Information processing system, job processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a system, method, and program that can improve productivity.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: prediction means for comparing defect information, including a detection result of a defect that has occurred in execution results of a job and execution conditions of the job, with execution conditions of a waiting job, and predicting an occurrence of a defect in the waiting job; inquiry means for inquiring of the other information processing system as to whether the job in which the defect occurrence has been predicted can be executed; and transfer means for transferring the job to the other information processing system in response to reception of an inquiry result from the other information processing system indicating that the job can be executed based on a comparison between defect information of the other information processing system and the execution conditions of the job in which the defect occurrence has been predicted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a job processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for allocating a job to another device in order to quickly process the job even when an error occurs in a device that executes a job such as printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, even if a defect occurs in the job execution result, the job cannot be executed by another device unless an error occurs that makes the device unusable. This means that in order to obtain the desired job execution result, it is necessary to execute the job again after maintenance of the device or on another device, resulting in a problem of reduced productivity.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system, method, and program that can improve productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of the above problem, the present invention provides a prediction unit for comparing defect information, including a result of detection of a defect occurring in an execution result of a job and an execution condition of the job, with an execution condition of a waiting job, and predicting the occurrence of a defect in the waiting job; an inquiry means for inquiring of another information processing system as to whether or not a job in which a defect is predicted to occur can be executed; a transfer means for comparing defect information of another information processing system with execution conditions of a job in which the occurrence of a defect is predicted, and transferring the job to the other information processing system when an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed is received from the other information processing system; An information processing system is provided, including: Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system, a method, and a program capable of improving productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a job processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus constituting the information processing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a print server constituting the image forming system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information held by the information processing system. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing performed in the job processing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows a first example of a screen that notifies a user when a job is executed in an alternative system. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of a screen that notifies a user when a job is executed on an alternative system. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting whether or not to make an inquiry to another information processing system. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting one information processing system when there are a plurality of other information processing systems capable of executing a job. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of a process performed in the job processing system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process shown in FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a job processing system. The job processing system includes a plurality of information processing systems connected to a network 10. The information processing system may be any system that has a communication function and is capable of executing a job, and may be composed of one device or two or more devices.

[0009] The devices constituting the information processing system may be one or more of the following: an image forming device such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: an electronic whiteboard function that allows intercommunication), industrial machinery, imaging devices, medical equipment, network home appliances, automobiles (Connected Cars), notebook PCs (Personal Computers), desktop PCs, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

[0010] The jobs executed by the information processing system are projection, photography, scanning, printing, etc. Note that the job is not limited to one job such as printing, and may be a combination of two or more jobs such as scanning and distributing.

[0011] 1, the information processing system is composed of an image forming device 11 and a print server 12. Three information processing systems are connected to a network 10 as a plurality of information processing systems. In the following, the information processing system will be described as being composed of the image forming device 11 and the print server 12, and a job will be described as a print job, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0012] The relationship between the image forming apparatus 11 and the print server 12 is not limited to a one-to-one relationship. Therefore, two or more image forming apparatuses 11 may be connected to one print server 12.

[0013] In addition, a print server 12 may be connected to the network 10, and the print server 12 and the image forming device 11 may be connected by a cable or wirelessly, or both the image forming device 11 and the print server 12 may be connected to the network 10. When both the image forming device 11 and the print server 12 are connected to the network 10, a print job received and stored by the print server 12 can be transmitted to the image forming device 11 via the network 10.

[0014] On the network 10, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or the like may exist as a communication terminal used by a user. The number of communication terminals on the network 10 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. Also, on the network 10, communication devices other than the image forming device 11, the print server 12, and the communication terminals may exist.

[0015] The network 10 may be either a wired or wireless network, and may be composed of two or more networks connected by a relay device such as a router.

[0016] A user specifies data to be printed on a communication terminal used by the user, sets printing conditions as execution conditions for executing printing, creates a print job, and transmits the print job to a print server 12 corresponding to an image forming apparatus 11 for executing the print job. The print job is not limited to being created on a communication terminal, but may be created on one of a plurality of information processing systems. It is possible to create a print job by setting printing conditions for data held by the information processing system, or to scan an original document in the information processing system, set printing conditions for the scanned data, and create a print job. The data may be text data consisting of characters only, data including characters and figures, or image data including images.

[0017] The print server 12 stores print jobs for the image forming device 11 and manages the print jobs. Every time one print job is completed in the image forming device 11, the print server 12 transmits the next print job that is stored and waiting to the image forming device 11.

[0018] The image forming device 11 executes a print job received from the print server 12, and prints characters, images, and the like on a recording medium such as paper or film.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the image forming device 11 and the print server 12 are separate devices, but the image forming device 11 may be a single device having the functions of the print server 12.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an MFP as an example of the image forming apparatus 11. The MFP includes, as hardware, a controller 20, a short-range communication circuit 21, an engine control unit 22, an operation panel 23, and a network I / F 24.

[0021] The controller 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, a system memory (MEM-P) 31, a north bridge (NB) 32, a south bridge (SB) 33, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 34, and a local memory (MEM-C) 35. The controller 20 also includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 36, an HD (Hard Disk) 37, and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 38 that connects between the NB 32 and the ASIC 34.

[0022] The CPU 30 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP. The MEM-P 31 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) 31a that stores programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 20, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 31b that is used as a drawing memory for developing the programs and data and for printing. The programs stored in the RAM 31b may be configured to be provided as installable or executable files stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0023] The NB32 is a bridge for connecting the CPU30 with the MEM-P31, SB33, and AGP bus 38, and includes a memory controller for controlling reading and writing to the MEM-P31, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0024] The SB33 is a bridge for connecting the NB32 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC34 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 38, the PCI bus 39, the HDD controller 36, and the MEM-C35. The ASIC34 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC34, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C35, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 40 and the printer unit 41 via the PCI bus 39. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface or an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC34.

[0025] The MEM-C 35 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 37 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, forms, etc. The HDD controller 36 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 37 under the control of the CPU 30. The AGP bus 38 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. The AGP bus 38 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 31 with high throughput.

[0026] The short-distance communication circuit 21 is a communication circuit that performs wireless communication between devices located at short distances of several centimeters to several meters, such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0027] The engine control unit 22 is made up of a scanner unit 40 and a printer unit 41, and performs reading and printing of an original. The scanner unit 40 or the printer unit 41 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0028] The operation panel 23 includes a panel display unit 23a such as a touch panel that displays current settings and a selection screen and receives input from the user, and a panel input unit 23b including a numeric keypad that receives settings for image formation conditions such as density settings and a start key that receives a copy start command. Input from the operation panel 23 is controlled by the controller 20, similar to drawing and communication.

[0029] The MFP can sequentially switch between a document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 23. The document box function is a function that allows documents to be stored in the MFP, and when the document box function is selected using the application switching key, the MFP goes into document box mode. Also, when the copy function is selected, the MFP goes into copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the MFP goes into printer mode, and when the facsimile function is selected, the MFP goes into facsimile mode.

[0030] The network I / F 24 is an interface for performing data communication using the network 10. The short-range communication circuit 21 and the network I / F 24 are electrically connected to the ASIC 34 via a PCI bus 39.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the print server 12. The print server 12 has a configuration similar to that of a general PC, and includes a CPU 50, a ROM 51, a RAM 52, a HD 53, a HDD controller 54, a display 55, an external device connection I / F 56, a network I / F 57, a bus 58, a keyboard 59, a pointing device 60, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 61, and a media I / F 62.

[0032] The CPU 50 controls the overall operation of the print server 12. The ROM 51 stores programs used to drive the CPU 50, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 52 provides a working area for the CPU 50. The HD 53 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 54 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 53 under the control of the CPU 50.

[0033] The display 55 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, and an image. The external device connection I / F 56 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the image forming device 11 shown in FIG. 3. The network I / F 57 is an interface for performing data communication using the network 10. The bus 58 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 50 constituting the print server 12.

[0034] The keyboard 59 is one of the input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 60 is one of the input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc.

[0035] The DVD-RW drive 61 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD-RW 63 as an example of a removable storage medium. Here, a DVD-RW 63 is exemplified, but a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, etc. may also be used. The media I / F 62 controls reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 64 such as a flash memory.

[0036] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system. Each function of the information processing system can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the processing circuit includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as ASIC, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function.

[0037] The information processing system includes, as means for realizing each function, a defect detection unit 70, an alternative printing control unit 80, an image creation unit 90, a print job storage unit 100, and a communication unit 110. Specifically, the image forming device 11 includes the defect detection unit 70, the alternative printing control unit 80, and the image creation unit 90, and the print server 12 includes the print job storage unit 100 and the communication unit 110.

[0038] The communication unit 110 communicates with a communication terminal used by a user or another information processing system, etc., and receives print jobs from the communication terminal, etc. The print job storage unit 100 stores the print jobs received by the communication unit 110. The print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 100 are waiting to be executed by the image forming apparatus 11, that is, are waiting print jobs.

[0039] Each time a print job is completed, the print jobs are retrieved one by one, starting with the one stored first in the print job storage unit 100, and sent to the image creation unit 90. The image creation unit 90 executes the print job and prints it on a recording medium. The image creation unit 90 includes an image creation control unit 91 for controlling printing. The image creation control unit 91 creates an image on the recording medium in accordance with printing conditions based on the data included in the print job.

[0040] The defect detection unit 70 detects defects that occur in the execution result of a print job and outputs the detection result as defect information. The execution result of a print job is the print result printed on a recording medium, and defects are images that are not in the original image (master image) that is the basis for printing, such as small dots, vertical streaks, horizontal streaks, and differences in color from the master image (light colors, uneven colors), etc.

[0041] The defect detection unit 70 functions as a detection means and includes a master image generation unit 71, a read image acquisition unit 72, and an inspection unit 73 in order to detect defects. The master image generation unit 71 generates a master image from the print data and printing conditions of a print job. The read image acquisition unit 72 reads an image printed on a recording medium by the scanner unit 40 and acquires the read image. Note that if the image forming device 11 does not include the scanner unit 40, the read image acquisition unit 72 can acquire an image printed on the above-mentioned recording medium read by another reading device.

[0042] The inspection unit 73 detects defects by comparing the master image generated by the master image generation unit 71 with the image acquired by the read image acquisition unit 72. The inspection unit 73 detects the type, color, location, etc. of defects, and outputs the detection results as defect information. Note that defects can be detected using any method known so far.

[0043] The alternative printing control unit 80 makes inquiries to other information processing systems that execute print jobs on behalf of its own system, transfers print jobs, etc. The alternative printing control unit 80 includes a storage unit 81, a print job defect detection determination unit 82, an alternative printing availability determination unit 83, an alternative print job transfer unit 84, and an alternative printing availability inquiry determination unit 85.

[0044] Before a job is sent from print job storage unit 100 to image creation unit 90, substitute printing control unit 80 determines whether or not substitute printing is necessary for a waiting job stored in print job storage unit 100, and if necessary, makes an inquiry, transfers the job to perform substitute printing, and deletes the job from print job storage unit 100 after the substitute printing is performed. Therefore, a job that requires substitute printing is sent to image creation unit 90 and is not printed by its own system.

[0045] The storage unit 81 functions as a storage means, and stores the defect information output from the inspection unit 73 by linking it to the printing conditions of the print job that caused the defect in the defect information, which was obtained from the print job storage unit 100. Note that the information stored in the storage unit 81 is the defect information linked to the printing conditions, and this will also be referred to as defect information. The printing conditions include the type and size of the recording medium, the printing speed, and the toner or ink density.

[0046] The print job defect detection and determination unit 82 functions as a prediction means, and compares the printing conditions of a waiting print job stored in the print job storage unit 100 with the defect information stored in the memory unit 81, and determines whether a defect will occur when the waiting print job is executed, and predicts the occurrence of a defect. When the printing conditions of the waiting print job match the occurrence conditions included in the defect information, the print job defect detection and determination unit 82 determines that a defect of the same type and color will occur in the same location as the detection result included in the defect information.

[0047] On the other hand, if the printing conditions of a waiting print job do not match the occurrence conditions included in the defect information, the print job defect detection judgment unit 82 judges that a defect will not occur. If there is multiple defect information, the print job defect detection judgment unit 82 judges that a defect will occur if the printing conditions of the print job match the occurrence conditions of any of the defect information, and judges that a defect will not occur if the printing conditions do not match the occurrence conditions of any of the defect information.

[0048] The alternative printing feasibility determination unit 83 functions as an inquiry means, and inquires of other information processing systems on the same network 10 and with which it can communicate whether or not it is possible to execute a waiting print job that has been determined to cause a defect. The alternative printing feasibility determination unit 83 receives the printing conditions of a waiting print job that has been determined to cause a defect from the print job defect detection determination unit 82, and makes an inquiry as to whether or not alternative printing is possible, including the printing conditions (alternative printing feasibility inquiry).

[0049] The other information processing system has the same functional configuration as that shown in Fig. 3, and compares defect information of defects that have occurred in the past in the other information processing system with the printing conditions included in the inquiry to determine whether a defect will occur. If the other information processing system determines that a defect will occur, it responds as a result of the inquiry that alternative printing is not possible. On the other hand, if the other information processing system determines that a defect will not occur, it responds as a result of the inquiry that alternative printing is possible.

[0050] The alternative printing availability determination unit 83 is not limited to making an inquiry to one other information processing system, but can make an inquiry to multiple other information processing systems and receive inquiry results from the multiple other information processing systems. The alternative printing availability determination unit 83 treats the other information processing system that has responded that alternative printing is possible as an alternative device, and notifies the alternative print job transfer unit 84 of the information on the alternative device and the printing conditions as an alternative printing notification. The information on the alternative device is information for identifying the alternative device, such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address or MAC (Media Access Control) address of a print server constituting the other information processing system as the alternative device.

[0051] The alternative print job transfer unit 84 functions as a transfer means, and acquires a corresponding print job as an alternative print job from the print job storage unit 100 based on the notified printing conditions, and transfers the alternative print job to the alternative device based on the notified information of the alternative device. When there are multiple alternative devices, the alternative print job transfer unit 84 communicates with each of the multiple alternative devices and transfers the alternative print job based on the load rate of each alternative device. The alternative print job transfer unit 84 can transfer the alternative print job to, for example, the alternative device with the smallest load rate. Here, the load rate is used to determine which of the multiple alternative devices the alternative print job should be transferred to, but this is not limited to the load rate, and the alternative print job may be transferred to the alternative device installed at the closest position in terms of distance from the information processing system (own system). The alternative print job transfer unit 84 receives a reception result of the alternative print job from the alternative device to which the alternative print job was transferred.

[0052] The alternative printing availability inquiry determination unit 85 functions as a response means, and in response to an alternative printing availability inquiry received from another information processing system (inquiry source) via the communication unit 110, compares the printing conditions included in the inquiry with the defect information stored in the storage unit 81 to determine whether alternative printing is possible. If the printing conditions included in the received inquiry match the occurrence conditions of the defect information stored in the storage unit 81, the alternative printing availability inquiry determination unit 85 responds to the other information processing system (inquiry source) via the communication unit 110 as an inquiry result that alternative printing is not possible. On the other hand, if the printing conditions included in the received inquiry do not match the occurrence conditions of the defect information stored in the storage unit 81, the alternative printing availability inquiry determination unit 85 responds to the other information processing system (inquiry source) via the communication unit 110 as an inquiry result that alternative printing is possible.

[0053] The alternative printing availability determination unit 83 automatically inquires whether alternative printing is possible for a print job predicted to have a defect. In this case, even if the print job is for printing highly confidential data, there is a risk that the automatic inquiry will be made and the printout will be output by an image forming device 11 of another information processing system where anyone can pick up the printout and there is a possibility of confidential information being leaked. In order to prevent output by such an image forming device 11 where confidential information may be leaked, it is desirable for the user to be able to select whether or not to make an inquiry as to whether alternative printing is possible.

[0054] The alternative device may be automatically determined by the alternative print job transfer unit 84 in accordance with the load factor, etc. However, when the alternative device is automatically determined, an information processing system located far from the user's location may be determined as the alternative device. It is desirable for the user to be able to select an information processing system located close to the user as the alternative device.

[0055] In view of these points, the information processing system can further include a display unit 120. The display unit 120 includes an information display unit 121 and an information input unit 122. The information display unit 121 functions as a notification unit, notifying the user which job requires an alternative printing availability inquiry, displaying a button for the user to input whether or not to make an alternative printing availability inquiry, and notifying the user of multiple devices capable of alternative printing as multiple alternative devices, and displaying a button for selecting one alternative device from the multiple alternative devices. The information input unit 122 functions as an input receiving unit, receiving pressing of a displayed button, and notifying the alternative printing availability determination unit 83 of the selection result.

[0056] The alternative printing availability determination unit 83 makes an inquiry based on the selection result, and also notifies the alternative print job transfer unit 84 of information on the alternative device. Note that the information processing system may or may not include a display unit 120. The display or pointing device of the print server 12 included in the information processing system may be used as the display unit 120, or the operation panel 23 of the image forming device 11 included in the information processing system may be used as the display unit 120.

[0057] Each time a new print job is saved in the print job saving unit 100, the print job defect detection and determination unit 82 checks it against the defect information stored in the memory unit 81, and if a defect is predicted, transfers it to an alternative device as an alternative print job and executes the alternative print job. Also, if a defect is not predicted, the print job defect detection and determination unit 82 creates an image in the image creating unit 90 and executes the print job in its own system. In this way, the productivity of the job processing system can be improved by executing the print job in another information processing system until the root cause of the defect is resolved.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information held by the information processing system. The information processing system includes an alternative printing control unit 80 and a print job storage unit 100, and the alternative printing control unit 80 includes a memory unit 81. The print job storage unit 100 stores job information of a print job, and the memory unit 81 stores defect information. Fig. 5(a) shows an example of the job information, and Fig. 5(b) shows an example of the defect information.

[0059] The job information shown in FIG. 5(a) is assigned a job number in the order in which the print job is received by the print server 12, and the printing conditions, such as the paper size, basis weight, paper type, color density, and print speed as the recording medium, are saved as the job information.

[0060] Paper size refers to the size of paper used for printing, such as A3, A4, B5, etc. Ream weight refers to the weight of a ream, where 1000 sheets of paper finished to a certain specified size are considered to be one ream. The larger the ream weight, the thicker the paper. Paper type refers to the type of paper used for printing, such as plain paper, coated paper, and matte coated paper. Coated paper is paper with a glossy surface, while matte coated paper is paper with a less glossy surface than coated paper. Color density is expressed as a number from 0 to 100%, with larger numbers indicating darker colors and smaller numbers indicating lighter colors. Print speed refers to the resolution (dpi) of the image to be printed, and indicates whether to prioritize "image quality" or "speed", or whether "standard" image quality and speed are acceptable.

[0061] The defect information shown in Fig. 5(b) is information that links the type, color, and occurrence location of the defect as the detection result with the paper size, ream weight, paper type, color density, and printing speed as the defect occurrence conditions. In other words, the defect information is information that indicates which defect will occur when printing is performed under these printing conditions.

[0062] The type indicates the type of defect, such as a dot, a vertical streak, a horizontal streak, etc. The color indicates the color of the defect. The location indicates the position where the defect occurred, such as a position 10 to 20 mm from the edge of the paper.

[0063] The defect information occurrence conditions indicate under what conditions the defect occurred. Therefore, the printing conditions of the print job can be used as the occurrence conditions. The defect information stored in the memory unit 81 is an accumulation of defect information for defects detected in the past, and since only specific conditions are related to the occurrence of the same defect, conditions other than the specific conditions are indicated with "-", and only the specific conditions can be set and stored. "-" indicates that any size, ream weight, paper type, color density, and printing speed are acceptable. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information stored in the memory unit 81, and also makes it easier to check conditions, since only specific conditions need to be checked.

[0064] 5(b) is also detected by other information processing systems on the network 10, and the other information processing systems retain the defect information as their own defect information. Note that when it is confirmed that the same defect no longer occurs under the same printing conditions due to maintenance or the like, the defect information can be deleted from the storage unit 81, assuming that the defect has been resolved.

[0065] 5(a) and 5(b), a specific description will be given of the process performed by the print job defect detection and determination unit 82. The information processing system making the inquiry about whether or not alternative printing is possible is defined as device A, and the information processing system receiving the inquiry is defined as device B.

[0066] For example, in device A, four print jobs are waiting, as shown in FIG. 5(a). Device A compares the printing conditions of the waiting print jobs with the defect information occurrence conditions stored in memory unit 81, and predicts that for jobs No. 1 and No. 2, the paper size is "A3", which meets the occurrence condition of "A3 or larger", and that white vertical stripes will occur at 20 mm intervals. For job No. 4, the printing speed is "600 dpi speed priority", which meets the occurrence condition of "600 dpi speed priority", and that black dots will occur 0 to 3 mm from the edge of the paper. Therefore, for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, an inquiry is made as to whether alternative printing is possible.

[0067] On the other hand, for job No. 3, the printing conditions of the print job do not match any of the occurrence conditions of the defect information, so the printing is performed by device A itself. That is, the image creating unit 90 receives the print job of job No. 3, creates an image on paper, fixes the image on the paper, and outputs the paper with the fixed image as a printout.

[0068] For jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 that are determined to have defects in device A, device A queries device B as to whether alternative printing is possible. At this time, device A sends the printing conditions for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 to device B. Here, it is assumed that device B has not had any defects up to now and therefore has no defect information.

[0069] Device B responds with an inquiry result indicating that it can print jobs No1, No2, and No4. Device A receives the inquiry result from device B and, since device B can execute print jobs No1, No2, and No4, transfers the print jobs No1, No2, and No4 to device B. Device B accepts print jobs No1, No2, and No4 from device A and executes print jobs No1, No2, and No4.

[0070] The process performed by the job processing system will now be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. When the information processing system receives a new print job, the process starts from step 100.

[0071] In step 101, the print job storage unit 100 updates the print jobs it manages by storing the newly received print job. In step 102, the print job defect detection and determination unit 82 compares the printing conditions of the print job newly stored in the print job storage unit 100 with its own defect information stored in the memory unit 81, and determines whether the same conditions exist, that is, whether the printing conditions match the conditions for generating defect information. If they match, the process proceeds to step 103, where the alternative printing availability determination unit 83 queries other information processing systems on the same network 10 about whether alternative printing is possible, including the printing conditions. On the other hand, if they do not match, the process proceeds to step 111, where it is predicted that no defects will occur, and printing is performed in the own system.

[0072] In step 104, the inquired system compares its own defect information with the printing conditions received in response to the inquiry to determine whether the printing conditions match the conditions under which its own defect information was generated. If they do not match, printing is possible in the inquired system, so in step 105 the inquired system responds as a result of the inquiry that printing is possible. On the other hand, if they match, printing is not possible in the inquired system, so in step 106 the inquired system responds as a result of the inquiry that printing is not possible.

[0073] In step 107, the alternative print job transfer unit 84 sets the inquired system as an alternative device, and transfers the print job whose printing conditions are determined to match the conditions for generating defect information to the alternative device as an alternative print job. This print job is a print job newly saved in the print job saving unit 100. In step 108, the alternative device receives the transferred print job and performs printing on behalf of the image forming device 11 of the information processing system.

[0074] In step 109, when printing is completed, the alternative device notifies the information processing system of the completion of alternative printing. In step 110, when the information processing system receives notification of the completion of alternative printing from the alternative device, it deletes the alternative print job from the print job storage unit 100. Then, the process proceeds to step 112 and ends. Note that even if printing is performed by the system itself in step 111, the process proceeds to step 112 and ends when printing is completed.

[0075] The process shown in Fig. 6 will be specifically described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 7. It is assumed that the system that makes an inquiry is device A, and the system that is the recipient of the inquiry is device B.

[0076] Device A receives and saves a new print job, thereby updating the print job (S1), and compares the printing conditions of the newly saved print job with the defect information it holds (S2). In this case, the printing conditions for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 match the conditions for which the defect information occurred, so device A performs alternative printing for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4. Device A then queries device B on the same network 10 about whether alternative printing for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 is possible (S3).

[0077] Upon receiving the inquiry, device B compares the defect information it holds with the printing conditions of print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 received in the inquiry, and determines whether or not it is capable of alternative printing (S4). In this example, it is assumed that it is capable of alternative printing of all print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4. Therefore, device B responds to device A as a result of the inquiry that it is capable of printing jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 (S5).

[0078] Device A receives the inquiry result from device B and, since alternative printing of jobs No1, No2, and No4 is possible, transfers the print jobs of jobs No1, No2, and No4 to device B (S6).

[0079] Device B receives print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 from device A, executes print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, and performs alternative printing (S7). When all print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 are completed, device B notifies device A that alternative printing is complete (S8).

[0080] When device A receives the notification that the alternative printing is complete, it deletes the print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 for which it has requested alternative printing from the print job storage unit 100 (S9), and completes the alternative printing process. While device A is requesting alternative printing for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, it can execute the print job of job No. 3, which does not involve defects. Note that the print job of job No. 3 is executed after the execution of the print job previously stored in device A is completed. Therefore, job No. 3 may be executed after the alternative printing of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 is completed.

[0081] 6 and 7, an inquiry is automatically made to other information processing systems on the same network 10, a system capable of executing the print job is determined as an alternative device, and alternative printing is performed. Simply performing alternative printing does not allow the user to know which device the alternative printing was performed on. Therefore, by using the information display unit 121 of the display unit 120 shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to notify the user of which device the alternative printing was performed on in order to specify the printed matter that was alternatively printed.

[0082] The image forming apparatus 11 constituting the information processing system has an operation panel 23, and the print server 12 has a display 55, so that either one can be used as an information display unit 121 to display the discharge destination and notify the user.

[0083] 8 is a diagram showing a first example of information displayed on display unit 120. The information processing system knows the printing conditions as job information of a print job, whether the print job was performed on its own system or on an alternative device, and if it was performed on an alternative device, which system. Therefore, the information processing system can display on information display unit 121 the job information and information on the destination where the print job was executed and the printed matter was discharged.

[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 8, four print jobs, job No. 1 to No. 4, are stored in the print job storage unit 100, and since the print jobs, job No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, cannot be executed in the own system (device A), other information processing systems (devices B to D) are determined as alternative devices and notified as the output destinations. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when the output destination is other than the own system, the color of the input field in the table in which the information of each job is stored is changed from white to yellow, etc., to be displayed in a distinguishable manner. This allows the user to know at a glance which print job will be executed by the alternative device, and to know which device the printed matter will be output to from the output destination information. Note that, when the output destination is other than the own system, the color of the letters and numbers themselves, rather than the input field, may be changed from black to another color to be displayed in a distinguishable manner, or the letters and numbers may be displayed in a distinguishable manner by bolding or changing the size, etc.

[0085] In the example shown in Fig. 8, the information of the output destination is simply displayed and notified, but a chatbot may be used to notify the user and converse with the user in an interactive manner. A chatbot is a software program robot that operates in response to a message. A chatbot is a chat robot program that interacts with the user through text and voice on a messenger or the like, and the software program operates according to the input contents.

[0086] The chatbot's messages are determined by interfaces with other devices connected to the information processing system, and may be based on predefined response rules or may be determined using machine learning.

[0087] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of notifying a user and having a conversation with the user in an interactive manner. Fig. 9 is an example of notifying a user using a chatbot, and when a print job in which a defect is predicted to occur exists among print jobs and an alternative device is determined, the information processing system (device A) displays this on the information display unit 121 and notifies the user through chat that the printout will be discharged by an alternative device (device B to device D).

[0088] In the example shown in Figure 9, the local system (device A) is "R", and "R" determines the destination for job No. 1 to be device C, the destination for job No. 2 to be device D, and the destination for job No. 4 to be device B, and notifies user "U".

[0089] The chatbot can ask user U via chat whether to request maintenance or purchase consumables (supplies) such as toner or ink, etc., as items related to the defect, and user "U" can respond via chat to automatically request maintenance or purchase supplies. This makes it possible to have a conversation related to the defect in an interactive manner.

[0090] Some printed materials that are output as a result of the execution of a print job are confidential. It is better not to output confidential printed materials from an image forming device where anyone can pick up and view them and there is a possibility of confidential information being leaked. Therefore, taking into consideration the confidentiality of the printed materials, a print job is sent to a specified image forming device so that the printed materials are output from the specified image forming device, but if the print job cannot be executed on the specified image forming device, it is desirable for the user to be able to determine whether to execute the print job on another image forming device or to stop executing the print job.

[0091] 10, in order to allow the user to determine whether or not to make an alternative printing availability inquiry, the information display unit 121 displays buttons 130 and 131 for the user to select, and the information input unit 122 can accept pressing of the displayed button 130 or button 131. The button 130 is a "YES" button, and the button 131 is a "NO" button. When the button 130 is pressed, the selection result is notified to the alternative printing availability determination unit 83, and the alternative printing availability determination unit 83 makes an inquiry. When the button 131 is pressed, a notification is sent to the alternative printing availability determination unit 83, and the alternative printing availability determination unit 83 does not make an inquiry, and printing is not performed for the print job for which the occurrence of a defect is predicted. The print job that is not printed is canceled and can be deleted from the print job storage unit 100.

[0092] In the automatic inquiry process shown in Figures 6 and 7, or when button 130 shown in Figure 10 is pressed, there may be multiple systems (devices) capable of alternative printing. Although an alternative device capable of alternative printing can be automatically selected, there are also cases where it is better for the user to specify which device to print on. For example, there are cases where the user wants to print on the device closest to where he or she is.

[0093] 11, in order to allow the user to determine a device capable of alternative printing, the information display unit 121 displays buttons 132-134 for the user to specify, and the information input unit 122 can accept pressing of any of the displayed buttons 132-134. When button 132 is pressed, "device B" is specified, when button 133 is pressed, "device C" is specified, and when button 134 is pressed, "device D" is specified. Note that information such as the location of each device may be provided below the buttons 132-134 for each device.

[0094] The information input unit 122 notifies the alternative print job transfer unit 84 of the information of the specified device via the alternative printing availability determination unit 83. Then, the alternative print job transfer unit 84 transfers the print job to the specified device based on the notified information.

[0095] 12, a detailed description will be given of the process including the user's decision on whether or not to perform alternative printing using display unit 120, and the selection of an alternative device if alternative printing is performed. The processes in steps 200 to 202, steps 206 to 209, and steps 212 to 217 are similar to the processes in steps 100 to 102, steps 103 to 106, and steps 107 to 112 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

[0096] In step 203, information display unit 121 displays buttons 130, 131 for the user to determine whether or not to make an inquiry about alternative printing. In step 204, information input unit 122 accepts input from the user pressing button 130 or button 131 to make or not make an inquiry. In step 205, the result of the alternative printing inquiry is determined, and if the inquiry is to be made, the process proceeds to step 206. If it is determined in step 205 that the inquiry is not to be made, the process proceeds to step 217, and the process ends.

[0097] In step 210, the information display unit 121 displays devices capable of alternative printing. In this example, it is assumed that there are multiple devices capable of alternative printing. Therefore, the information display unit 121 displays buttons 132 to 134 for selecting a device capable of alternative printing. In step 211, the information input unit 122 accepts the selection of one of the devices capable of alternative printing as the alternative device by the user pressing one of the buttons 132 to 134. As a result, the information input unit 122 specifies the alternative device and notifies the alternative print job transfer unit 84 via the alternative printing availability determination unit 83.

[0098] The process shown in Fig. 12 will be specifically described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 13. The system that makes an inquiry is assumed to be device A, and the systems that are the recipients of the inquiry are devices B to E. Device A includes a main body and a display unit 120, and the main body is represented as "device A."

[0099] Device A receives and saves a new print job, thereby updating the print job (S1), and compares the printing conditions of the saved print job with the defect information it holds (S2). Here, since the printing conditions of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 match the conditions for generating the defect information, buttons 130 and 131 are displayed to select whether or not to make an alternative printing inquiry for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 (S3). The user selects whether or not to make an inquiry by pressing either button 130 or 131 (S4), and display unit 120 accepts the selection. If an inquiry is to be made, display unit 120 responds to device A that an inquiry will be made (S5).

[0100] Device A inquires of devices B to E on the same network 10 as itself as to whether or not alternative printing is possible for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 (S6). Devices B to E each compare the printing conditions of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 included in the inquiry from device A with the defect information they hold (S7 to S10). If the printing conditions of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 match the defect information they hold, each device B to E responds as an inquiry result that alternative printing is not possible for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4. On the other hand, if the printing conditions of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not match the defect information they hold, each device B to E responds as an inquiry result that alternative printing is possible for jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4. In this example, devices B to E respond as an inquiry result that alternative printing is possible (S11 to S14).

[0101] Device A requests display unit 120 to display devices B through E as devices capable of alternative printing, allowing the user to select them (S15). The user selects one of devices B through E displayed on display unit 120 (S16). In this example, "device C" is selected. Display unit 120 accepts the user's selection, and responds to device A that device C has been selected (S17).

[0102] Apparatus A transfers the print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 to apparatus C selected by the user (S18).

[0103] Device C executes the transferred print jobs No1, No2, and No4 (S19) on behalf of device A. When device C has completed execution of all of print jobs No1, No2, and No4, it notifies device A that the substitute printing of print jobs No1, No2, and No4 has been completed (S20).

[0104] Upon receiving notification that the substitute printing has been completed, device A deletes the print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 stored in device A (S21). While device A is requesting device C to perform the substitute printing of jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, device A can execute the print job of job No. 3, which does not involve defects. Note that the print job of job No. 3 is executed after the execution of the print job previously stored in device A is completed.

[0105] In this example, device C is executing all of the print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, but the print jobs No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 may be printed alternatively by dividing them into two or more devices. However, having to go to two or more locations to pick up the printed materials increases the travel distance and takes time, so it is preferable that only one device performs the alternative printing.

[0106] As explained above, the productivity of the job processing system can be improved by printing print jobs that will not cause defects in the system itself and executing print jobs that are predicted to cause defects in an alternative device. Also, by displaying the print information and output destination information of the print job to be printed by the alternative device, the user can recognize which print job is to be output to which location, making it easier to find out.

[0107] Furthermore, by notifying the user of the print information and output destination information of the print job to be printed in an interactive manner, it becomes easier to notify the user of related items at the same time as notifying the user of the information, improving compatibility as a system. Related items include the above-mentioned maintenance requests and supply purchase requests.

[0108] Furthermore, by making it possible to determine whether or not to perform alternative printing and to select a discharge destination depending on the print job, confidentiality can be maintained and the work time required for collecting printed materials can be reduced.

[0109] The present invention has been described so far with respect to the above-mentioned embodiments as an information processing system, a job processing system, an information processing method, and a program. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified within the scope of what a person skilled in the art can conceive, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. Furthermore, any embodiment is within the scope of the present invention as long as it achieves the functions and effects of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10...network, 11...image forming apparatus, 12...print server, 20...controller, 21...short-distance communication circuit, 22...engine control unit, 23...operation panel, 23a...panel display unit, 23b...panel input unit, 24...network I / F, 30...CPU, 31...MEM-P, 31a...ROM, 31b...RAM, 32...NB, 33...SB, 34...ASIC, 35...MEM-C, 36...HDD controller, 37...HD, 38...AGP bus, 39...PCI bus, 40...scanner unit, 41...printer unit, 50...CPU, 51...ROM, 52...RAM, 53...HD, 54...HDD controller, 55...display, 56...external device connection I / F , 57...network I / F, 58...bus, 59...keyboard, 60...pointing device, 61...DVD-RW drive, 62...media I / F, 63...DVD-RW, 64...recording media, 70...defect detection section, 71...master image generation section, 72...read image acquisition section, 73...inspection section, 80...alternative print control section, 81...storage section, 82...print job defect detection judgment section, 83...alternative print possibility judgment section, 84...alternative print job transfer section, 85...alternative print possibility combination judgment section, 90...imaging section, 91...imaging control section, 100...print job storage section, 110...communication section, 120...display section, 121...information display section, 122...information input section, 130-134...buttons [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0111] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-38041 A

Claims

1. a prediction means for comparing defect information including a result of detection of a defect occurring in the execution result of a job and the execution conditions of the job with the execution conditions of a waiting job, and predicting the occurrence of a defect in the waiting job; an inquiry means for inquiring of another information processing system as to whether or not the job in which the defect is predicted to occur can be executed; a transfer means for comparing defect information of the other information processing system with execution conditions of a job in which the occurrence of the defect is predicted, and transferring the job to the other information processing system when an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed is received from the other information processing system; An information processing system comprising:

2. a detection means for detecting the defect occurring as a result of execution of the job; a storage means for storing the defect information including the detection result of the detection means and the execution conditions of the job; a response means for receiving an inquiry including a job execution condition, comparing the job execution condition included in the received inquiry with the defect information stored in the storage means, predicting whether a defect will occur, and responding whether the job can be executed instead; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies information about the job in which the occurrence of the defect is predicted and information about the other information processing system that executes the job in place of the job.

4. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the notification means conducts a conversation related to the defect in an interactive manner.

5. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, further comprising an input receiving means for receiving an input as to whether or not to make an inquiry to said other information processing system.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the input receiving means receives a selection of one of the other information processing systems that have sent an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed, when there are multiple other information processing systems that have sent an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed.

7. the information processing system includes a print server that stores a print job as the job, and an image forming apparatus that executes the print job stored in the print server; 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit sets the print job stored in the print server as the waiting job, and checks the printing conditions of the print job against the defect information.

8. A job processing system including a plurality of information processing systems connected to a network, a prediction means for comparing defect information including a result of detection of a defect occurring in the execution result of a job and the execution conditions of the job with the execution conditions of a waiting job, and predicting the occurrence of a defect in the waiting job; an inquiry unit for inquiring of another information processing system among the plurality of information processing systems as to whether or not the job in which the defect is predicted to occur can be executed; a transfer means for comparing defect information of the other information processing system with execution conditions of a job in which the occurrence of the defect is predicted, and transferring the job to the other information processing system when an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed is received from the other information processing system; A job processing system comprising:

9. In the information processing system, a step of comparing defect information including a detection result of a defect occurring in an execution result of a job and an execution condition of the job with an execution condition of a waiting job, and predicting the occurrence of a defect in the waiting job; the information processing system inquiring of other information processing systems as to whether or not the job in which the defect is predicted to occur can be executed; a step in which the information processing system compares defect information of the other information processing system with execution conditions of a job in which the occurrence of the defect is predicted, and when the information processing system receives an inquiry result indicating that the job can be executed, transfers the job to the other information processing system; An information processing method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps recited in claim 9.

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