JP4483897B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of managing recording of image data on a recording sheet.

  When image data to be recorded on the recording paper is received from the image information transmitting device of each user connected to the network or when a copy execution command for the original is received, the image data is recorded on the recording paper and used. There is an image forming apparatus that counts the number of recording sheets for each user and prohibits or restricts the use of the recording sheets of the user when the accumulated number reaches a preset number (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

  The image forming apparatus counts the number of recording sheets used for each user based on the user name received together with the image data from the image information transmitting apparatus and the password input at the time of the copy execution command. When the cumulative number of used recording sheets exceeds the number preset by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, the use of recording sheets is prohibited or the recording sheet is completed when the job being executed is finished. Is used, or a warning is issued and recording on the recording paper is continued. Therefore, the administrator of the image forming apparatus can easily grasp the number of recording sheets used by each user. Therefore, the number of recording sheets used for each user can be managed, so that Recording paper can be saved by restricting the use of recording paper.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-7956 (page 5, FIG. 3)

  However, when the recording of the image data on the recording paper is prohibited, the image data is not stored, and various inconveniences may occur. For example, a user who has output image data to be recorded on the image forming apparatus may forget that the recording prohibition function is provided and dispose of the original image data or document.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to transfer image data to a recording sheet when the number of recording sheets recorded within a predetermined period exceeds a preset number. And an image forming apparatus capable of storing the image data.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a recording unit that records image data on a recording sheet, and an operation unit that receives input of various operation instructions; Output means for electronic paper, a control unit for restricting the use of the recording paper when the cumulative number of used recording paper exceeds the pre-registered permitted number of recording papers, and restricting the use of the recording paper A cancel key for receiving an input for canceling, and the operation unit includes a substitute output key for accepting an instruction to output the image data to the electronic paper, and a start key. receiving an output instruction, when there is depression of the start key, the output means outputs the image data to the electronic paper instead of the recording paper, the control unit When the use of the recording paper is further restricted and the release key is pressed, the image data is recorded on the recording paper by the recording means, and the output is made without pressing the release key. The image data is output to the electronic paper .

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a recording unit that records image data on a recording sheet, an operation unit that receives input of various operation instructions, and an output unit that outputs the image data to electronic paper. And the control for restricting the use of the recording paper when the total number of used recording papers plus the recording request number of newly received image data exceeds the recording permission number of recording papers registered in advance A release key for receiving an input for releasing the restriction on the use of the recording paper, the operation unit, an alternative output key for receiving an instruction to output the image data to the electronic paper, a start key, When the output instruction is received by the substitute output key and the start key is pressed, the output means transfers the image data to the front instead of the recording paper. When the release key is pressed when the control unit restricts the use of the recording paper, the image data is recorded on the recording paper by the recording means, and the release key When the output is selected without being pressed, the image data is output to the electronic paper .

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is configured to determine whether the electronic paper is connected to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus. An informing means for informing various information such as the operation state and setting state of the electronic paper, and when the judging means determines that the electronic paper is not connected, the informing means requests connection of the electronic paper. It is characterized by notifying information to that effect .

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 1, an instruction to be output to the electronic paper is received by the alternative output key, and when the start key is pressed, the image data is output to the portable electronic paper instead of the recording paper. can do. Therefore, when it is desired to temporarily store and display image data, recording paper can be saved by outputting it to electronic paper.
In addition, when the cumulative number of recording sheets used within the counting period exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets, recording of image data on the recording sheet can be restricted and image data can be output to electronic paper. Therefore, it is possible to save the recording paper by preventing the user from using the recording paper wastefully, and output the image data to the electronic paper and save it.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when the total number of used recording papers plus the recording request number of newly received image data exceeds the recording permission number of recording papers registered in advance. When the release key is pressed, the image data is recorded on the recording paper by the recording unit, and when the output is made without pressing the release key, the image data is output to the electronic paper. can do.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when it is determined that the electronic paper is not connected so as to be communicable, a warning that the electronic paper is not correctly connected can be notified.

  Hereinafter, a case where the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a network printer function, and an Internet facsimile function will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an image memory 5, a codec 6, a document reading unit 7, a watch. Unit 8, notification unit 9, operation unit 10, recording unit 11, external output port 12, modem 13, NCU (Network Control Unit) 14, LAN I / F (Local Area Network Interface) 15, and writer 16 The units 1 to 15 are communicably connected via a bus 17.

  The control unit 2 controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 1 according to a predetermined program. The ROM 3 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by the control unit 2. Specifically, the program stored in the ROM 3 is an accumulation processing program for counting and accumulating the number of recording sheets used within the counting period, and an accumulated number of recording sheets used within the counting period. However, a determination processing program for determining whether or not the permitted number of recordings registered in advance by the administrator is exceeded, and an output processing program for outputting image data to a portable image display medium instead of recording paper. is there. Here, the portable image display medium is a medium that can be easily carried and can store the image data output from the image forming apparatus 1 and display the image data. In the embodiment, the electronic paper 19 is used. The portable image display medium is not limited to the electronic paper 19 and may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), for example.

  The RAM 4 functions as a storage unit that stores in advance registered facsimile numbers, mail addresses, and the like. The RAM 4 is provided with a recording management table T as shown in FIG. 2, and stores a counting period, a recording permission number, a password, and a counting start date and time registered in advance by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1. . When the recording paper is used by the user, the accumulated number is stored in the recording management table T. Here, the counting period is a period in which the number of recording sheets used by the user is counted and integrated, and the total number of recording sheets used within this period is stored in the recording management table T as an integrated number. Is done. The recording permitted number is the number of recording sheets that the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 permits use within the counting period, and the control unit 2 determines that the accumulated number exceeds the permitted recording number within the counting period. Then, the use of recording paper is restricted, and control is performed to output image data to a portable image display medium based on the user's selection. The password is for temporarily releasing the restriction on the use of the recording paper when the cumulative number of recording paper exceeds the permitted recording number. The user can use this password together with a predetermined operation from the operation unit 10. By inputting or sending a password from the client PC (Personal Computer) 21 together with the image data, the restriction can be temporarily released and the image data can be recorded on the recording paper.

  The counting start date and time is the date and time when counting of the used recording paper is started. When the counting period elapses from this counting start date and time, the accumulated number is initialized and returns to “zero”. Further, the RAM 4 stores in advance display output data for notifying a warning when the accumulated number of used recording sheets exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets and for notifying various other information. ing.

  The image memory 5 temporarily stores document image data read by the document reading unit 7, image data received by facsimile, and image data received from the client PC 21 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 20.

  The codec 6 encodes (decodes) image data in accordance with a predetermined protocol. Specifically, the image data stored in the image memory 5 is encoded by MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, etc. Data is decrypted.

  The document reading unit 7 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a flat bed scanner (FBS), and reads image data of a document by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). . The clock unit 8 sends the current time in response to a request from the control unit 2.

  The notification unit 9 is a part for notifying the user of various information such as the operation state and the setting state of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the information on the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and various operation instructions are provided. A liquid crystal display device 9a capable of displaying an input screen, a setting state, various warnings, and the like, an LED lamp 9b capable of displaying the state of the image forming device 1 when turned on or off, and a predetermined warning sound are notified to the user. The speaker 9c which performs is comprised.

  The operation unit 10 is a part for inputting operation instructions and settings to the image forming apparatus 1 when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1, and although not shown, various operations such as a start key and a numeric keypad are performed. It has an operation key. The operation unit 10 also has an alternative output key. When the alternative output key is pressed, an instruction to output image data to a portable image display medium is accepted, and output is started by pressing the start key or the like. When there is an instruction, the image data is output to a portable image display medium, here, electronic paper 19 instead of recording paper. Note that the operation unit 10 registers the counting period, the number of allowed recordings, the password, and the like by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The recording unit 11 is made of, for example, an electrophotographic system, and records image data read by the document reading unit 7, image data received by facsimile, image data transmitted from the client PC 21, and the like on a recording sheet. Note that the number of recording sheets on which image data is recorded in the recording unit 11 is counted as the number of recording sheets used by the user and stored in the recording management table T of the RAM 4.

  The external output port 12 is a port for connecting a writer 16 for outputting image data to the electronic paper 19. The writer 16 is detachable from the external output port 12 and is connected to the external output port 12 when outputting image data to the electronic paper 19, but is built in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. May be.

  The modem 13 is, for example, a recommendation V.16 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 14 is a line network control device for controlling a telephone line to make / drop a telephone call, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 18.

  The LAN I / F 15 includes an interface with the LAN 20, and can communicate with the client PC 21, the mail server 22, and the router 23 connected to the LAN 20 like the image forming apparatus 1.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration as a multifunction peripheral, the image data read by the document reading unit 7 can be recorded on a recording sheet by a copy function, and another G3 facsimile apparatus (through the PSTN 18 by a facsimile function ( The image data received from the client PC 21 is recorded on recording paper by the network printer function, and the image data of the original is attached to another Internet facsimile machine (not shown) via the Internet 24 by the Internet facsimile function. Sent and received e-mails.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the alternative output provided in the operation unit 10 when the cumulative number of recording sheets used by the user within the counting period exceeds the permitted number of recordings registered in advance by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1. When the key is pressed and a predetermined operation is performed, the image data can be output to the electronic paper 19 instead of the recording paper.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above functions, flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 show processing operations performed when image data read by a copy function, a facsimile reception function, and a network printer function is recorded on a recording sheet. Based on

  When there is a facsimile reception, an image reading process by a copy operation, or reception of image data to be recorded on the recording paper from the client PC 21 (S1), the control unit 2 temporarily stores the image data in the image memory 5 ( S2). Then, the accumulated number of recording sheets and the permitted number of recording sheets are read from the recording management table T (S3), and it is determined whether or not the accumulated number of recording sheets is equal to or less than the permitted number of recording sheets (S4).

  When the control unit 2 determines that the cumulative number of recording sheets is equal to or less than the permitted number of recording sheets (S4: YES), the image data stored in the image memory 5 is recorded on the recording sheet (S5), and the recording used. The number of sheets is counted and added to the total number of recording sheets read out in S3, and stored as a new total number in the recording management table T (S6).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the cumulative number of recording sheets is not less than the permitted number of recording sheets (S4: NO), the control unit 2 temporarily limits the limit together with a warning that the cumulative number of recording sheets exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets. Information requesting selection of whether or not to cancel and record on the recording paper is notified (S7). For example, a message such as “The number of allowed recordings has been exceeded” or “Do you want to temporarily release the restriction and record on the recording paper?” Is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a, the LED lamp 9b is turned on, and the speaker is turned on. A warning sound is issued from 9c to notify that effect.

  When a predetermined operation and a password are input from the operation unit 10 to temporarily release the restriction on the use of the recording paper within a predetermined time after the notification in S7 is performed (S8: YES), the control is performed. The unit 2 temporarily releases the restriction on the use of the recording paper, and performs the processing operations of S5 and S6. Temporary release of this restriction is done by inputting the predetermined operation and password so that the user does not easily use the recording paper even though the cumulative number of recording paper exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets. However, it is also possible to simply provide a release key or the like on the operation unit 10 and press the key so that the temporary release can be performed.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined operation and a password are not entered from the operation unit 10 for temporarily releasing the restriction on the use of the recording paper within a predetermined time after the notification in S7 (S8: NO), Information requesting selection of whether to output image data to a portable image display medium is notified (S9). Specifically, a message such as “Do you want to output image data to electronic paper?” Is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a. If no selection is made to output the image data to the electronic paper 19 within a predetermined time after the notification in S9 (S10: NO), the image data stored in the image memory 5 is deleted (S11). .

  When selection is made to output the image data to the electronic paper 19 within a predetermined time after the notification in S9 (S10: YES), the control unit 2 communicates the electronic paper 19 to the external output port 12 by the writer 16. It is determined whether or not the connection is possible (S13), and if it is determined that the connection is not established (S13: NO), a warning that the writer 16 and the electronic paper 19 are not correctly connected and a connection request are made. Information to this effect is notified (S14). Specifically, messages such as “Electronic paper is not properly connected” and “Please connect electronic paper and writer correctly” are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a. When the control unit 2 determines that the writer 16 and the electronic paper 19 are communicably connected (S13: YES), for example, the image data to the electronic paper 19 such as “Please press the start key” is displayed. Information requesting a predetermined operation for starting output is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a (S15), and when a predetermined operation for starting output of image data to the electronic paper 19 is performed (S16: YES) ) And output the image data to the electronic paper 19 (S17).

  As described above, when the cumulative number of recording sheets used within the counting period exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets, the recording of image data on the recording sheet is limited, and instead the image data is output to the electronic paper 19. Thus, recording paper can be saved and image data can be saved. Further, a means for outputting the image data to the PDA may be further provided so that the image data can be output to the electronic paper 19 or the PDA based on the user's selection.

  In the present embodiment, after performing the notification in S9, it is determined that the selection to output the image data is made in S10, and the image data is output to the electronic paper 19 when it is determined in S16 that a predetermined operation has been performed. However, the image data may be automatically output to the electronic paper 19 if the output condition to the electronic paper 19 is satisfied after the notification of S9. That is, if the writer 16 with the electronic paper 19 attached is communicably connected to the external output port 12, or if the image forming apparatus 1 has the writer 16, the electronic paper 19 is attached to the writer 16. When connected so as to be communicable, the image data is output to the electronic paper 19 without determining whether or not an operation by the user has been performed. In addition, after performing the notification in S9, the image data may be output to the electronic paper 19 by a single operation of the user. That is, after the notification of S9, when an instruction to output image data is given by pressing the start key or the like, the image data is immediately output to the electronic paper 19.

  Hereinafter, a modification of the processing operation of S4 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In S3, the control unit 2 reads the total number of recording sheets and the permitted number of recording sheets from the recording management table T (S3), and adds the newly requested recording number of image data to the total number of recording sheets. Then, the integrated number after recording is calculated (S51). Then, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number after recording is equal to or less than the permitted number of recordings (S52). On the other hand, when it is determined that the number is not less than the permitted number of recordings (S52: NO), the processing operation of S7 is performed.

  That is, the number of recording sheets to be used is determined in advance based on the number of pages of image data, the number of recordings specified by the user, etc., and the total number is calculated by adding the number of sheets to the total number of sheets. It is determined whether or not. As a result, when the image data stored in the image memory 5 in S2 is recorded on the recording paper, the notification in S7 can be performed when the number of permitted recordings is exceeded.

  As another modification, when the permitted number of recordings is exceeded during the recording process of the image data, the recording process is temporarily stopped, a warning to that effect is given, and whether or not to continue the recording process is selected. Can be notified so that the user can select whether or not to continue recording image data. A processing operation performed when the permitted number of recordings is exceeded during the image data recording process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the control unit 2 determines in S4 that the total number of recording sheets is equal to or less than the permitted number of recording sheets, it performs a recording process for one page of image data to be recorded on the recording sheet (S54), and a recording process for all pages. It is determined whether or not is completed (S55). If it is determined that the recording process for all pages has not been completed (S55: NO), one page is added to the integrated number (S56), and it is determined whether the new integrated number exceeds the permitted number of recordings. (S57). If it is determined that the number of allowed recording sheets has not been exceeded (S57: NO), the process returns to S54 to perform the recording process for the next page. These processing operations are performed for all pages, and when the recording processing is completed without exceeding the permitted number of recordings (S55: YES), the processing operation of S6 is performed.

On the other hand, when the cumulative number of recording sheets used during the recording process exceeds the permitted recording number (S57: YES), the recording process of the image data on the recording sheet is temporarily stopped (S58), and the permitted recording number is exceeded. A warning to that effect and information requesting selection of whether or not to continue recording on the recording paper are notified (S59). Specifically, messages such as “The number of allowed recordings has been exceeded” and “Do you want to continue printing” are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a, the LED lamp 9b is turned on, and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 9c. Etc. to that effect. If the selection to continue recording on the recording paper is not made (S60: NO), the recording process is stopped (S61). On the other hand, if it is selected to continue recording on the recording paper (S60: YES), the remaining pages are recorded on the recording paper (S62), and the processing operation of S6 is performed.

  The accumulated number of used recording sheets counted in the image forming apparatus 1 described above is the total number of recording sheets used in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, a copy function, a facsimile reception function, a network printer function, etc. The permitted number of recordings can be registered in advance for each function, and the use of recording sheets can be managed by adding up the number of used recording sheets individually for each function. Further, whether to manage the use of recording paper may be set for each function. For example, if the copy function is set to control the use of recording paper and the other functions are not set to control the use of recording paper, only the number of recording sheets used by the copy function is added up. It is determined whether or not the cumulative number has exceeded the recording permission number of the copy function registered in advance, and the use of the recording paper by the copying function is managed. Therefore, it is possible to manage the use of the recording sheet only for necessary functions. In addition, a recording management table T for managing the use of recording paper for each user as shown in FIG. 7 is provided, so that the user can be identified from the user ID (Identification), and the recording paper used in the image forming apparatus 1 can be identified. Instead of the total number of sheets, the number of recording sheets used for each user may be managed.

  The accumulated number of recording sheets counted and accumulated within the counting period is initialized after the counting period has elapsed. Hereinafter, the processing operation from the start of counting the used recording paper to the initialization of the accumulated number will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control unit 2 refers to the recording management table T, acquires the current date and time from the clock unit 8, and determines whether or not the counting period has elapsed from the counting start date and time (S19). If it is determined that the counting period has elapsed from the counting start date and time (S19: YES), the current date and time acquired from the clock unit 8 is stored in the “counting start date and time” column of the recording management table T as the counting start date and time ( S20). Then, the cumulative number of recording sheets is initialized (S21). That is, the “cumulative number” of the record is returned to “zero”.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus, when the cumulative number of recording sheets used within the counting period exceeds the permitted number of recording sheets, the use of the recording sheets can be restricted. In addition, since the cumulative number of recording papers is reset to the initial state after the counting period has passed, the counting period has passed even if the cumulative number of recording papers used within the counting period exceeds the permitted number of recordings. After that, recording paper can be used as usual.

  Here, the accumulated number is initialized when the counting period elapses from the counting start date and time. However, a predetermined period of time has elapsed since it was determined that the accumulated number of recording sheets used within the counting period exceeded the permitted number of recordings. The accumulated number may be initialized after elapses.

  The processing operations of S19 to S21 are for managing the use of recording paper of the image forming apparatus 1, but when managing the use of recording paper for each user as shown in FIG. Determines whether the counting period has elapsed from the counting start date and time for all user IDs in S19.

  The processing operation performed when the image data to be recorded on the recording paper is received has been described above. However, when the user presses the alternative output key provided in the operation unit 10, the cumulative number of recording sheets used is recorded. Regardless of whether or not the number is less than the permitted number, the image data can be output to the electronic paper 19 instead of the recording paper. Hereinafter, a processing operation for outputting image data to the electronic paper 19 by pressing an alternative output key included in the operation unit 10 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

  When the control unit 2 determines that the alternative output key included in the operation unit 10 is pressed (S23: YES), the control unit 2 determines whether the electronic paper 19 is connected to the external output port 12 by the writer 16 so as to be communicable. (S24) If it is determined that the connection is not established (S24: NO), a warning that the writer 16 and the electronic paper 19 are not properly connected and information that a connection is requested, as in the processing operation of S14. (S25). When the controller 2 determines that the writer 16 and the electronic paper 19 are correctly connected (S24: YES), for example, a message such as “Please press the start key” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 9a. Information requesting a predetermined operation for starting output of image data to the electronic paper 19 is notified (S26), and when a predetermined operation for starting output of image data to the electronic paper 19 is performed (S26). (S27: YES), the image of the document placed on the document reading unit 7 is read (S28), and the image data is output to the electronic paper 19 (S29).

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a recording management table that stores an accumulated number of recording sheets used in the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed when image data to be recorded on recording paper is received in the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed when image data to be recorded on recording paper is received in the image forming apparatus. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in a modified example of a determination process for determining whether or not the permitted number of recordings has been exceeded. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in a modified example of a determination process for determining whether or not the permitted number of recordings has been exceeded. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a recording management table for managing the accumulated number of used recording sheets for each user. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for initializing the cumulative number of recording sheets after the counting period has elapsed. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed when an alternative output key is pressed in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 2 Control unit 3 ROM
4 RAM
8 Clock unit 9 Notification unit 10 Operation unit 11 Recording unit 12 External output port 16 Writer 19 Electronic paper T Recording management table

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus comprising a recording means for recording image data on a recording paper,
An operation unit that receives input of various operation instructions;
Output means for outputting the image data to electronic paper;
A control unit that restricts the use of the recording paper when the cumulative number of used recording paper exceeds a pre-registered recording permission number;
A release key for receiving an input for releasing the restriction on the use of the recording paper ,
The operation unit includes an alternative output key that receives an instruction to output the image data to the electronic paper, and a start key.
When the output instruction is received by the alternative output key and the start key is pressed, the output means outputs the image data to the electronic paper instead of the recording paper,
When the use of the recording paper is restricted by the control unit, when the release key is pressed, the image data is recorded on the recording paper by the recording means,
An image forming apparatus that outputs the image data to the electronic paper when an output is selected without pressing the release key . In an image forming apparatus comprising a recording means for recording image data on a recording paper,
An operation unit that receives input of various operation instructions;
Output means for outputting the image data to electronic paper;
A control unit that restricts the use of the recording paper when the number of recording papers newly used plus the number of requested recordings of newly received image data exceeds the recording permission number of recording papers registered in advance; ,
A release key for receiving an input for releasing the restriction on the use of the recording paper ,
The operation unit includes an alternative output key that receives an instruction to output the image data to the electronic paper, and a start key.
When the output instruction is received by the alternative output key and the start key is pressed, the output means outputs the image data to the electronic paper instead of the recording paper,
When the use of the recording paper is restricted by the control unit, when the release key is pressed, the image data is recorded on the recording paper by the recording means,
An image forming apparatus that outputs the image data to the electronic paper when an output is selected without pressing the release key . A determination unit that determines whether or not the electronic paper is connected to the image forming apparatus; and a notification unit that notifies various information such as an operation state and a setting state of the image forming apparatus.
3. The information according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the electronic paper is not connected, the notification unit notifies information requesting connection of the electronic paper. Image forming apparatus.

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