JP4131500B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and locking / unlocking program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a sheet, an image forming system having the image forming apparatus, and a locking / unlocking program, and more particularly to locking and unlocking a paper feeding cassette without using a physical lock. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of locking, an image forming system, and a locking / unlocking program.

Image forming apparatuses typified by printers, copiers, scanners, facsimile machines, composite apparatuses, and the like are provided with one or more paper feed cassettes for setting sheets as printing media.
Conventionally, the paper cassette contains only ordinary printing paper (inexpensive print paper), and it is necessary to prevent the paper from being pulled out from the paper cassette until it is locked. Was scarce.

  However, as an application of recent image forming apparatuses, securities such as checks that can be used immediately after entering the number of money, etc. are put in a paper cassette, and the amount of money can be increased by mica toner containing magnetic powder. There is provided a mica toner printer that can be used immediately for economic transactions if numbers are printed. In such a mica toner printer, it is necessary to prevent an economic loss that the paper cassette is pulled out without permission and the check paper is stolen by locking.

Therefore, techniques for locking / unlocking the paper feed cassette have been proposed.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, locking means (cylinder main body 102, locking member 104) for fixing the paper feed cassette 101 to the main body 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 so that it cannot be pulled out are provided. There is a technique (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Specifically, for example, the cylinder main body 102 is provided on the paper feed cassette 101 side, and the locking member 104 is provided on the main body 100 a side of the image forming apparatus 100. When the user inserts the key fitting 103 and rotates it, an internal tag (metal fitting, not shown) rotates. When the rotated tag is locked to the locking member 104, the locking means is closed. On the other hand, when the rotated tag is detached from the locking member 104, the locking means is opened.
According to this technique, since the paper feed cassette 101 is fixed to the main body 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 by the locking means, the paper feed cassette 101 cannot be pulled out, and the set paper is not loaded until unlocked. It becomes impossible to take out without permission.

JP 2001-121895 A JP 2001-132296 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, a physical key (key) is used to lock and unlock the locking means supplemented to the paper feed cassette. In other words, as long as there was the physical lock, anyone could easily unlock the locking means, pull out the paper feed cassette, and easily remove the set paper. As a result, the meaning of attaching the locking means to the paper feed cassette disappears, and the result is that the theft of valuable paper is acquitted.

Therefore, in order to avoid theft and misuse of this physical key fitting, it was necessary to store the key in any appropriate place, but in order to thoroughly prevent theft and misuse by the storage, The environment and system to be monitored and managed by humans and facilities had to be taken. For this reason, a human burden and a cost burden were imposed, and the management was unavoidable.
In the unlikely event that the key fitting is lost, the locked paper feed cassette cannot be unlocked. For this reason, even if the paper in the paper feed cassette runs out, it cannot be replenished, so that the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can be locked and unlocked without using a physical key.

In addition, even when locking and unlocking is possible using locking / unlocking data (password, etc.) without using a physical key, for example, high-priced paper such as checks and securities can be stored in the paper cassette. In the case of replenishing a large amount of paper, there is a problem that the cost increases if the expensive paper is used in an excessive amount.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a locking / unlocking program capable of preventing excessive use of expensive paper replenished in a paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a lock and / or lock between the housing and the paper feed cassette. An image forming apparatus provided with a locking means for unlocking, wherein registration means for registering locking / unlocking data, input locking / unlocking data and locking / unlocking data registered in the registration means are collated The collation control means, the locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the inputted locking / unlocking data has been registered, and the use of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette Usage information calculating means for calculating numerical information as usage information, and usage information collating means for determining whether or not a value indicated by the usage information exceeds a threshold, and the locking / unlocking control means includes the usage information. Value indicated by the usage information in the verification means If it is determined that exceeds the threshold value, the paper feed cassette is locked by said locking means is configured so as to prohibit the unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data.

  In this way, when the numerical value relating to the use of the sheet of the image forming apparatus exceeds the threshold value, the sheet feeding cassette can be locked to restrict the unlocking so that the sheet cannot be replenished. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive use of paper (particularly expensive paper) that is replenished in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus.

The numerical information is information that can be expressed numerically. In the present invention, numerical information relating to paper use is referred to as use information.
The usage information includes, for example, the number of sheets used, the number of sheets used in one output start operation, the total number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus, and the number of times the image forming apparatus has been used. . The usage information calculation means includes, for example, means for calculating the paper usage quantity (paper usage quantity counting means, paper usage count counting means, paper usage quantity counting means), and paper used in one output start operation. Means for calculating the used amount of paper (paper usage quantity counting means in one output start operation), means for calculating the total usage quantity of paper used in the image forming apparatus (all paper usage quantity counting means), and image forming apparatus Means for calculating the number of times the device is used (device usage number counting means).

Further, the usage information collating unit is used, for example, in a unit for collating the used quantity of paper with a threshold (paper used quantity collating unit, paper used number collating unit, paper used amount collating unit), and used for one output start operation. Means for collating the used quantity of paper with a threshold (paper used quantity collating means in one output start operation), means for comparing the total used quantity of paper used in the image forming apparatus with a threshold (all in the image forming apparatus) Sheet usage quantity collating means), means for collating the number of uses of the image forming apparatus with a threshold (apparatus usage number collating means), and the like.
The threshold used by the usage information collating means is a value that is compared with the usage information, and is a value that is set to lock the sheet cassette when the usage information exceeds the value. Specifically, for example, the upper limit value of the paper usage quantity, the upper limit value of the number of used paper sheets, the upper limit value of the paper usage quantity, the upper limit value of the paper usage quantity in one output start operation, and the upper limit value of the total paper usage quantity in the image forming apparatus , Device usage count upper limit value, etc.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the usage information indicates a usage amount of the paper.
In this way, when the number of sheets used in the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus exceeds a threshold value, the paper cassette can be automatically locked to limit unlocking. For this reason, it is possible to prevent overuse of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus.
The used quantity includes the number of used sheets and the used quantity.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the usage information indicates a usage amount of the paper used in one output start operation.
In this way, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the sheets replenished in the sheet cassette from being continuously used in one output start operation (when the print start button is pressed once).

  For example, if the upper limit value of the number of sheets that can be printed in one output start operation is set to 50 sheets, when the user of the image forming apparatus continuously prints 51 sheets or more, the sheet cassette is automatically locked. Is done. As a result, even if the remaining paper in the paper cassette is used after being locked, if there is no paper in the paper cassette, no more paper can be replenished. In other words, the user can no longer use the image forming apparatus and can prevent excessive use of paper.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the usage information indicates a total usage quantity of the paper used in the image forming apparatus.
In this way, the sheet feeding cassette can be locked when the number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus exceeds a threshold value.

  For example, if the upper limit value of the number of sheets used is set to 100 sheets, the sheet cassette is automatically locked when the user uses 101 sheets or more. As a result, the user can use the remaining paper in the paper feed cassette, but if the paper in the paper feed cassette runs out, it can no longer be replenished and the image forming apparatus cannot be used. It can prevent overuse of paper.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the usage information indicates the number of times the image forming apparatus is used.
In this way, the sheet feeding cassette can be automatically locked when the number of times the image forming apparatus is used exceeds a threshold value.

  For example, if the upper limit of the number of times of use is set to 30 times per day, the paper feed cassette is locked when used for the 31st time per day. As a result, the remaining paper in the paper cassette can be used after being locked, but if the paper in the paper cassette runs out, the user can no longer use the image forming apparatus, and the paper is overused. Can be prevented.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette. A registration unit for registering the unlocking data, a verification control unit for verifying the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration unit, When the input lock / unlock data has been registered, lock / unlock control means for locking or unlocking the lock means, and numerical information on the number of locks and / or the number of times of unlocking of the paper feed cassette Locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating as locking / unlocking information, and locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not a value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds a threshold , the locking / unlocking control means , the locking and unlocking by the locking and unlocking information collating means When the value indicated by the broadcast is determined that exceeds the threshold value, the paper feed cassette is locked by said locking means is configured so as to prohibit the unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data.

In this way, when locking and unlocking the paper feed cassette a predetermined number of times or more, the paper feed cassette is automatically locked and unlocking is restricted.
For example, if the upper limit value of the number of times of locking / unlocking is set to 10 times per day, when the locking or unlocking is performed 11 times or more per day, the sheet feeding cassette is locked and cannot be unlocked. As a result, the remaining paper in the paper cassette can be used after being locked, but if the paper in the paper cassette runs out, the user can no longer use the image forming apparatus, preventing overuse of paper. can do.

The numerical information is information that can be expressed numerically. In the present invention, numerical information regarding the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the paper cassette is referred to as “locking / unlocking information”.
The locking / unlocking information includes, for example, the number of times of locking, the number of times of unlocking, the number of times of locking or the number of times of unlocking, or a charge amount obtained by multiplying the unit charge amount. The unlocking information calculation means includes, for example, means for counting the number of times of locking and unlocking (locking number of times for unlocking), means for calculating the amount of charge based on the number of times of locking or number of times of unlocking (billing amount) Calculation means).
Further, the locking / unlocking information collating unit includes, for example, a unit for collating the number of times of locking and the number of times of unlocking with a threshold (locking / unlocking number of times collating unit), a unit for comparing the amount of locking or the charge amount based on the number of times of unlocking with the threshold (Billing amount checking means) and the like are included.
The threshold value used in the locking / unlocking information collating means is a value that is compared with the locking / unlocking information, and is a value that is set to lock the paper feeding cassette if the locking / unlocking information exceeds the value. . Specifically, for example, an upper limit value of the number of times of locking, an upper limit value of the number of times of unlocking, an upper limit value of the charge amount, and the like are included.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the lock / unlock information indicates the number of locks and / or the number of times of unlocking of the paper feed cassette.
In this way, when the number of times of locking or unlocking the paper cassette (or the total value of the number of times of locking and unlocking) exceeds a threshold value, the paper cassette is locked to restrict unlocking. be able to. This restricts the subsequent replenishment of the paper and prevents overuse of the paper.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the locking / unlocking information indicates the number of times of locking or the value obtained by multiplying the number of times of unlocking by a unit charge amount, and the unit charge amount is determined for each lock. Or it is as a structure which consists of the charge amount imposed for every unlocking.
This makes it possible to charge by a simple method based on locking or unlocking of the paper feed cassette.

When the paper feeding cassette is locked by the locking means, when the paper runs out, the locking means is unlocked and the paper is replenished. And after replenishment, a locking means is locked. Further, the number of sheets to be replenished at one time is almost fixed. Thus, if the number of times of locking or unlocking is known, the total number of sheets that have been replenished so far can be known, so that charging can be made based on the number of times of locking or unlocking.
Note that whether the number of times of locking or the number of times of unlocking is based can be arbitrarily set. This is because unlocking and locking are performed as a series of operations with the replenishment of paper.
This makes it possible to charge each time the paper in the paper feed cassette is used, instead of charging every time the paper in the paper feed cassette is used.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a charge amount storage unit that stores a charge amount per predetermined lock count and / or a predetermined unlock count as a unit charge amount, and the lock count and / or the unlock count. Charge amount calculating means for calculating a value obtained by multiplying the unit charge amount by the above-mentioned unit charge amount as a lock / unlock charge amount.

  In this way, it is possible to charge based on the number of times of locking or unlocking. In other words, it is not charged every time the paper in the paper cassette is used, but charged every time the paper cassette is unlocked or locked after replenishing paper because the paper in the paper cassette is exhausted. Can do. Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus can be charged by a simple method. Further, if the paper feed cassette cannot be unlocked unless the paper in the paper feed cassette is exhausted, theft of the paper can be prevented.

In addition, the image forming system of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feeding cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feeding cassette. And an image forming system including a management device connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication line, wherein the image forming apparatus registers registration information for locking and unlocking data. And a collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means, and when the input unlocking data has been registered, the locking means Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking, and transmission means for transmitting paper use data relating to the use of paper replenished to the paper feed cassette to the management device, wherein the management device stores the paper use data With receiving means to receive Usage information calculation means for calculating usage information relating to the use of the paper based on the paper usage data, usage information verification means for determining whether or not a value indicated by the usage information exceeds a threshold, and the usage information verification means When it is determined that the value indicated by the usage information exceeds the threshold value, the image forming apparatus includes a signal transmission unit that transmits a locking signal, and the image forming apparatus includes a signal receiving unit that receives the locking signal , The locking / unlocking control means is configured to prohibit the unlocking by the specific locking / unlocking data for the paper feed cassette locked by the locking means based on the locking signal.
In this way, by storing the predetermined condition in the management server, the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus can be controlled based on the predetermined condition stored in the management server. Thus, by controlling the locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to limit the use of the paper supplemented to the paper feed cassette of the user of the image forming apparatus.

In addition, the image forming system of the present invention includes a housing, a paper feeding cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feeding cassette. And an image forming system including a management device connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication line, wherein the image forming apparatus registers registration information for locking and unlocking data. And a collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means, and when the input unlocking data has been registered, the locking means Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking, and transmission means for transmitting locking / unlocking execution information indicating that locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette has been performed to the management device, the management The device receives the unlocking execution information Receiving means, locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating numerical information regarding the locking and / or unlocking as locking / unlocking information based on the locking / unlocking execution information, and a value indicated by the locking / unlocking information is a threshold value The locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not the value exceeds the threshold value, and when the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information is determined by the locking / unlocking information collating means to exceed the threshold value, a locking signal is transmitted. A signal transmission unit, the image forming apparatus includes a signal reception unit configured to receive the locking signal, and the locking / unlocking control unit is configured to feed the sheet locked by the locking unit based on the locking signal. The cassette is prohibited from being unlocked by specific locking / unlocking data .
In this way, the sheet of the image forming apparatus is charged as it is used, and the sheet feeding cassette can be automatically locked when the charged amount reaches the charged amount upper limit value. As a result, the remaining paper in the paper cassette can be used after being locked, but if the paper in the paper cassette runs out, the user can no longer use the image forming apparatus, preventing overuse of paper. can do.

The locking / unlocking program of the present invention is a locking / unlocking program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and includes a computer, a registration unit for registering the locking / unlocking data, the input locking / unlocking data, Collation control means for collating the lock / unlock data registered in the registration means, and a lock / unlock control means for locking or unlocking the lock means when the input lock / unlock data has been registered. the use information calculation means for calculating the numerical information on the use of paper supplemented to the paper feed cassette as usage information, usage information collating means that the value indicated by the usage information to determine whether more than a threshold value, said use information If the value indicated is determined that exceeds the threshold value, the paper feed cassette is locked by said locking means and locking and unlocking control means for inhibiting unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data There is a structure in which to function Te.

  By causing the image forming apparatus to execute the lock / unlock program having such a configuration, the lock / unlock of the sheet feeding cassette can be controlled when the value indicated by the use information exceeds the threshold value. Thereby, locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus can be controlled to prevent overuse of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette.

The locking / unlocking program of the present invention is a locking / unlocking program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and includes a computer, a registration unit for registering the locking / unlocking data, the input locking / unlocking data, Collation control means for collating the lock / unlock data registered in the registration means, and a lock / unlock control means for locking or unlocking the lock means when the input lock / unlock data has been registered. , locking and unlocking the lock unlocking information calculating means for calculating the numerical information about the locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette as lock unlocking information, the value indicated by the locking and unlocking are decision exceeds the threshold information checking means, when the value indicated by the lock unlocking information is determined to have exceeded the threshold, facilities for prohibiting the unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data sheet feeding cassette is locked by said locking means - it is constituted to function as unlocking control means.

  By causing the image forming apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking program having such a configuration, the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds the threshold value, so that the locking / unlocking of the sheet feeding cassette can be controlled. Thereby, locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus can be controlled to prevent overuse of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette.

The locking / unlocking program of the present invention is a locking / unlocking program having a program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus and a program stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus, the storage of the image forming apparatus. A program stored in the means for registering the computer with the registration / unlocking data, the collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the locking / unlocking data registered in the registration means, the input Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means, and locking means for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper feed cassette when the locked unlocking data has been registered. to function, the program stored in the storage unit of the management device, a computer to function as a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving predetermined information to and from the image forming apparatus through a communication line So, the program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, a computer, a paper usage data to function as a transmission means for transmitting to said management apparatus to the use of replenished sheets in said sheet cassette, the storage management device A program stored in the means causes the computer to receive means for receiving the paper use data, use information calculation means for calculating use information related to the use of the paper based on the paper use data, and a value indicated by the use information. using information collating means for determining whether more than a threshold value, the value indicated by the usage information is determined to have exceeded the threshold, to function as a signal transmission means for transmitting a locking signal, the storage of the image forming apparatus a program stored in the means, a computer, signal receiving means for receiving the locking signal, based on the locking signal, the Paper feed cassette is locked by the lock means is a structure to function as a locking and unlocking control means for inhibiting unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data.

  By causing the image forming apparatus or the management apparatus to execute the lock / unlock program having such a configuration, the lock / unlock of the sheet feeding cassette can be controlled when the value indicated by the usage information exceeds the threshold value. Thereby, locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus can be controlled to prevent overuse of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette.

The locking / unlocking program of the present invention is a locking / unlocking program having a program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus and a program stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus, the storage of the image forming apparatus. A program stored in the means for registering the computer with the registration / unlocking data, the collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the locking / unlocking data registered in the registration means, the input Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means, and locking means for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper feed cassette when the locked unlocking data has been registered. to function, the program stored in the storage unit of the management device, a computer to function as a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving predetermined information to and from the image forming apparatus through a communication line Allowed, transmission means programs stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, the computer sends a lock unlocking execution information indicating that the locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette has been made to the management device The program stored in the storage means of the management apparatus is a receiving means for receiving the locking / unlocking execution information, and numerical information relating to the locking and / or unlocking based on the locking / unlocking execution information. The unlocking information calculating means for calculating the unlocking information , the unlocking information collating means for determining whether the value indicated by the unlocking information exceeds a threshold, the value indicated by the unlocking information is the value If it is determined that the threshold is exceeded, to function as a signal transmission means for transmitting a locking signal, the program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, a computer, said locking Signal receiving means for receiving the items, on the basis of the locking signal, it is constituted to function as a locking and unlocking control means for inhibiting unlocking by a particular locking and unlocking the data sheet feeding cassette is locked by said locking means .

  By causing the image forming apparatus or the management apparatus to execute the locking / unlocking program having such a configuration, the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds the threshold value, so that the locking / unlocking of the sheet feeding cassette can be controlled. Thereby, locking / unlocking of the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus can be controlled to prevent overuse of the paper replenished in the paper feed cassette.

According to the present invention, it is possible to lock and unlock the locking means simply by inputting or transmitting the locking / unlocking data to the image forming apparatus, and a physical lock is not required. For this reason, it is possible to prevent theft of paper using a physical key, particularly theft of valuable paper.
In addition, by notifying only the specific person of the unlocking data, it is possible to prevent the paper cassette from being pulled out from the casing of the image forming apparatus except for the specific person. Therefore, it is possible to strictly manage valuable print paper. Further, a specific person can freely select whether or not to use the locking means (locking function) of the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, some or all of the paper cassettes can be locked / unlocked based on the locking / unlocking data, and different locking / unlocking data can be set for each paper feeding cassette (locking means). By making it possible, a different paper cassette can be used for each department (department). In addition, other than the operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body, for example, the unlocking / unlocking data can be input / transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Even when the administrator of the image forming apparatus is located away from the image forming apparatus, the administrator can unlock and lock the paper feed cassette without moving.

  In addition, by configuring a management server in the image forming apparatus, when a third party uses the paper of the image forming apparatus, the paper cassette is automatically locked or unlocked under certain conditions. It can be made impossible. As a result, even if the remaining paper in the paper cassette is used, if the paper in the paper cassette is exhausted, the user can no longer use the image forming apparatus and can prevent overuse of paper. It is possible to prevent the withdrawal of expensive paper inside.

  Also, when the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus is unlocked and locked, it is considered that the paper is replenished to the paper cassette, and each time the paper cassette is unlocked (or every time it is locked). The charge amount corresponding to the number of sheets that can be replenished is added to charge the user of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to charge the user of the image forming apparatus with a simple method.

  The paper feeding cassette is inserted into and removed from the housing of the image forming apparatus, and can be locked by the locking means. And unlocking data (for example, a password, a personal identification number, etc.) are used for unlocking and locking of the locking means. Further, the image forming apparatus main body includes a communication unit, and lock / unlock data is transmitted from the terminal device connected to the communication unit to the image forming apparatus main body, thereby enabling locking and unlocking to be controlled from a remote position. .

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus (for example, a mica toner printer MP) according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a main part when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out, and FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a means, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view of a locked state, (B) is a perspective view of an unlocked state.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus (such as a mica toner printer MP) includes a printer main body 10 and first to fourth paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.
The printer main body 10 (image forming apparatus main body) includes a main body housing (first housing) 30A and a first paper feed cassette 20A that is detachably provided in the main body housing 30A. .
The second to fourth housings 30B to 30D and the second to fourth paper feed cassettes 20B to 20D provided in the second to fourth housings 30B to 30D so as to be insertable / removable. These are independent devices that can be added as options.

In addition, electrical control (for example, paper feed control and sorter control) of the printer main body 10 and the second to fourth paper feed cassettes 20B to 20D can be performed from the operation unit 11 of the printer main body 10 (not shown). ).
Each of the paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D can store important and valuable print paper such as a check.

The printer main body 10 includes an operation unit 11 on the front side of the upper surface.
The operation unit 11 is a human-device interface (man-machine interface, MMI), and includes a liquid crystal display unit 11a and a button unit 11b including various function buttons (see FIG. 4).
The liquid crystal display unit 11a displays important paper types such as checks stored in the paper cassettes 20A to 20D, and displays an abnormality content with illustrations and characters when an abnormality occurs. Is called. Further, the number of print sheets used and the limit of the number of sheets used for a predetermined period (for example, one week) are displayed.

The button portion 11b is provided with a numeric keypad, an all clear button, a start button, a stop button, etc. (not shown).
The numeric keypad is used for setting a password (locking / unlocking data), the type of printing paper used for printing (designating a paper feed cassette), the number of prints, the number of copies, the maximum number of copies used for one week, and the like. The all clear button is used to return various settings made through the operation unit 11 to the initial settings.
The start button is a button for starting the print function with the setting after the setting is completed. The stop button is a button for canceling the started print function.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the first paper feed cassette 20A can be pulled out from the insertion / removal opening (opening) 12 in the main body housing 30A of the printer main body 10 in the direction of the arrow. It is.
On the left side before the insertion / removal port 12, a solenoid 13 constituting a locking means is attached.
Further, an L-shaped bracket 22 constituting locking means as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the back surface side of the front plate 21 of the first paper feed cassette 20A and facing the solenoid 13. Yes.

Then, when the insertion / removal rod 13a of the solenoid 13 is inserted into and removed from the locking hole 22a of the bracket 22, a locked state and an unlocked state are ensured. This locking and unlocking method will be described later.
Note that the locking means (solenoid 13 and bracket 22) between the second to fourth casings 30B to 30D and the second to fourth sheet feeding cassettes 20B to 20D are locked in the first sheet feeding cassette 20A. Since it is the same as the structure of the means, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of lock control means constituting the control system, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of password allocation to each paper feed cassette. is there.

A configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus (such as a mica toner printer MP) according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 40 includes an operation unit 11, a main control unit 41, a bus 42, a solenoid driving unit 43, an interface (I / F, receiving unit, receiving unit) 44, machine The drive part 45, the alarm part 46, and the information processing apparatus 70 are provided. Reference numeral 80 denotes communication means.

  The operation unit 11 receives operation guide display and image data for abnormality display from the main control unit 41 described below, displays them on the liquid crystal display unit 11a, and receives input of various buttons of the button unit 11b. Information is sent to the main control unit 41.

The main control unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and the CPU operates according to a system program stored in the ROM. Abnormal display image data and the like are stored in the RAM. Alternatively, a mass storage device such as a hard disk can be connected so that a large amount of data can be handled.
The main control unit 41 incorporates lock control means 50 (see FIG. 5) according to the gist of the present invention described later.

  Further, the main control unit 41 controls the solenoid driving unit 43 and the mechanical driving unit 45 in order to execute functions instructed by the operation unit 11 or the information processing apparatus 70 (described later). Examples of the mechanical drive unit 45 include devices necessary for driving a mechanism unit necessary for the image forming apparatus, such as a scanner mechanism unit, a drum rotation mechanism unit, and a paper feed mechanism unit. The mechanical drive unit 45 is provided with various sensors, and the main control unit 41 detects an abnormality based on a signal from the sensor. When abnormality detection is performed, the main control unit 41 performs abnormality notification using a light and buzzer (not shown) connected to the alarm unit 46.

  The solenoid drive unit 43 moves the insertion / removal rod 13a of the solenoid 13 back and forth when a password to be described later is registered in advance. When the insertion / removal rod 13a protrudes, it is in a locked state, and when it is pulled in, it is in an unlocked state. The drive target of the solenoid drive unit 43 is all of the solenoids 13 in the first to fourth paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.

Next, the principal part of 1st embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lock control means 50 includes a cassette designation control means 51, a password registration control means 52, a password change control means 53, a password verification control means 54, a password determination control means 55, a lock / The unlocking control means 56, the communication control means 57, and the password registration means 58 are provided.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the unlocking data includes a password.

  In response to an instruction input from the button unit 11b or the information processing device 70, the cassette designation control unit 51 determines how many sheets and how many copies on which print paper of the four paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D. Specifies whether to print.

The password registration control unit 52 performs control to set and register individual passwords corresponding to the respective paper feed cassettes in the password registration unit 58 that registers passwords in advance (see FIG. 6). The password is set by setting input from the operation unit 11 and the information processing apparatus 70. Only a specific administrator (for example, a group leader) can set a password, and other persons such as general employees cannot. Therefore, only an administrator who knows the password can open and close the paper feed cassette.
It is also possible for a specific administrator to set a password for unlocking or a password for locking only.

  The password change control means 53 is used for control when changing a set password. The change can be input from the operation unit 11 and the information processing apparatus 70. The password is preferably changed after a certain period. This is because the password may be leaked to non-administrators.

The password verification control means (password verification means) 54 performs control to verify whether or not a newly input password has been registered with the administrator password shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, an administrator password that can be set only by an administrator is set for each sheet cassette, and the administrator password includes an unlock password and a lock password.

When valuable print paper is not used (for example, inexpensive copy paper is used), for example, all the administrator passwords may be set to “0000”. In this way, ordinary employees can freely open and close the paper feed cassette.
The password determination control unit 55 performs control to determine whether or not the newly input password has been registered and whether or not the paper cassette is allowed to be locked / unlocked based on the result of the verification by the password verification control unit 54.

The locking / unlocking control means 56 operates the solenoid 13 to control locking / unlocking or locking / unlocking when the input password has been registered.
In addition, the locking / unlocking control means 56 is one of the one or two or more locking means when one or two or more of the paper feeding cassettes 20A to 20D are provided with the locking means. All or a part of the locking means can be locked and / or unlocked based on the locking / unlocking data.
In this way, it is possible to lock and unlock some of the paper feed cassettes.

Further, the locking / unlocking control means 56 has a plurality of locking / unlocking data, and the locking / unlocking data received by the communication control means 57 when the locking / unlocking data corresponding to each locking means is determined. It is also possible to cause the locking means corresponding to the lock data (or the lock / unlock data determined to be a regular password by the password determination control means 55) to be locked and / or unlocked.
In this way, the user can be limited for each paper feed cassette, and the use of others can be limited. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a third party from pulling out the paper (especially theft of valuable paper).

The communication control unit 57 controls communication with the information processing apparatus 70 via the interface (reception unit, reception unit) 44 and the like. The communication means 80 can be either wired or wireless.
In the present embodiment, the operation unit 11 for inputting a password (locking / unlocking data) by the user, the interface 44 for receiving the locking / unlocking data, and the communication control means for receiving the locking / unlocking data inside the apparatus. 57 is collectively referred to as “data receiving means”.

The information processing apparatus 70 can be constituted by, for example, a general personal computer (such as a desktop personal computer or a notebook personal computer), a display unit 71 made of liquid crystal, a keyboard 72 capable of inputting predetermined data, a printer (image forming apparatus). ) A communication function with 10 control systems 40 (not shown) is provided.
In particular, the information processing apparatus 70 is provided with software for inputting locking / unlocking data. This software includes application software and utility programs (including tools) for executing the locking / unlocking function of the paper feed cassettes 20A to 20D.
The application software or utility program transfers the input unlocking data to the printer 10. In order to execute this data transfer, the information processing apparatus 70 is provided with a transmission means (not shown).

Note that the unlocking data can be one of a password, a command, a command, a message, and a code. That is, the unlocking data including these passwords can be transmitted from the information processing apparatus 70 to the printer 10.
However, since commands and instructions are usually a normal program itself or a part of the program, the lock / unlock data is transmitted as a message or code from the information processing apparatus 70 to the printer 10, and the lock / unlock data is stored in the printer 10. The locking means can be locked and unlocked by processing the program (command or command).

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus that locks and unlocks the locking means provided in the paper feed cassette based on the locking and unlocking data, and the information processing that transmits the locking and unlocking data to the image forming apparatus A system including at least the apparatus 70 is referred to as an “image forming system”.
In the image forming system, one or more image forming apparatuses or information processing apparatuses 70 can be provided.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of locking of each paper cassette when the administrator password is registered or changed, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of unlocking of each paper cassette, and FIG. 9 is a registration of the administrator password. It is a flowchart figure of locking of each paper feed cassette in the case of having been completed.

First, registration and change of the administrator password will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, the printer administrator performs a predetermined operation of “input an administrator password” from the keyboard 72 of the information processing apparatus 70 (step S1). Then, a cassette management tool (cassette designation control means 51, password registration control means 52, password change control means 53, password verification control means 54, password determination control means 55, locking / unlocking control means 56, communication control means 57, password Registration means 58) is activated (step S2).

  Next, when there is registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the sheet cassette, the unlocking / locking password is registered / changed for each sheet cassette (step S3: YES). If the unlock / lock password is not registered or changed, the process proceeds to “1” in FIG. 8 (step S3: NO).

  Step S3: If YES and the registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the first paper feed cassette 20A is to be performed (step S4: YES), the unlocking / locking password of the first paper feeding cassette 20A (For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the unlocking password is “1234A” and the locking password is “1234B”) is registered (step S5), and the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) is connected via the communication means 80. The locking code (locking password) of the first sheet cassette 20A is transmitted to the first sheet cassette 20A, the first sheet cassette 20A is locked (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S7.

  When the registration / change of the unlocking / locking password of the first sheet cassette 20A is not performed (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, when registering or changing the unlock / lock password of the second paper feed cassette 20B (step S7: YES), the unlock / lock password of the second paper feed cassette 20B (unlock password). "2345A" and the lock password is "2345B") (step S8), and the lock code (lock password) of the second paper cassette 20B is entered into the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) via the communication means 80. ) Is transmitted, the second paper feed cassette 20B is locked (step S9), and the process proceeds to step S10.

  Similarly, when the unlocking / locking password of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is not registered or changed (step S10: NO), the process proceeds to step S13, and the operation of the cassette management tool is completed. In the present embodiment, “N = 4”.

  In step S10, when the unlocking / locking password of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is registered or changed (step S10: YES), the unlocking / locking password (unlocking password) of the Nth sheet cassette 20N is set. For example, “4567A” and the lock password is “4567B”) are registered (step S11), and the lock code of the Nth paper feed cassette 20N is transferred to the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP) via the communication means 80. When (locking password) is transmitted and the N-th sheet feeding cassette 20N is locked (step S12), the operation of the cassette management tool ends.

Next, the unlocking operation of each paper feed cassette will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S3 in FIG. 7, when the unlocking / locking password of the paper cassette is not registered or changed (step S3: NO), the locked state of the paper cassette is released (unlocked) ( (Step S21: YES), the paper cassette to be unlocked is specified, and its management number is input to the information processing apparatus 70 (Step S22).

  This input data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (mica toner printer MP), and the table (FIG. 6) of the password registration unit 58 of the lock control unit 50 is referred to (step S23). If the password for the paper cassette designated for release is correct, the designated paper cassette is released (step S25). If the password for the paper cassette designated for release is not correct, the process proceeds to “2” in FIG. 7 and the role of the cassette management tool is terminated (step S13).

  In step S21 of FIG. 8, if the locked state of the paper cassette is not released (step S21: NO), the process proceeds to “3” in FIG. 9 and the management number of the paper cassette to be locked is input (step S31). ), The lock control means 50 refers to the table (FIG. 6) (step S32). If the unlock password is correct (step S33: YES), the designated sheet cassette is unlocked (step S34). If the input unlock password is not correct (step S33: NO), the process proceeds to “4”, and further proceeds to “2” in FIG. 8, and the operation of the paper feed cassette management tool ends.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the locking means can be locked / unlocked simply by inputting or transmitting the locking / unlocking data to the image forming apparatus. No metal fittings are required. For this reason, it is possible to prevent theft of paper using a physical key, particularly theft of valuable paper.
In addition, by notifying only the specific person of the unlocking data, it is possible to prevent the paper cassette from being pulled out from the casing of the image forming apparatus except for the specific person. Therefore, it is possible to strictly manage valuable print paper.
Furthermore, since some or all of the plurality of paper feed cassettes can be locked / unlocked based on the lock / unlock data, different lock / unlock data for each paper feed cassette (locking means). Can be set, it is possible to use different paper cassettes for each department (department).

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, for the purpose of preventing overuse of special paper (expensive paper) such as checks and securities replenished in the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus, A billing amount based on use is calculated, and when the calculated billing amount reaches a predetermined amount, the sheet feeding cassette is locked or unlocked.
Since the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a modified embodiment of the first embodiment described above, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. Description is omitted.

First, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of image forming apparatus management means in the control system.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control system 40 of the image forming apparatus includes a main control unit 41, a solenoid drive unit 43, an I / F 44, a mechanical drive unit 45, an alarm unit 46, and an operation unit 11. ing. These can be connected by a bus 42.
Of the control system 40, the solenoid drive unit 43, I / F 44, machine drive unit 45, alarm unit 46, and operation unit 11 are the control system solenoid drive unit 43 provided in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. , I / F 44, machine drive unit 45, alarm unit 46, and operation unit 11, the detailed description thereof is omitted here.
However, the information processing apparatus 70 is connected to the I / F 44 via the communication unit 80 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the main control unit 41 includes a lock control unit 50 and an image forming apparatus management unit 110.
The lock control means 50 has the same configuration (configuration shown in FIG. 5) as the lock control means 50 provided in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus management unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, a password input invalidation unit 112, a lock signal output unit 113, a control unit 114, and a charge amount management unit 120.
The communication control unit 111 controls communication with the information processing apparatus 70 performed via the interface (I / F, receiving unit, receiving unit) 44 and the communication unit 80 (wireless or wired).

  When the lock signal output from the lock signal output means 113 is input by the lock control means 50 and the paper feed cassette is locked, the password input invalidation means 112 is locked from the operation unit 11b of the image forming apparatus or the information management apparatus 70. Even if unlocking data is input, the input of the unlocking data is invalidated. Therefore, after the locking signal is input to the image forming apparatus, the sheet feeding cassette is not unlocked even if the locking / unlocking data is input to the image forming apparatus. Further, when invalidating the input of the lock / unlock data, the image forming apparatus is configured so that the user of the image forming apparatus recognizes that the paper cassette cannot be locked / unlocked even if the lock / unlock data is input. It is possible to display on the liquid crystal display unit 11b of the operation unit 11a of the apparatus that the lock / unlock data cannot be input.

The lock signal output means 113 sends a lock signal to the lock control means 50 based on a predetermined condition.
The predetermined condition means that the value indicated by the usage information or the value indicated by the unlocking information exceeds the threshold value. The usage information includes, for example, the number of sheets used, the number of sheets used in one output start operation, the total number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus, and the number of times the image forming apparatus is used. Is included. Further, the unlocking information includes the number of times of locking, the number of times of unlocking, the number of times of locking, or the value obtained by multiplying the unit charge amount by the number of times of unlocking. The threshold value is a set value that is the upper limit of the usage information or the unlocking information. The upper limit is the upper limit of the range in which the paper feed cassette is not locked. That is, when this upper limit is exceeded, the paper feed cassette is locked. In the present embodiment, the charge amount corresponds to usage information, and the charge amount upper limit value corresponds to a threshold value.

  The control means 114 sends the charge amount upper limit value input from the information processing apparatus 70 or the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus to the charge amount upper limit storage means 122 described later, and stores it. In addition, the control unit 114 sends the unit charge amount input from the information processing apparatus 70 or the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus to the unit charge amount storage unit 123 described later to be stored. Further, the control unit 114 sends the number of used sheets input from the image forming apparatus 70 or the operation unit 11 to the sheet used number storage unit 124 described later to be stored.

The billing amount management unit 120 includes a sheet use sheet count unit 121, a billing amount upper limit storage unit 122, a unit billing amount storage unit 123, a sheet use sheet number storage unit 124, a billing amount calculation unit 125, and a billing amount verification. Means 126.
The sheet use sheet count unit 121 counts the number of sheets that have been replenished in the sheet cassette of the image forming apparatus and used.

The charge amount upper limit storage unit 122 stores a charge amount upper limit value (upper charge amount). The charge amount upper limit value is an upper limit value (threshold value) of the charge amount imposed on the use of paper. This charge upper limit can be set for each individual user or for each department, and can also be set for each type of paper (for example, plain paper, special paper, etc.).
The unit charge amount storage unit 123 stores the unit charge amount. The unit charge amount is a charge amount per predetermined number of sheets used.
The paper usage number storage unit 124 stores the counted paper usage number received from the image processing apparatus.

The billing amount calculation unit 125 calculates a billing amount by multiplying the number of used sheets counted by the sheet use number counting unit 121 by the unit billing amount stored in the unit billing amount input unit 123.
The billing amount collating unit 126 collates the billing amount upper limit value stored in the billing amount upper limit storage unit 122 with the calculated billing amount calculated by the billing amount calculating unit 123. If the calculated charge amount is larger than the charge amount upper limit value as a result of the collation, the lock signal output means 113 transmits a lock signal to the lock / unlock control means 56 of the lock control means 50, and the paper feed cassette is locked. Or, when already locked, even if the unlocking data is input by the password input invalidating means 112, it cannot be unlocked.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is an operation procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus.
First, the administrator of the image forming apparatus inputs a charge amount upper limit value from the information processing apparatus 70 or the operation unit 11b of the image forming apparatus. The charge amount upper limit value input from the information processing apparatus 70 is received and stored in the charge amount upper limit value storage means 122 via the communication means 80 and the interface 44 of the image forming apparatus (step S41). Also, the unit billing amount is received and stored in the unit billing amount input means 123 in the same manner as the billing amount upper limit value (step S42).

  When the paper provided in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus is used (step S43), the number of used paper is counted by the paper usage number counting means 121 (step S44). When the number of used sheets is counted, the counted number is stored in the used sheet number storage unit 124, and then charged by the charged amount calculating unit 125 by multiplying the counted number of used sheets by a unit charged amount (hereinafter, referred to as the amount of sheet used). "Calculated billing amount") is calculated (step S45).

  After the charge amount calculation means 125 calculates the amount corresponding to the used paper, the charge amount comparison means 126 compares the charge amount upper limit value with the calculated charge amount (step S46). If the calculated billing amount is smaller than the billing amount upper limit value as a result of the collation (step S46: YES), the sheet cassette of the image forming apparatus is not locked, and unlocking is not prohibited, so the sheet cassette is locked. However, it can be unlocked by inputting the unlocking data.

  Further, when the paper in the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus is used (step S43) and the number of used sheets is counted (step S44), the calculated billing amount is calculated again for the used paper count. (Step S45), the charge upper limit and the calculated charge are collated (Step S46).

If the calculated charge amount is larger than the charge amount upper limit value as a result of the collation (step S46: NO), a lock signal is sent from the lock signal output means 113 to the lock control means 50. As a result, when the paper feed cassette is unlocked, it is locked. When the paper cassette is locked, even if the unlocking data is input, it cannot be unlocked by the password input invalid means 112 (step S47). ). Further, the password input invalidating means 112 displays on the operation unit 11a a message indicating that the unlocking / unlocking data cannot be input (step S48).
Even after the paper cassette is locked, if the paper remains in the paper cassette, the paper can be used by the image forming apparatus (step S49). When the sheet runs out (step S50), the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

As described above, the charging amount upper limit value or the like is stored from the operation unit 11 or the information processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus, and when the upper limit value is reached, the sheet feeding cassette is automatically locked. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive use of special paper such as checks and securities replenished in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus and unlimited use of paper replenished in the paper feed cassette.
Note that the administrator of the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus 70 can unlock the paper feed cassette by setting another password, for example, to automatically unlock the paper feed cassette that is locked. Yes.
In the present embodiment, the charge amount is described as an example of the locking / unlocking information, and the charge amount upper limit value is described as an example of the threshold value. However, the present invention is not limited to the charge amount or the charge amount upper limit value. Information and thresholds, for example, the number of sheets used, the amount of sheets used, the number of sheets used in one output start operation, the total number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus, the number of times the image forming apparatus is used, The number of times of locking, the number of times of unlocking, and the upper limit value corresponding to these can be used.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is a form in which some of the means constituting the image forming apparatus management means 110 of the second embodiment are means constituting the management server 200.
Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a modified embodiment of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. Description is omitted.

First, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus management means in the control system, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server.
In the control system of the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an information processing apparatus 70 and an image forming apparatus management server (management apparatus) 200 are connected by communication means 80. The main control unit 41 of the control system of the image forming apparatus includes the lock control unit 50 and the image forming apparatus management unit 110 as in the second embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus management unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, a password input invalidation unit 112, and a billing amount management unit 120. The billing amount management unit 120 includes a sheet use sheet count unit 121.
The communication control unit 111 controls communication with the information processing apparatus 70 and the management server 200 performed via the interface (I / F, receiving unit, receiving unit) 44, the communication unit 80 (wireless or wired), and the like.
Note that the password input invalidation unit 112 and the sheet usage count unit 121 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus management server 200 includes a communication control unit 201, a lock signal output unit 202, a control unit 203, and a charge amount management unit 220.
The communication control unit 201 controls communication with the image forming apparatus or the information processing apparatus 70 performed via the communication unit 80 or the like.
The locking signal output unit 202 transmits a locking signal from the management server 200 to the image forming apparatus according to a predetermined condition.
The control unit 203 sends the charge amount upper limit value received by the communication control unit 201 from the image forming apparatus to the charge amount upper limit storage unit 221 described later, and stores it. Further, the control unit 203 sends the unit charge amount received by the communication control unit 201 from the image forming apparatus to the unit charge amount storage unit 222 described later and stores it. Further, the control unit 203 sends the number of used sheets received by the communication control unit 203 from the image forming apparatus to a later-described sheet used number storage unit 223 for storage.

The billing management unit 220 includes a billing amount upper limit storage unit 221, a unit billing amount storage unit 222, a paper usage number storage unit 223, a billing amount calculation unit 224, and a billing amount collating unit 225. These means are the means constituting the image forming apparatus management means 110 of the second embodiment and the means constituting the management server 200.
Accordingly, each means is a charge amount upper limit storage means 121, a unit charge amount storage means 123, a sheet use sheet number storage means 124, and a charge amount calculation means 125, which constitute the image forming apparatus management means 110 of the second embodiment. , Corresponding to the billing amount checking means 126, respectively.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is an operation procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus.
First, the administrator of the image forming apparatus inputs a charge amount upper limit value from the information processing apparatus 70 or the operation unit 11b of the image forming apparatus. The input charge amount upper limit value is stored in the charge amount upper limit storage unit 221 of the management server 200 via the interface 44 and the communication unit 80 of the image forming apparatus or the communication unit 80 of the information processing apparatus 70. Received and stored (step S51). Also, the unit billing amount is received and stored in the unit billing amount input means 222 in the same manner as the billing amount upper limit value (step S52).

When the paper provided in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus is used (step S53), the number of used paper is counted by the paper usage number counting means 121 (step S54). When the number of used sheets is counted, the count of the number of used sheets is transmitted to the management server 200 by the communication control unit 111 (step S55).
When the management server 200 receives the count of the number of used sheets (step S56), the count is temporarily stored in the sheet used number storage unit 223, and then the billing amount calculation unit 224 counts the number of used sheets. A billing amount obtained by multiplying the number by the unit billing amount (hereinafter referred to as “calculated billing amount”) is calculated (step S57).

  After the charge amount calculation means 224 calculates the amount corresponding to the used paper, the charge amount check means 225 compares the charge amount upper limit value with the calculated charge amount (step S58). If the calculated charge amount is smaller than the charge amount upper limit value as a result of the collation, the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus is not locked, and unlocking is not prohibited. Therefore, even if the paper cassette is locked, the unlocking is unlocked. Can be unlocked by data.

  Furthermore, when the paper in the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus is used (step S59) and the number of used sheets is counted (step S60), the count of the used paper is transmitted to the management server 200 (step S60). Step S61). When the count number used by the management server 200 is received (step S62), the calculated billing amount is calculated again (step S63), and the billing amount upper limit value is compared with the calculated billing amount (step S64).

If the calculated charge amount is greater than the charge amount upper limit value as a result of the collation, a lock signal is transmitted from the lock signal output means 202 of the management server 200 to the image forming apparatus (step S65).
The locking signal received by the image forming apparatus (step S66) is sent to the locking / unlocking control means 56 of the lock control means 50, so that it is locked when the paper feed cassette is unlocked, If the lock is unlocked, the password cannot be unlocked by the password input invalid means 112 even if the unlocking data is input (step S67). Further, the password input invalidating means 112 displays on the operation unit 11a a message indicating that the unlocking / unlocking data cannot be input (step S68).
Even if the paper cassette remains locked even if the paper cassette is locked, the image forming apparatus can use the paper (step S69). When the sheet runs out (step S70), the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

As a result of the above, the paper cassette is automatically locked to use too much special paper such as checks and securities replenished in the paper cassette of the image forming device, and unlimited use of paper replenished in the paper cassette. Can be prevented.
Further, by providing the management server 200, it is possible to manage two or more image forming apparatuses at a time. That is, by storing the upper limit of the charge amount for each image forming apparatus, it becomes possible to manage a plurality of image forming apparatuses with one management server 200.

The count of the number of used sheets from the image forming apparatus to the management server 200 may be transmitted every time a sheet is used, or transmitted to a certain number (for example, every 10 sheets). May be. It goes without saying that the administrator of the image forming apparatus and management server 200 can unlock the locked paper feed cassette by an unlocking means (not shown).
Moreover, since the means which comprises the management server 200 of 3rd embodiment are illustrations, the means which comprise the management server 200 is not restricted to the structure of the said 3rd embodiment. For example, it is possible to add the sheet usage count unit 121 of the image formation management unit 120 to the configuration of the management server 200, and the charge amount upper limit storage unit 221 and the like constituting the management server 200 are image forming apparatus management units. It is also possible to add to the 110 configuration.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Similar to the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment aims to prevent overuse of special paper such as checks and securities replenished in the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus. When the number of used sheets, the total number of sheets used, the number of times the image forming apparatus has been used, or the number of times that the paper cassette has been unlocked or locked has reached a predetermined number The cassette is locked or unlocked.
Note that the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is a modified embodiment of the above-described third embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted.

First, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13, FIG. 17, and FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus management means in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server in the fourth embodiment.
In the control system of the image forming apparatus in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an information processing apparatus 70 and an image forming apparatus management server 200 are connected by communication means 80. The main control unit 41 of the control system of the image forming apparatus has the lock control unit 50 and the image forming apparatus management unit 110 as in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 17, the image forming apparatus management unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, a password input invalidation unit 112, a sheet use number management unit 130, a sheet use amount management unit 140, and an apparatus use number management unit 150. And a lock / unlock count management means 160. Since each means of the communication control means 111 and the password input invalidation means 112 is the same as that of 3rd embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.
Further, the sheet usage count management means 130 includes a paper usage count counter 131, the paper usage management section 140 includes a paper usage count counter 141, and the apparatus usage count management section 150 includes a device usage count count section. 151, the lock / unlock count management means 160 is provided with a lock / unlock count count means 161.

The sheet usage number counting unit 131 counts the number of sheets used in one output start operation among the sheets used in the image forming apparatus, and transmits the counted number to the management server 200.
The sheet usage amount counting unit 141 counts the total number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus and transmits the count number to the management server 200.
The apparatus usage count counting unit 151 counts the number of times the image forming apparatus is used, and transmits the count to the management server 200.
The locking / unlocking count unit 161 counts the number of times of locking and / or unlocking the sheet cassette, and transmits the count to the management server 200.

As shown in FIG. 18, the management server 200 includes communication control means 201, locking signal output means 202, and control means 203. Since each of these means is the same as that of the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
The management server 200 also includes a paper usage number management unit 230, a paper usage amount management unit 240, a device usage number management unit 250, and a locking / unlocking number management unit 260.
The charge management unit 230 includes a sheet use sheet number upper limit storage unit 231, a sheet use sheet number storage unit 232, and a sheet use sheet number collation unit 233.
The paper usage management unit 240 includes a paper usage upper limit storage unit 241, a paper usage storage unit 242, and a paper usage verification unit 243.
The device usage count management unit 250 includes a device usage count upper limit storage unit 251, a device usage count storage unit 252, and a device usage count verification unit 253.
The lock / unlock number management means 260 includes a set lock / unlock number upper limit storage unit 261, a lock / unlock number storage unit 262, and a lock / unlock number comparison unit 263.

The sheet usage upper limit storage unit 231 stores the sheet usage upper limit (upper limit usage). The upper limit value of the number of used sheets refers to the upper limit value (threshold value) of the number of sheets used in one output start operation among the sheets used in the image forming apparatus.
The paper usage upper limit storage unit 241 stores a paper usage upper limit (upper lock usage). The upper limit value of sheet use amount refers to the upper limit value (threshold value) of the total number of sheets used in the image forming apparatus.
The device use count upper limit storage unit 251 stores the device use count upper limit (upper limit device use count). The upper limit value of the number of times the apparatus can be used refers to an upper limit value (threshold value) of the number of times the image forming apparatus can be used.
The lock / unlock number upper limit storage unit 261 stores the lock / unlock number upper limit value. The upper limit value of the number of times of locking and unlocking (upper limit number of times of unlocking and unlocking) refers to the upper limit value (threshold value) of the number of times that the sheet feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus can be locked or unlocked.
Each upper limit value can be set for each individual user or each department, and can also be set for each paper type (for example, plain paper or special paper).

The paper usage number storage unit 232 stores the number of used papers counted by the paper usage number counting unit 131 of the image forming apparatus.
The paper usage amount storage unit 242 stores the number of used papers counted by the paper usage amount counting unit 141 of the image forming apparatus.
The apparatus usage number storage unit 252 stores the number of times the image forming apparatus is used, which is counted by the apparatus usage number counting unit 151 of the image forming apparatus.
The locking / unlocking number storage unit 262 stores the number of times the sheet feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus counted or locked by the locking / unlocking number counting unit 161 of the image forming apparatus.

The paper usage number collation unit 233 collates the paper usage number upper limit value stored in the paper usage number upper limit storage unit 231 with the paper usage number stored in the paper usage number storage unit 232. As a result of the collation, when the number of sheets used is equal to or greater than the upper limit value of the number of sheets used, a locking signal is transmitted from the locking signal output unit 202 to the image processing apparatus.
The paper usage verification unit 243 compares the paper usage upper limit stored in the paper set usage upper limit storage 241 with the number of sheets used stored in the paper usage storage 242. As a result of the collation, when the number of used sheets is equal to or more than the upper limit value of paper usage, a lock signal is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.
The apparatus usage count management unit 253 compares the apparatus usage count upper limit value stored in the apparatus usage count upper limit storage unit 251 with the usage count of the image forming apparatus stored in the apparatus usage count storage unit 252. As a result of the collation, when the number of times the image processing apparatus is used is equal to or greater than the upper limit value of the apparatus usage count, a locking signal is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.
The unlocking / unlocking number checking means 263 indicates the upper limit unlocking / unlocking number stored in the set unlocking / unlocking number upper limit storage unit 261 and the number of times of locking and / or unlocking stored in the unlocking / unlocking number storage unit 262. Match. As a result of the collation, when the number of times of locking and / or unlocking is equal to or greater than the upper limit value of the number of times of locking and unlocking, a locking signal is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is an operation procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus and the management server according to the fourth embodiment.
First, the upper limit value of the number of used paper sheets is input to the storage server 231 or the like of the management server 200 and stored (step S81). The storage method of the used sheet number upper limit value in the sheet use sheet number upper limit storage unit 231 and the like is the same as the charging amount upper limit value storage method of the third embodiment.
Here, the “used sheet number upper limit value” means the sheet used sheet number upper limit value stored in the sheet used sheet number upper limit storage unit 231 and the sheet usage amount upper limit value stored in the sheet used amount upper limit storage unit 241. The device use frequency upper limit value stored in the use time upper limit number storage unit 251 is the lock / unlock number upper limit value stored in the lock / unlock number upper limit storage unit 261.

When the image forming apparatus is used (step S82), the number of used sheets is counted (step S83). When the usage amount and the like are counted, the count number such as the usage number is transmitted to the management server 200 (step S86).
Here, the “count number such as the number of used sheets” refers to the number of used sheets when the image forming apparatus counted by the sheet used sheet number counting unit 131 is used once, and the number of sheets counted by the sheet usage amount counting unit 141. The total number of used sheets refers to the number of times the image forming apparatus has been used counted by the apparatus usage number counting unit 151 or the number of times of locking / unlocking the sheet cassette counted by the locking / unlocking number counting unit 161.

The transmitted count number such as the number of used sheets is received by the management server 200 (step S87), and the upper limit value of the number of used sheets and the actual number of used sheets are collated by the use amount collating means or the like (step S88).
Here, “the actual number of used sheets” is counted by the sheet use number counting unit 131, and the actual number of sheets used stored in the sheet use number storage unit 232 is counted by the sheet use amount counting unit 141, The total used number of actual sheets stored in the used amount storage unit 242 is counted by the apparatus use number counting unit 151, and the actual number of use times of the image forming apparatus stored in the apparatus use number storage unit 252 is unlocked. It means the actual number of times of locking and / or unlocking the sheet cassette counted by the number-of-locks counting means 161 and stored in the unlocking / unlocking number storage means 262.

As a result of the collation, when the actual number of used sheets is smaller than the upper limit value of the number of used sheets, the sheet cassette of the image forming apparatus is not locked. Even when locked, the paper feed cassette is unlocked by inputting a lock / unlock password to the information processing apparatus or the like.
Further, when the image forming apparatus is used (step S87), the number of used sheets is counted (step S88), and the counted number such as the number of used sheets is received by the management server 200 (step S89).

The transmitted count number such as the number of used sheets is received by the management server 200 (step S90), and the set number of used sheets and the actual number of used sheets are collated by the sheet used sheet number collating means 233 or the like (step S91).
If the actual number of used sheets is equal to or larger than the set number of used sheets as a result of the collation, a lock signal is transmitted from the management server 200 to the image forming apparatus (step S92).
When a lock signal is received by the image forming apparatus (step S93), the paper feed cassette is automatically locked by the lock / unlock control means 56 of the lock control means 50 or opened by the password input invalidation means 112. Locking is prohibited (step S94).

The operation of the image forming apparatus after the paper cassette is automatically locked or unlocked is the same as in the third embodiment (steps S95 to S97).
As a result, when the paper cassette is locked or unlocked, if the paper remains in the paper cassette, the image forming apparatus can be used, but after the paper is exhausted in the paper cassette. In this case, the sheet cannot be replenished and the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  As described above, it is possible to prevent excessive use of special paper such as checks and securities replenished in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus. Specifically, when the number of sheets used by the output start operation of the image forming apparatus once, the total number of sheets used, the number of times the image forming apparatus is used, and the number of times the paper cassette is unlocked or locked reach a predetermined number, The paper cassette is locked or unlocked. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being used without limitation.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the fifth embodiment, the user of the image forming apparatus is charged according to the count number of locking or unlocking of the paper feed cassette. That is, when the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus is unlocked, or when unlocked after unlocking, it is considered that the paper is replenished to the paper cassette, and the number of sheets that can be replenished to the paper cassette The charge of the image forming apparatus is multiplied by the number of times of unlocking or locking, and the user of the image forming apparatus is charged.
Note that the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is a modified embodiment of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment described above, and therefore similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. The detailed explanation is omitted.

First, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 20, and 21.
In the control system of the image forming apparatus in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an information processing apparatus 70 and an image forming apparatus management server 200 are connected by communication means 80. The main control unit 41 of the control system of the image forming apparatus includes the lock control unit 50 and the image forming apparatus management unit 110 as in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus management means in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server in the fifth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 20, the image forming apparatus management unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, a paper presence / absence determination unit 113, and a lock / unlock count management unit 160. An unlocking count unit 161 is provided.
The paper presence / absence judging means 113 judges the presence / absence of paper in the paper feed cassette, and if it is judged that there is no paper, the lock / unlock control means 56 of the lock control means 50 unlocks the paper feed cassette. .

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the image forming apparatus management server 200 includes a communication control unit 201, a control unit 203, and a lock / unlock number management unit 260.
The locking / unlocking number management means 260 includes a locking / unlocking number storage means 262, a locking / unlocking amount storage means 264, and a charge amount calculation storage means 265.
The locking / unlocking charge amount storage means 264 stores the amount charged for locking / unlocking per time.
The charge amount calculation storage means 265 includes the number of locks / unlocks stored in the lock / unlock number storage means 262 and the amount to be charged by one lock / unlock stored in the lock / unlock amount storage means 264. Calculate and store the multiplied amount.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 22 is an operation procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus and the management server according to the fifth embodiment.
First, the locking / unlocking charge storage unit 264 of the management server 200 receives and stores the charging / unlocking charge (hereinafter referred to as “locking / unlocking charge”) (step S101). The method for inputting the lock / unlock charge amount to the lock / unlock charge amount storage unit 264 is the same as the method for inputting the charge amount upper limit value in the third embodiment, and is therefore omitted.

When the user of the image forming apparatus uses the paper in the paper cassette (step S102) and the paper in the paper cassette is exhausted, the paper presence / absence determining unit 113 determines that there is no paper (step S103). The sheet feeding cassette is unlocked by the locking / unlocking control means 56 of the lock control means 50 (step 104).
When the paper feed cassette is unlocked, the unlocking / unlocking count counting unit 161 counts the number of times of unlocking and unlocking, and the unlocking count is transmitted to the management server 200 (step S105).
When the unlock count number is received by the management server 200 (step S106), the count number is once stored in the lock / unlock count storage means 262, and then the charge amount is calculated by the charge amount calculation means 265 (step S107). ). The calculated charge amount is stored in the charge amount calculation storage unit 265 (step S108).

  When paper is supplied to the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus (step S109) and the paper cassette is loaded into the image forming apparatus, the paper cassette is automatically or manually locked (step S110). Thereby, the user of the image forming apparatus can use the image forming apparatus again (step S111).

When the user of the image forming apparatus uses the paper in the paper feed cassette to run out of paper in the paper feed cassette again, the paper presence / absence judgment unit 113 judges that the paper has run out (step 112), and again. The paper feed cassette is unlocked again (step S113).
When the sheet feeding cassette is unlocked, the unlocking count is counted by the unlocking / unlocking count counting means 161, and the unlocking count is transmitted to the management server 200 (step S114).
When the unlock count number is received by the management server 200 (step S115), the charge amount is calculated by the charge amount calculation storage means 265 (step S116), and the calculated charge amount is stored in the charge amount calculation storage means 265. (Step S117).

  Again, paper is supplied to the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus (step S118), and when the paper cassette is loaded into the image forming apparatus, the paper cassette is automatically or manually locked (step S119). Thereby, the user of the image forming apparatus can use the image forming apparatus again (step S120).

  Thus, when there is no paper in the paper cassette, the paper cassette is automatically unlocked. Then, in the management server 200, the charge amount is calculated and stored according to the number of times of unlocking. In the fifth embodiment, the billing amount is calculated according to the number of times of unlocking. However, after the paper is supplied to the paper cassette and the paper cassette is attached to the image forming apparatus. The billing amount may be calculated according to the number of times of locking.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, the user of the image forming apparatus can be charged according to the number of times of unlocking and the number of times of locking. Accordingly, it is possible to charge the user of the image forming apparatus by a simpler method than when counting and counting the number of sheets in the sheet feeding cassette. In addition, since the present embodiment aims to charge the user of the image forming apparatus by unlocking and locking, even when unlocking and locking with a physical key, You can charge.

[Locking and unlocking program]
Next, the locking / unlocking program will be described.
The locking / unlocking control function (function relating to locking or unlocking of the paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus) of the computer (image forming apparatus, management server, information processing apparatus) in each of the above embodiments is storage means (for example, ROM, This is realized by a locking / unlocking program stored in an external storage device or the like.
The locking / unlocking program is read into the main control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus, the control unit 203 of the management server 200, and the like, thereby sending a command to each component of the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined function, for example, the image forming apparatus Usage information calculation function, usage information verification function, locking / unlocking control function, locking / unlocking information calculation function, locking / unlocking information verification function, locking function, transmission / reception function (transmission function, reception function, signal transmission function) Realize signal reception function). As a result, the functions of the image forming apparatus and the management server are realized by the cooperation of the locking / unlocking program that is software and the constituent units that are hardware resources.
In addition to the image forming apparatus and the management server 200, the locking / unlocking program is read by a control unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus has the same functions as those of the image forming apparatus and the management server 200. Each function is realized by the cooperation of a locking / unlocking program that is software and each component that is a hardware resource.

  The locking / unlocking program for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus, the management server 200, and the information processing apparatus is the main control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus, the control unit 203 of the management server 200, and the control (not shown) of the information processing apparatus. In addition to being stored in a ROM or hard disk supplemented to the unit, it can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, an external storage device, a portable recording medium, or the like.

  An external recording device refers to a memory expansion device that incorporates a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and is externally connected to an image forming apparatus or the like. On the other hand, the portable recording medium is a recording medium that can be mounted on a recording medium driving device (drive device) and is portable, and refers to, for example, a flexible disk, a memory card, a magneto-optical disk, and the like.

  The program recorded on the recording medium is loaded into the RAM of the computer and executed by the CPU. By this execution, functions such as the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment described above are realized.

  The embodiment has been described with respect to an image forming apparatus (mica toner printer) that prints on precious printing paper. However, an image forming apparatus that uses general inexpensive copying paper (copier, facsimile, copy function, and the like) Of course, the present invention can also be used for a multifunction machine having a facsimile function.

The management server 200 according to the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment is configured independently of the image forming apparatus. However, as in the relationship between the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the main control unit of the image forming apparatus. 41 may be configured to constitute all or part of the respective units constituting the management server 200. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the image forming apparatus management unit 110 of the image forming apparatus may include all or part of the configuration of the charge amount management unit 220 of the management server 200.
In addition, all or part of the respective units constituting the image forming apparatus management unit 110 according to the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment may be configured as the management server 200. For example, in the third embodiment, the sheet use sheet count unit 121 may be configured as the charge amount management unit 220 of the management server 200.
As described above, each unit configuring the management server 200 may be included in the image forming apparatus. Each unit constituting the image forming apparatus management unit 110 of the main control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus may be included in the management server 200.

  For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a general document that can be viewed by anyone and a document that can be viewed only by a specific person are stored separately in each drawer in a document locker having several drawers.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a main part when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of a locking unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a perspective view in a locked state, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view in an unlocked state. 2 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram of the lock control means which comprises the control system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of password allocation for each paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of locking of each paper feed cassette when an administrator password is registered or changed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of unlocking of each paper feed cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of locking of each sheet cassette when an administrator password is registered in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus management means of 2nd embodiment. It is an operation | movement procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus management means of 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server of 3rd embodiment. It is an operation | movement procedure diagram of the image forming apparatus and management server of 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus management means of 4th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server of 4th embodiment. It is an operation | movement procedure diagram of the image processing apparatus and management server of 4th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus management means of 5th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server of 5th embodiment. It is an operation | movement procedure diagram of the image processing apparatus and management server of 5th embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a first conventional example, in which FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view when a paper feeding cassette is pulled out. It is a figure which shows a 2nd prior art example, Comprising: (A) is a figure of the 1st step for removing a locking member with a tool, (B) is a 2nd step, and is a figure in the middle of removing a locking member (C) is a figure which is a 3rd step, Comprising: A locking member has removed completely.

Explanation of symbols

MP Mica Toner Printer 10 Printer Main Body 11 Operation Unit 11a Liquid Crystal Display Unit 11b Button Unit 12 Insertion / Removal Port 13 Solenoid 13a Insertion / Removal Rod 20A First Paper Feed Cassette 20B Second Paper Feed Cassette 20C Third Paper Feed Cassette 20D Fourth Sheet cassette 21 Front plate 22 Bracket 22a Locking hole 30A Main body housing (first housing)
30B Second housing 30C Third housing 30D Fourth housing 40 Control system 41 Main control unit 42 Bus 43 Solenoid driving unit 44 Interface (I / F)
45 Machine drive unit 46 Alarm unit 50 Lock control unit 51 Cassette designation control unit 52 Password registration control unit 53 Password change control unit 54 Password verification control unit 55 Password determination control unit 56 Locking / unlocking control unit 57 Communication control unit 58 Password registration Means 70 Information processing apparatus 71 Display unit 72 Keyboard 80 Communication means 100 Image forming apparatus 100a Image forming apparatus main body 101 Paper feed cassette 102 Cylinder main body 103 Key metal 104 Locking member 104c, 104d Hole 104e Projection 105 Tool 106 Hole 110 Forming apparatus management means 200 management server

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus comprising a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and locking means that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette. ,
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Usage information calculation means for calculating, as usage information, numerical information relating to the usage of paper replenished in the paper cassette;
Use information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the use information exceeds a threshold ,
The locking / unlocking control means, when the usage information collating means determines that the value indicated by the usage information exceeds the threshold, the specific locking / unlocking of the paper cassette locked by the locking means An image forming apparatus that prohibits unlocking by data . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information indicates a usage amount of the paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information indicates a usage amount of the paper used in one output start operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information indicates a total used quantity of the sheets used in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information indicates a use count of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising a housing, a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing, and locking means that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette. ,
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating numerical information related to the number of times of locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette as locking / unlocking information;
Locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds a threshold value ,
When the lock / unlock control means determines that the value indicated by the lock / unlock information exceeds the threshold value , the lock / unlock control means identifies the paper cassette locked by the lock means. An image forming apparatus that prohibits unlocking based on the unlocking / unlocking data . The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the locking / unlocking information indicates the number of times of locking and / or the number of times of unlocking of the sheet feeding cassette. The unlocking information indicates a value obtained by multiplying the number of times of locking or the number of times of unlocking by a unit charge amount,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unit charge amount is a charge amount charged for each lock or each unlock. Billing amount storage means for storing a billing amount per predetermined number of times of locking and / or a predetermined number of times of unlocking as a unit billing amount;
Charge amount calculation means for calculating a value obtained by multiplying the unit charge amount by the number of times of lock and / or the number of times of unlocking as a lock / unlock charge amount. The image forming apparatus described. An image forming apparatus comprising: a housing; a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing; and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette;
An image forming system comprising a management device connected to the image forming device via a communication line,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Transmission means for transmitting paper use data relating to the use of paper replenished to the paper feed cassette to the management device;
The management device
Receiving means for receiving the paper usage data;
Usage information calculation means for calculating usage information regarding the use of the paper based on the paper usage data;
Usage information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the usage information exceeds a threshold;
When the use information collating means determines that the value indicated by the use information exceeds the threshold, the signal sending means transmits a locking signal,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Comprising signal receiving means for receiving the locking signal ;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the locking / unlocking control unit prohibits unlocking of the sheet cassette locked by the locking unit based on specific locking / unlocking data based on the locking signal. An image forming apparatus comprising: a housing; a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the housing; and a locking unit that locks and / or unlocks the housing and the paper feed cassette;
An image forming system comprising a management device connected to the image forming device via a communication line,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data and the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Transmission means for transmitting locking / unlocking execution information indicating that locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette has been performed to the management device;
The management device
Receiving means for receiving the unlocking execution information;
Locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating numerical information regarding the locking and / or unlocking as locking / unlocking information based on the locking / unlocking execution information;
Locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not a value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds a threshold;
When it is determined by the locking / unlocking information collating means that the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds the threshold, signal transmitting means for transmitting a locking signal,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Comprising signal receiving means for receiving the locking signal ;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the locking / unlocking control unit prohibits unlocking of the sheet cassette locked by the locking unit based on specific locking / unlocking data based on the locking signal. A locking / unlocking program stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus,
Computer
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Usage information calculation means for calculating, as usage information, numerical information relating to the usage of paper replenished in the paper cassette;
Usage information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the usage information exceeds a threshold;
When it is determined that the value indicated by the usage information exceeds the threshold, the sheet feeding cassette locked by the locking means functions as a locking / unlocking control unit that prohibits unlocking by specific locking / unlocking data. Locking and unlocking program characterized in that A locking / unlocking program stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus,
Computer
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating numerical information related to locking and / or unlocking of the paper feed cassette as locking / unlocking information ,
Locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds a threshold value,
When it is determined that the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds the threshold value, the locking / unlocking control unit prohibits the unlocking based on the specific locking / unlocking data for the sheet cassette locked by the locking unit. Locking and unlocking program characterized by functioning as A locking / unlocking program having a program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus and a program stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus,
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Computer
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Function as locking means for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper cassette;
The program stored in the storage means of the management device is
Causing the computer to function as transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving predetermined information to / from the image forming apparatus via a communication line;
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Causing the computer to function as transmission means for transmitting paper use data relating to the use of paper replenished to the paper feed cassette to the management device;
The program stored in the storage means of the management device is
Computer, receiving means for receiving the paper usage data,
Usage information calculating means for calculating usage information relating to the use of the paper based on the paper usage data;
Usage information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the usage information exceeds a threshold;
When it is determined that the value indicated by the usage information exceeds the threshold value, it functions as a signal transmission unit that transmits a locking signal,
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Computer, signal receiving means for receiving the locking signal,
A locking / unlocking program for causing a sheet feeding cassette locked by the locking means to function as a locking / unlocking control means for prohibiting unlocking by specific locking / unlocking data based on the locking signal. A locking / unlocking program having a program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus and a program stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus,
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Computer
Registration means for registering the unlocking data;
Collation control means for collating the input unlocking data with the unlocking data registered in the registration means;
Locking / unlocking control means for locking or unlocking the locking means when the input unlocking data has been registered,
Function as locking means for locking and / or unlocking between the housing and the paper cassette;
The program stored in the storage means of the management device is
Causing the computer to function as transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving predetermined information to / from the image forming apparatus via a communication line;
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Causing the computer to function as transmission means for transmitting locking / unlocking execution information indicating that locking and / or unlocking of the paper feeding cassette has been performed to the management device;
The program stored in the storage means of the management device is
Receiving means for receiving the unlocking execution information on the computer ;
Locking / unlocking information calculating means for calculating numerical information related to the locking and / or unlocking as locking / unlocking information based on the locking / unlocking execution information,
Locking / unlocking information collating means for determining whether or not the value indicated by the locking / unlocking information exceeds a threshold value,
When it is determined that the value indicated by the unlocking information exceeds the threshold, function as a signal transmission means for transmitting a locking signal,
The program stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is
Computer, signal receiving means for receiving the locking signal,
A locking / unlocking program for causing a sheet feeding cassette locked by the locking means to function as a locking / unlocking control means for prohibiting unlocking by specific locking / unlocking data based on the locking signal.

Images