Printing system, image forming apparatus, control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that print processing using a slave machine requires a time longer than the time required for the print processing using a master machine because a user logs in to a printer being the slave machine to give a print instruction and then starts acquisition of a print job.SOLUTION: A plurality of image forming apparatuses can share a print job to form an image. A print job received from an information processing apparatus is stored, and a first image forming apparatus out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses which will perform the received print job is predicted. The received print job is transmitted to the predicted first image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When multiple image processing devices are connected to each other via a network, a system that allows printing using any of the image processing devices is becoming widespread. This system can be implemented by providing a server that stores job data, or by sharing job data between image processing devices without providing a server. When sharing job data between multiple image processing devices, it is common to pre-determine which image forming device will act as the parent device and which image forming device will act as the child device. A terminal using the image processing device then sends job data to the parent image forming device, and the child image forming device retrieves the job data from the parent device. However, this configuration places a heavy load on the parent device, slowing down the child device's ability to retrieve job data from the parent device, resulting in slower printing performance.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system in which print jobs can be shared in a system having multiple printing devices that are connected to a terminal device via a network and can communicate with each other via the network. It also proposes a mechanism in which, when a print job stored in a first printing device is determined as a target job to be printed by a second printing device, the second printing device acquires the target job from either the first printing device or the terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-82468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-described conventional technology, when a print job stored in a first printing device is instructed to be printed by a second printing device, the second printing device retrieves the job from either the first printing device or the terminal device, whichever device can retrieve the job faster. This reduces the load on the first printing device and enables faster print processing. However, with this conventional technology, the second printing device begins retrieving the print job only after a user logs in to the second printing device and issues a print instruction. This creates a problem in that printing on the second printing device is slower than printing on the first printing device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a technology that improves printing efficiency by shortening the time between when a user instructs an image forming device to print and when the print job is executed when the print job is shared among multiple image forming devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An image forming apparatus capable of forming images by sharing a print job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a storage unit for storing a print job received from the information processing device; a prediction unit for predicting a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses on which the received print job will be printed; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the received print job to the first image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when a print job is shared among multiple image forming devices, the time from when a user instructs printing on an image forming device to when the print job is executed is shortened, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of an image processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of an image processing apparatus and a terminal device included in the printing system according to an embodiment, and the configuration of a print job. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating information about print jobs managed by a job storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the print history acquired in step S603. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a printing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9]10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a slave device when a print job that is common to both the slave device and the master device is displayed on the slave device, as an example of a general technique. [Figure 10] 10A shows an example of a list of print jobs displayed on the slave device in step S906 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B shows an example of a list of print jobs displayed in step S1106. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying a print job that is incompatible between a parent device and a child device so that the print job can also be printed by the child device, as an example of a general technique. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a printing system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process executed by a slave device when a user presses a print button on the slave device, as an example of a general technique. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a printing system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This hardware configuration is common to the image processing devices 100, 100a, and 100b.

[0014] The CPU 101 executes the software programs of the image processing device 100 and controls the entire device. The ROM 102 is read-only memory and stores the device's boot program and fixed parameters. The RAM 103 is random-access memory and is used as a program development area and temporary data storage when the CPU 101 controls the device. The flash ROM (flash memory) 104 is rewritable nonvolatile memory and is used to store various data, such as installed applications, application data, and print data. The USBH I / F 105 controls the USB host interface and controls communication with various USB devices. The scanner I / F control unit 106 is a device that controls the scanner 111. The printer I / F control unit 107 is a device that controls the printer unit 112. The NVRAM 108 is nonvolatile memory and is used to store various setting values ​​for the image processing device 100. The panel control unit 109 controls the operation panel 113, displays various information, and accepts user instructions. The sensor control unit 110 is a device that controls the various sensors 114 equipped in the image processing device. An example of a sensor is a human presence sensor that determines whether a person is in front of the image processing device 100. A network I / F control unit 115 controls sending and receiving of data to and from a LAN network 117. The CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, and Flash ROM 104 are connected to a bus 116. Furthermore, a USBH I / F control unit 105, a scanner I / F control unit 106, a printer I / F control unit 107, NVRAM 108, a panel control unit 109, a sensor control unit 110, and a network I / F control unit 115 are connected to the bus 116. The bus 116 is a system bus over which control signals from the CPU 101 and data signals between the above-mentioned devices are sent and received. The network 117 may be wired or wireless.

[0015] The CPU 101 can function as various means by executing a program. A control circuit such as an ASIC that operates in cooperation with the CPU 101 may function as these means. These means may also be realized by cooperation between the CPU 101 and a control circuit that controls the operation of the image processing device 100. The CPU 101 does not need to be a single unit, but may be multiple units. In this case, the multiple CPUs 101 can execute processing in a distributed manner. The multiple CPUs 101 may be located in a single computer, or may be located in multiple physically separate computers. The means realized by the CPU 101 executing a program may also be realized by a dedicated circuit.

[0016] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

[0017] This printing system has multiple image processing devices 100, 100a, and 100b that can communicate with each other via a network 117. A terminal device 300 is connected to this network 117. The terminal device 300 is an information processing device, such as a personal computer or smartphone, operated by a user, and can send image files, document files, etc. to any of the multiple image processing devices 100, 100a, and 100b to print them. Note that while FIG. 3A illustrates three image processing devices 100, 100a, and 100b, this is not a limitation. In the following description, unless a specific image processing device is specified, the image processing device will be described as the image processing device 100.

[0018] In this printing system, a user of terminal device 301 transmits a print job to, for example, image forming device 100. Then, the user moves to the image forming device where the user wants to execute printing, for example, image forming device 100a, and issues a print instruction to image forming device 100a. This print instruction includes, for example, a login operation and an authentication operation to image forming device 100a. As a result, image forming device 100a obtains the print job from image forming device 100 and executes printing. This is the basic operation.

[0019] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a terminal device 301 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The CPU 210 executes the software program of the terminal device 301 and controls the entire device. The ROM 211 is a read-only memory that stores the device's boot program, fixed parameters, etc. The RAM 212 is a random access memory that is used as a program development area and temporary data storage when the CPU 210 controls the device. The memory unit 213 is a storage device such as a HDD or SD memory that stores large amounts of various data in a non-volatile manner. The operation unit 124 has, for example, a touch panel or keyboard, and is used to input various information through user operation. The display unit 215 is a display device such as an LCD. If the display unit 215 has a touch panel, it also functions as the operation unit 214. The network I / F unit 216 controls the transmission and reception of data via the network 117. The bus 217 is a system bus that connects the CPU 210 to the above-mentioned devices.

[0021] Next, the system configuration built on the image processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0022] 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of the image processing device 100 according to the embodiment. This system configuration is common to the image processing devices 100, 100a, and 100b.

[0023] An operating system 201 (hereinafter referred to as OS201) is software that forms the foundation of the entire system. A program 202 is software that runs on the OS201. An input unit 203 corresponds to the scanner I / F control unit 106, printer I / F control unit 107, and sensor control unit 110 in FIG. 1. A storage unit 204 corresponds to the ROM 102, RAM 103, Flash ROM 104, and NVRAM 108 in FIG. 1. A display unit 205 corresponds to the panel control unit 109 in FIG. 1. An external connection IF206 corresponds to the network I / F control unit 115 in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 and the terminal device 301 included in the printing system according to the embodiment, and the configuration of a print job.

[0025] First, a description will be given of the functions of the image processing device 100. The functions of the image processing device 100 described below are realized by the CPU 101 executing a program loaded in the RAM 103.

[0026] The printing unit 302 executes printing. The job storage unit 303 stores print jobs 309 received from a terminal device 301, such as a personal computer or smartphone operated by a user. The history management unit 304 manages the history of executed print jobs. The job transmission destination determination unit 305 determines the transmission destination of the print job. Note that the printing unit 302 and job storage unit 303 are provided in a general image processing device 100, and the history management unit 304 and job transmission destination determination unit 305 are characteristic components of this embodiment. Note that in the following description, a print job may also be simply referred to as a job.

[0027] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the terminal device 301. The functions of the terminal device 301 described below are realized by the CPU 210 executing a program loaded in the RAM 212.

[0028] The terminal device 301 includes a job generation unit 307 that generates print jobs from image files and document files. For example, in the case of a personal computer, this function corresponds to the function of a printer driver. The terminal device 301 also includes a job cache unit 308 that stores the generated print jobs. Note that the job generation unit is a common feature of the terminal device 301, and is provided in, for example, the RAM 212 or the storage unit 213. The job cache unit 308 is a characteristic feature of this embodiment.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the print job 309 will be described.

[0030] The print job 309 includes a job name, which is the name of the print job, and information about the person who created the print job (user), as job information 310. The image processing device 100 can display a list of print jobs to the user using only this job information 310. The print job 309 also includes job data 311, which is printing data for documents and images required by the printing unit 302 for print processing.

[0031] This job data 311 is created by the job generation unit 307 of the terminal device 301 according to the print settings and the model of the image processing device 100. For example, if the model of the image processing device 100 is a high-end model, the document or image to be printed can be rotated within the image processing device 100. Therefore, even if the user sets the rotation of the document or image to be printed in the print settings, the image processing device 100 can handle this. Therefore, if the image processing device 100 is a high-end model, the job generation unit 307 can omit the rotation process when creating the job data 311. However, if the model of the image processing device 100 is a low-end model, the terminal device 301 needs to create job data 311 that has been rotated by the job generation unit 307. In this way, print jobs 309 may be incompatible (lack compatibility) between models.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job information managed by the job storage unit 303 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

[0033] The job storage unit 303 manages the received job name and the person who created the print job (user). Although omitted in Fig. 4, job data 311 of the print job may also be stored in the job storage unit 303. In the example of Fig. 4, the email address of the person who created the print job (user) is stored in association with the job name of the print job.

[0034] First, an example of the technology underlying this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, and 13. The following description will be given assuming that a terminal device and multiple image forming devices are communicably connected as shown in Figure 3(A), a print job is sent from the terminal device to a first image forming device (hereinafter referred to as a parent device) and the print job is saved in the parent device, and a second image forming device (hereinafter referred to as a child device) receives the print job from the parent device and prints it.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the slave device when a print job that is common to both the slave device and the master device is displayed on the slave device.

[0036] First, in S901, a user logs in to the slave device. This causes the process to proceed to S903, where the slave device determines whether the master device is registered with the slave device. If it determines that the master device is not registered, the process proceeds to S906, where the slave device displays a list of only the print jobs stored in the slave device itself, and then ends this process.

[0037] On the other hand, if it is determined in S902 that the parent device is registered, the process proceeds to S903, where the child device acquires a list of print jobs stored in the parent device. At this time, it is sufficient to acquire only the job information, without acquiring the job data. However, some print jobs can only be printed by the parent device. For example, a print job that includes a setting to rotate the image to be printed can only be printed by a higher-end model. If the parent device is a higher-end model and the child device is a standard model, a job for the parent device that includes a rotation setting cannot be printed by the child device. Therefore, the process proceeds to S904, where the child device determines whether the print jobs acquired from the parent device include any incompatible print jobs. If there are any incompatible print jobs, the process proceeds to S905, where the child device sets the print job to be unprintable. If there are no incompatible print jobs in S904, the process proceeds to S906. In this case, in S906, the child device displays a list of print jobs stored in its own device and the print jobs acquired from the parent device, and then ends this process. At this time, print jobs that are set to be unprintable are displayed as unselectable.

[0038] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a list of print jobs displayed on the slave device in S906 of FIG.

[0039] Print jobs are classified into unprinted and printed, and in FIG. 10(A) the unprinted tab 1001 is selected. Here, print job 1004 with the job name "Daily Report" is set to no rotation, and print job 1003 with the job name "Drinking Party Map" is set to rotate. Print job 1004 for "Daily Report" can also be printed on a sub-unit, so it is displayed as selectable. On the other hand, print job 1003 for "Drinking Party Map" cannot be printed on a sub-unit, so it is grayed out and cannot be selected. The user can then select the print job they want to print from this list and press print button 1002, which will cause the sub-unit to print. In the example of FIG. 10(A), print job 1004 for "Daily Report" is executed.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the print process executed by the slave device when the user presses the print button 1002.

[0041] In S1301, the slave device accepts a print instruction for a print job when the user presses the print button 1002. Next, the process proceeds to S1302, where the slave device determines whether the slave device itself has job data for the print job selected on the screen of Fig. 10(A). If it determines that job data exists, the process proceeds to S1306, where the slave device executes printing according to the print job that was instructed to be printed, and then this process ends.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1302 that the slave device does not have the job data for the selected print job, the process proceeds to S1303, where the slave device attempts to obtain the job data for that print job from the parent device. Then, in S1304, the slave device determines whether or not it was able to obtain the job data from the parent device, and if it was able to obtain it, the process proceeds to S1306, where it executes printing according to the obtained job data. In S1304, for example, if the load on the parent device is heavy, causing the communication speed to slow down and resulting in a timeout, the determination result is that it was not possible to obtain it. In that case, the process proceeds to S1305, where the slave device requests the terminal device for the job data for the print job for which the print instruction was accepted, obtains the job data from the terminal device, and the process proceeds to S1306, where it executes printing.

[0043] By setting up a parent machine and a child machine in this way and sharing print jobs, users of terminal devices can always send print jobs to the parent machine, which allows them to print on either the parent machine or the child machine, resulting in increased convenience. However, if the print job to be printed is incompatible between the parent machine and the child machine, the print job cannot be executed on the child machine, reducing convenience. To avoid the burden of having to select a destination for a print job according to print settings, it is preferable to be able to print on the child machine even if the print job is incompatible between the parent machine and the child machine.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying a print job that is incompatible between a parent device and a child device so that the print job can also be printed by the child device, as an example of a general technique.

[0045] When a user logs in to a slave device in S1101, the process proceeds to S1102, where the slave device determines whether the master device is registered with the slave device. If it determines that the master device is registered, the process proceeds to S1103, where a list of print jobs is obtained from the master device, and the process proceeds to S1104. On the other hand, if the master device is not registered with the slave device, the process skips S1103 and proceeds to S1104.

[0046] In S1104, the slave device determines whether the list of print jobs acquired from the master device includes any print jobs that are incompatible between the master device and the slave device, and if not, proceeds to S1106, displays the list of print jobs, and ends this processing. On the other hand, if any print jobs that are incompatible between the master device and the slave device are included, proceeds to S1105, where the slave device sets the slave device to acquire the incompatible print jobs from the terminal device, and proceeds to S1106.

[0047] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the list of print jobs displayed in S1106.

[0048] In FIG. 10B, unlike FIG. 10A described above, print job 1003 for "Drinking Party Map," which is incompatible between the parent and child devices, can also be selected. When an instruction to print this print job 1003 is issued, the child device instructs the terminal device to generate job data for the print job, obtains the data from the terminal device, and prints it. Specifically, in the case of a print job that is incompatible between the parent and child devices, a determination is made in S1304 of FIG. 13 that the print job cannot be obtained from the parent device. In this case, the process proceeds to S1305, instructs the terminal device to create a print job for the child device, and the child device obtains the job data from the terminal device. For example, by having the terminal device perform image rotation processing, the child device can output the same print result as the parent device.

[0049] So far, we have described a method for sharing print jobs among multiple image processing devices. In this sharing method, the slave device acquires information such as the job name from the parent device to display a list of print jobs, but does not acquire the actual print job data from the parent device or terminal device until the print button is pressed. This can result in slow printing speeds on the slave device, depending on the communication speed with the parent device. Therefore, as a first embodiment, we will describe an example in which the parent device predicts which slave device will print a received print job and transmits the print job to the predicted slave device in advance, thereby preventing slow printing speeds on the slave device.

[0050] <Embodiment 1> Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the printing system according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(A), a terminal device 301 and a plurality of image forming devices are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and a print job is sent from the terminal device 301 to a first image forming device 100 (hereinafter referred to as a parent device), which then stores the print job in the parent device. When a print command is issued to a second image forming device 100a (hereinafter referred to as a child device), the print job is received from the parent device and printed. In this example, it is assumed that the parent image processing device 100 and the child image processing device 100a are the same model.

[0051] First, in S601, the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 receives an operation instruction from user Y (yamada) and creates a print job (print job for the parent device) for the image processing device 100, which is the parent device. Next, the process proceeds to S602, where the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 sends the created print job to the parent device. Next, in S603, the CPU 101 of the parent device that received this print job acquires the print history of the parent device itself and the child device (here, image forming device 100a).

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the print history acquired in S603.

[0053] In this example, printer A is the parent device (image processing device 100) and printer B is the child device (image processing device 100a). Based on this history, in S604, the CPU 101 of the parent device predicts whether the received print job will be printed on a child device. As a method for this prediction, for example, for user Y who created the received print job, the number of print jobs received by printer A up to that point is defined as JA, and the number of print jobs received by printer A and printed by printer B is defined as JB. Then, based on the value of JB / JA, the probability of printing on a child device can be calculated, and it can be predicted whether the child device will print. For example, if this probability is a certain value, for example, 70% or higher, it can be predicted that printing will be done on child printer B. In the example of FIG. 5, JB / JA is 100%.

[0054] A common place where multiple image processing devices are used is an office, where employees have fixed seats. Therefore, it is possible to predict with high accuracy which image processing device a particular employee will use to print from the print history.

[0055] In this way, if the CPU 101 of the parent machine predicts in S604 that printing will be performed on the child machine (image processing device 100a), the process proceeds to S605, where the CPU 101 of the parent machine transfers the received print job to the child machine. As a result, when user Y logs in to the child machine and issues a print instruction for the print job, the child machine can quickly execute the print job and perform printing.

[0056] As described above, according to the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus that receives a print job predicts which image forming apparatus will be used to print the received print job and transmits the print job to the predicted image forming apparatus in advance. This reduces the time from when a user issues a print instruction to an image forming apparatus that is a slave apparatus until the print job is executed, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0057] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the image processing device 100 as the parent device and the image processing device 100a as the child device are the same model. However, if the parent device is a high-end model and the child device is a standard model, the job data between the parent device and the child device will be incompatible. In this case, the job generation unit 307 of the terminal device 301 creates a print job for the child device, allowing the child device to print in the same way as the parent device. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example will be explained in which, when it is predicted that printing will be performed on a child device that is a standard model, if the print job is incompatible, the terminal device 301 creates a print job for the child device and transmits it to the child device in advance. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configurations and functions of the image forming device and terminal device according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the printing system according to embodiment 2. Note that, in Fig. 7, steps S701 to S704 are the same as steps S601 to S604 in Fig. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] If in S704 CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100, which is the parent apparatus, predicts that printing will be performed on a child apparatus, the process proceeds to S705. This prediction process is the same as S604 described above. In S705, CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100 compares the received print job with the functions of the predicted child apparatus to determine whether they are incompatible. If it is determined that they are not incompatible, the process proceeds to S706, where CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100 transfers the received print job to the predicted image processing apparatus 100a, the child apparatus, as in the first embodiment, and ends this process.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined that the received print job is incompatible with the predicted slave device, the process proceeds to S707, where the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 instructs the terminal apparatus 301 to create a print job for the predicted slave device and send the created print job to the predicted slave device. As a result, in S708, the CPU 210 of the terminal apparatus 301 creates a print job that meets the specifications of the slave image forming apparatus 100a, sends it to the slave device, and ends this process. As a result, the print job that meets the specifications of the image forming apparatus 100a is saved in the slave image forming apparatus 100a, so that printing can be executed immediately when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 100a and instructs printing.

[0061] As described above, according to the second embodiment, if it is determined that a print job is incompatible between a predicted slave device and a parent device, the terminal device is instructed to convert the print job into a format that can be printed by the predicted slave device. This causes the terminal device to create a print job for the slave device and send it to the slave device in advance. In this way, even if a print job is incompatible between a parent device and a slave device, the time from when a user issues a print instruction to an image forming device that is a slave device until the print job is executed can be shortened, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0062] <Embodiment 3> In the second embodiment described above, the terminal device 301 creates a print job for the image processing device 100a, which is a slave device, and transmits it to the slave device. However, as described in FIG. 13 , a typical image processing device, which is a slave device, is shipped with specifications that allow it to receive print jobs from the image forming device, which is a master device. Therefore, it is easier to ensure specification consistency by transmitting the print job for the slave device to the image processing device 100, which is a master device, rather than transmitting it from the terminal device 301 to the image processing device 100a, which is a slave device. Therefore, an example in which the print job for the slave device is transmitted to the master device when it is determined that the print jobs are incompatible between the predicted slave device and the master device will be described as the third embodiment. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configurations and functions of the image forming device and terminal device according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the printing system according to embodiment 3. In Fig. 14, steps S1401 to S1404 are the same as steps S601 to S604 in Fig. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] If in S1404 CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100, which is the parent apparatus, predicts that printing will be performed on a child apparatus, the process proceeds to S1405. This prediction process is the same as S604 described above. In S1405, CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the received print job is incompatible with the predicted child apparatus, as in S705. If the print job is not incompatible, the process proceeds to S1406, where CPU 101 of image forming apparatus 100 transfers the received print job to image processing apparatus 100a, which is the child apparatus, and ends this process.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined that they are incompatible, the process proceeds to S1407, and the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 instructs the terminal apparatus 301 to create a print job for the predicted child device and transmit the created print job to the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, in S1408, the CPU 210 of the terminal apparatus 301 creates a print job for the predicted child device and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 100, which is the parent device, and this process ends.

[0066] As described above, according to the third embodiment, if a print job is incompatible between the predicted slave device and the parent device, the terminal device transmits the predicted print job for the slave device to the parent device. As a result, the received print job is no longer determined to be incompatible in step S1405, and the slave device can print in the same way as the parent device. This has the effect of reducing delays in printing on the slave device while maintaining the consistency of the specifications of the slave device, even if the print job is incompatible between the parent device and the predicted slave device.

[0067] <Embodiment 4> In the first embodiment described above, the terminal device 301 sent a print job to the parent device. However, by not sending unnecessary data to the parent device, it is expected that the load on the parent device will be reduced. As shown in S1304 and S1305 in FIG. 13, the parent device can obtain job data from the terminal device, so the terminal device only needs to initially send job information 310 without sending job data 311 to the parent device. Therefore, an example in which job data 311 is not sent to the parent device will be described as the fourth embodiment. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configurations and functions of the image forming device and terminal device according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in the printing system according to the embodiment 4. In Fig. 8, S801 is the same as S601 in Fig. 6, and therefore the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0069] In S802, the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 determines whether communication with the image processing device 100, which is the parent device, is stable. Specifically, if the terminal device 301 is a desktop PC installed in an office, communication is stable in most cases, but communication may be unstable if the terminal device 301 is a laptop PC that is often carried outside the office. If communication is unstable, there is a high possibility that the image processing device 100 will not be able to access the job cache unit 308 and will not be able to obtain the print job, so the process proceeds to S803, where the print job is sent to the image processing device 100, which is the parent device, as in S602 in Figure 6, and this process ends.

[0070] If it is determined in S802 that communication with the image processing device 100 is stable, the process proceeds to S804, where the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 inquires of the parent device to determine whether the print job should be sent to the parent device or whether only job information 310 should be sent. At this time, the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 also inquires of the user name of the created print job. As a result, the parent device acquires history related to that user, as in S603, and in S806 the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 predicts whether the print job will be printed on a child device based on that history. The CPU 210 then notifies the terminal device 301 of the prediction result. If the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 predicts that the print job will be printed on a child device in S806, the process proceeds to S807, where it determines that the parent device is unlikely to need job data 311, and sends only job information 310 of the created print job to the parent device, thereby terminating this process. On the other hand, if the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 does not predict that printing will be performed on a slave device in S806, the process proceeds to S803. In S803, the CPU 210 determines that the job data 311 of the created print job is likely to be needed in the master device, and transmits the print job to the image processing device 100, which is the master device, and ends this process.

[0071] Suppose that in S806, even though it was predicted that the print job would be printed on a child device, the user instructs the parent device to print the print job. In this case, the parent device can obtain and print the print job from the terminal device 301 by performing the same processing as in S1304 and S1305 in Fig. 13. Therefore, even if this prediction is incorrect, there is little impact on printing.

[0072] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the load on the parent machine can be reduced by preventing unnecessary data from being sent to the parent machine. By reducing the load on the parent machine in this way, it is expected that the responsiveness of the parent machine will improve when printing is performed by a child machine.

[0073] <Embodiment 5> In the above-described fourth embodiment, when it is predicted that printing will be performed on a slave device, job information is sent to the master device, but the print job is not sent to the slave device. However, when it is predicted that printing will be performed on a slave device, sending the print job to the slave device allows printing on the slave device to be performed more quickly. An example of this will be described as the fifth embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the printing system according to embodiment 5. In Fig. 12, steps S1201 to S1204 are the same as steps S802 and S804 to S806 in Fig. 8, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0075] If in S1204 the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 (the parent apparatus) predicts that printing will be performed on a child apparatus, the process proceeds to S1207, where it instructs the terminal apparatus 301 to create a print job for the child apparatus. As a result, the CPU 210 of the terminal apparatus 301 creates a print job for the child apparatus. The process then proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 210 of the terminal apparatus 301 transmits the created print job for the child apparatus to the parent apparatus or child apparatus, and this process ends. However, in S1208 the CPU 210 may transmit only the job information 310 to the parent apparatus, and then transmit the print job for the child apparatus to the predicted child apparatus.

[0076] On the other hand, if communication is not stable in S1201, or if it is predicted in S1204 that printing will not be performed on the child device, the process proceeds to S1205. In S1205, the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 creates a print job for the parent device, and the process proceeds to S1206, where the created print job is sent to the parent device, and this process ends.

[0077] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when a terminal device predicts that a slave device will print, it transmits a print job for that slave device in advance to the slave device predicted to print, while reducing the amount of data sent to the parent device. This has the effect of reducing the load on the parent device while enabling the slave device to print more quickly.

[0078] Next, the processing performed by the terminal device 301 according to the first to fifth embodiments will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0079] 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the terminal device 301 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 210 of the terminal device 301 executing a program loaded in the RAM 212. Here, the processing is described as from creating a print job to transmitting the print job.

[0080] First, in S1501, the CPU 210 creates a print job in accordance with a user's instructions. This print job is created by an application and printer driver running on the terminal device 301. Next, in S1502, the CPU 210 transmits information about the created print job to the image forming device 100, which is the parent device among the multiple image forming devices shown in FIG. 3A. This information includes the name of the print job and information about the user who created it. Then, in S1503, the CPU 210 determines whether the print job will be printed by the image forming device 100, which is the parent device, based on a response from the image forming device 100 to that information. In the above-described embodiment, this determination is made based on whether the image forming device predicted to execute the print job is other than the image forming device 100. If in S1503 it is determined that the print job will be printed by the image forming device 100, which is the parent device, the CPU 210 proceeds to S1504, where the CPU 210 transmits the print job to the image forming device 100, and the process ends.

[0081] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1503 that printing will be performed on an image forming apparatus other than image forming apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S1505. In S1505, CPU 210 determines whether image forming apparatus 100 has instructed CPU 210 to create a print job for the image forming apparatus (slave apparatus) predicted to print the print job. This corresponds to, for example, the determinations in S705, S1204, and S1405 of the above-described embodiment being Yes. If an instruction to create a print job for the slave apparatus has been received in S1505, the process proceeds to S1506, where CPU 210 creates a print job tailored to the specifications of the image forming apparatus (slave apparatus) predicted to print the print job. Then, the process proceeds to S1507, where CPU 210 determines whether the destination of the print job tailored to the specifications of the predicted image forming apparatus is image forming apparatus 100, which is the master apparatus, or the predicted image forming apparatus (slave apparatus). If it is determined that the destination is a parent device, the process proceeds to S1508, where CPU 210 transmits the print job to image forming apparatus 100, and ends this process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination is a child device, the process proceeds to S1509, where CPU 210 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus (child device) that is predicted to print the print job, and ends this process. This process corresponds to S707, S708, S1207, S1208, S1407, and S1408.

[0082] If it is determined in S1505 that the instruction is not to create a print job for a child device, the process proceeds to S1510, where CPU 210 transmits only job information 310 of the print job to image forming apparatus 100, which is the parent device, and ends the process. This corresponds to the process of S807 in FIG. 8.

[0083] In this way, the terminal device 301 according to the embodiment can create and transmit a corresponding print job in accordance with the image forming device that is predicted to print the created print job.

[0084] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0085] This specification and drawings disclose the following printing system, image forming apparatus and its control method, and program.

[0086] <Item 1> (Embodiment 1) An image forming apparatus capable of forming images by sharing a print job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a storage unit for storing a print job received from the information processing device; a prediction unit for predicting a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses on which the received print job will be printed; a transmission means for transmitting the received print job to the first image forming device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0087] <Item 2> The image forming device described in item 1 is characterized in that the prediction means predicts the first image forming device based on information about the user who created the print job contained in the print job and a history of information about the image forming device used by the user for printing.

[0088] <Item 3> (Embodiment 2) a determination unit that determines whether the received print job is compatible between the image forming device and the first image forming device; The image forming apparatus described in item 1 or 2 is characterized in that it further comprises an instruction means for instructing the information processing device to create a print job that conforms to the specifications of the first image forming device when the determination means determines that there is no compatibility.

[0089] <Item 4> (Embodiments 2 and 3) The image forming device described in item 3, characterized in that the instruction by the instruction means includes an instruction as to whether to send a print job conforming to the specifications of the first image forming device to the first image forming device or to send it to the image forming device.

[0090] <Item 5> (Embodiment 4) 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of a prediction result by the prediction unit.

[0091] <Item 6> (Embodiment 5) An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses that can share a print job and form images, A creation means for creating a print job; an inquiry unit for inquiring of a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses about a predicted result of an image forming apparatus that will execute printing according to the print job; a transmitting means for transmitting job information, which does not include print data of the print job, to the first image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus predicted to execute the printing according to the prediction result is not the first image forming apparatus; An information processing device comprising:

[0092] <Item 7> Item 6. An information processing device according to item 6, further comprising means for transmitting printing data for the print job to the predicted image forming device if the image forming device predicted to perform the printing is not the first image forming device.

[0093] <Item 8> 8. The information processing device according to item 6 or 7, characterized in that when a notification is received from the first image forming device that the print job is not compatible between the first image forming device and the predicted image forming device, the creation means creates a print job that conforms to the specifications of the predicted image forming device.

[0094] <Item 9> Item 9. An information processing device according to item 8, further comprising a means for transmitting a print job conforming to the specifications of the predicted image forming device to the first image forming device or the predicted image forming device in response to an instruction from the first image forming device.

[0095] <Item 10> A printing system including an information processing device that creates a print job and instructs printing, and a plurality of image forming devices that can share the print job and form images, The information processing device includes: a creation means for creating a print job; a transmission means for transmitting the print job, a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses; a storage unit for storing the print job received from the information processing device; a prediction unit for predicting a second image forming apparatus on which the received print job will be printed; a transmitting means for transmitting the received print job to the second image forming apparatus; A printing system comprising:

[0096] <Item 11> The first image forming apparatus further comprises: a determining unit for determining whether the received print job is compatible between the first image forming device and the second image forming device; and an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that there is no compatibility, instructs the information processing device to create a print job that conforms to the specifications of the second image forming device, Item 11. The printing system according to item 10, wherein the creation unit creates a print job that matches the specifications of the second image forming device in response to the instruction.

[0097] <Item 12> The printing system described in item 11, characterized in that the sending means sends a print job that is tailored to the specifications of the second image forming device to the first image forming device or the second image forming device in accordance with the instructions.

[0098] <Item 13> The first image forming apparatus further comprises: a notification means for notifying the information processing device of a prediction result by the prediction means, The information processing device includes: Item 11. A printing system according to item 11, characterized in that it has a means for sending job information that does not include printing data for the print job to the first image forming device when the second image forming device and the first image forming device are different from each other.

[0099] <Item 14> The information processing device includes: Item 14. The printing system described in item 13, further comprising a means for transmitting printing data for the print job to the second image forming device when the model of the second image forming device and the model of the first image forming device are different from each other.

[0100] <Item 15> Item 12. The printing system described in item 11, characterized in that when a notification is received from the first image forming device that the print job is not compatible between the first image forming device and the second image forming device, the creation means creates a print job that conforms to the specifications of the second image forming device.

[0101] <Item 16> 10. A printing system comprising: an image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and an information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

[0102] <Item 17> A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by sharing a print job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, comprising: a storing step in which a storing unit of the image forming apparatus stores a print job received from an information processing apparatus; a prediction step in which a prediction unit of the image forming apparatus predicts a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses on which the received print job will be printed; a transmitting step in which a transmitting unit of the image forming device transmits the received print job to the first image forming device; A control method comprising:

[0103] <Item 18> A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5.

[0104] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100, 100a, 100b...image forming apparatus, 301...terminal apparatus, 309...print job, 310...job information, 311...job data, 101...CPU (image forming apparatus), 210...CPU (terminal apparatus)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of forming images by sharing a print job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a storage unit for storing a print job received from the information processing device; a prediction unit for predicting a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses on which the received print job will be printed; a transmitting unit for transmitting the received print job to the first image forming device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the prediction unit predicts the first image forming device based on information contained in the print job about the user who created the print job and a history of information about the image forming device used by the user for printing.

3. a determining unit for determining whether the received print job is compatible between the image forming device and the first image forming device; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that there is no compatibility, instructs the information processing device to create a print job that conforms to the specifications of the first image forming apparatus.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the instruction by the instruction means includes an instruction as to whether to send a print job conforming to the specifications of the first image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus or to send it to the image forming apparatus.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of the result of the prediction by the prediction unit.

6. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses that can share a print job and form images, A creation means for creating a print job; an inquiry unit for inquiring of a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses about a predicted result of an image forming apparatus that will execute printing according to the print job; a transmitting unit configured to transmit job information, which does not include print data of the print job, to the first image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus predicted to execute the printing according to the prediction result is not the first image forming apparatus; An information processing device comprising:

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: means for transmitting print data of the print job to the predicted image forming apparatus when the predicted image forming apparatus to perform the printing is not the first image forming apparatus.

8. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when a notification is received from the first image forming apparatus that the print job is not compatible between the first image forming apparatus and the predicted image forming apparatus, the creation unit creates a print job that conforms to the specifications of the predicted image forming apparatus.

9. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for transmitting a print job conforming to the specifications of the predicted image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus or the predicted image forming apparatus in response to an instruction from the first image forming apparatus.

10. A printing system including an information processing device that creates a print job and instructs printing, and a plurality of image forming devices that can share the print job and form images, The information processing device includes: a creation means for creating a print job; a transmission means for transmitting the print job, a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses; a storage unit for storing the print job received from the information processing device; a prediction unit for predicting a second image forming apparatus on which the received print job will be printed; a transmitting unit for transmitting the received print job to the second image forming apparatus; A printing system comprising:

11. The first image forming apparatus further comprises: a determining unit for determining whether the received print job is compatible between the first image forming device and the second image forming device; and an instruction unit that, when the determination unit determines that the compatibility is not established, instructs the information processing device to create a print job that conforms to the specifications of the second image forming device, 11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the creating unit creates a print job that meets the specifications of the second image forming device in response to the instruction.

12. 12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the transmission unit transmits a print job conforming to the specifications of the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus in accordance with the instruction.

13. The first image forming apparatus further comprises: a notification means for notifying the information processing device of a prediction result by the prediction means, The information processing device includes:

12. The printing system according to claim 11, further comprising a means for transmitting job information not including printing data of the print job to the first image forming device when the second image forming device and the first image forming device are different from each other.

14. The information processing device includes:

14. The printing system according to claim 13, further comprising: means for transmitting print data of the print job to the second image forming device when the model of the second image forming device and the model of the first image forming device are different from each other.

15. 12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein when a notification is received from the first image forming device that the print job is not compatible between the first image forming device and the second image forming device, the creation unit creates a print job that conforms to the specifications of the second image forming device.

16. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by sharing a print job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, comprising: a storing step in which a storing unit of the image forming apparatus stores a print job received from an information processing apparatus; a prediction step in which a prediction unit of the image forming apparatus predicts a first image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses on which the received print job will be printed; a transmitting step in which a transmitting unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the received print job to the first image forming apparatus; A control method comprising:

17. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 16.

Images