JP4288148B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus called a multi-function copying machine (MFP) having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and the like, and particularly uses an original or paper in which an ID chip is embedded. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing the formed image.

In recent years, an ID chip is embedded in a material such as paper (printing paper, various slips, etc.), and a technique for storing unique information (ID information) in the ID chip is used for electronic management or in an image forming apparatus. Technologies such as effective use in printing have been developed.
For example, there is an invention related to a printing paper with paper quality ID in which an ID chip storing various paper quality ID information is embedded (see Patent Document 1).
Further, for example, there is an invention relating to a product label with an ID chip in which an ID chip in which various product information is recorded is embedded (see Patent Document 2).

In addition, as a conventional invention using ID chip reading and writing technology, for example, an ID chip is incorporated in toner to be mounted on an image forming apparatus, and information on the toner is recorded in the ID chip, whereby the image forming apparatus main body is recorded. There is an invention relating to an image forming apparatus in which a CPU can perform control related to toner by referring to the information (see Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-64598 A JP 2003-58053 A JP 2002-287579 A

In companies and the like, management of paper (such as slips, various records, business cards received in business negotiations, business transactions, etc.) is very important. In particular, in recent years, the number of papers has increased enormously due to an increase in the number of opportunities to perform printing using copiers and printers. Therefore, the management thereof has become very important.
For example, a URL or the like may be printed on a business card or product brochure so that more detailed information can be obtained than information described therein. However, since there is a limit to the size and number of sheets, information that can be described there is very limited, such as URLs and simple reference information.
Therefore, there is a demand for a technique for incorporating an ID chip to provide additional information or managing additional information provided by such a method.

In addition, the printed paper and the original document that has been the source of the paper may become out of date as time passes and the original is updated.
Therefore, there is a demand for a technique for always taking out the latest information from old printed paper even when such a document update occurs.

Further, in the use of FAX, even when data is transmitted due to a wrong call, confidential information may be leaked because image information is delivered to the other party.
In addition, the telephone charge system for sending and receiving faxes differs from the fixed-rate charge system in the Internet and the like in recent years, so the more data is sent or the more data is sent to a remote location, the higher the communication charge is. There are also problems that the cost of communication charges increases or that a large amount of toner is consumed.
Therefore, there is a demand for a technique for improving security in FAX transmission / reception, or a technique for reducing communication costs and saving toner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of printing, copying, scanning, FAX transmission / reception, etc. using an original or paper in which an ID chip is embedded, and managing various file information together with ID chip information. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention, a printing unit for printing the print information, the information at ID chip using paper embedded with ID chip for printing the print information by the printing means and the paper ID chip information reading means for reading a first registration means for registering the information and the storage area in association with the print information to be printed in the ID chip, the original printed matter printed with print information to the embedded ID chip paper and the document ID chip information reading means for reading the information of the ID chip of the document during the copy operation that, in the paper by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered by the information of the ID chip in the storage area of the document a print information obtaining means for printing, in the print information registered in the storage area, the information of the ID chip of the paper to be printed by the copy operation sheet ID And a second registration unit that reads the information by the chip information reading unit and registers the information in the storage area in association with the second information.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of controlling an image forming apparatus having a printing means for printing print information, using paper embedded with ID chip sometimes ID chip for printing the print information by the printing means and the paper ID chip information readout step of reading the information, a first registration step of registering in a storage area in association with the print information to be printed with the information of the ID chip, a printed material printed with printing information on the paper with an embedded ID chip and the document ID chip information readout step of reading the information of the ID chip of the document during the copy operation to the document by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered in the storage area by the information of the ID chip of the document The print information acquisition step for printing on paper, and the print information registered in the storage area read out by the paper ID chip information read step And a second registration step of associating and registering information on the ID chip of the paper to be printed by the copy operation in the storage area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet ID for reading information of an ID chip when an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints printing information uses a sheet in which an ID chip is embedded to print the printing information by the printing unit. A chip information reading means; a first registration means for associating the ID chip information with the print information to be printed and registering it in the storage area; and a copy operation using a printed matter in which the print information is printed on a paper embedded with the ID chip as a document. sometimes a document ID chip information reading means for reading the information of the ID chip of the document, print to be printed on paper by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered in the storage area by the information of the ID chip of the document an information acquisition unit, to the print information registered in the storage area, the information of the ID chip of the paper to be printed by the copy operation paper ID chip Reading the broadcast reading means, characterized in that function as a second registration means for registering in the storage area in association.

The invention according to claim 4 is a recording medium in which the program according to claim 3 is recorded in a computer-readable format .

  According to the present invention, a set of ID chip information reading means for reading ID chip information at the time of printing and file information designated at the time of printing is stored using a sheet in which the ID chip is embedded. By having the first registration means for registering in the area, it becomes possible to manage file information (image information and file information in other formats) corresponding to the ID chip of the printed paper, and print image It is possible to acquire other information.

  In order to effectively use the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus is preferably in the form of a so-called multi-function copying machine (MFP) having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and the like. . Furthermore, in order to use more effectively, it is a more preferable embodiment to have all the functions described in the following examples.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function copying machine (MFP).
The document sensor 1 is a sensor that detects whether or not there is a document, or checks a document JAM or the like.
The paper sensor 2 is a sensor for checking the position of the paper and the paper JAM.
The battery 3 is a battery for backing up the RAM 14 in order to store a telephone number, the name of the other party, and the like.
The scanner 4 reads a document image and extracts image information.
The plotter 5 records image information.
The operation display unit 6 can display the state of the apparatus and operation guidance, and can perform various operations on the apparatus.

The image memory 7 is used for storing image data.
The parameter memory 8 stores parameters such as telephone numbers.
The clock circuit 9 is used for transmission and the like.
The communication control unit 10 controls the network control device and the modem to perform facsimile communication according to a predetermined transmission control procedure.
The encoding / decoding unit 11 encodes image information to be transmitted and decodes a received document.
The CPU 12 controls each unit to execute a predetermined operation of the facsimile apparatus.
The ROM 13 stores a program necessary for the operation of the facsimile apparatus.
The RAM 14 stores data necessary for operating the program.
The character generator 15 stores character font data such as English, numbers, kana, symbols, and kanji.

The modem 16 modulates and demodulates the image information and transmits it, and transmits various procedure signals in the transmission control procedure.
The network control unit 17 performs a predetermined call operation and call reception operation by supplementing a line, sending a selection signal that is a destination telephone number, detecting an incoming call, and the like.
The document ID chip reading unit 18 reads the ID chip of the document.
The paper ID chip reading unit 19 reads a paper ID chip.
The LAN control unit 20 controls the protocol with the LAN.

Next, the file information registration operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a so-called multi-function copying machine (MFP) 100 having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, etc., ID chip information, and It is configured by connecting a server 200 that stores file information via a network.
When a print instruction is issued from the computer 300 such as a PC to the MFP 100 (step S1), the MFP 100 reads information on the ID chip a incorporated in the paper A used at the time of printing (step S2), and is designated at the time of the print instruction. The ID chip information is registered in the server 200 together with the file information (step S3).

However, the file information may be other information different from the information to be printed (image information to be printed, that is, image data printed on the paper A), or may be the other file together with the image information. Information may be registered in the server 200.
For example, company URLs are often written on recent business cards. If the user who received the business card wants to know the details of the company, it can be checked on the Internet or the like, and various information files about the company (for example, files containing business details and financial information, Product information files, press release files, etc.).
By managing the file information and image information acquired in this way on the server, it becomes an environment where the file can be used secondarily. In addition, secondary use of file information is not permitted to an unspecified number, but only file information corresponding to the ID chip is provided, so that confidentiality is increased.

In FIG. 3, the storage area for the ID chip information and the file information is provided in the server computer. However, the server computer is generally provided with the server in consideration of the current technical performance. This is because a computer has high processing performance and a large area (storage area such as a magnetic storage device) in which information can be stored.
However, the storage unit is not necessarily provided outside the MFP, and the storage unit may be provided inside the MFP.
However, as an advantage of adopting the form of the server as the storage means, when an IP communication network, for example, the Internet network is used as the connection means between the MFP and the server, the operations described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 can be performed. There are advantages.

Next, the file information update operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
The user reads “ID chip information” already registered in the server 200 (step S11), and selects the ID chip information to be updated (step S12). The “file information” stored in the server 300 corresponding to the selected ID chip information is replaced with the image information scanned by the MFP 100 and updated (step S13).
Although not shown, the file information may be updated not only by replacing it with newly scanned image information but also with other file information different from the image information, or the image information And it may be updated with both of the other file information.
Thus, by updating the file information associated with the ID chip information with new file information, it is possible to always provide the latest information to the user (such as an estimate).

Next, the file information printing operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the original 100 is scanned by the MFP 100, and the information of the ID chip a incorporated in the original A is read (step S21). Thereafter, file information corresponding to the ID chip information is acquired from the server 200 (step S22) and printed (step S23).
It is possible to acquire detailed information from the server by such a simple operation (scan).
For example, if you want to check the price again after a while in a quote provided on paper media, you can get the file information corresponding to the ID chip (scan the document and print the server file information) It is possible to print the latest quote. In this way, because of the copy-like operation, even a user unfamiliar with device operation can easily use it.

Next, the file information duplication operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the MFP 100 issues a copy instruction (step S31). As a result, the file information A corresponding to the information of the ID chip a of the document A is read from the server 200 (step S32), and the read file information is printed on the paper B (step S33). At this time, the information of the ID chip b incorporated in the paper B is read (step S34), and the ID chip information b and the file information A are registered in the server 200 (step S35).
Similarly, the sheets C and D are duplicated (steps S36 / No, S33 to S35).

  Thus, by registering the ID chip information and file information of the paper to be copied in the server, it becomes possible to prevent the relationship between the master document and the copied paper from being lost during copying. That is, the copied paper has the same relationship with the file information.

Next, the operation at the time of FAX reception will be described using FIG. 10 and FIG.
For example, when there is FAX reception, it is assumed that the FAX reception data is a cover page image and ID chip information. The information of the ID chip a incorporated in the transmission image is already stored together with the file information in the server 200 through the Internet network or the like.
The MFP 100 receives the FAX data, and at the same time, the cover page image is printed (steps S41 and S42). If more detailed information is desired (step S43 / Yes), the user performs an operation from the operation panel of the MFP 100. Thus, the file information corresponding to the received ID chip information can be acquired from the server 300 and printed (step S44).
With such a configuration, unnecessary communication costs and printing costs can be reduced.
A configuration in which only the ID chip information is received without receiving the cover page is also conceivable.
In order to communicate the ID chip (information thereof) through the public network, it is necessary to transmit the ID chip using a dedicated protocol. However, such a technique is a known technique and will not be described.

Although not shown, it is also possible to register the received image B and file information printed as new file information in the server 200 together with the paper ID chip.
Here, the new file information may be registration of image data of the received image, reproduction of the file A corresponding to the transmission image A, or other file information different from these.

In each drawing, communication between the MFP 100 and the server 200 uses SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), which is a higher protocol of TCP / IP, in this embodiment. Further, the server 200 provides an information management service as a WEB service.
Further, there is no problem if the ID chip information is a unique ID without assigning a meaningful number (or character string).
The file information registered in the server is assumed to be image information in normal use. The format is assumed to be TIFF, TEXT, PDF, or a unique format, but there is no particular limitation because printing is possible if the MFP can demodulate.

Moreover, embodiment shown above is an example of suitable implementation of this invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in this embodiment, a storage area for ID chip information and file information is provided in a server outside the MFP, and the MFP and the server are connected via a network, but a similar storage area may be provided in the MFP. I do not care.

(effect)
As is apparent from the above description, the ID chip information reading means for reading the ID chip information at the time of printing using the paper in which the ID chip is embedded, and the ID chip information and the file information designated at the time of printing By having the first registration means for registering the set in the storage area, it becomes possible to manage file information (image information and file information in that format) corresponding to the ID chip of the printed paper, Information other than the printed image can be acquired.

  Also, a specification unit that reads information of an ID chip registered in the storage area, specifies information desired by a user, and transmits a scanned document to the storage area, and a file specified by the specification unit By having an updating means for updating the information to the scanned document, the file information managed by the server can be updated, so that the user can use the latest information.

In addition, it has a reading means for reading the ID chip information of the scanned document and a first printing means for reading out the file information corresponding to the information of the ID chip from the storage area and printing it, so that the ID chip of the scanned paper Since the file information corresponding to the file is acquired and printed, the user can acquire the latest information with a simple operation.
For example, when printing a business card, the ID chip information of the paper on which the business card is printed and the “file containing detailed business details of the company” designated at the time of printing are transmitted to the server. Thus, the person who receives the business card can easily obtain company information by scanning (copying) the MFP. Recently, writing URLs on company advertisement pamphlets and business cards is increasing. For this reason, there is a difference in information gathering ability without having a PC (digital divide), but it is possible to retrieve information as if it were a copy by simply scanning with the MFP. Moreover, since the result is paper output, it can be taken home.

  In addition, when the user instructs a copy operation, an information acquisition unit that reads file information from ID chip information of a scanned document, a second printing unit that prints the acquired file information, and an ID chip of a sheet to be printed And a second registration unit for registering the association between the file information and the ID chip information of the paper to be printed, thereby associating the file ID with the ID chip of the paper to be printed at the time of copying. Since registration with the server is performed, it is possible to prevent the relationship between the master document and the duplicated paper from being lost. That is, the copied paper has the same relationship with the file information.

In addition, when a FAX is received, there is provided a third printing means for printing the received FAX data, and a fourth printing means for reading out the file information corresponding to the received ID chip information from the recording area and printing it. As a result, only the cover page or ID chip is received and the file information is read out from the ID chip information and printed only when necessary, so communication charges, paper charges, toner charges, etc. can be saved. Become.
In addition, even if a mistaken call is transmitted by mistake, the recipient receives only the cover page, so that there is an effect that important information is not leaked.

2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function copying machine (MFP). FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of file information registration. It is the block diagram explaining operation | movement of file information registration. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of file information update. It is a block diagram explaining operation | movement of file information update. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of file information printing. It is a block diagram explaining operation | movement of file information printing. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of file information replication. It is a block diagram explaining operation | movement of file information replication. It is the flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of FAX reception. It is the block diagram explaining the operation | movement at the time of FAX reception.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document sensor 2 Paper sensor 3 Battery 4 Scanner 5 Plotter 6 Operation display part 7 Image memory 8 Parameter memory 9 Clock circuit 10 Communication control part 11 Decoding encoding part 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Character generator 16 Modem 17 Network control part 18 Document ID chip reading part 19 Paper ID chip reading part 20 LAN control part 100 MFP (multifunction copying machine)
200 servers (storage area)

Claims (4)

Printing means for printing the print information;
A paper ID chip information reading unit that reads information of an ID chip when printing information is printed by the printing unit using a paper in which an ID chip is embedded;
First registration means for associating the information of the ID chip with print information to be printed and registering it in a storage area;
And the document ID chip information reading means for a printed material printed with ID print information chip embedded sheet to during the copy operation of the document reading information of the ID chip of the document,
A print information obtaining means for printing on the paper by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered in the storage area by the information of the ID chip of the document,
A second registration unit that reads information about an ID chip of a sheet to be printed by the copy operation to the print information registered in the storage area by the sheet ID chip information reading unit, and registers the information in the storage area in association with the print information ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing means for printing print information,
A paper ID chip information reading step of reading information of the ID chip when printing information is printed by the printing means using the paper in which the ID chip is embedded;
A first registration step of registering the information of the ID chip and print information to be printed in a storage area in association with each other;
A document ID chip information reading step of reading information of the ID chip of the document when performing a copy operation using a printed matter in which print information is printed on a sheet in which the ID chip is embedded;
A print information obtaining step of printing on paper by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered in the storage area by the information of the ID chip of the document,
A second registration step of associating the print information registered in the storage area with information on the ID chip of the paper to be printed by the copy operation read out in the paper ID chip information reading step , in the storage area;
A control method for an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus having a printing unit for printing print information ,
A paper ID chip information reading unit that reads information of an ID chip when printing information is printed by the printing unit using a paper in which an ID chip is embedded;
First registration means for associating the information of the ID chip with print information to be printed and registering it in a storage area;
And the document ID chip information reading means for a printed material printed with ID print information chip embedded sheet to during the copy operation of the document reading information of the ID chip of the document,
A print information obtaining means for printing on the paper by the printing means acquires print information of the document registered in the storage area by the information of the ID chip of the document,
The print information registered in the storage area is made to function as a second registration means for reading out the ID chip information of the paper to be printed by the copy operation by the paper ID chip information reading means, and associating it with the print area. A program characterized by that.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 3 is recorded.

Images