Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 2 transitions from a login state to a logout state, the information recording unit 72 records the logout date and time in the operation history information 65. In other words, the operation history information 65 accumulates information about the operation location (operation member 8) that the user touched and operated with their hand when the image forming apparatus 2 was used by the user. Therefore, the operation history information 65 is information that can identify the image forming apparatus 2 used by the user, the date and time the user used the image forming apparatus 2, the operation location that the user touched, and the number of times the user touched the operation location.

[0065] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for recording user information and the like in operation history information 65. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when user A attempts to use image forming apparatus 2a and brings his / her IC card close to card reader 22, card reader 22 reads the card information, and user authentication is performed in image forming apparatus 2a (step S10). If the user authentication identifies the user as user A, image forming apparatus 2a performs login processing and transitions the operating state to a logged-in state (step S11). Accordingly, image forming apparatus 2a transmits user information D10 about user A to management device 3.

[0066] When the management device 3 acquires the user information D10 from the image forming device 2a, it recognizes that user A has logged in to the image forming device 2a, and records the user name, the identification information of the image forming device 2a, and the login date and time in the operation history information 65 (step S13).

[0067] Meanwhile, when the image forming device 2a, which has transitioned to the logged-in state, detects a touch by user A (step S14), it generates contact information indicating the operation location (operation member 8) (step S15). When user A repeatedly performs a contact operation on the image forming device 2a, the processes of steps S14 and S15 are repeated accordingly. Thereafter, when user A finishes using the image forming device 2a, the image forming device 2a performs a logout process and transitions the operating state from the logged-in state to the logged-out state (step S16). Accordingly, the image forming device 2a transmits the contact information D11 accumulated up to that point to the management device 3. Note that if the logged-in user has replaced or replenished consumables such as toner bottles or recording media, the image forming device 2a adds information indicating that the replacement or replenishment of the consumables has been performed when transmitting the contact information D11 to the management device 3.

[0068] When the management device 3 acquires the contact information D11 from the image forming device 2a, it recognizes that user A has logged out from the image forming device 2a, and records the operation location and the number of contacts as well as the logout date and time in the operation history information 65 based on the contact information D11 (step S17). In this way, the usage history indicating that user A used the image forming device 2a is recorded in the operation history information 65.

[0069] Returning to FIG. 4 , when any one of the multiple users A, B, and C is infected with a pathogen such as a virus, the infected person information input unit 73 inputs infected person information via the communication interface 61. For example, the infected person information is input to the management device 3 by an administrator of the management device 3. For example, an information processing device 4 used by the administrator is connected to the network 5, and the administrator can log in to the management device 3 using the information processing device 4. The administrator then inputs the infected person information to the management device 3 by operating the information processing device 4 that has logged in to the management device 3. In this case, the infected person information input unit 73 acquires the infected person information input from the information processing device 4. This infected person information includes information that can identify which of the multiple users A, B, and C is infected. Upon acquiring the infected person information, the infected person information input unit 73 activates the prohibited device identification unit 74.

[0070] The prohibited device identification unit 74 is a processing unit that identifies an image forming device 2 used by an infected person as a prohibited device. When infected person information is input to the management device 3, the prohibited device identification unit 74 identifies the infected person from among the multiple users A, B, and C based on the infected person information. Next, the prohibited device identification unit 74 reads the operation history information 65 stored in the storage unit 63 and determines whether an image forming device 2 used by the infected person is present among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c. As a result, if an image forming device 2 used by the infected person is present among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c, the prohibited device identification unit 74 identifies the image forming device 2 used by the infected person as a prohibited device. At this time, multiple image forming devices 2 may be identified as prohibited devices. Note that if an image forming device 2 used by the infected person is not present among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c, the prohibited device identification unit 74 does not identify a prohibited device.

[0071] When the prohibited device identification unit 74 identifies a prohibited device, the available device identification unit 75 then functions in the CPU 62. The available device identification unit 75 identifies, as an available device, an image forming device 2 that has not been identified as a prohibited device among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c. In other words, an available device is an image forming device 2 that is not being used by an infected person, etc. Note that if there is no image forming device 2 that is not being used by an infected person, etc., an available device is not identified.

[0072] Next, the warning unit 76 functions in the CPU 62. When a prohibited device is identified by the prohibited device identification unit 74, the warning unit 76 transmits a warning command to the image forming device 2 identified as the prohibited device and displays a warning to prevent secondary infection. At this time, the warning unit 76 may add information about the operation location touched by the infected person to the warning command and guide the user to disinfect the operation location touched by the infected person. Furthermore, when the warning unit 76 guides the user to disinfect the operation location touched by the infected person, the warning unit 76 may guide the user to disinfect the operation location that the infected person has touched a predetermined number of times or more (e.g., two or more times) particularly carefully. Furthermore, the warning unit 76 may guide the user to disinfect the storage area and exhaust area of ​​the consumables when the infected person has replaced or replenished consumables such as toner bottles or recording media. Furthermore, the warning unit 76 may add information about usable devices to the warning command and guide the user to usable devices.

[0073] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for causing image forming apparatus 2a to display a warning. Here, a case is illustrated in which, after user A uses image forming apparatus 2a, infected person information D20 indicating that user A is infected is input to management apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 7. When infected person information D20 is input, management apparatus 3 reads operation history information 65 (step S20) and identifies image forming apparatus 2a used by user A as a prohibited apparatus (step S21). Next, management apparatus 3 refers to operation history information 65, and if user A has not used image forming apparatuses 2b and 2c, identifies these image forming apparatuses 2b and 2c as available apparatuses (step S22).

[0074] Thereafter, the management device 3 transmits a warning command D21 to the image forming device 2a used by user A (step S23). At this time, the management device 3 may add information indicating areas to be disinfected and available devices to the warning command D21. Upon receiving the warning command D21 from the management device 3, the image forming device 2a displays a warning on the display unit 21 based on the warning command D21 and the information added to the warning command D21 (step S24).

[0075] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen G1 displayed on the display unit 21 of the image forming device 2a. This warning screen G1 includes a message 101 indicating that the image forming device 2a has been used by an infected person. Therefore, by viewing the warning screen G1, the user can understand that there is a risk of infection if they come into contact with the image forming device 2a.

[0076] The warning screen G1 also includes an image 102 depicting the image forming apparatus 2a. When displaying the warning screen G1, the warning display unit 56 of the image forming apparatus 2a superimposes a pointer image 103 indicating the operation location touched by the infected person or the like on the image 102. The message 101 also includes a message indicating that the operation location touched by the infected person or the like should be disinfected. This allows a user who views the warning screen G1 to know the operation location touched by the infected person or the like, as well as the location that should be disinfected.

[0077] The warning screen G1 also displays a disinfection completion button 104 that the user operates when they have disinfected an operation location that has come into contact with an infected person or the like. After performing the disinfection operation according to the instructions on the warning screen G1, the user can cancel the warning state on the image forming apparatus 2a by operating the disinfection completion button 104. For example, when the user operates the disinfection completion button 104, the image forming apparatus 2a terminates the display of the warning screen G1. At this time, the image forming apparatus 2a transmits disinfection completion information to the management apparatus 3 to notify that the disinfection operation has been completed.

[0078] Furthermore, the warning screen G1 has an available device display field 105. This available device display field 105 displays other image forming devices 2b and 2c that have not been in contact with infected people or the like and are therefore not at risk of secondary infection. This allows a user viewing the warning screen G1 to know which other image forming devices 2b and 2c are not at risk of infection. Therefore, the user can use the other image forming devices 2b and 2c to execute the desired job.

[0079] 8, if an infected person is replacing or replenishing consumables such as toner bottles or recording media, the warning screen G1 may further display a message informing the user that the storage and disposal areas for the consumables should be disinfected. This will also help prevent secondary infection via the storage areas for consumables.

[0080] 4, the warning reset unit 77 functions when the warning command D21 is transmitted by the warning unit 76 and at least one of the image forming apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c is in a warning state. The warning reset unit 77 manages whether the image forming apparatus 2 to which the warning command D21 is transmitted by the warning unit 76 is in a warning state. The warning reset unit 77 then resets the warning state of the image forming apparatus 2 when a predetermined condition is met.

[0081] For example, when warning cancellation unit 77 receives disinfection completion information from an image forming device 2 that is in a warning state, it cancels the warning state of that image forming device 2. When two or more image forming devices 2 are in a warning state, when warning cancellation unit 77 receives disinfection completion information, it identifies one image forming device 2 that sent the disinfection completion information and cancels the warning state of only the identified one image forming device 2.

[0082] Furthermore, the warning reset unit 77 reads out the warning period information 66 from the storage unit 63 and determines whether the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed since the warning command D21 was sent. As described above, the warning period information 66 records the period required for pathogens adhering to the image forming apparatus 2 to die. Therefore, it can be said that the pathogens adhering to the image forming apparatus 2 have already died when the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed. Therefore, the warning reset unit 77 resets the warning state of the image forming apparatus 2 when the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed. At this time, the warning reset unit 77 transmits a warning reset command to the image forming apparatus 2 in the warning state. As a result, the image forming apparatus 2 in the warning state can reset its own warning state upon receiving the warning reset command.

[0083] Furthermore, by referring to the operation history information 65, the use prohibited device identification unit 74 can determine whether another user has come into contact with the image forming device 2 after the infected person has come into contact with the same image forming device 2. Therefore, if another user comes into contact with the same image forming device 2 without disinfecting it after the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device 2, the use prohibited device identification unit 74 identifies the other user as a close contact who is suspected of secondary infection. Then, the use prohibited device identification unit 74 also identifies the image forming device 2 used by the close contact as a use prohibited device.

[0084] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of use of an image forming device 2 by multiple users A and B. For example, as shown in FIG. 9(a), user A first touches image forming device 2a and uses it. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(b), user B, who is different from user A, touches the same image forming device 2a and uses it. Then, user B touches a different image forming device 2b than the previous time and uses it. In this case, if infected person information D20 indicating that user A is infected is input, the prohibited device identification unit 74 first identifies the image forming device 2a used by infected user A as a prohibited device. Next, the prohibited device identification unit 74 identifies user B, who subsequently uses the image forming device 2a used by user A, as a close contact of the infected person, and identifies the image forming device 2b used by user B as a prohibited device.

[0085] Furthermore, the usable device identifying unit 75 identifies, as an usable device, the image forming device 2c that has not been identified as a prohibited device among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c. In other words, the usable device identifying unit 75 identifies, as an usable device, the image forming device 2 that is not being used by either an infected person or a close contact.

[0086] In the above case, the processing of steps S23 to S24 shown in FIG. 7 is replaced by steps S23 to S24 shown in FIG. 10. That is, when the management device 3 sends a warning command D21 to a prohibited device in the warning process, it sends it to each of the image forming devices 2a and 2b. At this time, the management device 3 adds information indicating the operation locations touched by each of user A and user B to the warning command D21 sent to the image forming device 2a. Furthermore, the management device 3 adds information indicating the operation location touched by user B to the warning command D21 sent to the image forming device 2b. Then, upon receiving the warning command D21 from the management device 3, the image forming devices 2a and 2b display a warning on the display unit 21 based on the warning command D21 and the information added to the warning command D21 (step S24). At this time, since the information added to the warning command D21 is different, different warning displays are displayed on the image forming devices 2a and 2b. For example, on image forming device 2a, the operation areas that user A and user B have touched are displayed as areas to be disinfected, whereas on image forming device 2b, the operation areas that only user B has touched are displayed as areas to be disinfected.

[0087] Incidentally, if user A is infected as described above, even if the management device 3 automatically determines that user B is a close contact, user B does not recognize that he or she is a close contact. Therefore, it is expected that user B will subsequently use another image forming device 2c, which may increase the number of prohibited devices in the office. To prevent such a situation, it is preferable that the management device 3 notify users identified as close contacts that they are close contacts. Furthermore, to prevent close contacts from using available devices, it is preferable that the management device 3 transmit warning target information to image forming devices 2 identified as available devices, explicitly indicating that close contacts are warning targets.

[0088] 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of operation when the management device 3 identifies a close contact. When the management device 3 identifies user B as a close contact, it transmits warning target information D23 indicating that user B is a close contact to image forming device 2c, which is an available device. Note that this warning target information D23 may also include information indicating that user A is infected.

[0089] When the image forming device 2c receives the warning target information D23 from the management device 3, it recognizes that user B is a person to be warned. If the warning target information D23 further includes information indicating that user A is infected, the image forming device 2c recognizes that users A and B are people to be warned. If the user identified in the user authentication performed based on the card information acquired by the card reader 22 is a person to be warned, the image forming device 2c can display a warning to the user not to use the device.

[0090] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen G2 displayed on the display unit 21 of the image forming device 2c. This warning screen G2 includes a user name 111 of the user identified in the user authentication and a message 112 indicating that the identified user is an infected person or a close contact of an infected person. Therefore, by viewing the warning screen G2, user B who is about to use the image forming device 2c can understand that he or she is an infected person or a close contact of an infected person. This prevents user B from using the image forming device 2c, which is an available device.

[0091] 11, the management device 3 also sends an email D24 to the information processing device 4b used by user B, who is a close contact, to notify the user B that he or she is a close contact. This allows user B to know that he or she is a close contact while using the information processing device 4b. The destination of the email D24 may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet device carried by user B.

[0092] Next, a description will be given of the main operations of the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the image forming apparatus 2. This processing procedure is performed by the CPU 41 in the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 2 executing a predetermined program, and is a process that is repeatedly executed in the image forming apparatus 2.

[0093] When the image forming apparatus 2 starts this process, it determines whether or not it has acquired card information via the card reader 22 (step S101). If it has not acquired card information (NO in step S101), the process by the image forming apparatus 2 jumps to step S111. If it has acquired card information (YES in step S101), the image forming apparatus 2 performs user authentication (step S102). Then, the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether or not it has been able to identify the user through the user authentication (step S103). If it has not been able to identify the user through the user authentication (NO in step S103), the process by the image forming apparatus 2 jumps to step S111.

[0094] On the other hand, if the user can be identified through user authentication (YES in step S103), the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether the identified user is a person to be warned (step S104). If the user is a person to be warned (YES in step S104), the user attempting to use the image forming apparatus 2 is an infected person or a close contact of an infected person. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 issues a usage prohibition warning to the user attempting to use the image forming apparatus 2 (step S105). For example, the image forming apparatus 2 displays a warning screen G2 as shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit 21 to warn the user attempting to use the image forming apparatus 2 not to use the image forming apparatus 2. This prevents the image forming apparatus 2 from being used by an infected person or a close contact of an infected person, and prevents pathogens from being attached to the image forming apparatus 2. Then, the process by the image forming apparatus 2 jumps to step S111.

[0095] If the identified user is not a warning target (NO in step S104), the image forming device 2 designates the identified user as a logged-in user and transitions the operating state to a logged-in state. Accordingly, the image forming device 2 transmits user information D10 relating to the logged-in user to the management device 3 (step S106). The image forming device 2 then detects the logged-in user's contact with the operation member 8 (step S107) and generates contact information (108). The image forming device 2 repeats the processes of steps S107 and S108 until the logged-out state is reached. Then, when the image forming device 2 determines to transition to the logged-out state (YES in step S109), it transmits the contact information D11 accumulated up to that point to the management device 3 (step S110). Accordingly, the operating state of the image forming device 2 transitions from the logged-in state to the logged-out state.

[0096] Next, the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether or not it has received a warning command D21 from the management apparatus 3 (step S111). If it has not received the warning command D21 (NO in step S111), the processing by the image forming apparatus 2 ends. If it has received the warning command D21 (YES in step S111), the image forming apparatus 2 displays a warning on the display unit 21 based on the warning command D21 and the information added thereto (step S112). For example, the image forming apparatus 2 warns that the image forming apparatus 2 is in an unusable state by displaying a warning screen G1 as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 21. This puts the image forming apparatus 2 into a warning state.

[0097] When the image forming apparatus 2 enters the warning state, it determines whether the disinfection completion button 104 has been operated by the user (step S113). As a result, if the disinfection completion button 104 has been operated (YES in step S113), the image forming apparatus 2 cancels the warning state (step S114). That is, the image forming apparatus 2 switches the display screen of the display unit 21 from the warning screen G1 to a normal screen (for example, a job setting screen). In addition, when the image forming apparatus 2 cancels the warning, it transmits disinfection completion information to the management apparatus 3 (step S15).

[0098] On the other hand, if the disinfection completion button 104 is not operated (NO in step S113), the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether or not a warning cancellation command has been received from the management apparatus 3 (step S116). If a warning cancellation command has not been received (NO in step S116), the process by the image forming apparatus 2 returns to step S113, and the above-described determination is repeated. If a warning cancellation command has been received (YES in step S116), the image forming apparatus 2 cancels the warning state (step S117). In this case, as in the above, the image forming apparatus 2 cancels the warning state by switching the display screen of the display unit 21 from the warning screen G1 to a normal screen (for example, a job setting screen).

[0099] 13, when a user is logged in to and using the image forming apparatus 2, the processing procedure is such that a warning is not displayed immediately even when the warning command D21 is received from the management device 3. However, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus 2 displays a warning immediately when it receives the warning command D21. Therefore, it is preferable that the processing of steps S112 to S117 be configured to be executed as an interrupt when the image forming apparatus 2 receives the warning command D21, even when a user is logged in to and using the image forming apparatus 2.

[0100] Next, a description will be given of the main operation of the management device 3. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in which the management device 3 prohibits the use of an image forming device 2 that has been used by an infected person or a close contact. This processing procedure is performed by the CPU 62 in the control unit 60 of the management device 3 by executing the program 64, and is a process that is repeatedly executed in the management device 3.

[0101] When the management device 3 starts this process, it first determines whether or not it has received user information D10 from the image forming device 2 (step S201). If it has not received user information D10 (NO in step S201), the process by the management device 3 jumps to step S206. If it has received user information D10 (YES in step S201), the management device 3 records the user name, identification information of the image forming device 2, and the login date and time in the operation history information 65 (step S202). Then, the management device 3 waits to receive contact information D11 from the image forming device 2 (step S203). When it receives contact information D11 (YES in step S203), it records the operation location, the number of contacts, and the logout date and time in the operation history information 65 (step S204), and updates the operation history information 65 (step S205).

[0102] Next, the management device 3 determines whether or not infected individual information D20 has been input (step S206). If infected individual information D20 has not been input (NO in step S206), the processing by the management device 3 ends. If infected individual information D20 has been input (YES in step S206), the management device 3 reads out operation history information 65 (step S207) and executes prohibited device identification processing (step S208). In the prohibited device identification processing in step S208, the image forming device 2 used by the infected individual is identified as a prohibited device. Then, the management device 3 determines whether or not a prohibited device has been identified in the prohibited device identification processing in step S208 (step S209). As a result, if a prohibited device has not been identified (NO in step S209), the processing by the management device 3 ends.

[0103] On the other hand, if a prohibited device is identified (YES in step S209), the management device 3 executes a close contact identification process (step S210). Here, it is determined whether another user has used the same image forming device 2 after the infected person used the image forming device 2. If another user has used the same image forming device 2, the management device 3 identifies the other user as a close contact. Then, the management device 3 determines whether a close contact has been identified (step S211). If a close contact has not been identified (NO in step S211), the processing by the management device 3 jumps to step S214. On the other hand, if a close contact has been identified (YES in step S211), the management device 3 sends an email to the user identified as a close contact to notify them that they are a close contact (step S212). Furthermore, the management device 3 executes the prohibited device identification process again to identify the image forming device 2 used by the close contact as a prohibited device (step S213).

[0104] Next, the management device 3 executes an available device identification process (step S214). That is, the management device 3 identifies, as available devices, image forming devices 2 that are not being used by infected individuals or close contacts of infected individuals. Then, the management device 3 transmits warning target information indicating infected individuals and close contacts as warning targets to the image forming devices 2 identified as available devices (step S215). As a result, the image forming devices 2 identified as available devices can display a warning screen G2 as shown in FIG. 12 when used by infected individuals or close contacts of infected individuals. Furthermore, the management device 3 transmits a warning command D21 to the image forming devices 2 identified as prohibited devices (step S216). As a result, the image forming devices 2 identified as prohibited devices enter a warning state, displaying a warning screen G1 as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, after transmitting the warning command D21, the management device 3 starts measuring time (step S217). That is, the management device 3 starts measuring time to determine whether the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed since transmitting the warning command D21. This completes the procedure shown in FIG.

[0105] 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for the management device 3 to cancel the warning state. As described above, this processing procedure is performed by the CPU 62 executing the program 64 in the control unit 60 of the management device 3, and is a process that is repeatedly executed in the management device 3. This processing procedure is also performed in parallel with the process based on the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above.

[0106] When starting this process, the management device 3 first reads the operation history information 65 from the storage unit 63 (step S221) and determines whether or not history information for which a predetermined period has elapsed is recorded (step S222). For example, information for which the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed is unnecessary information in the operation history information 65. Therefore, if the operation history information 65 includes information for which a predetermined period (for example, the period recorded in the warning period information 66) has elapsed (YES in step S222), the management device 3 deletes that information from the operation history information 65 (step S223). This makes it possible to prevent the size of the operation history information 65 stored in the storage unit 63 from becoming too large. Note that if the operation history information 65 does not include information for which the predetermined period has elapsed (NO in step S222), the management device 3 skips the process of step S223.

[0107] Next, the management device 3 determines whether any image forming device 2 in a warning state exists among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c (step S224). If no image forming device 2 in a warning state exists (NO in step S224), the processing by the management device 3 ends. On the other hand, if any image forming device 2 in a warning state exists (YES in step S224), the management device 3 determines whether the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed since the transmission of the warning command D21, based on the time measurement started in step S217 of FIG. 14 (step S225). As a result, if the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has elapsed (YES in step S225), the management device 3 cancels the warning state of the image forming device 2 managed by itself (step S226). Then, the management device 3 sends a warning cancellation command to the image forming device 2 displaying the warning (step S227). As a result, the image forming device 2 ends the warning display and returns to a normal operating state.

[0108] Furthermore, if the period recorded in the warning period information 66 has not elapsed after the warning command D21 is sent (NO in step S225), the management device 3 determines whether or not disinfection completion information has been received from the image forming device 2 that displayed the warning (step S228). If disinfection completion information has not been received (NO in step S228), the processing by the management device 3 ends. On the other hand, if disinfection completion information has been received (YES in step S228), the management device 3 cancels the warning state of the image forming device 2 that it manages (step S229). This completes the processing procedure shown in FIG. 15.

[0109] As described above, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment includes the image forming apparatus 2 and the management apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 is configured to transmit to the management apparatus 3 user information D10 related to a user identified by the user authentication unit 50 and contact information D11 indicating the user's contact detected by the contact detection unit 53. The management apparatus 3 also stores operation history information 65 correlating the user information D10 and contact information D11 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2. When infected person information D20 indicating an infected person is input, the management apparatus 3 determines based on the operation history information 65 whether the infected person has previously contacted the image forming apparatus 2. If the infected person has contacted the image forming apparatus 2, the management apparatus 3 issues a warning. The image forming system 1 configured as described above can prevent another user from using the image forming apparatus 2 used by an infected person, effectively preventing secondary infections caused by pathogens adhering to the image forming apparatus 2 re-adhering to another user. Therefore, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment can effectively prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by pathogens via the image forming apparatus 2 shared by multiple users.

[0110] Furthermore, when infected person information D20 is input to management device 3, image forming system 1 of this embodiment is configured to identify users who used the same image forming device 2 after the infected person as close contacts based on operation history information 65, notify the close contacts of the suspicion of infection, and also issue a warning to the image forming device 2 used by the close contacts. Therefore, image forming system 1 of this embodiment has a system configuration in which sufficient infection control measures are implemented, making it possible to reliably prevent the spread of infectious diseases via image forming device 2.

[0111] Furthermore, by referring to the operation history information 65, the management device 3 can not only identify users who used the same image forming device 2 after an infected person as close contacts, but can also identify users who used the same image forming device 2 after a close contact as further close contacts.

[0112] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0113] For example, in the above embodiment, a card authentication method is exemplified as an authentication method for user authentication. However, the authentication method is not limited to the card authentication method. For example, the authentication method may be a voice authentication method or a biometric authentication method. Furthermore, the authentication method may be an authentication method in which the user authenticates the user by inputting authentication information such as a user ID and a password into the operation panel 20.

[0114] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration has been described in which the image forming system 1 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c and the management apparatus 3. However, the image forming system 1 may also be configured with one image forming apparatus 2 and one management apparatus 3.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the image forming apparatus 2 issues a warning, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 21. However, the warning issued by the image forming apparatus 2 is not necessarily limited to displaying a warning screen on the display unit 21. For example, the image forming apparatus 2 may be configured to issue a warning by voice.

[0116] In the above embodiment, when an infected person or the like is replacing or replenishing consumables such as toner bottles or recording media, the image forming apparatus 2 displays a warning and provides guidance to disinfect the storage and disposal areas of the consumables. However, even if the image forming apparatus 2 provides guidance to disinfect the storage and disposal areas of the consumables, users will not realize that the storage and disposal areas of the consumables need to be disinfected unless they approach the image forming apparatus 2 where the warning is displayed. Therefore, when the management device 3 determines that an infected person or the like is replacing or replenishing consumables such as toner bottles or recording media, it is preferable that the management device 3 send an email to multiple users who share the image forming apparatus 2 to notify them that the storage and disposal areas of the consumables need to be disinfected. This allows each user to realize that the storage and disposal areas of the consumables need to be disinfected without approaching the image forming apparatus 2 where the warning is displayed, and therefore encourages the users to disinfect the storage and disposal areas of the consumables promptly, thereby preventing the spread of infection through the storage and disposal areas of the consumables.

[0117] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the management device 3 is provided separately from the image forming device 2. However, the functions of the management device 3 described above may be built into any one of the image forming devices 2 among the multiple image forming devices 2a, 2b, and 2c. In this case, the image forming device 2 equipped with the functions of the management device 3 can issue warnings to the other image forming devices 2 and cancel warning states of the other image forming devices 2. Furthermore, when only one image forming device 2 equipped with the functions of the management device 3 is installed in an office, the image forming system 1 described above is configured by that one image forming device 2.

[0118] Furthermore, although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the image forming device 2 or the information processing device 4 identified as an available device may be configured to be able to display the contents of the operation history information 65 stored in the management device 3 by accessing the management device 3.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 is configured as an MFP. However, the image forming apparatus 2 is not limited to an MFP. For example, the image forming apparatus 2 may be a dedicated printer. In other words, the image forming apparatus 2 may be any device that can be shared and used by multiple users. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1. Image forming system 2(2a,2b,2c) Image forming device 3 Management device 8 Operating parts (operating parts) 12 Manuscript cover (cover) 15 Front door (door) 16 Paper tray (tray) 17 Side door (door) 18 Manual feed tray (tray) 20 Operation Panel 21 Display section (display means) 50 User authentication section (user authentication means) 53 Contact detection unit (detection means) 56 Warning display section 63 Storage unit (storage means) 65 Operation history information 66 Warning Period Information 71 Information acquisition unit (acquisition means) 73 Infected person information input unit (input means) 76 Warning section (warning means) 77 Warning release section

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus having a user authentication means for identifying a user and a detection means for detecting contact by the user; a management device that manages the image forming device, the management device having an input means for inputting infected person information indicating that a user has been infected with a pathogen; An image forming system comprising: the image forming device transmits to the management device user information relating to the user identified by the user authentication means and contact information indicating the user's contact detected by the detection means; The management device stores operation history information that correlates the user information and the contact information, and when the infected person information is input into the input means, refers to the operation history information to determine whether the infected person input into the input means has come into contact with the image forming device, and if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, causes the image forming device to issue a warning regardless of whether the user is using the image forming device.

2. the image forming apparatus further comprises a display means, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the management device causes the display means to display a warning when the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device.

3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the warning display includes a display prohibiting use of the image forming apparatus.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the image forming device is capable of switching the display means to a non-display state after a predetermined time has elapsed, and when the warning display is being displayed on the display means, the warning display is continued even after the predetermined time has elapsed.

5. the detection unit is capable of detecting a user's contact with each of a plurality of operation points provided in the image forming apparatus, The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that when the management device causes the display means to display the warning, it displays, among the plurality of operation locations, an operation location that the infected person has come into contact with.

6. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of operation points include a cover, a door, or a tray that can be opened and closed by a user.

7. The image forming system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that when the management device causes the display means to display the warning, it also guides the user to disinfect the operation points among the plurality of operation points that the infected person has come into contact with.

8. When the image forming device receives a disinfection completion operation for the operation location that the infected person has touched, the image forming device transmits disinfection completion information to the management device and ends the warning display; The image forming system according to claim 7 , wherein the management device cancels the warning state of the image forming device based on the disinfection completion information.

9. The image forming system described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that when the management device determines based on the operation history information that the infected person is replacing or replenishing consumables of the image forming device, it further guides the display means to disinfect the storage location of the consumables when displaying the warning.

10. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the management device stores warning period information in which the period for issuing the warning is specified in advance, and after causing the image forming device to issue the warning, if the period specified in the warning period information has elapsed, the management device cancels the warning in the image forming device.

11. The image forming system described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that when the infected person information is input, the management device determines based on the operation history information whether another user has come into contact with the image forming device after the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, and if another user has come into contact with the image forming device, identifies the other user as a close contact.

12. the image forming device further transmits identification information of the image forming device to the management device when transmitting the user information and the contact information to the management device; The image forming system described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the management device manages a plurality of image forming devices, correlates the user information, the contact information, and the identification information, and records them in the operation history information, and when the infected person information is input, identifies an image forming device from among the plurality of image forming devices that the infected person has come into contact with as a prohibited device based on the operation history information, and causes the image forming device identified as the prohibited device to issue a warning.

13. The image forming system of claim 12, characterized in that when the infected person information is input, the management device determines based on the operation history information whether another user has come into contact with the prohibited device after the infected person has come into contact with the prohibited device, and if another user has come into contact with the prohibited device, identifies the other user as a close contact.

14. The image forming system described in claim 13, characterized in that when the management device identifies the close contact when the infected person information is input, it further identifies the image forming device that the close contact came into contact with from among the multiple image forming devices as the prohibited device.

15. The image forming system described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the management device identifies an image forming device other than the prohibited device from among the plurality of image forming devices as an available device, and when causing the image forming device identified as the prohibited device to issue a warning, causes the management device to inform the user that the image forming device identified as the available device is available.

16. The image forming system according to claim 15, characterized in that the image forming device identified as an available device issues a warning that the device should not be used if the user identified by the user authentication means is the infected person or a close contact of the infected person.

17. The image forming system according to claim 11 or 13, wherein the management device sends an email to the user identified as a close contact, indicating that the user is a close contact.

18. A management device for managing an image forming device having a user authentication unit for identifying a user and a detection unit for detecting contact by the user, an acquisition unit that acquires, from the image forming apparatus, user information related to the user identified by the user authentication unit and contact information indicating the user's contact detected by the detection unit; a storage means for storing operation history information in which the user information and the contact information are associated with each other; an input means for inputting infected person information indicating infected persons; a warning means for, when the infected person information is input to the input means, determining whether or not the infected person input to the input means has come into contact with the image forming device by referring to the operation history information, and, if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, causing the image forming device to issue a warning regardless of whether or not a user is using the image forming device; A management device comprising:

19. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a user authentication unit that identifies a user and a detection unit that detects contact by the user, comprising: A control method characterized by storing operation history information that correlates user information regarding the user identified by the user authentication means with contact information indicating the user's contact detected by the detection means, and when infected person information indicating an infected person is input, referring to the operation history information to determine whether the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, and if the infected person has come into contact with the image forming device, causing the image forming device to issue a warning regardless of whether the user is using the image forming device.

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