Image forming apparatus, parallel printing management method, parallel printing management program

Abstract

We provide technology that enables print jobs to be completed more promptly. [Solution] An image forming apparatus configured to manage parallel printing of print jobs includes: an acquisition unit that acquires requests to print a print job; a determination unit that determines the network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to a network; a generation unit that generates a work plan for distributing a print job to multiple image forming apparatuses based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job; and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses; a division unit that divides the print job into multiple partial print jobs according to the work plan; and a transmission unit that transmits one of the multiple partial print jobs to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses.

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The embodiments described in this specification relate to an image forming apparatus, a parallel printing management method for the image forming apparatus, and a parallel printing management program.

Background Art

[0002] In various computing environments, image forming apparatuses are used to execute print jobs. For example, in a workplace, employees of an organization often use a multi-functional printer (MFP). An MFP is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions such as scanning, copying, and faxing in addition to a print job. A print job includes print contents such as a text document or an image, and various print settings such as color printing or black-and-white printing, double-sided printing or single-sided printing. Some of the print jobs take a long time (for example, several minutes) to print on an individual MFP. For example, this can occur in a print job with a large number of printed pages. A method for more timely completion of such print jobs is desired.

[0003] Also, as a technology related to an MFP, in an image output system configured by connecting a first output device, a second output device, and a controller that controls the image output of each of these output devices, when the received print job includes a mixture of monochrome pages and color pages, the controller distributes the monochrome pages to the first output device and the color pages to the second output device and controls the image output by a first control means, and when the image output of the color pages from the second output device is completed, the second output device is switched to a monochrome image output mode, and a second control means for distributing the unprinted monochrome pages between the second output device and the first output device and controlling the image output is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a technology that enables the completion of print jobs in a more timely manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one or more embodiments, an image forming apparatus is provided that is connected to a network and configured to manage parallel printing of print jobs. The image forming apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires requests to print a print job; a determination unit that determines the network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to the network; a generation unit that generates a work plan for distributing a print job to a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job; and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; a division unit that divides the print job into a plurality of partial print jobs, each to be printed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, according to the work plan; and a transmission unit that transmits one of the plurality of partial print jobs to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses for printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of the cloud environment and user environment in which each embodiment can be implemented. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows examples of inputs and outputs of an artificial neural network that can be used to generate a work plan for parallel printing, according to some embodiments. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of a method that can be performed by an MFP to determine whether or not to perform parallel printing, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of a method that can be performed by an MFP to generate and manage a work plan for parallel printing, according to several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a cloud computing environment 100 and a user computing environment 102 on which each embodiment can be implemented. For example, the user environment 102 may be a workplace of a specific organization. The cloud environment 100 may be, for example, a “public cloud.” A “public cloud” includes a public data center that prepares software for both the organization of the user environment 102 and other organizations. In the example of Figure 1, the MFP 120 accesses print jobs requested by a user device 160 in the user environment 102, which are stored remotely in the cloud environment 100. However, embodiments are not limited to such examples. For example, the MFP 120 may simply receive documents directly from the user device 160. Furthermore, although each embodiment is described with reference to the MFP, it should be understood that each embodiment is applicable to other image forming apparatuses as well.

[0010] In the example in Figure 1, the cloud environment 100 includes a print job management device 110. The print job management device 110 is, for example, one or more server computers. The print job management device 110 includes requested print jobs and user metadata. Requested print jobs are print jobs requested by user devices, such as user device 160 in the user environment 102. Each requested print job includes the print content, such as text documents or images, and various print settings, such as color or black and white printing, and double-sided or single-sided printing. Each part of the user metadata describes the user who requested one of the corresponding requested print jobs. For example, each part of the user metadata may include a user identifier or email address associated with the user of the MFP 120 who requested the corresponding print job.

[0011] The user environment 102 includes an MFP 120 and user equipment 160. The MFP 120 is an image forming apparatus capable of performing multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Each MFP 120 is built on hardware 140. The hardware 140 includes one or more central processing units (CPUs) 142, memory 144 such as random access memory (RAM), storage devices 146 such as one or more magnetic drives or solid-state drives (SSDs), one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 148, and MFP components such as a touchscreen 150. The CPU 142 is configured to execute instructions, such as executable instructions that perform one or more operations described herein. Instructions may be stored in memory 144.

[0012] Each MFP120 may have multiple NICs 148, which enable the MFP120 to communicate with the print job management device 110, for example, via a wide area network (WAN) (not shown), and also enable the MFP120 to communicate with other devices in the user environment 102, for example, via a local area network (LAN) 104. Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment in which a user device 160 directly sends print jobs to the MFP120, the NIC 148 enables the MFP120 to communicate with the user device 160, for example, via the LAN 104. The touchscreen 150 displays information to the user of the MFP120, for example, using a liquid crystal display (LCD). The touchscreen 150 also includes touch sensors (not shown), such as capacitive touch sensors, for detecting user input by touching the touchscreen 150.

[0013] Hardware 140 supports software 130, which includes an embedded application 132 (a parallel print management program). The embedded application 132 is a dedicated software program designed to perform specific tasks for managing parallel printing. In this specification, "parallel printing" means distributing a single requested print job across multiple MFPs so that multiple MFPs print different parts of the same requested print job, rather than a single MFP printing the entire print job. An instance of the embedded application 132 runs on each MFP 120.

[0014] In each MFP 120, the tasks of the embedded application 132 include, for example, downloading the requested print job from the print job management device 110, determining when to use parallel printing, and generating a work plan for parallel printing. The work plan specifies multiple partial print jobs that divide the entire requested print job. For example, the first partial print job may include the first half of the entire print job, and the second partial print job may include the second half of the entire print job. Such a work plan also specifies the assignment of each MFP 120 to print each partial print job.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the embedded application 132 includes an artificial neural network (ANN134). ANN134 is a machine learning model consisting of interconnection layers of nodes (called "neurons"). A "neuron" is the basic unit or component of an ANN. The neurons of an ANN work together to process input data, transform it through computational layers, and produce an output. ANN134 can be trained, for example, to determine whether to use parallel printing and, if so, to generate a work plan for it.

[0016] The user device 160 is a computer such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, or smartphone. For example, the user device 160 is used by a user of the MFP 120 to upload a print job to the print job management device 110, for example via a WAN, and have one of the MFPs 120 print it. After uploading the print job, the user can approach one of the MFPs 120 and instruct it to download the print job from the print job management device 110 and print it. The user may also instruct such download and print by touching the touchscreen 150 and interacting with its user interface (UI).

[0017] The user device 160 may include an embedded application driver 162. The embedded application driver 162 enables communication between the user device 160 and the print job management device 110. As described above, according to some embodiments, the user device 160 may directly send print jobs to the MFP 120. According to such embodiments, the user device 160 does not need to include the embedded application driver 162. Furthermore, according to such embodiments, the software 130 may receive print jobs without downloading them from the print job management device 110 and then perform the functions described herein in relation to the embedded application 132.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the input and output of an ANN134, one of the MFP120s, according to several embodiments. In the example in Figure 2, the ANN134 has an input neuron (not shown). The input neuron receives information from two groups, namely print job information 200 and MFP information 210, as input. In this specification, “print job information” refers to information about a requested print job, and “MFP information” refers to information about an MFP available when executing a partial print job. Non-numeric values ​​in the print job information 200 and MFP information 210 may be converted to numbers before being input to the ANN134. In the example in Figure 2, the ANN134 also has an output neuron (not shown). The output neuron outputs parallel print information 220.

[0019] The print job information 200 includes, for example, the number of pages 202 of the requested print job, the storage size 204 of the print job, and the speed requirement 206 of the print job. The number of pages 202 is a value that expresses the size of the print job in terms of the total number of pages. The storage size 204 is a value that represents the storage capacity required to store the print job, and is expressed, for example, in megabytes. The speed requirement 206 is a value that represents how quickly the print job needs to be printed, and is expressed, for example, in minutes or by priority (high priority, medium priority, low priority, etc.).

[0020] The MFP information 210 includes, for example, a load 212, a printing speed 214, a specific function 216, and a failure rate 218. Each of the load 212, each of the printing speed 214, each of the specific function 216, and each of the failure rate 218 corresponds to one of the MFPs 120. Each of the load 212 is a value representing the busy degree of the corresponding MFP, and is represented, for example, from the viewpoint of how many pages of documents or how many images have been added to the queue for printing by the MFP. Each of the printing speed 214 is a value representing the printable speed by the corresponding MFP, and is represented, for example, by the number of pages per minute. Each of the specific function 216 is a value indicating whether the corresponding MFP has a predetermined function such as color printing, double-sided printing, or page stapling function. Each of the failure rate 218 is a value representing the reliability of the corresponding MFP model when executing a printing job, and may be represented, for example, as a known past failure rate, and may be represented, for example, as a percentage.

[0021] The parallel printing information 220 includes, for example, a parallel printing decision 222 and a partial allocation 224. The parallel printing decision 222 is a value indicating whether to use parallel printing for a certain requested printing job, that is, whether to divide the printing job into a plurality of partial printing jobs. For example, the parallel printing decision 222 may be a binary value. The partial allocation 224 is a value indicating how to generate a work plan (indicating a specific work plan) for executing parallel printing (when it is determined to use parallel printing). Each of the partial allocation 224 may correspond to one of the MFPs 120. For example, each of the partial allocation 224 may represent the total number of pages printed by the corresponding MFP, and / or may specify the page numbers of the printing jobs printed by the corresponding MFP.

[0022] ANN134 includes a plurality of weights and biases (not shown). The weights are numerical values associated with the connections between the neurons of ANN134, and the biases are numerical values added to the outputs of the neurons. During operation, when print job information 200 and MFP information 210 are input to ANN134, ANN134 performs operations within and between its layers based on the print job information 200 and MFP information 210, and generates an output indicating parallel print information 220. ANN134 performs operations based on its weights and biases. For example, it performs multiplication of values by weights between layers, addition of values to biases, and execution of activation functions in each layer.

[0023] Note that according to some embodiments, ANN134 may not be used to determine whether to use parallel printing and how to generate a work plan. According to such embodiments, such a decision may be made according to an algorithm using inputs similar to those included in FIG. 2. Such an algorithm may generate an output similar to that included in FIG. 2 based on such inputs. Whether or not ANN134 is used to make such a decision, an output such as parallel print information 220 may be optimized for printing the entire print job based on inputs such as print job information 200 and MFP information 210.

[0024] For example, it may be decided to use parallel printing (and generate a work plan) based on one or more of the following: the number of pages (202) is greater than the threshold, the storage size (204) is greater than the threshold, and the speed requirement (206) is greater than the threshold. In such a situation, parallel printing can significantly reduce the time required to print large print jobs that would take several minutes to print on one of the MFP120s. Conversely, it may be decided not to use parallel printing based on the fact that any of the number of pages (202), storage size (204), and speed requirement (206) are below the threshold. In such a situation, parallel printing may not be very useful because it may not take very long (e.g., a few seconds) to print the requested print job on one of the MFP120s.

[0025] A work plan may be generated that evenly distributes the requested print job across multiple MFP120s in terms of the number of pages. Alternatively, the work plan may be unevenly distributed based on different values, for example, load 212, print speed 214, specific function 216, and failure rate 218. For example, ANN134 may assign larger partial print jobs to MFP120s with lower loads, as indicated by different load 212 values, and assign smaller partial print jobs to other MFP120s with higher loads. Such an assignment may reduce the overall print time of the requested print job by allocating more print to MFP120s that can start printing each partial print job earlier.

[0026] As another example, ANN134 may assign larger partial print jobs to MFP120s with faster print speeds, as indicated by the different print speed values ​​of 214, and smaller partial print jobs to other MFP120s with slower print speeds. Such assignments may reduce the overall print time of the requested print jobs by assigning more prints to the faster MFP120s. As yet another example, ANN134 may assign partial print jobs that include specific requirements, such as color printing, duplex printing, and stapling, to MFP120s that have specific capabilities to perform those specific requirements. ANN134 may then assign partial print jobs that do not include those specific requirements to other MFP120s that do not have those specific capabilities.

[0027] As another example, ANN134 may decide to assign partial print jobs to multiple MFP120s, each with a failure rate below a threshold, and not to assign partial print jobs to MFP120s with a failure rate above that threshold. Therefore, ANN134 may decide not to include MFP120s with high failure rates, even if an embedded application 132 is connected. Such an assignment may improve the reliability of printing the entire requested print job by avoiding MFP120s that are more likely to fail. Note that when ANN134 assigns partial print jobs to multiple MFP120s, ANN134 may decide not to include the MFP120 on which ANN134 is running.

[0028] Figure 3 is a flowchart of Method 300, which can be performed by one of the MFPs 120 to determine whether or not to perform parallel printing, according to several embodiments. The steps of Method 300 are described as being performed by an embedded application 132 of the MFP 120 that the user approaches after uploading a print job to the print job management device 110. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and some steps may be performed by other components. For example, to start Method 300, the user may log in to an account associated with the print job management device 110, for example, by entering a username and password or by scanning an ID card via a touchscreen 150.

[0029] In step 302, the embedded application 132 receives a request to print a print job. For example, the embedded application 132 may download the requested print job from the print job management device 110. The print job management device 110 may identify the correct print job based on user metadata stored in its device and information provided by the embedded application 132 (such as a username). In step 304, the embedded application 132 identifies print job information 200 for the requested print job, such as one or more of the number of pages 202, storage size 204, and speed requirements 206.

[0030] In step 306, the embedded application 132 determines the network availability of one or more other MFP 120s connected to a network such as LAN 104. For example, the embedded application 132 may send a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) message to the other MFP 120s and make such a determination based on the SNMP response to that message. In step 308, the embedded application 132 sends an Application Programming Interface (API) request to any of the connected MFP 120s to obtain their MFP information 210 (or a subset of the corresponding MFP information 210).

[0031] In step 310, the embedded application 132 receives MFP information 210 from each of the connected (one or more) MFPs 120. For example, for each connected MFP 120, the MFP information 210 may include one of the loads 212, one of the print speeds 214, one of the specific functions 216, and one of the failure rates 218. In step 312, the embedded application 132 decides whether to use parallel printing based on the print job information 200 and the MFP information 210. As described above in relation to Figure 2, the embedded application 132 may use ANN 134 to generate parallel printing information 220, which indicates whether to use parallel printing as a parallel printing decision 222. In step 314, if the embedded application 132 decides to use parallel printing, method 300 proceeds to step 316.

[0032] In step 316, the embedded application 132 generates and manages a work plan for performing parallel printing of the requested print job. This is described in detail below in relation to Figure 4. After step 316, method 300 terminates. Returning to step 314, if the embedded application 132 decides not to use parallel printing, method 300 proceeds to step 318. In step 318, the embedded application 132 instructs the MFP 120 on which the embedded application 132 is running to print the entire print job, and the MFP 120 prints the print job accordingly. After step 318, method 300 terminates.

[0033] Figure 4 is a flowchart of Method 400, which can be performed by one of the MFPs 120 to generate and manage a work plan for parallel printing, according to several embodiments. The steps of Method 400 are described as being performed by an embedded application 132 of one of the MFPs 120, which the user approaches after uploading a print job to the print job management device 110. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and some steps may be performed by other components. In step 402, the embedded application 132 generates a work plan to distribute the requested print job to multiple MFPs 120 based on print job information 200 and MFP information 210. As described above in relation to Figure 2, the embedded application 132 may use ANN 134 to generate parallel printing information 220 that shows the work plan by partial allocation 224.

[0034] ANN134 may generate the parallel printing decision 222 and the partial allocation 224 as a single output set. In other words, step 402 in Figure 4 and step 312 in Figure 3 may be executed simultaneously. In the optional step 404, the embedded application 132 may display the option to use parallel printing on the touchscreen 150. In another optional step 406, the embedded application 132 may detect the user's selection (acknowledgment) to use parallel printing by touching the touchscreen 150. Alternatively, instead of presenting the user with the parallel printing option, the embedded application 132 may decide to automatically execute the work plan and skip steps 404 and 406.

[0035] In step 408, the embedded application 132 divides the requested print job into multiple partial print jobs according to the work plan. In step 410, the embedded application 132 sends the partial print jobs assigned to the other MFPs 120 to each MFP performing the printing, and each MFP prints its respective partial print job accordingly. In step 412, if applicable, the embedded application 132 instructs its own MFP 120, on which the embedded application 132 is running, to print the assigned partial print jobs, and the MFP 120 prints the partial print jobs accordingly. After step 412, method 400 ends.

[0036] The embodiments described herein may relate to one or more computer programs (parallel print management programs) or one or more computer program modules implemented on a computer-readable storage medium. The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be input into a device or computer system. The computer-readable medium may be based on any existing or subsequently developed technology that embodies a computer program in a computer-readable manner. Examples of computer-readable mediums include magnetic drives, SSDs, network-attached storage (NAS) systems, RAM, read-only memory (ROM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and other optical and non-optical data storage devices. The computer-readable medium may also be distributed through a networked computer system so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0037] Furthermore, the MFP120 may have an acquisition unit, a decision unit, a generation unit, a splitting unit, a transmission unit, and a display unit as functions, and these functions may perform the various steps described above. These functions are realized, for example, by the execution of an embedded application 132 and the cooperation of various hardware components of the MFP120. The acquisition unit acquires, for example, a request to print a print job. The decision unit determines, for example, the network availability of one or more other MFP120s connected to its own MFP120 via a network. The generation unit generates a work plan for distributing a print job to multiple MFP120s based, for example, on print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job, and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple MFP120s. The generation unit also generates the work plan by inputting the print job information and image forming apparatus information into an artificial neural network (ANN134), for example, ANN134. Furthermore, the generation unit generates a work plan based on, for example, whether the number of pages in the print job is greater than a threshold, whether the storage size of the print job is greater than a threshold, or whether the speed requirement assigned to the print job is greater than a threshold. The splitting unit divides the print job into multiple partial print jobs, each to be printed by one of the multiple MFPs 120, according to the work plan. The transmission unit transmits, for example, one of the multiple partial print jobs to one of the multiple MFPs 120 for printing. The display unit displays, for example, the option to use parallel printing on the touchscreen 150. Note that, for example, the splitting of the print job by the splitting unit and the transmission of one of the multiple partial print jobs by the transmission unit are performed in response to the detection that parallel printing has been selected via the touchscreen 150.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the MFP information 210 was explained to include, for example, load 212, printing speed 214, specific functions 216, and failure rate 218. However, it may also include location information of the MFP 120. It is extremely convenient for the user if a partial print job is sent to an MFP 120 located closer to the user's MFP 120 than to an MFP 120 located far away from the user's MFP 120 that the user is using (approaching), as this reduces the time it takes to retrieve the printed materials. For this reason, it is preferable that location information is included in the MFP information 210 and that the work plan is generated taking the location information into consideration. Alternatively, for example, each MFP 120 may have a list of walking travel times between each MFP 120 based on location information, and the work plan may be generated considering the printing time and travel time based on the MFP information 210.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, it was explained that the print job information includes the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job. However, the number of copies to be printed may also be included. It is preferable to take the number of copies to be printed into consideration when splitting the print job or sending partial print jobs. In this case, for example, the MFP120 with a faster print speed 214 can print a smaller number of copies, while the MFP120 with a slower print speed 214 can print a smaller number of copies.

[0040] Furthermore, if the print settings for a print job include double-sided printing, it is preferable that the work plan includes dividing the work into even-numbered pages. For example, by dividing the work into pages 1-2 for the first partial print job, pages 3-6 for the second partial print job, pages 7-14 for the third partial print job, each MFP120 that prints based on each partial print job can properly handle double-sided printing without resorting to single-sided printing. In addition, the print settings may include information indicating whether or not the document is confidential. If a confidential document is included, it is undesirable for users other than the user who created the print job to view it, so the division of the print job may be restricted.

[0041] The embodiments include the following: [Note 1] An image forming apparatus connected to a network and configured to manage parallel printing of print jobs, An acquisition unit that acquires a request to print the aforementioned print job, A determination unit that determines the network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to the aforementioned network, A generation unit that generates a work plan for distributing the print job to the multiple image forming devices based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job, and (2) image forming device information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple image forming devices, A division unit that divides the print job into a plurality of partial print jobs, each of which is printed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, according to the work plan, A transmission unit that transmits one of the plurality of partial print jobs to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and causes it to print, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features. [Note 2] Printing unit that prints another one of the aforementioned multiple partial print jobs The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1, further comprising the following: [Note 3] The transmitting unit transmits another of the multiple partial print jobs to another of the multiple image forming apparatuses for printing. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1. [Note 4] The generation unit inputs the print job information and the image forming apparatus information into an artificial neural network (ANN), thereby generating the work plan using the ANN. The ANN generates one or more outputs representing the work plan by performing calculations within and between layers of the ANN based on the input of the print job information and the image forming apparatus information. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1. [Note 5] It further includes a display unit that shows the option to use parallel printing on the touchscreen, The division of the print job by the division unit and the transmission of one of the multiple partial print jobs by the transmission unit are performed in response to detection via the touchscreen that parallel printing has been selected. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1. [Note 6] A subset determination unit determines the at least subset of the image forming apparatus information by sending an application programming interface (API) request to one or more of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and receiving at least a subset of the image forming apparatus information from one or more of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1, further comprising: [Note 7] The generation unit generates the work plan based on any of the following: the number of pages in the print job is greater than a threshold, the storage size of the print job is greater than a threshold, or the speed requirement assigned to the print job is greater than a threshold. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1. [Note 8] If one of the multiple partial print jobs has more pages than another of the multiple partial print jobs, In the work plan, one of the multiple partial print jobs is assigned to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses based on the fact that the load on one of the multiple image forming apparatuses is smaller than that of another of the multiple image forming apparatuses. In the work plan, the assignment unit assigns one of the multiple partial print jobs to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1, further comprising: [Note 9] If one of the multiple partial print jobs has more pages than another of the multiple partial print jobs, In the work plan, one of the multiple partial print jobs is assigned to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses based on the fact that the printing speed of one of the multiple image forming apparatuses is faster than that of another of the multiple image forming apparatuses. In the work plan, the assignment unit assigns one of the multiple partial print jobs to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1, further comprising: [Note 10] One of the aforementioned partial print jobs includes a specific requirement that it be either color printing or double-sided printing, while another of the aforementioned partial print jobs does not include the aforementioned specific requirement. In the work plan, one of the multiple partial print jobs is assigned to one of the multiple image forming apparatuses based on the fact that one of the multiple image forming apparatuses has a specific function for performing the specific requirement, In the work plan, the assignment unit assigns one of the multiple partial print jobs to another of the multiple image forming apparatus that does not have the specific function. The image forming apparatus further comprising the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1. [Note 11] An assignment determination unit determines that none of the multiple partial print jobs will be assigned to the image forming apparatus connected to the network, based on the failure rate of one of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network being greater than a threshold. The image forming apparatus further comprising the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1.

[0042] The printing unit, subset determination unit, assignment unit, and assignment determination unit described above are functions that execute the various steps described above, and are realized through the execution of the embedded application 132 and the cooperation of the various hardware components of the MFP120.

[0043] While specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments described herein may be implemented in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the forms of embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to encompass such forms and modifications as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus connected to a network and configured to manage parallel printing of print jobs, An acquisition unit that acquires a request to print the aforementioned print job, A determination unit that determines the network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to the aforementioned network, A generation unit that generates a work plan for distributing the print job to the multiple image forming apparatuses based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job, and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses, A division unit that divides the print job into a plurality of partial print jobs, each of which is printed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, according to the work plan, A transmission unit that transmits one of the plurality of partial print jobs to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and causes it to print, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The generation unit inputs the print job information and the image forming apparatus information into an artificial neural network (ANN), thereby generating the work plan using the ANN. The ANN generates one or more outputs representing the work plan by performing calculations within and between layers of the ANN based on the input of the print job information and the image forming apparatus information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. It further includes a display unit that shows the option to use parallel printing on the touchscreen, The division of the print job by the division unit and the transmission of one of the multiple partial print jobs by the transmission unit are performed in response to the detection that parallel printing has been selected via the touchscreen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The generation unit generates the work plan based on any of the following: the number of pages in the print job is greater than a threshold, the storage size of the print job is greater than a threshold, or the speed requirement assigned to the print job is greater than a threshold. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A parallel printing management method for a network-connected image forming apparatus to manage parallel printing of print jobs, A request to print the aforementioned print job is received, The network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to the aforementioned network is determined, Based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job, and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses, a work plan is generated to distribute the print job to the multiple image forming apparatuses. In accordance with the work plan, the print job is divided into multiple partial print jobs, each of which is printed by one of the multiple image forming apparatuses. One of the aforementioned multiple partial print jobs is transmitted to one of the aforementioned multiple image forming apparatuses for printing. Parallel printing management method.

6. A parallel printing management program for managing parallel printing of print jobs, which is executed in an image forming apparatus connected to a network, The aforementioned image forming apparatus, An acquisition unit that acquires a request to print the aforementioned print job, A determination unit that determines the network availability of one or more other image forming apparatuses connected to the aforementioned network, A generation unit that generates a work plan for distributing the print job to the multiple image forming apparatuses based on (1) print job information including one or more of the number of pages, storage size, and speed requirements assigned to the print job, and (2) image forming apparatus information including one or more of the load, printing speed, specific functions, and failure rate of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses, A division unit that divides the print job into a plurality of partial print jobs, each of which is printed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, according to the work plan, A transmission unit that transmits one of the plurality of partial print jobs to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and causes it to print. A parallel print management program designed to function as such.

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