Image forming apparatus and image forming system

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that form and output an image on a transfer paper based on the input image data.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, a technique for grasping the cumulative result of toner consumption used for each user has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, an image forming system has been proposed in which each user can read the job settings registered in the past from the server and set the same job (see, for example, Patent Document 2).<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-329404</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-303061</text></patcit>

<p> However, in Patent Document 1, only the cumulative result of the toner consumption of each user can be grasped, and the user cannot grasp the tendency of the toner usage before executing the image forming job. The user could not save the toner according to the amount of toner used in the image forming job. Further, in Patent Document 2, even if the same job setting as the job setting registered in the past is performed, there is a high possibility that the past toner remaining amount and the current toner remaining amount are different, and the current toner remaining amount is high. However, I sometimes noticed that the image was faint due to lack of toner after the image formation job was completed.</p><p> The object of the present invention is that before the user executes the image forming job, it is possible to grasp the toner usage status of the image forming job to be executed from now on based on the toner usage amount in the image forming job set in the past. Is to be.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for forming and outputting an image on a transfer paper based on the input image data, and a display means for displaying a display screen and an image forming. A job setting means for setting image forming conditions in a job, an image rate calculating means for calculating an image rate of an image formed by the image forming job based on the setting contents from the job setting means, and the above. Based on the image rate calculated by the image rate calculating means, the toner usage amount calculating means for calculating the toner usage amount in the image forming job, the job setting information set for the image forming job, and the calculated job setting information. When the job information storage means for storing the job information including the image rate and the calculated toner usage amount and the image formation conditions for the new image formation job are set, the job information for the past image formation job from the job information storage means is set. Is provided, and a control means for displaying the job setting information for the past image forming job, the image rate, and the job information including the amount of toner used on the display means is provided.</p><p> The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a name setting means for setting an arbitrary name in the job information.</p><p> The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the current toner remaining amount and job information for a past image forming job displayed on the display means are used. By the selection means for selecting the job information including the job setting information to be applied to the image forming job from the above, the toner usage amount included in the job information selected by the selection means, and the toner remaining amount detecting means. It is characterized by being provided with a warning means for comparing the detected remaining amount of toner and warning that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient when the remaining amount of toner is low.</p><p> The invention according to claim 4 is an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus for forming and outputting an image on transfer paper based on input image data and a server are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive data via a communication network. The image forming apparatus includes a display means for displaying a display screen, a job setting means for setting an image forming condition in an image forming job, and an image in the image forming job based on the setting contents from the job setting means. It is provided with an image rate calculating means for calculating the image rate of the formed image and a toner usage amount calculating means for calculating the toner usage amount in the image forming job based on the image rate calculated by the image rate calculating means. , The job setting information set for the image forming job, the job information including the calculated image rate and the calculated toner usage amount are transmitted to the server via the communication network, and the server causes the server. A job information storage means for storing job information is provided, and when job information is received from the image forming apparatus via the communication network, the received job information is stored in the job information storage means. When the image forming condition for a new image forming job is set, the image forming apparatus requests the server to send job information for a past image forming job stored in the job information storage means, and the server. It is characterized in that the display means displays job information including job setting information, an image rate, and a toner usage amount for the past image forming job transmitted from.</p><p> The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 4, the image forming apparatus includes a name setting means for setting an arbitrary name in the job information.</p><p> The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the current toner remaining amount and a past display means displayed on the display means. The selection means for selecting the job information including the job setting information to be applied to the current image formation job from the job information for the image formation job, the toner usage amount included in the job information selected by the selection means, and the above. It is characterized by being provided with a warning means for comparing the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount of toner detecting means and warning that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient when the remaining amount of toner is low.</p>

<p> According to the inventions of claims 1 and 4, when setting new image processing conditions before the user executes the image forming job, the toner usage amount in the image forming job set in the past is used in the future. It is possible to grasp the toner usage status of the image forming job to be executed.</p><p> According to the inventions of claims 2 and 5, the user can set an arbitrary name for the job information.</p><p> According to the inventions of claims 3 and 6, the user can predict in advance whether or not a toner shortage will occur when the image forming job is executed with the contents of the selected job information, so that the image After executing the forming job, you will not notice that the desired finish was not achieved due to lack of toner.</p>

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system 100, the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 2 are connected so as to be able to send and receive data via a communication network NT such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet. It is composed of. The number of image forming devices 1 is not particularly limited.

As the image forming apparatus 1, a copying machine, a printer, a fax machine, a multifunction device, or the like can be applied. In the present embodiment, a case where a multifunction device using an electrophotographic process is applied will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration example inside the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner means 101, a printing means 102, an operating means 103, a display means 104, a communication means 105, a CPU 106, a storage means 107, a RAM 108, a PWM signal level counting means 109, and an image rate. It is configured to include a calculation means 110, a toner usage rate calculation means 111, a toner remaining amount calculation means 112, and the like, and each part is connected via a bus 113.

The scanner means 101 is composed of the original automatic paper feeding means a, the document base b, the document reading means c, and the like shown in FIG. The document automatic paper feeding means a automatically feeds the documents placed on the document tray t one by one on the document table b made of platen glass or the like. The document reading means c includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a light source, and an A / D converter, and the reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the document is imaged by the CCD and photoelectrically converted. The image of is read, and the read analog image signal is A / D converted and output to the printing means 102.

The printing means 102 includes a writing means d, a paper feeding means e, a cleaning means f, a charging means g, a developing means h, a photoconductor drum i, a transfer means j, a fixing means k, a paper ejection means l, and the like shown in FIG. Based on the image data input from the document reading means c, an image is formed on the transfer paper by an electrophotographic method and output. In the printing means 102, when the image data is input from the document reading means c, the writing means d performs image processing on the input image data, and PWM (Pulse Width) based on the image processed image data. Modulation) signal is generated, and based on the input PWM signal, an electrostatic latent image is written by irradiating the surface of the photoconductor drum i charged by the charging means g with a laser beam. When the electrostatic latent image is written on the surface of the photoconductor drum i, toner is adhered to the region including the electrostatic latent image of the photoconductor drum i in the developing means h, and the transfer paper conveyed from the paper feeding means e is attached. On the other hand, the transfer means j transfers the toner to form an image. The transfer paper on which the image is formed is conveyed to the fixing means k, the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed by the fixing means k, and then the paper is discharged from the paper discharging means l. The untransferred toner on the photoconductor drum i is removed by the cleaning means f.

The operation means 103 includes a numeric keypad for inputting various settings and operation instructions for the image forming apparatus 1, various operation buttons such as a copy start button, a touch panel configured on the display screen of the display means 104, and the like. The operation signal of the pressed button and the position signal on the display screen are output to the CPU 106. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation means 103 includes a personal authentication information input means m, a mode selection button n, a frequency button o, a history button p, a job setting button q, and a name setting button r. There is. The personal authentication information input means m inputs the user's authentication information. In the present embodiment, the personal authentication information input means m is a fingerprint sensor for inputting fingerprint information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and biological information other than the fingerprint, for example, information such as an iris can be input. You may use the biometric information input means to input. Further, the personal authentication information input means m may be used for inputting a user ID and a password, or as an IC card reading device for reading information on an IC card (for example, an IC card in which personal information of a user is recorded). Good. The mode selection button n is a button for setting a mode for reading the job information (details will be described later) stored for each user stored in the server 2. The frequency button o is a button for setting the order in which the job information stored in the server 2 is displayed in the order of frequency. The history button p is a button for setting the order in which the job information stored in the server 2 is displayed in the history order. The job setting button q is a button for selecting and setting desired job information from the job information displayed on the display means 104. The name setting button r is a button for instructing to set an arbitrary name in the job information.

Further, the operation means 103 has a transparent touch panel that covers the display screen of the display means 104, and the operation instruction is given by detecting the coordinate information of the pressing position of the transparent touch panel corresponding to the operation keys displayed on the display screen. Detect input. Using this touch panel, set image processing conditions (including post-processing conditions) such as transfer paper size, number of copies, single-sided / double-sided printing, magnification, density, and staples in the job to be executed (job settings), and names to be set in job information. Etc. can be entered. That is, the operation means 103 functions as a job setting means, a name setting means, and a selection means.

Here, the job (image formation job) refers to a series of operations related to image formation. For example, in the case of copying a plurality of originals, the series of operations related to the copying of a plurality of sheets is one job and a plurality of copies. When copying, a series of operations related to copying multiple copies is one job. The job information is information about each executed job, such as job setting information set via the operation means 103 at the time of job execution, image rate information calculated by the image rate calculation means 110, and toner usage rate calculation means. Contains information on toner usage calculated by 111. The job setting information is information on image formation conditions (including post-processing conditions) set for each job, such as transfer paper size, number of copies to be output, single-sided / double-sided printing, magnification, density, and staples. The image ratio indicates the ratio of the formed image to the transfer paper, and when a black (highest density) image is formed on the pixels on the entire surface of the transfer paper, the image ratio becomes 100%. The toner usage rate indicates the ratio of the amount of toner used to the amount of toner in the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is 100% filled with toner (the amount of toner per toner bottle loaded in the image forming apparatus 1). It is a thing.

The display means 104 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various setting screens, a status display of the image forming apparatus 1 or the like on the display screen according to an instruction of a display signal input from the CPU 106.

The communication means 105 is composed of a LAN adapter, a router, or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from each device including the server 2 connected to the communication network NT.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 106 reads various processing programs such as the system program and the job control processing program stored in the storage means 107 by the operation of the operation means 103, expands them in the RAM, and expands the programs. According to this, the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is centrally controlled.

The storage means 107 is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs such as a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 and a job control program that can be executed on the system program. The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU 106 sequentially executes operations according to the program code. Further, the storage means 107 stores a user authentication information file that stores a user ID for uniquely identifying each user of the image forming apparatus 1 and fingerprint information in association with each other.

The RAM 108 serves as a temporary storage area for programs, inputs, output data, parameters, etc. read from the storage means 107 in various processes whose execution is controlled by the CPU 106.

The PWM signal level counting means 109 counts the H level signal of the PWM signal used for image formation. Here, assuming that when the PWM signal is L level, the laser of the writing means d is lit and no image is formed, and when the PWM signal is H level, the laser of the writing means d is not lit and an image is formed. The rate at which an image is formed on one page of transfer paper, that is, the image rate per page, counts the H level of the PWM signal at the time of image formation for one page, and this count is the total of the PWM signals for one page. It can be obtained by dividing by the number of counts. For example, when an image is formed with 64 gradations per pixel, the H level of the PWM signal per pixel has a width of 64 steps. By sampling and counting the width of the H level of the PWM signal per pixel with a high-frequency clock and adding this for all pixels for one page, the number of PWM signal H level counts per page can be obtained. Desired. When the job is executed, the PWM signal level counting means 109 counts the H level of the PWM signal for each page and outputs the H level to the image rate calculating means 110.

The image rate calculating means 110 is based on the H level count number of the PWM signal of each page input from the PWM signal level counting means 109, and the image rate and execution of each page formed on the transfer paper by the executed job. Calculate the image rate of the entire job (for all pages of the job). Specifically, the image rate calculating means 110 holds the total count number of PWM signals per page for each transfer paper size. For example, in the case of A4 size and the total number of pixels is 7000 pixels x 4900 lines = 34300000 pixels, the PWM signal has 64 stages per pixel, so the total number of PWM signal counts per A41 page is 34300000 pixels x 64 = 2195200000. It becomes. The image rate calculation means 110 determines the image of each page by the following formula based on the count number of the H level signal of the input PWM signal of each page and the total count number of the PWM signals of the used transfer paper size held in advance. Calculate the rate and the image rate of the entire job. [Image rate of each page] (H level count of PWM signal on the corresponding page) / (Total count of PWM signal per page in the transfer paper size used) x 100 [Image rate of the entire job] (Total number of H level counts of PWM signals on each page) / (Total number of counts of PWM signals per page in the transfer paper size used x number of pages) x 100

The toner usage rate calculation means 111 calculates the toner usage rate for the entire job based on the image rate of each page at the time of job execution calculated by the image rate calculation means 110. Specifically, the toner usage rate calculation means 111 holds a toner usage coefficient α per page for each transfer paper size. This toner usage coefficient α is the toner usage rate when one image having an image rate of 100% is formed. The toner usage rate calculation means 111 calculates N for each page as N = toner coefficient α × image rate for one page, and calculates the toner usage rate for the entire job by calculating the sum of N for each page. To do.

The toner usage rate calculation means 111 described above corresponds to the toner usage amount calculation means. In the present embodiment, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the toner usage amount, the toner usage amount is calculated as the toner usage rate, and when the toner usage amount is displayed on the display means 104, it is also displayed as the toner usage rate. However, the toner usage amount itself may be calculated and displayed.

The toner remaining amount detecting means 112 accumulates the toner usage rate after the toner bottle is replaced with a new one, that is, after 100% toner is replenished in the image forming apparatus 1, and the toner usage accumulated from 1 is accumulated. The remaining amount of toner is detected by subtracting the rate. In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of toner is detected as the ratio of the remaining amount of toner to the state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is 100% replenished with toner (remaining amount of toner ratio).

The image rate calculating means 110, the toner usage rate calculating means 111, and the toner remaining amount detecting means 112 may be realized by software processing in collaboration with the program stored in the CPU 106 and the storage means 107, or may be dedicated. It may be realized by the hardware of.

The server 2 is a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication network NT and a job information storage means composed of an HDD (Hard Disk) or the like. The job information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 is associated with the user ID and stored in the job information storage means. Further, when the user ID and the job information transmission request are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1, the job information corresponding to the transmitted user ID is read from the job information storage means, and the transmission request is made by rearranging them in the specified order. It is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, the operation will be described. Figure 5 shows the job control process executed by CPU 106. The process is a process realized by software processing in collaboration with the job control processing program stored in the CPU 106 and the storage means 107, and the control means is realized by executing the process. The job control process will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, when fingerprint information is input from the user authentication information input means m, the user authentication process is executed, and the input fingerprint information is collated with each fingerprint information of the user authentication information file stored in the storage means 107. The user ID corresponding to the fingerprint information that matches the input fingerprint information is read out and stored in the RAM 108 (step S1). If there is no fingerprint information that matches the fingerprint information entered in the personal authentication information file, an error message is displayed on the display means 104.

After user authentication, when the mode selection button n is pressed and the reading of the job information stored in the server 2 is instructed (step S2; YES), the acceptance screen of the frequency button o or the history button p is displayed, and the frequency is displayed. When the button o or the history button p is pressed and the order of the job information is set (step S3), the job information corresponding to the authenticated user is acquired by communicating with the server 2 via the communication means 105. Is done (step S4). Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the job information transmission request to the server 2 together with the user ID and the order in which they are stored in the RAM 108. When the job information transmission request is received on the server 2, the past job information of the user ID specified by the job information storage means is searched, and the searched job information is sorted in the specified order. It is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 that has made the job information transmission request.

When the past job information of the authenticated user, that is, the user who is currently operating is acquired from the server 2, the acquired job information is displayed on the display screen (step S5).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the job information display screen displayed on the display screen of the display means 104 in step S5. FIG. 6 shows a job information display screen displayed when the history order is set in step S3. In the history order, the recently used job information is displayed in order. As shown in FIG. 6, on the job information display screen, for each job performed in the past, the "date" of the job performed, the "name" registered for the job setting, and the "setting contents (setting contents) of the job ( Job setting information) , image rate when the job is executed, and toner usage rate when the job is executed are displayed in association with each other.

The "name" is a name set by the user for the job information when the job is set, and by setting a name indicating the content of the manuscript, the displayed job information can be applied to what kind of manuscript. The user can determine whether the job is set, the image rate, or the toner usage rate. If the job settings are the same but the originals are different, the image rate and toner usage rate will change, which is convenient. For example, if the name "weekly report" is set in the job information when copying the weekly report as shown in history No. 2, the job settings, image rate, and toner usage rate when the weekly report is formed as an image are set. Can be easily grasped by the user. Also, when copying a document with a black background, if the name "black background" is set as shown in history No. 3, the user can determine the reason why the image rate and toner usage rate were high. Become. As described above, the "image ratio" indicates the ratio of the image formed to the transfer paper, and when a black (highest density) image is formed on the pixels of the entire surface of the transfer paper, the image is displayed. The rate will be 100%. As described above, the "toner usage rate" indicates the ratio of the amount of toner used to the amount of toner in a 100% replenished state.

In this way, by displaying the actual image rate and toner usage rate for each job registered by each user in the past, how much toner is set in the job setting to be set this time before the user executes the job. It becomes possible to grasp whether it is used. As a result, for example, if the toner usage rate is high, the user can save toner by changing the density setting to suppress the toner usage amount.

From the job information display screen, the user selects and operates the job information that includes the desired job settings, and when the job setting button p as the selection means is pressed, the job information that includes the job settings to be applied to this job is displayed. When selected (step S6), the current toner remaining rate is acquired from the toner remaining amount detecting means 111, and the toner usage rate of the selected job information is compared with the current toner remaining rate (step). S7). As a result of the comparison, when the toner remaining rate is low (step S8; YES), a warning is displayed on the display means 104 that the toner remaining amount is expected to be insufficient (step S9; warning means). This warning display may be performed, for example, by displaying a pop-up on the job information display screen indicating that the remaining amount of toner is expected to be insufficient, or by blinking the toner usage column on the job information display screen. You may. In addition, the user may be warned of insufficient toner by blinking an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or outputting a warning buzzer. It is preferable to allow the user to set the toner shortage warning method.

After selecting the job information, the setting change from the job setting contents of the job information is accepted (step S10). For example, when an item content whose setting content is to be changed on the job information display screen is pressed, a setting screen for that item is displayed in a pop-up, and a new content can be set.

On the other hand, when the mode selection button n is not pressed in step S2 (step S2; NO), the screen for job setting is displayed on the display means 104, and the transfer paper size, number of output copies, double-sided / single-sided printing, density, etc. Job settings are made (step S11).

When the job setting is completed and the name registration button r is pressed (step S12; YES), the name setting screen is displayed on the display means 104, and the name entered from the screen is set and registered as the job name. (Step S13). Then, in response to the pressing of the start button, the job is started, the image of the original is read by the scanner means 101, and the image formation is performed by the printer means 102 with the job setting contents set in steps S4 to S11 (step). S14). Further, the PWM signal level counting means 109 operates, and the PWM signal level is counted (step S15).

When the image formation is completed, the image rate and the toner usage rate for the executed job are calculated based on the count number from the PWM signal level counting means 109 (step S16). Then, the communication means 105 transmits the job information of the user ID, the job execution date, the name, the job setting contents, the image rate, and the toner usage rate to the server 2 (step S17), and this process ends.

When the job information is received in the server 2, the job information is stored in the job information storage means.

As described above, according to the image forming system 100, when the job is set and the job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1 via the operation means 103, the image ratio and the toner used in the image forming job are used. The rate is calculated, and job information including job setting information, image rate, and toner usage rate is transmitted to the server 2 and stored in the job information storage means. When the operation means 103 instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to read the past job information, the server 2 is requested to send the job information to the past image forming job stored in the job information storing means. When the past job information is received from the server, the job information display screen including the received job information is displayed on the display means 104. When one job information is selected from the job information display screen and the setting is instructed, the job setting information included in the selected job information is set for the current job. Then, the image rate and the toner usage rate in the current job are calculated, and the job information including the job setting information, the image rate and the toner usage rate is transmitted to the server 2 and stored in the job information storage means.

Therefore, before the user executes the job, when setting new image processing conditions before the user executes the job, the job to be set and executed based on the toner usage in the previously set job. It becomes possible to grasp the toner usage status. As a result, for example, if the toner usage rate is high, the user can save toner by changing the density setting to suppress the toner usage amount.

Further, since the image forming apparatus 1 allows the user to set an arbitrary name for the job information, even if there is the same job setting content, that is, the job setting information in the past, the name can be set for each manuscript. It is possible to set and register job information by attaching it. Further, if a name indicating the content of the manuscript is set for the job information, the user can easily select the job information when copying the same manuscript next time.

Further, when the job information is selected from the job information display screen, the image forming apparatus 1 compares the toner usage rate included in the selected job information with the current toner remaining rate, and the toner remaining rate is small. In this case, the toner shortage warning is displayed, so that the user can predict the toner shortage and does not notice that the desired finish was not obtained due to the toner shortage after executing the job.

The description in the above embodiment is a preferable example of the image forming system 100 according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto.

For example, in the above embodiment, the server 2 is provided with the job information storage means, but the image forming device 1 is provided with a storage device such as a large-capacity HDD, and the large-capacity storage device is used for job information storage. It may be used as a means.

Further, in the above embodiment, the toner usage rate is obtained and displayed so that the user can easily grasp the toner usage amount intuitively, but the toner usage amount itself may be displayed.

Further, only the image rate is stored in the job information storage means in association with each job setting information, and the toner usage amount is calculated based on the image rate read from the job information storage means. You may do it. Further, the image rate and the toner usage rate may be calculated on the server side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the density of one pixel is expressed by multiple values has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applied to the case where one pixel is expressed by two values (white or black). Can be done. In the case of an image forming apparatus that expresses one pixel as a binary value, for example, the number of image forming pixels in the entire job is counted, and (the number of image forming pixels in the entire job) / (the number of pixels per page in the transfer paper size used). The image rate can be obtained by calculating the total number of counts × the number of pages) × 100. For the toner usage rate, the number of pixels that can form an image with one toner bottle loaded in the image forming apparatus 1 is held as a fixed value, and (the number of image forming pixels in the entire job) / (with one toner bottle). It can be obtained by calculating (the number of pixels that can form an image) x 100.

In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the image forming system 100 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

<figref num="1">It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the image formation system 100 which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image forming apparatus 1.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inside of an image forming apparatus 1.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the operation means 103.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flowchart which shows the job control processing executed by CPU 106.</figref><figref num="6">It is a figure which shows an example of a job information display screen.</figref>

Code description

100 Image forming system 1 Image forming device 101 Scanner means a Automatic document feeding means b Document stand c Document reading means 102 Printing means d Writing means e Paper feeding means f Cleaning means g Charging means h Developing means i Photoreceptor drum j Transfer Means k Fixing means l Paper ejection means 103 Operating means m Personal authentication information input means n Mode selection button o Frequency button p History button q Job setting button r Name setting button 104 Display means 105 Communication means 106 CPU107 Storage means 108 RAM109 PWM signal level Counting means 110 Image rate calculating means 111 Toner usage rate calculating means 112 Toner remaining amount detecting means 2 Server NT network