JP5811331B2 - Image forming apparatus, authentication print method, authentication print program, operation mode switching method, and operation mode switching program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an authentication print method, an authentication print program, an operation mode switching method, and an operation mode switching program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus having a function of authenticating a user by communicating with a portable device carried by the user. The present invention relates to an authentication print method, an authentication print program, an operation mode switching method, and an operation mode switching program executed by the image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, a usage form in which an image forming apparatus such as a printer is connected to a network and shared by a plurality of users has become common. In this mode of use, when a user transmits print data to a computer connected to a network to the image forming apparatus, for example, if the image forming apparatus is installed at a location away from the computer, the user is prompted before that user. In some cases, another user may be able to pick up the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus. To cope with this problem, when the image forming apparatus receives print data for confidential printing from a computer together with user identification information for identifying a user, the image forming apparatus forms the print data until the user is authenticated by the MFP. Does not have a confidential print function.

  If this confidential print function is used, the image forming apparatus can form an image only when the user who sent the print data to the computer can operate the image forming apparatus, so that the image-formed paper can be seen by others. Can be prevented. However, since the user is authenticated by the image forming apparatus, the user must input necessary information, and the operation becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, there is known a technique for authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device when the user can communicate with the portable device carried by the user. When the portable device carried by the user becomes communicable with the image forming apparatus, authentication is performed by the image forming apparatus, so that confidential printing can be executed.

  However, the user does not always approach the image forming apparatus only to cause the image forming apparatus to perform confidential printing. When the image forming apparatus simply passes near the image forming apparatus for movement, the image forming apparatus may approach the image forming apparatus to pick up a sheet on which an image has already been formed. Thus, even when the user walks in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus for purposes other than the purpose of causing the image forming apparatus to execute confidential printing, there is a problem that the confidential printing is executed.

  Some image forming apparatuses change the operation mode to a power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode when the non-operating time continues for a predetermined time or more in order to reduce power consumption. The user who carries the portable device may walk away near the image forming apparatus in the power saving mode, and the power saving mode may be canceled. In this case, power is wasted. There was a problem.

  In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-047765 discloses that when a copying machine is in a sleep mode, a user who carries an IC tag is within a range of radio waves emitted by a tag reader / writer. Since the copy machine can determine that the user is approaching, the copy machine performs user authentication based on the data read from the IC tag. There is a description of a copying machine that, when a document is set, turns on the power that has been turned off in the copying machine and returns the copying machine from the power saving mode.

However, according to the conventional technology, the user does not need to input an operation for authentication, but if the document is not set in the auto feeder, the user does not return from the power saving mode. There has been a problem that an operation for setting a document in the auto feeder is required.
JP 2006-047765 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an authentication printing method capable of starting a printing operation only when operated by a user. And providing an authentication print program.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, an operation mode switching method, and an operation mode switching program capable of switching an operation mode only when operated by a user are provided.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an antenna installed on a floor surface in a predetermined range, and a portable device carried by a user via the antenna and the user's human body. A communication unit that communicates with an image, an image forming unit that forms an image, an authentication unit that authenticates a user based on authentication information received from the portable device, and an operation detection unit that detects an operation of the user authenticated by the authentication unit When the user is authenticated by the authentication means, the user identification information of the authenticated user in the set of the print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network and the user identification information for identifying the user If there is print data that is paired with, print on condition that the predetermined motion is detected by the motion detection means Comprising the authentication output means for forming an image of the over data to the image forming unit, the operation detecting means, communication means and can communicate with the portable device from the start of the communication with communicable mobile device first If the duration or more, you detect an operation stop to the authenticated user starts the operation as the predetermined operation.

According to this aspect, the user is authenticated based on the authentication information received from the portable device carried by the user, and the user of the authenticated user is included in the print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network. When there is print data paired with the identification information, an image of the print data is formed on condition that a predetermined operation by the user is detected. For this reason, even when authenticating a user based on authentication information received from a portable device carried by the user, printing is not performed unless a predetermined operation by the user is detected. An image forming apparatus capable of starting a printing operation can be provided. Further, when communication with a portable device is performed via an antenna provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range and a user's human body, and communication with the portable device that can be communicated is started, the state where communication is possible continues for a first time or more. Since the user stops the operation for starting the operation, the state before the user operates the image forming apparatus can be detected, and the operation passing through the vicinity of the image forming apparatus can be eliminated in some cases.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes an operation accepting unit that accepts a user operation, and the operation detecting unit is configured such that the communication accepting state is not accepted by the operation accepting unit after the communication unit starts communication with the communicable portable device. If it continues for more than 1st time, the operation | movement which the authenticated user stops in order to start operation will be detected as predetermined | prescribed operation | movement.

According to this aspect, when communication with a communicable mobile device is started and communication is possible without being accepted , the operation that the user stops to start the operation is detected when the communicable state continues for the first time or more. Therefore, it may be possible to detect a state before the user operates the image forming apparatus, and to eliminate an operation that passes near the image forming apparatus.

Preferably, communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user, image forming means for forming an image, authentication means for authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, and authentication by the authentication means Of the set of operation detection means for detecting the user's action and print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user when the user is authenticated by the authentication means An authentication output means for forming an image of the print data on the image forming means on condition that a predetermined action is detected by the action detecting means when there is print data paired with the user identification information of the authenticated user When either the paper is present in the discharge tray for storing sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means Comprising a paper detection means for detecting whether the operation detection means, prior to detecting a predetermined operation, do not detect that the paper is present from the state where it has been detected that the paper is present by the sheet detecting means When the state changes to a state, if the state in which the communication unit can communicate with the portable device changes to a state in which the sheet detection unit does not detect the presence of a sheet, and continues for a second time or longer, the authenticated user performs an operation. An operation that stops to start is detected as a predetermined operation.

  According to this aspect, when a state in which paper is present in the paper discharge tray is changed to a state in which no paper is present before detecting a predetermined operation by the user, the state in which communication with the portable device is not present If it continues for more than 2nd time after changing to, the operation | movement which a user stops in order to start operation is detected. For this reason, there is a case where the user can eliminate the operation of taking back the paper existing in the paper discharge tray.

Preferably, further comprising an antenna which is the facility on the floor of the predetermined range, the communication means, that communicates with the portable device via the human body antenna and the user.

According to this aspect, you mobile device communicates via the body of the facility antennas and user on the floor of the predetermined range. When the user walks on the antenna, communication is possible only while the user's foot is in contact with the antenna. For this reason, when the user walks on the antenna, the communicable period is intermittent. When the communicable period continues for the first time or more without interruption, the motion that stops is detected, so that the motion of the user walking may be eliminated.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes list display means for displaying a list of print data paired with the user identification information of the authenticated user when the user is authenticated by the authentication means.

Preferably,
The list display unit stops displaying the list when the predetermined operation is not detected by the operation detection unit.

  According to this aspect, printing by other users can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an antenna provided on a floor surface in a predetermined range, a communication unit that communicates with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the user's human body , An authentication unit that authenticates a user based on authentication information received from the apparatus, an operation mode switching unit that switches an operation mode to a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and an authentication unit. An operation detecting means for detecting the operation of the authenticated user, and the operation mode switching means is configured to perform a predetermined operation by the operation detecting means when the operation mode is the power saving mode and the user is authenticated by the authentication means. The operation mode is switched to the normal mode on the condition that the communication means is detected, and the operation detection means starts communication with the portable device with which the communication means can communicate. When communicable state continues for a first time or more from, for detecting an operation stop to the authenticated user starts the operation as the predetermined operation.

According to this aspect, when the user is authenticated based on the authentication information received from the portable device carried by the user and the operation mode is the power saving mode, the state in which communication is possible after starting communication with the portable device is first. If it continues for 1 time or more, the operation mode is switched to the normal mode. For this reason, even when the user is authenticated based on the authentication information received from the portable device carried by the user, the state where communication with the portable device is started must be continued for the first time or more. For example, since the operation mode is not switched to the normal mode, it is possible to detect a state before the user operates the image forming apparatus and to eliminate an operation that passes near the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of switching the operation mode only when the user operates the image forming apparatus. Further, when communication with a portable device is performed via an antenna provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range and a user's human body, and communication with the portable device that can be communicated is started, the state where communication is possible continues for a first time or more. Since the user stops the operation for starting the operation, the state before the user operates the image forming apparatus can be detected, and the operation passing through the vicinity of the image forming apparatus can be eliminated in some cases.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a communication unit that communicates with a portable device carried by the user, an authentication unit that authenticates the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, and a normal mode. And an operation mode switching means for switching the operation mode to any one of a power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode, an operation detection means for detecting a user's action authenticated by the authentication means, and image formation for forming an image and means, and a paper detection means for detecting whether or not the paper discharge tray is present for storing sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means, the operation mode switching means, the operation mode is saving In the power mode, when the user is authenticated by the authentication unit, the operation mode is set to the normal mode on condition that a predetermined operation is detected by the operation detection unit. Switched to de, operation detecting means, the communicable from the start of communication communication means capable of communicating with a portable device state continues for a first time or more, stop to the authenticated user to start working operation detects a predetermined operation, before the predetermined operation is detected, if it is changed to a state that is not detected that the paper is present from the state in which the paper is present has been detected by the paper detecting means, communication means When the state in which the user can communicate with the portable device is changed to a state in which the presence of the sheet is not detected by the sheet detection unit and continues for a second time or longer, an operation in which the authenticated user stops to start the operation is predetermined. Detect as the operation.

  According to this aspect, when a state in which paper is present in the paper discharge tray is changed to a state in which no paper is present before detecting a predetermined operation by the user, the state in which communication with the portable device is not present If it continues for more than 2nd time after changing to, the operation | movement which a user stops in order to start operation is detected. For this reason, there is a case where the user can eliminate the operation of taking back the paper existing in the paper discharge tray.

Preferably , the image forming apparatus further includes an antenna provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range, and the communication unit communicates with the portable device via the antenna and the human body of the user .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an authentication printing method is an authentication printing method executed by an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including an antenna provided on a floor surface in a predetermined range, an antenna, A step of authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device, comprising: a communication unit that communicates with a portable device carried by the user via the human body ; and an image forming unit that forms an image; The user identification information for identifying the user from the print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network when the user is authenticated in the step of detecting the operation of the authenticated user in the step of authenticating and in the step of authenticating Print data that is paired with the user identification information of the authenticated user If the operation on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting, viewed including the steps of forming an image of print data to the image forming unit, a step of detecting an operation, the communication means can communicate When Do portable device that can communicate with the mobile device from the start of the communication state continues for a first time or more, including the step of detecting an operation stop to the authenticated user starts the operation as the predetermined operation .

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an authentication printing method capable of starting a printing operation only when a user operates an image forming apparatus.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the authentication printing method is an authentication printing method executed by the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a communication unit that communicates with a portable device carried by a user, and an image. A step of authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, a step of detecting an operation of the authenticated user in the step of authenticating, and a step of authenticating the user in the step of authenticating When authenticated, the print data paired with the user identification information of the authenticated user out of the set of print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network and the user identification information for identifying the user is If present, the condition is detected on the condition that the predetermined action is detected in the action detecting step. An authentication output step for forming an image of the print data on the image forming unit, a paper detection step for detecting whether or not there is a paper in a paper discharge tray for accumulating the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, And the step of detecting the operation includes a communication when the presence of the paper is detected in the paper detection step before the detection of the predetermined operation is changed to a state where the presence of the paper is not detected. When the state in which the means can communicate with the portable device changes to a state in which the presence of the sheet is not detected in the sheet detection step and continues for a second time or longer, the authenticated user stops the operation to start the operation. Detecting as a predetermined action.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the operation mode switching method is an operation mode switching method executed by the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes an antenna provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range; A communication unit configured to communicate with a portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the user's human body; authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device; A step of switching the operation mode to any one of the small power saving modes, and a step of detecting the operation of the authenticated user in the authenticating step, wherein the step of switching the operation mode is performed when the operation mode is the power saving mode if the user has been authenticated in the step of authentication, the predetermined operation in the step of detecting an operating test On the condition that the operation mode is switched to the normal mode, and the step of detecting the operation includes a state in which communication is possible after the communication means starts communication with the portable device capable of communication for the first time or more. The step includes detecting, as a predetermined operation, an operation in which the authenticated user stops in order to start the operation.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an operation mode switching method capable of switching the operation mode only when the user operates the image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the operation mode switching method is an operation mode switching method executed by the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus communicates with a portable device carried by a user; comprising image forming means for forming an image, and a step of authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, the operation to one of a normal mode, and power consumption than the normal mode is small saving mode A step of switching modes, a step of detecting a user's operation authenticated in the step of authenticating, and a detection of whether or not there is a sheet in a paper discharge tray for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means The step of switching the operation mode includes the step of authenticating when the operation mode is the power saving mode. If the user is authenticated, the step of detecting the operation includes the step of switching the operation mode to the normal mode on condition that the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation. Detecting an operation in which an authenticated user stops to start an operation as a predetermined operation when communication with a portable device has been communicable for a first time or longer after starting communication, and the predetermined operation includes: If the paper detection step changes from the state in which the presence of the paper is detected before the detection to the state in which the paper is not detected, the communication means detects that the paper is in communication with the portable device. If it is continued for a second time or more after changing to a state where the presence of paper is not detected in the step, the authenticated user operates. An operation stop to initiate comprising the step of detecting a predetermined operation.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an operation mode switching method capable of switching the operation mode only when the user operates the image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the authentication print program is an authentication print program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes an antenna provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range. If a communication means for communicating with a portable device that the user carries through the human body antenna and the user, comprising an image forming means for forming an image, and the user based on the authentication information received from the mobile device authenticator And detecting the action of the authenticated user in the authenticating step and identifying the user and the print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network when the user is authenticated in the authenticating step The user identification information of the authenticated user in a pair with the user identification information for And when the print data to be set is present, on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting an operation to execute the steps of forming an image of print data to the image forming unit, to the computer, the operation The step of detecting is that the authenticated user has stopped to start an operation when the communication means has started communication with the mobile device capable of communication and has continued to communicate with the mobile device for a first time or longer. A step of determining and detecting an operation of stopping as a predetermined operation .

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an authentication print program capable of starting a printing operation only when a user operates an image forming apparatus.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the authentication print program is an authentication print program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus communicates with a portable device carried by a user. And an image forming means for forming an image, authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device, detecting an operation of the authenticated user in the authenticating step, and authenticating When the user is authenticated in the step, it is combined with the user identification information of the authenticated user in the combination of the print data transmitted from the computer connected via the network and the user identification information for identifying the user. In the step of detecting the operation On condition that the operation is detected, an authentication output step for causing the image forming unit to form an image of the print data, and whether there is a sheet in the paper discharge tray for storing the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit A step of causing the computer to execute a paper detection step for detecting whether or not the paper is detected, and the step of detecting the operation is to detect the presence of the paper in the paper detection step before detecting the predetermined operation. If the state that the presence of the sheet is detected is changed to a state where the communication unit can communicate with the portable device, the authentication is performed when the state that the communication unit is detected is not detected in the sheet detection step and continues for the second time or longer. A step of detecting, as a predetermined operation, an operation in which the operated user stops to start the operation.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the operation mode switching program is an operation mode switching program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is provided on a floor surface within a predetermined range. A communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the user's human body , authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, normal mode, and normal mode The step of switching the operation mode by causing the computer to execute the step of switching the operation mode to one of the power saving modes with lower power consumption and the step of detecting the operation of the authenticated user in the step of authenticating is the operation If the mode is power saving mode, the user was authenticated in the authenticating step If, on condition that the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting an operation includes the step of switching the operation mode to the normal mode, the step of detecting the behavior, the communication communication means capable of communicating with a portable device The method includes a step of detecting, as a predetermined operation, an operation in which an authenticated user stops to start an operation when a state in which communication with the mobile device continues for a first time or more after the start.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an operation mode switching program capable of switching the operation mode only when the user operates the image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the operation mode switching program is an operation mode switching program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus communicates with a portable device carried by a user. communication means, comprising image forming means for forming an image, a of the step of authenticating the user based on authentication information received from the portable device, a normal mode, and power consumption than the normal mode is small saving mode Whether there is a sheet in the sheet discharge tray for storing the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit , the step of switching the operation mode to one of the steps, the step of detecting the operation of the authenticated user in the step of authenticating a paper detection step of detecting whether, cause the computer to execute the steps of switching the operation mode, When the operation mode is the power saving mode, and when the user is authenticated in the authenticating step, the method includes the step of switching the operation mode to the normal mode on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the operation detecting step, The step of detecting an operation is a predetermined operation in which an authenticated user stops to start an operation when a communicable state continues for a first time or more after communication with a portable device capable of communication is started. The communication means, and when the presence of the paper is detected in the paper detection step before the predetermined operation is detected, the state is detected that the paper is not detected. The state in which communication with the portable device is changed to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected in the step of detecting paper. Continuing et second time or more, comprising the step of detecting an operation stop to the authenticated user starts the operation as the predetermined operation.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an operation mode switching program capable of switching the operation mode only when the user operates the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna range included in an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of a CPU provided in the MFP together with data stored in an EEPROM. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an operation mode switching process. 6 is a first flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of authentication print processing. 12 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of authentication print processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 includes multifunction devices (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 200 respectively connected to a network 2. Mobile device 250. Since MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C have the same configuration and function, MFP 100 will be described as an example unless otherwise specified.

  An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and includes a scanner for reading a document, an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data, and a facsimile. It has a reading function, a copying function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function. In the present embodiment, MFP 100 is described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, instead of MFP 100, for example, a printer or a facsimile provided with an image forming function may be used.

  The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or the like. MFPs 100, 100 A, 100 B, and 100 C can communicate with each other via network 2, and MFPs 100, 100 A, 100 B, and 100 C can communicate with PC 200 via network 2.

  The PC 200 is a general computer. Since the hardware configuration of PC 200 and its functions are well known, description thereof will not be repeated here. The PC 200 is installed with a printer driver program for controlling at least each of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. When using the PC 200, the user is authenticated by the PC 200 by inputting user identification information, a password, and the like to the PC 200. When the printer driver program is executed by the PC 200, the PC 200 converts data generated by executing an application program different from the printer driver program into print data, and prints a print job including the print data to the MFP 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are transmitted to the one designated by the user.

  The print job includes job information in addition to print data. The job information includes user identification information of the user authenticated by the PC 200 and image forming conditions such as the number of prints. Further, the user of the PC 200 can designate the confidential print. When the user designates the confidential print, the job information includes information indicating the confidential print. When the user does not designate the confidential print, the job information Does not include information indicating a confidential print. Therefore, among MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, an apparatus that receives a print job from PC 200 can determine whether or not a confidential print is designated from the job information.

  The print data is data obtained by converting data generated by executing an application program into print data described in PDL (Page Description Language) such as PCL (Printer Control Language). The application program only needs to be executable by the PC 200 and is not limited. For example, the application program includes a document editing program, a graphic editing program, and a spreadsheet program. The job information is data described in, for example, PJL (Printer Job Language). For example, when the PC 200 transmits a print job to the MFP 100, the MFP 100 forms an image of print data according to the job information of the print job.

  In image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, when a user operates PC 200 and inputs an instruction to print data to MFP 100, for example, PC 200 generates a print job including print data and image forming conditions, and prints. The job is transmitted to MFP 100. The job information included in the print job includes user identification information for identifying the user and image forming conditions, and includes information indicating that the print is a confidential print when the confidential print is designated. When the MFP 100 receives a print job in which the confidential print is designated, the print job is temporarily stored as the confidential print data without immediately executing the received print job, but the confidential print is designated. If a print job that does not exist is received, the received print job is immediately executed. The print job for which the confidential print is designated is temporarily stored in the MFP 100 and then executed by the MFP 100 when a predetermined condition is satisfied by the MFP 100. A process in which MFP 100 executes a print job for which a confidential print is designated will be described later.

  MFP 100 includes an antenna 118 </ b> A that is an electrode provided on a floor surface in a predetermined range around the MFP 100. Portable device 250 includes at least a memory and a data communication unit that performs human body communication with MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. The portable device 250 stores unique device identification information assigned to the portable device 250 in a memory. When the user carries portable device 250 and exists on antenna 100A of MFP 100, portable device 250 can communicate with MFP 100 through the user's own human body and antenna 118A.

  The portable device 250 is attached to, for example, a name tag or a card worn by the user. Note that the portable device 250 may be a dedicated device as long as it includes a communication unit for human body communication, or may be incorporated in a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a cellular phone, or the like.

  As human body communication technology, when a person touches an electrode, a weak current flows through the human body, the current is modulated to transmit information, an electric field method that changes and communicates with electrolysis along the surface of the human body, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted. Various methods such as an elastic wave method as a medium have been developed, but the human body communication technology is not limited. Here, a case where an electric field method is used as a human body communication technique will be described as an example.

  MFP 100 stores in advance a user table in which device identification information of portable device 250 and user identification information for identifying a user are associated with each other in order to associate portable device 250 with a user. When communication is possible, the user is identified from the device identification information received from the portable device 250 and authenticated. In this case, the device identification information received from the portable device 250 is authentication information for authenticating the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna range provided in the MFP. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the MFP 100 as viewed from above. Referring to FIG. 2, antenna 118 </ b> A is provided on the floor around the main body of MFP 100. The shape of the outer periphery of the antenna 118A is a square with the length of one side being L. The size of antenna 118A is represented by the distance between the point of the outer periphery of antenna 118A that has the shortest distance from the center of MFP 100 and the center of MFP 100, and is L / 2 here.

  MFP 100 is arranged at the center where antenna 118A is installed. Note that the positional relationship between antenna 118A and MFP 100 main body depends on the environment in which MFP 100 is installed. When MFP 100 is arranged such that its side surface is in contact with the wall surface, antenna 118A cannot be arranged on the wall surface side of MFP 100, and may be arranged in the periphery including the three directions excluding the side surface side. Further, when the route for approaching MFP 100 is limited in order to operate MFP 100, antenna 118 </ b> A may be arranged on the limited route around MFP 100. For example, when MFP 100 is arranged such that its side surface is in contact with a wall surface, and MFP 100 cannot be approached from the left and right of MFP 100 toward the wall, the path of approaching MFP 100 in front of MFP 100 is limited. In this case, the antenna 118A may be arranged in front of the MFO 100.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document feeder 120 for transporting a document to document reading unit 130, and document reading unit 130. An image forming unit 140 for forming a still image to be read and output on a sheet, a sheet feeding unit 150 for supplying the image forming unit 140 with a sheet, an operation panel 160 as a user interface, and a sheet detection sensor 141 and the antenna 118A.

  The automatic document feeder 120 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feeding tray one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 130, and reads the document. The document whose document image is read by the unit 130 is discharged onto a document discharge tray.

  The document reading unit 130 includes a light source that irradiates light to the document conveyed to the document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image forming unit 140. The paper feed unit 150 conveys the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 140.

  The image forming unit 140 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and print data after data processing in which various data processing such as shading correction is performed on the image data input from the document reading unit 130. Then, based on the print data received from the outside or the print data stored in the HDD 116, an image is formed on the paper conveyed by the paper supply unit 150. The image forming unit 140 discharges the sheet on which the image is formed to a discharge tray.

  The paper detection sensor 141 detects the presence or absence of paper accumulated in the paper discharge tray. The paper detection sensor 141 outputs a signal indicating the presence / absence of paper on the paper discharge tray to the CPU 111.

  The main circuit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 115, and a large capacity. A hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a storage device, a facsimile unit 117, a human body communication unit 118 for human body communication, and an external storage device 119 in which a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) 119A is mounted; including.

  CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, sheet feeding unit 150, operation panel 160, and sheet detection sensor 141, and controls the entire MFP 100. The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 and data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The RAM 114 temporarily stores still images continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 160A and an operation unit 160B. The display unit 160A is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 160B includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 160B further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 160A.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to network 2. CPU 111 communicates with PC 200 and other MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C via communication I / F unit 112 to transmit and receive data. In particular, the communication I / F unit 112 receives a print job from the PC 200 when the print job is transmitted from the PC 200. The communication I / F unit 112 communicates with other computers connected to the Internet via the network 2 to transmit and receive data.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The human body communication unit 118 is connected to the antenna 118A. When there is a user who carries the portable device 250 on the antenna 118A, the antenna 118A and the user's human body are used as communication media, and the human body communication unit 118 is connected to the antenna 118A and the user's human body. To communicate with the portable device 250.

  The external storage device 119 is loaded with a CD-ROM 119A. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 119A via the external storage device 119. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded on the CD-ROM 119A mounted on the external storage device 119 into the RAM 114 and executes it. Note that the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded on the CD-ROM 119A, and the program stored in the HDD 116 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network 2 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 116 of the MFP 100 or may write a new program. Further, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to network 2 and store the program in HDD 116. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  Note that the medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 119A, but an optical disc (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, mask It may be a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM).

  In MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, the operation mode is switched between a normal mode in which image forming unit 140 can immediately form an image and a power saving mode in which power consumption of MFP 100 as a whole is lower than the normal mode. The power saving mode only needs to be lower than the normal mode, and there may be a plurality of modes with different power consumption among the power saving modes.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of the CPU provided in the MFP, together with data stored in the EEPROM. The functions shown in FIG. 4 are functions realized in CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes an operation mode switching program and an authentication print program stored in ROM 103, EEPROM 115, HDD 116, or CD-ROM 119A.

  Referring to FIG. 4, CPU 111 includes a print job receiving unit 51 that receives a print job, a print job control unit 53 that controls the print job, and a communication control unit 55 that controls human body communication unit 118. An operation receiving unit 57 that controls the operation unit 160B, an authentication unit 59 that authenticates the user, an operation detection unit 61 that detects the operation of the authenticated user, an operation mode switching unit 63 for switching the operation mode, A list display unit 65 that displays a list of print data, an authentication output unit 67, and a paper detection unit 69 to which the output of the paper detection sensor 141 is input.

  The print job receiving unit 51 controls the communication I / F unit 112 to receive a print job from the PC 200. The print job receiving unit 51 outputs the received print job to the print job control unit 53.

  The print job control unit 53 receives a print job from the print job receiving unit 51. If the job information included in the print job includes information indicating the confidential print, the print job control unit 53 stores the print job as the confidential print data 81 in the HDD 106. If the job information included in the print job does not include information indicating the confidential print, the print job control unit 53 controls the image forming unit 140 to cause the image forming unit 140 to print the image of the print data included in the print job. Are formed according to the image forming conditions. As a result, the paper on which the image of the print data is formed is accumulated in the paper discharge tray.

  The communication control unit 55 controls the human body communication unit 118 and causes the human body communication unit 118 to communicate with the portable device 250. Specifically, the communication control unit 55 causes the human body communication unit 118 to periodically output a transmission request for device identification information, and the human body communication unit 118 receives the device identification information transmitted by the portable device 250 that has received the transmission request. Then, device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118. The human body communication unit 118 can communicate with the portable device 250 only when the user carrying the portable device 250 exists on the antenna 118A. For this reason, when device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118, the communication control unit 55 detects that a user carrying the portable device 250 exists on the antenna 118A. When the device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118, the communication control unit 55 outputs the received device identification information to the authentication unit 59 and the operation detection unit 61.

  In addition, after the human body communication unit 118 receives the device identification information, the communication control unit 55 causes the human body communication unit 118 to continuously output a transmission request for the device identification information, and receives the transmission request. The device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118 every time the human body communication unit 118 receives the device identification information transmitted by. Thereby, the communication control part 55 can detect that the user who carries the portable apparatus 250 does not exist from the antenna 118A. In other words, the communication control unit 55 can detect a period that has existed since the user carrying the portable device 250 exists on the antenna 118A. The communication control unit 55 continues while the device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118, and outputs the device identification information to the operation detection unit 61 every time the device identification information is received from the human body communication unit 118.

  The authentication unit 59 authenticates the user who carries the portable device 250 in response to the device identification information input from the communication control unit 55. Specifically, a user table is stored in the EEPROM 115, and the authentication unit 59 authenticates the user by referring to the user table based on the device identification information input from the communication control unit 55. The user table is a table that associates portable device 250 with a user, and includes a user record that associates device identification information of portable device 250 with user identification information for identifying the user.

  When the device identification information is input from the communication control unit 55, the authentication unit 59 extracts the user record if the user record including the input device identification information is included in the user table. Authenticate the user identified by the user identification information contained in the record. The authentication unit 59 does not authenticate if the user record including the device identification information input from the communication control unit 55 is not included in the user table. When authenticating the user, the authentication unit 59 outputs the user identification information of the authenticated user to the operation detection unit 61, the list display unit 65, and the authentication output unit 67.

  The operation reception unit 57 is connected to the operation unit 160B and receives an operation input by the user to the operation unit 160B. The operation input to the operation unit 160B by the user includes an operation of pressing any one of the hard keys provided in the operation unit 160B and an operation of instructing a touch panel provided in the operation unit 160B. Further, the operation accepting unit 57 accepts a preparation operation for scanning by the user when a document is placed on the automatic document feeder 120 or when the automatic document feeder 120 is opened. When receiving an operation by the user from the operation unit 160B or the automatic document feeder 120, the operation reception unit 57 outputs operation identification information for identifying the received operation to the operation detection unit 61. The operation identification information is information for identifying the pressed hard key for the operation of pressing the hard key, and for the operation for specifying the touch panel, the position specified on the touch panel is identified. This is information for identifying an operation on the automatic document feeder with respect to an operation on the automatic document feeder.

  The paper detection unit 69 receives the output of the paper detection sensor 141 and detects whether or not the paper is accumulated in a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming unit 140. The paper detection unit 69 outputs a paper presence signal indicating that the paper is stored to the operation detection unit 61 if the paper is stored in the paper discharge tray included in the image forming unit 140, and the image forming unit 140 If no paper is accumulated in the provided paper discharge tray, a no-paper signal indicating that no paper is accumulated is output to the operation detection unit 61.

  The operation detection unit 61 receives user identification information from the authentication unit 59, device identification information from the communication control unit 55, and an operation from the operation reception unit 57. After the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59, the operation detection unit 61 is based on the device identification information input from the communication control unit 55 and the paper presence signal or the paper no signal input from the paper detection unit 69. Detects certain actions of authenticated users. Specifically, the operation detection unit 61 receives the same device identification information from the communication control unit 55 when the same device identification information is continuously input from the communication control unit 55 immediately before the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59. The time during which the device identification information is continuously input is counted. Here, the time measured by the motion detection unit 61 is referred to as stop time. The time when the same device identification information is input from the communication control unit 55 immediately before the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59 indicates the time during which the user is continuously present on the antenna 118A.

<When paper is not accumulated>
When the no-paper signal is input from the paper detection unit 69, the operation detection unit 61 sets the threshold value TH to a predetermined value TH1. When the stop time becomes equal to or greater than threshold value TH (TH1), operation detection unit 61 detects, as one of the predetermined operations, an operation in which the authenticated user stops to operate MFP 100. When the operation detecting unit 61 detects an operation of the authenticated user to stop, the operation detecting unit 61 outputs a stop signal indicating that the stopped operation has been detected to the authentication output unit 67 and the operation mode switching unit 63.

  When the user enters the antenna 118A for the purpose of operating the MFP 100, the user stops in front of the MFP 100. Therefore, value TH1 may be set to a value equal to or greater than the maximum value of travel time TA from when the user enters antenna 118A until the user goes out of antenna 118A without operating MFP 100. Here, the longest distance of the antenna 118A is L, and if the walking speed of the user is W (m / s), the movement time TA (s) = L / W. Here, if L = 2 (m) and W = 1 (m / s), the movement time TA (s) = 2 (s). Since the time required for a person to take one step is about 0.6 seconds to 0.7 seconds, it is preferable that the movement time TA (s) be at least 1 second.

  Further, after the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59, the operation detection unit 61 does not input the device identification information continuously input from the communication control unit 55. Detecting movement away from When the operation detecting unit 61 detects an operation in which the authenticated user leaves the MFP 100, the operation detecting unit 61 outputs a non-operation signal indicating that the authenticated user does not intend to operate the MFP 100 to the authentication output unit 67 and the list display unit 65. . In other words, the operation detecting unit 61 detects the time when the authenticated user stops, in other words, the time during which the same device identification information is continuously input from the communication control unit 55 is the threshold value TH (TH1). If the authenticated user detects an operation of leaving the MFP 100 before the operation is started, a non-operation signal is output to the authentication output unit 67 and the list display unit 65 without outputting a stop signal.

<When paper is accumulated>
When the paper presence signal is input from the paper detection unit 69, the operation detection unit 61 first sets the threshold value TH to a predetermined value TH1. If the no-paper signal is input from the paper detection unit 69 before the stop time reaches the threshold value TH (TH1), the operation detection unit 61 sets the threshold value TH to a predetermined value TH2. At the same time, the stop time that has been counted until then is reset to “0”, and the time when the same device identification information is continuously input from the communication control unit 55 is input from the paper detection unit 69 as a non-paper signal. Time is measured from the time, and the time measured is set as the stop time.

  The operation detecting unit 61 detects, as one of the predetermined operations, an operation in which the authenticated user stops to operate the MFP 100 when the stop time counted after the reset is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (TH2). This is to eliminate an operation in which the user takes out the paper discharged to the MFP 100 and accumulated in the paper discharge tray without operating the MFP 100 and takes it home. When the operation detecting unit 61 detects an operation of the authenticated user to stop, the operation detecting unit 61 outputs a stop signal indicating that the stopped operation has been detected to the authentication output unit 67 and the operation mode switching unit 63.

  When the user takes out the paper discharged to MFP 100 and stored in the paper discharge tray without operating MFP 100, the user moves out of MFP 100 and goes out of antenna 118A. Therefore, the value TH2 may be a value that is longer than the movement time TB from the MFP 100 until it moves out of the antenna 118A, and may be a value smaller than the value TH1. Here, if the size of the antenna 118A is L / 2 (m) and the walking speed of the user is W (m / s), the travel time TB (s) = L / 2 / W. Here, if L = 2 (m) and W = 1 (m / s), the travel time TB (s) = 1 (s). Since the time required for a person to take one step is approximately 0.6 seconds to 0.7 seconds, it is preferable to set the travel time TB (s) to 1 second or longer.

  The operation detection unit 61 also requires that the device identification information continuously input from the communication control unit 55 is not input before the stop time counted after the reset reaches the threshold value TH (TH2) or more. Then, an operation in which the authenticated user leaves the MFP 100 is detected. When the operation detecting unit 61 detects an operation in which the authenticated user leaves the MFP 100, the operation detecting unit 61 outputs a non-operation signal indicating that the authenticated user does not intend to operate the MFP 100 to the authentication output unit 67 and the list display unit 65. .

  Furthermore, after the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59, the operation detection unit 61 detects a predetermined operation of the authenticated user based on the operation identification information input from the operation reception unit 57. When the operation identification information is input from the operation reception unit 57 after the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59, the operation detection unit 61 performs an operation in which the authenticated user inputs an operation to the MFP 100 as a predetermined operation. Detect as one. When the operation detecting unit 61 detects an operation for inputting an authenticated user operation, the operation detecting unit 61 outputs an operation detection signal indicating that the operation for inputting the operation is detected to the authentication output unit 67 and the operation mode switching unit 63.

  Operation mode switching unit 63 switches the operation mode of MFP 100 between a normal mode and a power saving mode with lower power consumption than the normal mode. The operation detection unit 61 is in a state where the operation mode is switched to the normal mode, the operation reception unit 57 does not receive an operation, and the image formation unit 140 does not form an image for a predetermined period. When (TH3) has elapsed, the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode. The predetermined period may be a value set by the administrator of MFP 100 or may be a value determined by default. The operation mode switching unit 63 receives an operation from the operation receiving unit 57 or receives an instruction to form an image from the image forming unit 140 while the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode. The operation mode is switched to the normal mode. When an instruction to form an image is input by the image forming unit 140, when a print job for which confidential printing is not designated is received by the print job receiving unit 51, or when the facsimile unit 117 receives facsimile data including.

  The operation mode switching unit 63 switches the operation mode to the normal mode when a stop signal or an operation detection signal is input from the operation detection unit 61 while the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode.

  When the user identification information of the authenticated user is input from the authentication unit 59, the list display unit 65 searches the confidential print data 81 stored in the EEPROM 115 using the user identification information. If the confidential print data 81 including the user identification information input from the authentication unit 59 exists in the confidential print data 81 stored in the EEPROM 115, the list display unit 65 extracts all of the confidential print data. . The list display unit 65 generates a list screen using the extracted confidential print data, and displays the generated list screen on the display unit 160A. The list screen is a screen in which print data identification information for identifying print data included in the extracted confidential print data is arranged to be selectable. Further, when the non-operation signal is input from the operation detection unit 61 after displaying the list screen on the display unit 160A, the list display unit 65 stops displaying the list screen. This is to prevent another user from operating the list screen and selecting print data to form an image.

  When the user identification information of the authenticated user is input from the authentication unit 59, the authentication output unit 67 searches the confidential print data 81 stored in the EEPROM 115 using the user identification information. If the confidential print data 81 including the user identification information input from the authentication unit 59 exists in the confidential print data 81 stored in the EEPROM 115, the authentication output unit 67 extracts all of the confidential print data. .

  When a stop signal or an operation detection signal is input from the operation detection unit 61, the authentication output unit 67 controls the image forming unit 140 to sequentially select all of the extracted confidential print data, and select the selected confidential print. An image of print data included in the data is formed according to the image forming conditions. The authentication output unit 67 does not cause the image forming unit 140 to form an image of the extracted confidential print data when neither the stop signal or the operation detection signal is input from the operation detection unit 61.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the operation mode switching process. The operation mode switching process is a process executed by CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes an operation mode switching program stored in ROM 103, EEPROM 115, HDD 116, or CD-ROM 119A.

  Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 111 starts timer T1 (step S01). The timer T1 measures the time that continues without being operated when the operation mode is the normal mode. In the next step S02, it is determined whether or not a print job has been received. The communication I / F unit 112 determines whether a print job has been received from the PC 200. If a print job is received, the process proceeds to step S03. If not, the process proceeds to step S09. In step S03, it is determined whether or not the print job received in step S02 is designated as a confidential print. If the confidential print is designated, the process proceeds to step S04; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S05. In step S04, the print job received in step S02 is stored as confidential print data in EEPROM 115, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S05, the process is switched depending on the operation mode. If the operation mode is set to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S06. If the operation mode is set to the normal mode, step S06 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S07. In step S06, the operation mode is switched to the normal mode, and the process proceeds to step S07. In step S07, the print job received in step S02 is executed. Specifically, the image forming unit 140 is controlled to form an image of print data included in the print job received in step S02 according to the image forming conditions. In the next step S08, the timer T1 is reset, and the process proceeds to step S12. The resetting of the timer T1 means setting the value of the timer T1 to “0” and starting the time measurement.

  On the other hand, in step S09, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is set to the normal mode. If the operation mode is set to the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S10; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the value of timer T1 is greater than or equal to threshold value TH (TH3). The threshold value TH (TH3) is a predetermined value.

  If the value of timer T1 is equal to or greater than threshold value TH (TH3), the process proceeds to step S11; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S11, the operation mode is switched from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether the power of MFP 100 main body has been switched off. If the power is switched off, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S02.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of authentication print processing. The authentication print process is a process executed by CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes an authentication print program stored in ROM 103, EEPROM 115, HDD 116, or CD-ROM 119A.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, CPU 111 determines whether or not communication with portable device 250 is possible (step S21). The process waits until communication with the portable device 250 is enabled (NO in step S21). When communication with the portable device 250 is enabled (YES in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether authentication is successful. It is determined whether or not a user record including device identification information received from portable device 250 exists in a user table stored in advance. If there is a user record including device identification information received from the portable device 250, the user specified by the user identification information associated with the device identification information by the user record is authenticated. If the user authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S23. If the user authentication is not successful, the process returns to step S21.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not confidential print data exists. If the confidential print data 81 including the user identification information of the user authenticated in step S22 is stored in the EEPROM 115, it is determined that the confidential print data exists. If confidential print data exists, the process proceeds to step S24. If not, step S24 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S25. In step S24, a list screen is displayed. A list screen is generated using the confidential print data whose existence is confirmed in step S23, and the generated list screen is displayed on display unit 160A. The list screen is a screen in which print data identification information for identifying print data included in the extracted confidential print data is arranged to be selectable.

  In step S25, timer T2 is started. The timer T <b> 2 measures the time during which the communicable state continues after communicable with the portable device 250. In step S26, it is determined whether communication with portable device 250 is possible. If communication with portable device 250 is possible, the process proceeds to step S27; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S <b> 27, it is determined whether or not the sheet that has existed in the sheet discharge tray provided in the image forming unit 140 has been collected. It is determined whether or not the output of the paper detection sensor 141 has changed from a state indicating the presence of paper to a state indicating the absence of paper. If it is detected that the paper existing in the paper discharge tray has been collected, the process proceeds to step S28; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S28, it is determined whether or not the value of timer T2 is smaller than threshold value TH (TH1). If the value of timer T2 is smaller than threshold value TH (TH1), the process proceeds to step S29. If the value of timer T2 is equal to or greater than threshold value TH (TH1), the process proceeds to step S34. In step S29, it is determined whether or not an operation by the user is detected. It is determined whether or not an operation of pressing a hard key of the operation unit 160B by the user, an operation of instructing a touch panel, an operation of opening the automatic document feeder 120, or an operation of placing a document is detected. If an operation by the user is detected, the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the process returns to step S26.

  On the other hand, in step S30, the timer T3 is started. The timer T3 measures the elapsed time after the paper that was present in the paper discharge tray is collected. In step S31, it is determined whether or not communication with portable device 250 is possible. If communication with portable device 250 is possible, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, the display of the list screen displayed on the display unit in step S24 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the login of the user authenticated in step S22 is canceled, and the process ends.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the value of timer T3 is smaller than threshold value TH (TH2). If the value of timer T3 is smaller than threshold value TH (TH2), the process proceeds to step S33. If the value of timer T3 is greater than or equal to threshold value TH (TH2), the process proceeds to step S34. In step S33, as in step S29, it is determined whether or not an operation by the user has been detected. If an operation by the user is detected, the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the process returns to step S31.

  In step S34, the timer T1 is stopped. As described with reference to FIG. 5, the timer T1 is used in the operation mode switching process, and measures the time that the operation mode continues without being operated when the operation mode is the normal mode. This is to prevent the operation mode from being switched to the power saving mode because the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode when the timer T1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (TH3).

  In step S35, the process branches depending on the operation mode. If the operation mode is set to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S36. If the operation mode is set to the normal mode, step S36 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S37. In step S36, the operation mode is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, it is determined whether or not confidential print data exists as in step S23. If confidential print data exists, the process proceeds to step S38. If not, step S38 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S39. In step S38, an image of confidential print data is formed, and the process proceeds to step S39. From the confidential print data 81 stored in the EEPROM 115, all the confidential print data including the user identification information of the user authenticated in step S22 is extracted. Then, the image forming unit 140 is caused to form an image of the print data included in the extracted confidential print data in accordance with the image forming conditions.

  In step S39, the timer T1 is reset. Thereby, the value of the timer T1 is set to “0”, and the time measurement by the timer T1 is started.

  In the next step S40, it is determined whether or not communication with the portable device 250 is possible. If communication with portable device 250 is possible, the process proceeds to step S41; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S47. In step S41, as in step S29, it is determined whether or not an operation by the user has been detected. If an operation by the user is detected, the process proceeds to step S42; otherwise, the process returns to step S40. In step S39, the timer T1 is reset.

  In the next step S43, it is determined whether or not the operation detected in step S41 indicates an execution instruction. If the operation detected in step S41 indicates an execution instruction, the process proceeds to step S44. If not, step S44 is skipped and the process returns to step S40. In step S44, a process corresponding to the operation detected in step S41 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the timer T1 is reset, and the process returns to step S40.

  As described above, MFP 100 according to the present embodiment authenticates the user based on the device identification information received from portable device 250 carried by the user and the user table, and if confidential print data 81 exists, user 100 determines the predetermined value. The image of the confidential print data 81 is formed on the condition that the above operation is detected. For this reason, even when the user is authenticated based on the authentication information received from the portable device 250 carried by the user, printing is not performed unless a predetermined operation by the user is detected. Thus, an image of the confidential print data 81 can be formed.

  In addition, when the user is authenticated based on the device identification information received from the portable device 250 carried by the user and the user table and the operation mode is switched to the power saving mode, a predetermined operation by the user is detected. The operation mode is switched to the normal mode on the condition. Therefore, even when the user is authenticated based on the authentication information received from the portable device 250 carried by the user, the user cannot operate the normal mode unless a predetermined operation is detected by the user. Only in this case, the operation mode can be switched to the normal mode.

  In addition, when the state in which communication with the portable device 250 starts after the start of communication continues for a threshold value TH (TH1) or more, an operation in which the user stops to start an operation is detected as a predetermined operation. May be detected, and an operation of walking and passing through the antenna 118A disposed around the MFP 100 may be excluded.

  Further, when the state in which communication is possible after the start of communication with the portable device 250 continues for the threshold value TH (TH1) or more, the state where the paper is present in the paper discharge tray changes from the state where the paper is not present, If the state in which communication with the portable device 250 is changed to a state in which there is no sheet is continued for a threshold value TH (TH2) or more, an operation in which the user stops to start an operation is detected as a predetermined operation. For this reason, there is a case where the user can eliminate the operation of taking back the paper existing in the paper discharge tray.

  In addition, in response to the user being authenticated, a list screen that enumerates the print data identification information of the confidential print data paired with the user identification information of the authenticated user is displayed, and a predetermined operation is not detected. In this case, the display of the list screen is stopped, so that printing by other users can be prevented.

<First Modification>
When the same device identification information is continuously input from the communication control unit 55 immediately before the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 59, the operation detection unit 61 described above receives the same device identification from the communication control unit 55. The time during which information is continuously input is counted as a stop time, and when the stop time exceeds the threshold value TH (TH1), it is determined that the information is stopped.

  When the user carrying the portable device 250 stops on the antenna 118 </ b> A, since the foot is grounded on the antenna 118 </ b> A, the human body communication unit 118 performs good communication with the portable device 250 with few errors. Is possible. On the other hand, while the user is walking on the antenna 118A, noise occurs and the number of errors increases when the foot leaves the antenna 118A. Further, when the user is walking on the antenna 118A, the time during which the foot is in contact with the antenna 118A is short, so the time for which communication is possible is short. For this reason, while the user is walking on the antenna 118 </ b> A, a period in which the human body communication unit 118 can perform good communication with the portable device 250 occurs intermittently.

  The motion detection unit 61 in the first modification is stopped by the user when the human body communication unit 118 has a period during which good communication is possible with the portable device 250 equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (TH5). Detect motion. The value TH5 set as the threshold value TH in this case may be a time when it can be determined that the vehicle has stopped. Usually, since it takes 0.6 to 0.7 seconds for a person to make one step, the threshold value TH (TH5) may be 0.7 seconds or more. Good communication refers to communication whose communication quality is higher than a predetermined level. As the communication quality, for example, a communication error rate can be used. For the communication error rate, for example, a known value such as a ratio of communication packets causing an error in communication packets can be used. It can be determined that the communication is good when the ratio of communication packets that cause an error in the communication packets is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In this case, in the authentication print processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, Steps S25 and S30 are not necessary, and instead of Step S28, the human body communication unit 118 performs good communication with the portable device 250. A step is provided for determining whether or not the value has exceeded the value TH (TH5). If the human body communication unit 118 continues good communication with the portable device 250 for the threshold value TH (TH5) or more, the process is performed in step S34. If not, the process may proceed to step S29.

  Further, in place of step S32, a step is provided for determining whether or not the human body communication unit 118 has continued good communication with the portable device 250 for the threshold value TH (TH5) or more. After the paper is no longer detected by the sensor 141, if the human body communication unit 118 continues good communication with the portable device 250 for the threshold value TH (TH5) or more, the process proceeds to step S34. For example, the process may proceed to step S33.

  MFP 100 in the first modified example communicates with portable device 250, and when the state in which communication with a predetermined communication quality continues for a threshold value TH (TH5) or more, MFP 100 performs an operation to stop in order to start the operation. To detect. When the user walks on the antenna 118A, communication is possible only while the user's foot is in contact with the antenna. For this reason, when the user walks on the antenna 118A, the communicable period is intermittent. When the communicable period continues for more than the threshold value TH (TH5) without interruption, the motion of stopping is detected, so that the motion of the user walking may be eliminated.

<Second Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which human body communication is used for communication between portable device 250 and MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C has been described. However, portable device 250 and MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, respectively. You may make it carry out short-distance wireless communication between. For example, the portable device 250 may be an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. On the other hand, instead of the human body communication unit 118 provided in the MFP 100, a wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication with the portable device 250 may be provided based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard GAP (Generic Access Profile) or the like. . The wireless communication between the portable device 250 and each of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may be communication using radio waves or electromagnetic waves in a communication medium such as the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, or IrDA (Infrared). Communication using infrared as a communication medium such as a Data Association standard may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the print job designating the confidential print is transmitted from the PC 200 to any of the MFPs 100 and 100A to 100C has been described. However, a print server may be used. In this case, the print job is transmitted from the PC 200 to the print server, and the print job is temporarily stored in the print server. Thereafter, when the user is authenticated by MFP 100, for example, a print job including the user identification information of the authenticated user is downloaded from the print server, and the print job downloaded by MFP 100 is executed. Even in this case, the MFP 100 does not download the print job immediately after authenticating the user, but may download the print job from the print server after detecting a predetermined operation by the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming system 1 has been described. However, the operation mode switching method for causing the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C to execute the processes shown in FIGS. Needless to say, the invention can be understood as an authentication mode, an operation mode switching method or an authentication print program for causing a computer to execute the operation mode switching method or the authentication print method.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the communication unit includes a short-range wireless communication unit in which a wireless communication distance is limited to a predetermined range.
(2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second time is shorter than the first time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system, 2 Network, 51 Print job receiving part, 53 Print job control part, 55 Communication control part, 57 Operation reception part, 59 Authentication part, 61 Operation | movement detection part, 63 Operation mode switching part, 65 List display part, 67 Authentication output unit, 69 Paper detection unit, 81 Confidential print data, 100, 100A to 100C MFP, 110 Main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 Communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 EEPROM, 116 HDD, 117 Facsimile 118, human body communication unit, 118A antenna, 119 external storage device, 119A CD-ROM, 120 automatic document feeder, 130 document reading unit, 140 image forming unit, 141 sheet detection sensor, 150 sheet feeding unit, 160 operation panel, 160A display unit, 160B operation unit, 200 PC, 250 portable device.

Claims (17)

An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the human body;
An image forming means for forming an image;
Authentication means for authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Action detecting means for detecting the action of the user authenticated by the authenticating means;
When the user is authenticated by the authentication means, the user identification information of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user An authentication output unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image of the print data on the condition that a predetermined operation is detected by the operation detection unit,
The operation detecting unit starts the operation when the authenticated user starts communication with the portable device capable of communicating with the communication unit and continues to communicate with the portable device for a first time or more. An image forming apparatus that detects an operation that stops for the predetermined operation as the predetermined operation. It further comprises operation accepting means for accepting user operations,
The operation detecting means is authenticated when a communication possible state continues for a first time or longer without an operation being accepted by the operation accepting means after the communication means has started communication with the portable device capable of communicating. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation in which the user stops to start an operation is detected as the predetermined operation. A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
An image forming means for forming an image;
Authentication means for authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Action detecting means for detecting the action of the user authenticated by the authenticating means;
When the user is authenticated by the authentication means, the user identification information of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user An authentication output unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image of the print data on condition that a predetermined operation is detected by the operation detecting unit.
Paper detecting means for detecting whether or not paper is present in a paper discharge tray for accumulating paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
When the operation detecting means changes from a state in which the presence of paper is detected by the paper detection means to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected before detecting the predetermined operation, the communication means Continues for a second time or more after the state where communication with the portable device can be detected by the paper detection means is not detected that paper is present, the authenticated user stops to start the operation. An image forming apparatus that detects an operation as the predetermined operation. It further includes an antenna installed on the floor surface of a predetermined range,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit communicates with the portable device via the antenna and a human body of a user.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a list display unit that displays a list of print data that is paired with user identification information of the authenticated user when the user is authenticated by the authentication unit. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the list display unit stops displaying the list when a predetermined operation is not detected by the operation detection unit. An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the human body;
Authentication means for authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
An operation mode switching means for switching the operation mode to either the normal mode or the power saving mode in which the power consumption is smaller than that of the normal mode;
Operation detecting means for detecting the action of the user authenticated by the authentication means,
The operation mode switching means sets the operation mode on the condition that when the operation mode is a power saving mode and a user is authenticated by the authentication means, a predetermined operation is detected by the operation detection means. Switch to normal mode,
The operation detecting means is an operation in which the authenticated user stops to start an operation when a communication possible state continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the portable device capable of communication. Is detected as the predetermined operation. A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
Authentication means for authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
An operation mode switching means for switching the operation mode to either the normal mode or the power saving mode in which the power consumption is smaller than that of the normal mode;
Action detecting means for detecting the action of the user authenticated by the authenticating means;
An image forming means for forming an image;
Paper detecting means for detecting whether or not paper is present in a paper discharge tray for accumulating paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
The operation mode switching means sets the operation mode on the condition that when the operation mode is a power saving mode and a user is authenticated by the authentication means, a predetermined operation is detected by the operation detection means. Switch to normal mode,
The operation detecting means is an operation in which the authenticated user stops to start an operation when a communication possible state continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the portable device capable of communication. Is detected as the predetermined action,
In a case where the presence of paper is detected by the paper detection means before the predetermined operation is detected, the communication means and the portable device are changed. If the state in which communication is possible is continued for a second time or more after the sheet detection means has changed to a state in which the presence of the sheet is not detected, an operation in which the authenticated user stops to start the operation is performed. An image forming apparatus that detects an operation. It further includes an antenna installed on the floor surface of a predetermined range,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit communicates with the portable device via the antenna and a human body of a user. An authentication printing method executed by an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the human body;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
When the user is authenticated in the authenticating step, the user identification of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user When there is print data paired with information, the image forming unit forms an image of the print data on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation, and
The step of detecting the operation includes the step in which the authenticated user performs an operation when communication with the portable device continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the portable device. An authentication printing method including a step of detecting an operation that stops to start as the predetermined operation. An authentication printing method executed by an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
When the user is authenticated in the authenticating step, the user identification of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user An authentication output step for causing the image forming means to form an image of the print data on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation when print data paired with information exists;
A paper detection step for detecting whether or not there is a paper in a paper discharge tray for storing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
The step of detecting the operation changes from a state in which the presence of paper is detected in the paper detection step to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected before the predetermined operation is detected. The authenticated user starts an operation when the communication means is able to communicate with the portable device after the state is changed to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected in the paper detection step and continues for a second time or more. An authentication printing method, comprising: detecting an operation that stops at a predetermined operation as the predetermined operation. An operation mode switching method executed in an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the user's human body;
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Switching the operation mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than the normal mode;
Detecting the action of the authenticated user in the authenticating step,
The step of switching the operation mode is performed when the operation mode is a power saving mode, and when the user is authenticated in the authentication step, the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation. Switching the operation mode to the normal mode,
The step of detecting the operation is for the authenticated user to start an operation when the communicable state continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the communicable portable device. An operation mode switching method including a step of detecting an operation that stops as the predetermined operation. An operation mode switching method executed in an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Switching the operation mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than the normal mode;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
A paper detection step for detecting whether or not there is a paper in a paper discharge tray for storing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
The step of switching the operation mode is performed when the operation mode is a power saving mode, and when the user is authenticated in the authentication step, the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation. Switching the operation mode to the normal mode,
The step of detecting the operation is for the authenticated user to start an operation when the communicable state continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the communicable portable device. Detecting an operation of stopping as the predetermined operation;
If the state where the presence of paper is detected in the paper detection step is changed to a state where the presence of paper is not detected before the predetermined operation is detected, the communication means and the portable device When the communicable state changes to a state in which the presence of a sheet is not detected in the step of detecting the sheet, and continues for a second time or longer, the authenticated user stops the operation to start the operation. Detecting the operation as a predetermined operation. An authentication print program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the human body;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
When the user is authenticated in the authenticating step, the user identification of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user A step of causing the image forming means to form an image of the print data on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation when print data paired with information exists. To run
The step of detecting the operation includes the step in which the authenticated user performs an operation when communication with the portable device continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the portable device. An authentication print program comprising the steps of: determining that the operation has stopped for starting, and detecting an operation of stopping as the predetermined operation. An authentication print program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
When the user is authenticated in the authenticating step, the user identification of the authenticated user in a set of print data transmitted from a computer connected via a network and user identification information for identifying the user An authentication output step for causing the image forming means to form an image of the print data on condition that a predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation when print data paired with information exists;
Causing the computer to execute a paper detection step of detecting whether or not there is a paper in a paper discharge tray for storing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
The step of detecting the operation changes from a state in which the presence of paper is detected in the paper detection step to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected before the predetermined operation is detected. The authenticated user starts an operation when the communication means is able to communicate with the portable device after the state is changed to a state in which the presence of paper is not detected in the paper detection step and continues for a second time or more. An authentication print program comprising a step of detecting an operation that stops at the predetermined operation as the predetermined operation. An operation mode switching program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An antenna installed on a floor surface within a predetermined range;
Communication means for communicating with the portable device carried by the user via the antenna and the user's human body;
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Switching the operation mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than the normal mode;
Detecting the action of the authenticated user in the authenticating step, causing the computer to execute,
The step of switching the operation mode is performed when the operation mode is a power saving mode, and when the user is authenticated in the authentication step, the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation. Switching the operation mode to the normal mode,
The step of detecting the operation includes the step in which the authenticated user performs an operation when communication with the portable device continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the portable device. An operation mode switching program including a step of detecting an operation that stops to start as the predetermined operation. An operation mode switching program executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication means for communicating with a portable device carried by the user;
An image forming means for forming an image,
Authenticating a user based on authentication information received from the portable device;
Switching the operation mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than the normal mode;
Detecting an action of an authenticated user in the authenticating step;
Causing the computer to execute a paper detection step of detecting whether or not there is a paper in a paper discharge tray for storing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming means,
The step of switching the operation mode is performed when the operation mode is a power saving mode, and when the user is authenticated in the authentication step, the predetermined operation is detected in the step of detecting the operation. Switching the operation mode to the normal mode,
The step of detecting the operation is for the authenticated user to start an operation when the communicable state continues for a first time or more after the communication means starts communication with the communicable portable device. Detecting an operation of stopping as the predetermined operation;
If the state where the presence of paper is detected in the paper detection step is changed to a state where the presence of paper is not detected before the predetermined operation is detected, the communication means and the portable device When the communicable state changes to a state in which the presence of a sheet is not detected in the step of detecting the sheet, and continues for a second time or longer, the authenticated user stops the operation to start the operation. Detecting an operation mode as a predetermined operation.

Images