Image formation control method and image formation control device

Abstract

An image formation control method and an image formation control device are provided that cause a plurality of image forming devices to execute print processing based on one piece of print image data with as few errors as possible. [Solution] The processor of the image forming control device performs the following: acquires individual status data including information on individual print conditions from each of the multiple image forming devices; determines whether each of the multiple image forming devices is a first image forming device that allows printing under specified print conditions or a second image forming device that does not; sets alternative print conditions that are permitted in the second image forming device based on the individual status data; sends an execution request for the printing process based on the original job data to the first image forming device; and sends an execution request for the printing process based on alternative job data including the print image data and the alternative print conditions to the second image forming device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image formation control method and an image formation control device that causes a plurality of image forming apparatuses to execute print processing. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that an image forming apparatus executes a print job obtained from a host computer, duplicates the print job, and transfers the duplicated print job to another image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-328316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where it is necessary to have multiple image forming devices simultaneously execute print processing based on one print image data. However, some or all of the multiple image forming devices may not be able to execute the print processing based on the job data under the same print conditions. In this case, an error may occur in some or all of the multiple image forming devices.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming control method and an image forming control device that enable multiple image forming apparatuses to perform printing based on a single print image data in a manner that minimizes errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image formation control method includes a processor acquiring, from each of a plurality of image forming devices via a communications network, individual status data including information on individual print conditions that are conditions for print processing that can be performed by each of the plurality of image forming devices. The image formation control method further includes the processor acquiring print image data to be printed by the plurality of image forming devices and original job data including information on specified print conditions that represent the conditions for the print processing. The image formation control method further includes the processor determining whether each of the plurality of image forming devices is a first image forming device corresponding to the individual status data that allows the print processing under the specified print conditions, or a second image forming device corresponding to the individual status data that does not allow the print processing under the specified print conditions. The image formation control method further includes, when the plurality of image forming devices includes one or more second image forming devices, the processor setting alternative print conditions that are allowable for the second image forming device based on the individual status data. The image formation control method further includes, when the multiple image forming devices include one or more of the first image forming devices, transmitting a request for execution of the print processing based on the original job data to the first image forming device via the communication network.The image formation control method further includes, when the multiple image forming devices include one or more of the second image forming devices, transmitting a request for execution of the print processing based on alternative job data including the print image data and the alternative print conditions to the second image forming device via the communication network.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming control apparatus including a communication device and the processor, the communication device controlling communication with each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication network, and the processor executing communication with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses via the communication device to realize the image forming control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming control method and an image forming control device that enable multiple image forming apparatuses to perform printing based on a single print image data in a manner that minimizes errors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 10 including an image forming control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a simultaneous print control procedure in the image forming control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a confirmation process in the image forming control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of the image forming system 10] The image forming control device 1 according to the embodiment constitutes a part of an image forming system 10.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming control device 1 and a plurality of image forming devices 8. The image forming control device 1 can communicate with each of the plurality of image forming devices 8 via a communication network 80. The image forming control device 1 is a computer such as a network server.

[0013] Each image forming device 8 is capable of executing a print process to form an image on a sheet. For example, each image forming device 8 is a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, etc. The communication network 80 includes one or both of the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0014] The image forming control device 1 can communicate with a host device 8x through a communication network 80 or other communication lines. The host device 8x is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming control device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage 13, a communication device 14, and the like.

[0016] The CPU 11 is a processor that executes computer programs to perform various calculations and data processing in the image forming control device 1. The CPU 11 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs.

[0017] The plurality of processing modules in the CPU 11 include a print control unit 1a. The print control unit 1a causes each of the plurality of image forming devices 8 to execute the print process in response to a request from the host device 8x.

[0018] The RAM 12 is a computer-readable volatile storage device that temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 11 and data that is output and referenced by the CPU 11 during the execution of the computer programs.

[0019] The storage 13 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The storage 13 stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data referenced by the CPU 11. For example, one or both of an SSD and a hard disk drive may be employed as the storage 13.

[0020] The communication device 14 is a communication interface device that controls communication between the image forming control device 1, each of the image forming apparatuses 8, and the host device 8x via the communication network 80. The CPU 11 performs all data transmission and reception between each of the image forming apparatuses 8 and the host device 8x through the communication device 14.

[0021] Incidentally, there are cases where it is necessary to have a plurality of image forming devices 8 simultaneously execute the print process based on one print image data. However, there are cases where some or all of the plurality of image forming devices 8 cannot execute the print process based on the job data under the same print conditions. In such cases, an error occurs in some or all of the plurality of image forming devices 8.

[0022] The image forming control device 1 performs a simultaneous print control, which will be described later (see Figure 3). The simultaneous print control includes a process to cause multiple image forming devices 8 to perform the print process based on a single job data in a manner that minimizes errors.

[0023] The simultaneous print control is an example of a process for realizing an image formation control method that causes each image forming device 8 to execute the print process. The simultaneous print control is executed by the print control unit 1a. The CPU 11 including the print control unit 1a is an example of a processor that realizes the image formation control method.

[0024] [Simultaneous Print Control] An example of the simultaneous print control procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0025] The print control unit 1a executes the simultaneous print control when a request for execution of simultaneous print processing is received from the host device 8x. The simultaneous print processing is the execution of the print processing based on one image data by multiple image forming devices 8.

[0026] In the following description, S101, S102, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the simultaneous print control. In the simultaneous print control, the process of step S101 is executed first.

[0027] <Process S101> In step S101, the print control unit 1a acquires the device designation data DA1 and the original job data D1 from the host device 8x. The original job data D1 includes the print image data D11 and the designation condition data D12.

[0028] The device designation data DA1 is data that specifies a plurality of designated devices that are some or all of the plurality of image forming devices 8. The plurality of designated devices are devices that execute the simultaneous print process.

[0029] The print image data D11 is image data to be subjected to the simultaneous print processing by the plurality of designated devices. The designated condition data D12 represents designated print conditions, which are conditions for the simultaneous print processing by the plurality of designated devices.

[0030] The specified print conditions include a sheet size condition that indicates the size of a sheet on which an image is to be formed and a color condition that indicates the color of the image to be formed on the sheet.

[0031] The print control unit 1a executes the process of step S101 and then executes the process of step S102.

[0032] <Process S102> In step S102, the print control unit 1a selects a target device to be subjected to the processes in steps S103 to S108 from among the plurality of designated devices indicated by the device designation data DA1.

[0033] After executing the process of step S102, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S103.

[0034] <Process S103> In step S103, the print control unit 1a acquires the individual situation data D2 from the target device.

[0035] Individual status data D2 includes information on individual print conditions, which are the conditions for the print process that the target device can perform. The individual print conditions include the sheet size conditions and the color conditions, similar to the specified print conditions.

[0036] For example, in process S103, the print control unit 1a requests individual status data D2 from the target device and receives the individual status data D2 as a response from the target device.

[0037] Alternatively, each image forming device 8 may transmit individual situation data D2 to the image formation control device 1 whenever a change in situation occurs, and the print control unit 1a may receive the individual situation data D2 and record the individual situation data D2 in the storage 13. In this case, in step S103, the print control unit 1a obtains the individual situation data D2 of the target device from the storage 13.

[0038] After executing the process of step S103, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S104.

[0039] <Process S104> In step S104, the print control unit 1a determines whether the target device is the first device or the second device based on the individual status data D2 obtained in step S103.

[0040] The first device is a first image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices 8 that corresponds to individual situation data D2 that allows the print processing under the specified print conditions. The second device is a second image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices 8 that corresponds to individual situation data D2 that does not allow the print processing under the specified print conditions.

[0041] The print control unit 1a executes the process of step S105 when it determines that the target device is the first device, whereas the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S106 when it determines that the target device is the second device.

[0042] <Process S105> In step S105, the print control unit 1a transmits the original job data D1 to the target device, thereby requesting the target device to execute the print process based on the original job data D1.

[0043] After executing the process of step S105, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S108.

[0044] <Process S106> In step S106, the print control unit 1a sets alternative print conditions that are acceptable for the target device based on the individual situation data D2. The alternative print conditions are conditions that can be used instead of the designated print conditions.

[0045] For example, there may be cases where the sheet size condition of the designated print condition is not permitted in the sheet size condition of the individual print condition, in which case the print control unit 1a includes, in the alternative print condition, the sheet size condition that represents the size closest to the size represented by the designated print condition among the sheet sizes permitted in the individual print condition.

[0046] Furthermore, the print control unit 1a includes in the alternative print conditions a condition of a reduction ratio or enlargement ratio of an output image according to the difference in the sheet size condition between the designated print conditions and the individual print conditions.

[0047] Furthermore, if the color condition of the specified print condition is a color print and the color condition of the individual print condition is a monochrome print, the print control unit 1a includes the color condition representing the monochrome print in the alternative print condition.

[0048] After executing the process of step S106, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S107.

[0049] <Process S107> In step S107, the print control unit 1a requests the target device to execute the print process based on the alternative job data D1x by sending the alternative job data D1x to the target device. The alternative job data D1x includes the alternative print conditions and the print image data D11.

[0050] After executing the process of step S107, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S108.

[0051] <Process S108> In step S108, the print control unit 1a selects the following process depending on whether the processing in step S105 or step S107 has been completed for all of the multiple designated devices.

[0052] If the print control unit 1a has not performed process S105 or process S107 for any of the multiple designated devices, it repeats the process from process S102 onwards. As a result, the process from process S102 onwards is executed for the target device which is sequentially selected from the multiple designated devices.

[0053] On the other hand, when the process of step S105 or step S107 for all of the plurality of specified devices is completed, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S109.

[0054] <Process S108> In step S108, the print control unit 1a executes a confirmation process for confirming the results of the print process in the plurality of designated devices (see FIG. 4). The confirmation process will be described later.

[0055] After executing the process of step S108, the print control unit 1a ends the simultaneous print control.

[0056] [Confirmation process] Next, an example of the procedure of the confirmation process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0057] In the following description, S201, S202, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the confirmation process. In the confirmation process, the process of step S201 is executed first.

[0058] <Process S201> In step S201, the print control unit 1a selects a target device to be subjected to the processes in steps S202 to S207 from among the plurality of designated devices indicated by the device designation data DA1.

[0059] The print control unit 1a executes the process of step S201 and then executes the process of step S202.

[0060] <Process S202> In step S202, the print control unit 1a acquires the individual result data D3 from the target device.

[0061] The individual result data D3 indicates whether the execution result of the print process by the target device corresponding to the execution request of the print process in step S105 or step S107 is normal or abnormal.

[0062] For example, in step S202, the print control unit 1a requests the target device for the individual result data D3, and receives the individual result data D3 as a response from the target device.

[0063] Alternatively, when each image forming device 8 executes the print process requested in step S105 or step S107, it may transmit the individual result data D3 to the image forming control device 1, and the print control unit 1a may receive the individual result data D3 and record the individual result data D3 in the storage 13. In this case, in step S202, the print control unit 1a obtains the individual result data D3 of the target device from the storage 13.

[0064] After executing the process of step S202, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S203.

[0065] <Process S203> In step S203, the print control unit 1a selects the next process depending on whether the individual result data D3 obtained in step S202 indicates the normal end or the abnormal end.

[0066] The print control unit 1a executes the process of step S204 when the individual result data D3 indicates the abnormal end. On the other hand, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S207 when the individual result data D3 indicates the normal end.

[0067] <Process S204> In step S204, the print control unit 1a selects the next process depending on whether or not a predetermined re-request condition is met.

[0068] The re-request condition includes a transmission count condition that the number of times the original job data D1 or the alternative job data D1x is transmitted to the target device is less than a preset upper limit number of times.

[0069] Furthermore, when the individual result data D3 includes information indicating the type of abnormal termination, the re-request condition may include an abnormality type condition that the type of abnormal termination is a specific type.

[0070] The print control unit 1a executes the process of step S205 when the re-request condition is met, and executes the process of step S206 when the re-request condition is not met.

[0071] <Process S205> In step S205, the print control unit 1a executes a re-request process to resend the original job data D1 or the alternative job data D1x to the target device. As in step S105 or step S107, the transmission of the original job data D1 or the alternative job data D1x is a request for the print process based on the original job data D1 or the alternative job data D1x.

[0072] In step S104, if the target device is determined to be the first device, the print control unit 1a resends the original job data D1 to the target device. On the other hand, in step S104, if the target device is determined to be the second device, the print control unit 1a resends the substitute job data D1x to the target device.

[0073] After executing the process of step S205, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S207.

[0074] <Process S206> In step S206, the print control unit 1a sends an error notification to the host device 8x that has requested the simultaneous printing process.

[0075] After executing the process of step S206, the print control unit 1a executes the process of step S207.

[0076] <Process S207> In step S207, the print control unit 1a selects the next process depending on whether a predetermined termination condition is met or not.

[0077] The termination condition is that either the acquisition of the individual result data D3 indicating the normal termination or the error notification in step S206 has been executed for all of the plurality of specified devices.

[0078] If the termination condition is not met, the print control unit 1a repeats the processes from step S201 onwards, thereby executing the processes from step S201 onwards for the target devices selected in sequence from the plurality of specified devices.

[0079] If the termination condition is met, the print control unit 1a terminates the confirmation process.

[0080] As described above, the print control unit 1a acquires the individual situation data D2 including information on the individual print conditions from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 8 via the communication network 80 (see step S103).

[0081] Furthermore, the print control unit 1a determines whether each of the multiple image forming devices 8 is the first device that allows the print processing under the specified print conditions or the second device that does not allow the print processing based on the specified print conditions (see step S104).

[0082] When the plurality of image forming apparatuses 8 includes one or more second apparatuses, the print control unit 1a sets the alternative print conditions allowed in the second apparatuses based on the individual situation data D2 (see step S106).

[0083] When the multiple image forming apparatuses 8 include one or more first apparatuses, the print control unit 1a transmits a request to execute the print process based on the original job data D1 to the first apparatuses via the communication network 80 (see step S105).

[0084] When the multiple image forming apparatuses 8 include one or more second apparatuses, the print control unit 1a transmits a request to execute the print process based on the substitute job data D1x to the second apparatuses via the communication network 80 (see step S107).

[0085] By employing the image forming control device 1, it is possible to have multiple image forming devices 8 perform the printing process based on a single print image data D11 in a manner that minimizes errors.

[0086] Furthermore, the print control unit 1a acquires individual result data D3 from each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 8 via the communication network 80, indicating whether the execution result corresponding to the print processing execution request is a normal completion or an abnormal completion (see step S202).

[0087] Furthermore, when the print control unit 1a obtains the individual result data D3 indicating the abnormal termination, it sends the error notification to the destination corresponding to the original job data D1 via the communication network 80 or other communication medium (see step S206).

[0088] Furthermore, the print control unit 1a resends the print execution request to the image forming apparatus 8 corresponding to the individual result data D3 representing the abnormal termination (see step S205).

[0089] The execution of process S205 increases the probability that the print process will be completed successfully in all of the specified devices.

[0090] [Variations] Next, a modified example of the simultaneous print control described above will be explained.

[0091] In this modified example, the individual status data D2 includes printability data indicating whether each of the plurality of designated devices is in a printable state where it can perform the print process or in a printable state where it cannot perform the print process.

[0092] For example, the aforementioned inability to print may be due to insufficient ink or toner or other developer, insufficient paper sheets, or a jam in the paper sheets.

[0093] In the following description, among the multiple designated devices, the device corresponding to the printability data representing the print-unavailable state will be referred to as the "print-unavailable device."

[0094] In step S105 or step S107 of this modified example, the print control unit 1a waits until it obtains the printability data representing the printable state and then sends a request to execute the print process to the non-printable device.

[0095] [Notes on the Invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0096] <Appendix 1> The processor acquires individual status data from each of the multiple image forming apparatuses via a communication network, which includes information on individual print conditions, which are the conditions for print processing that each of the multiple image forming apparatuses can execute. The processor acquires original job data including print image data that is the target of the print processing by the plurality of image forming apparatuses and information on specified print conditions that represent the conditions of the print processing, the processor determines whether each of the plurality of image forming devices is a first image forming device corresponding to the individual situation data that allows the print processing under the specified print conditions, or a second image forming device corresponding to the individual situation data that does not allow the print processing based on the specified print conditions; When the plurality of image forming apparatuses include one or more second image forming apparatuses, the processor sets alternative print conditions that are permissible in the second image forming apparatus based on the individual status data. When the plurality of image forming apparatuses include one or more of the first image forming apparatuses, the processor transmits a request to execute the print process based on the original job data to the first image forming apparatus via the communication network. When the plurality of image forming devices includes one or more of the second image forming devices, the processor transmits a request to execute the print processing based on alternative job data including the print image data and the alternative print conditions to the second image forming device via the communication network.

[0097] <Appendix 2> the designated print conditions and the individual print conditions include a sheet size condition that indicates the size of a sheet on which an image is to be formed and a color condition that indicates the color of the image to be formed on the sheet, The image forming control method described in Appendix 1, wherein when the individual print conditions do not include the sheet size conditions in the specified print conditions, the processor includes in the alternative print conditions the sheet size conditions in the individual print conditions and a condition for the reduction ratio or enlargement ratio of the output image that corresponds to the difference between the specified print conditions and the sheet size conditions in the individual print conditions.

[0098] <Appendix 3> the processor acquires, via the communication network, from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, individual result data indicating whether the execution result corresponding to the execution request for the print processing has been completed normally or abnormally; The image forming control method described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 includes, when the individual result data indicating the abnormal termination is obtained, the processor sending an error notification to a destination corresponding to the original job data via the communication network or other communication medium.

[0099] <Appendix 4> the processor acquires, via the communication network, from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, individual result data indicating whether the execution result corresponding to the execution request for the print processing has been completed normally or abnormally; The image forming control method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the processor resends the print processing execution request to the device among the plurality of image forming devices corresponding to the individual result data representing the abnormal termination.

[0100] <Appendix 5> The individual status data includes printability data indicating whether each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is in a printable state where it can perform the print process or in a printable state where it cannot perform the print process. The image formation control method described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the processor waits until the printability data indicating the printable state is obtained to one of the plurality of image forming devices corresponding to the printability data indicating the printable state, and then sends a request to execute the print process to that device.

[0101] <Appendix 6> a communication device that controls communication with each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication network; An image forming control device comprising: a processor that performs communication with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses through the communication device and realizes the image forming control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Image formation control device 8: Image forming device 8x: Host device 10: Image forming system 80: Communication Network D1: Original job data D11: Print image data D12: Specified condition data D1x: Alternative job data D2: Individual situation data D3: Individual result data DA1: Device specification data

Claims

1. a processor acquiring individual status data including information on individual print conditions, which are conditions for print processing that can be executed by each of the plurality of image forming devices, from each of the plurality of image forming devices via a communication network; the processor acquires original job data including print image data to be subjected to the print processing by the plurality of image forming apparatuses and information on designated print conditions that represent conditions for the print processing; the processor determines whether each of the plurality of image forming devices is a first image forming device corresponding to the individual situation data that allows the print processing under the specified print conditions, or a second image forming device corresponding to the individual situation data that does not allow the print processing based on the specified print conditions; When the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes one or more of the second image forming apparatuses, the processor sets alternative print conditions that are acceptable for the second image forming apparatuses based on the individual situation data; When the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes one or more of the first image forming apparatuses, the processor transmits a request to execute the print processing based on the original job data to the first image forming apparatus via the communication network; When the plurality of image forming devices includes one or more of the second image forming devices, the processor transmits a request to execute the print processing based on alternative job data including the print image data and the alternative print conditions to the second image forming device via the communication network.

2. the designated print conditions and the individual print conditions include a sheet size condition that indicates the size of a sheet on which an image is to be formed and a color condition that indicates the color of the image to be formed on the sheet, 2. The image forming control method of claim 1, wherein when the individual print conditions do not include the sheet size conditions in the specified print conditions, the processor includes in the alternative print conditions the sheet size conditions in the individual print conditions and a condition for a reduction ratio or enlargement ratio of the output image that corresponds to the difference between the specified print conditions and the sheet size conditions in the individual print conditions.

3. the processor acquires, via the communication network, from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, individual result data indicating whether the execution result corresponding to the execution request for the print processing has been completed normally or abnormally; The image forming control method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: when the individual result data indicating the abnormal termination is obtained, the processor sending an error notification to a destination corresponding to the original job data via the communication network or other communication medium.

4. the processor acquires, via the communication network, from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, individual result data indicating whether the execution result corresponding to the execution request for the print processing has been completed normally or abnormally; The image formation control method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the processor resending a request to execute the print process to one of the plurality of image forming devices corresponding to the individual result data indicating the abnormal termination.

5. the individual status data includes printability data indicating whether each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is in a printable state where the print process can be executed or in a non-printable state where the print process cannot be executed, 3. The image formation control method according to claim 1, wherein the processor waits until the printability data indicating the printable state is obtained to one of the plurality of image forming devices corresponding to the printability data indicating the printable state, and then transmits a request to execute the print process to that device.

6. a communication device that controls communication with each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication network; 3. An image forming control device comprising: a processor that executes communication with each of the plurality of image forming devices through the communication device and realizes the image forming control method according to claim 1.

Images