Image forming system, image forming apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming system, image forming apparatus, method, and program that predict the occurrence of malfunctions and perform printing with the appropriate equipment. [Solution] An image forming system 100 including a plurality of image forming apparatuses 110, comprising: a defect information storage unit 312 that stores information regarding defects in images formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of the print job; a defect impact calculation unit 307 that calculates the degree of impact of defects that would occur when the print job to be processed is executed for each image forming apparatus by referring to the defect information storage unit 312; and a printing unit 304 that executes the print job to be processed in the image forming apparatus with the lowest impact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program for preventing the occurrence of defects.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, when the occurrence of some error is predicted during the execution of a print job, a technique of transferring the print job to another image forming apparatus and performing printing alternatively is known.

[0003] For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-134758 (Patent Document 1), when it is determined that print data cannot be printed normally, an alternative printing apparatus that can print the print data normally is inquired, and a configuration for performing printing with an appropriate alternative printing apparatus is disclosed. According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the printing apparatus stops due to an error or a jam, and improve the operation efficiency.

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 predicts the occurrence of an error or a jam and performs alternative printing, and does not consider defects (for example, dirt, dot loss, streaks, defects, etc.) in the formed image. Therefore, problems such as a decrease in the quality of printed matter and a waste loss of printed matter with defects may occur.

[0005] Therefore, there has been a demand for a technique for evaluating the degree of influence of defects occurring in printed matter and appropriately performing alternative printing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a method, and a program that predict the occurrence of defects and perform printing with an appropriate apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In other words, according to the present invention, An image forming system including multiple image forming apparatuses, A storage means for storing information about image defects formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of that print job, A calculation means that, by referring to the storage means, calculates the degree of impact of malfunctions that occur when executing the print job to be processed, for each image forming apparatus, In the image forming apparatus with the lowest impact, the printing means that executes the print job to be processed and An image forming system is provided, which includes [a specific feature / feature]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an image forming system, image forming apparatus, method, and program can be provided that predict the occurrence of defects and perform printing with appropriate equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the schematic configuration of the overall hardware of the image forming system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the hardware configuration included in the apparatus constituting the image forming system of this embodiment. [Figure 3] A software block diagram included in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of a table stored in the print job storage unit of this embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of a table stored in the malfunction information storage unit of this embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the process by which the image forming system executes a print job in an example of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed in this embodiment. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the process by which the image forming system executes a print job in another example of this embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in another example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described later. In the figures referenced below, the same reference numerals will be used for common elements, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic hardware configuration of the entire image forming system 100 in this embodiment. As an example, Figure 1 illustrates an environment in which multiple image forming apparatuses 110, terminal devices 120, and server devices 130 are connected via a network 140 such as the Internet or a LAN. Note that the number of image forming apparatuses 110 included in the image forming system 100 is not limited to those shown in Figure 1, and there is no limit to the number. Also, the method of connecting the various devices to the network 140 may be either wired or wireless.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 110 is a device that forms and outputs an image on paper by executing a print job. The image forming apparatus 110 in this embodiment can receive and execute a print job from the terminal device 120. The image forming apparatus 110 can form images using various methods, such as a laser method or an inkjet method. In the embodiment described, the image forming apparatus 110 is exemplified as a device that performs commercial printing where the quality of the printed material is particularly important, but the embodiment is not particularly limited, and it may also be a home or business printer.

[0013] In the embodiments described below, among the multiple image forming apparatuses 110 included in the image forming system 100, the image forming apparatus 110 initially configured to execute the print job (i.e., in other words, the image forming apparatus 110 that receives the print job from, for example, the terminal device 120) is conveniently referred to as the "master apparatus," and the other image forming apparatuses 110 are conveniently referred to as "alternative apparatuses." The alternative apparatuses can receive the print job from the master apparatus and execute the print job on its behalf if a malfunction is anticipated in the master apparatus.

[0014] The terminal device 120 is an information processing device, such as a personal computer. The terminal device 120 in this embodiment can edit documents, images, etc., and create document files. When printing a file created by the terminal device 120, the terminal device 120 sends a print job related to the file to the image forming apparatus 110 via the network 140 and has the printing process executed. The terminal device 120 in this embodiment can also perform various settings related to the image forming apparatus 110.

[0015] The server device 130 is, for example, an information processing device such as a server computer. In this embodiment, the server device 130 can manage the image forming apparatus 110 and terminal device 120 that constitute the image forming system 100. The server device 130 can also manage the print jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 110.

[0016] Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the image forming system 100 will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the devices that make up the image forming system 100 in this embodiment. Figure 2(a) shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 110, and Figure 2(b) shows the hardware configuration of the terminal device 120 and the server device 130.

[0017] First, the description will be given for FIG. 2(a). As shown in FIG. 2(a), the image forming apparatus 110 of the present embodiment comprises a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a storage device 204, a communication I / F 205, a display 206, an input device 207, a printer device 208, and a scanner device 209, and each hardware is connected via a bus.

[0018] The CPU 201 is a device that executes a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 110 and performs predetermined processing. The RAM 202 is a volatile storage device for providing an execution space for the program executed by the CPU 201, and is used for storing and expanding programs and data. The ROM 203 is a non-volatile storage device for storing programs and firmware executed by the CPU 201.

[0019] The storage device 204 is a readable and writable non-volatile storage device for storing an OS for operating the image forming apparatus 110, various software, setting information, various data, tables, and the like. Examples of the storage device 204 include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0020] The communication I / F 205 connects the image forming apparatus 110 to the network 140 and enables communication with other devices via the network 140. The communication via the network 140 may be either wired communication or wireless communication, uses a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and can transmit and receive various data.

[0021] The display 206 is a device that displays various data and the status of the image forming apparatus 110 to the user, and examples include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The input device 207 is a device for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 110, and examples include physical buttons and a keyboard. The display 206 and the input device 207 may be separate devices, or they may be a device that combines both functions, such as a touch panel display.

[0022] The printer device 208 is a device configured to form an image on paper using methods such as laser or inkjet. The scanner device 209 is a device configured to read images from printed materials and convert them into data.

[0023] Next, Figure 2(b) will be described. The terminal device 120 and server device 130 in this embodiment are configured to include a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, storage device 204, communication I / F 205, display 206, and input device 207, and each piece of hardware is connected via a bus. Note that the server device 130 may be configured without a display 206 and input device 207. The various pieces of hardware shown in Figure 2(b) are the same as those described in Figure 2(a), so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0024] The hardware configurations included in each device of the image forming system 100 of this embodiment have been described above. Next, the functional means executed by each hardware in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a software block diagram included in the image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment includes the following functional means: a communication unit 301, a display unit 302, an operation unit 303, a printing unit 304, a reading unit 305, a defect detection unit 306, a defect impact calculation unit 307, an alternative device inquiry unit 308, an impact threshold setting unit 309, an impact determination unit 310, a print job storage unit 311, and a defect information storage unit 312. The details of each functional means will be described below.

[0026] The communication unit 301 controls the operation of the communication interface 205 and is a means for communicating with other devices via the network 140. The communication unit 301 constitutes the communication means in this embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, if the image forming apparatus 110 is the master device, the communication unit 301 can receive print jobs from the terminal device 120, and if the image forming apparatus 110 is the substitute device, it can receive print jobs from the master device. Also, if the image forming apparatus 110 is the master device, the communication unit 301 can send an inquiry regarding substitute printing to the substitute device and receive a response. The print job data received by the communication unit 301 can be stored in the print job storage unit 311.

[0027] The display unit 302 is a means for controlling the operation of the display 206 and displaying various information. The display unit 302 constitutes the display means in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the display unit 302 can display information such as the degree of impact of expected malfunctions when executing a print job. By viewing the information displayed by the display unit 302, the user can decide whether or not to execute the process and take action.

[0028] The operation unit 303 controls the operation of the input device 207 and is a means for receiving various operations on the image forming apparatus 110. The operation unit 303 constitutes the operation means in this embodiment. The operation unit 303 in this embodiment can receive operations such as the user's selection regarding the necessity of alternative printing and the execution of printing processes.

[0029] The printing unit 304 is a means for controlling the operation of the printer device 208 and performing image formation processing. The printing unit 304 constitutes the printing means in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the printing unit 304 can form an image by controlling the operation of the printer device 208 based on a print job received from the terminal device 120 or the master device.

[0030] The reading unit 305 controls the operation of the scanner device 209 and is a means for reading an image and outputting it as data. The reading unit 305 constitutes the reading means in this embodiment. The reading unit 305 in this embodiment can read an image formed on paper by the printing unit 304.

[0031] The defect detection unit 306 is a means for detecting defects such as stains, missing dots, streaks, and other imperfections in the image of a printed material. The defect detection unit 306 constitutes the detection means in this embodiment. The defect detection unit 306 in this embodiment can detect defects by comparing the image data of the printed material read by the reading unit 305 with the data of the print job that formed the image of the printed material. The defect information detected by the defect detection unit 306 can be stored in the defect information storage unit 312.

[0032] The defect impact calculation unit 307 is a means for calculating the impact of defects that occur when printing is performed based on a print job. The defect impact calculation unit 307 constitutes the calculation means in this embodiment. Based on the printing conditions related to the print job, the defect impact calculation unit 307 in this embodiment can search for defects that occurred when printing under similar printing conditions among the past printing records stored in the defect information storage unit 312, and calculate the impact of the extracted defects. The impact of a defect can be calculated quantitatively as a numerical value, such as a score or level, based on, for example, the type, size, density, and occurrence rate of the defect.

[0033] The alternative device inquiry unit 308 is a means for inquiring about the impact of a malfunction on an alternative device. The alternative device inquiry unit 308 constitutes the inquiry means in this embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, if it is predicted that a malfunction will occur when a print job is executed on the master device, the alternative device inquiry unit 308 can inquire about the impact of the malfunction if the print job is executed on the alternative device.

[0034] The impact threshold setting unit 309 is a means for setting a threshold for the impact of a defect. The impact threshold setting unit 309 constitutes the setting means in this embodiment. The threshold set in the impact threshold setting unit 309 in this embodiment can be the upper limit of the impact of a defect that the user can accept. For example, if the impact of a defect calculated by the master device exceeds a predetermined threshold, alternative printing may be performed by an alternative device.

[0035] The impact determination unit 310 is a means for comparing the impact of malfunctions in the master device and the substitute device and determining whether the impact is greater or lesser. The impact determination unit 310 constitutes the determination means in this embodiment. The impact determination unit 310 in this embodiment can compare the impact of malfunctions in each device and determine the device with the least impact. By executing the print job on the device with the least impact, it is possible to prevent defects from occurring in the printed material and improve the quality of the printed material.

[0036] The print job storage unit 311 controls the operation of the storage device 204 and is a means for storing received print jobs. The print job storage unit 311 constitutes the storage means in this embodiment. The print job storage unit 311 of this embodiment can store data related to print jobs, for example, various printing conditions can be stored in a table. An example of data stored in the print job storage unit 311 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of a table stored in the print job storage unit 311 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the print job storage unit 311 of this embodiment stores, for example, an ID for identifying a print job, the size of the paper to be printed on, the basis weight indicating the amount of paper required for printing, the type of paper, and the density of the color to be printed, in association with each other. For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the print job with job ID "JOB001" uses 0.5kg A3 size plain paper to form an image with a magenta density of 80% or more.

[0038] Note that the data items stored in the table shown in Figure 4 are just examples and do not particularly limit the embodiment. Therefore, the print job storage unit 311 may be configured to store data other than the data shown in Figure 4.

[0039] Let's return to the explanation in Figure 3. The defect information storage unit 312 controls the operation of the storage device 204 and is a means for storing information about defects detected by the defect detection unit 306. The defect information storage unit 312 constitutes the storage means in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the defect information storage unit 312 can store, for example, information about defects in printed materials detected by the defect detection unit 306, along with the printing conditions of the print job used when printing the printed material. Now, an example of data stored in the defect information storage unit 312 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of a table stored in the malfunction information storage unit 312 of this embodiment. Here, malfunction information can be stored in the malfunction information storage unit 312 for each image forming apparatus 110. For example, the malfunction information shown in Figures 5(a), (b), and (c) is the malfunction information for each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 110 included in the image forming system 100.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the defect information storage unit 312 of this embodiment stores an ID for identifying a defect, information indicating the content of the defect that occurred, and the printing conditions at the time the defect occurred, in association with each other.

[0042] Examples of information indicating the nature of a defect include the type of defect, the level indicating the size of the defect, the level indicating the density of the defect, and the defect occurrence rate, but these do not particularly limit the embodiments. Examples of defect types include dot stains, streaks in the main scanning direction, and streaks in the sub-scanning direction. Examples of defect size include the size of the dot in dot stains, and the width of the streaks (lines) in main scanning streaks and sub-scanning streaks, and levels corresponding to the size and width can be stored as data. Levels indicating the density of the defect can be stored as data indicating the density of dot stains, main scanning streaks, and sub-scanning streaks. The occurrence rate can be stored as data indicating, for example, the number of defects per page of the printed material.

[0043] The printing conditions when a malfunction occurs can include, for example, paper size, basis weight, paper type, and color density. In other words, as shown in Figure 5, the printing conditions when a malfunction occurs can be the same as the printing conditions for the print job shown in Figure 4, but this does not particularly limit the embodiment.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 5(a), the data with defect ID "ER-A1" stores defect information indicating that when printing on plain paper of A4 size or larger at a density of 50% or higher in black and white, 30 dot stains of size 1 and density 4 occurred per page.

[0045] Note that the data items stored in the table shown in Figure 5 are just examples and do not particularly limit the embodiment. Therefore, the malfunction information storage unit 312 may be configured to store data other than the data shown in Figure 5.

[0046] The software blocks described above correspond to functional means realized when the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 110 executes the program of this embodiment, thereby enabling each piece of hardware to function. Furthermore, the functional means shown in each embodiment may all be realized in software, or some or all of them may be implemented as hardware that provides equivalent functionality.

[0047] Furthermore, not all of the above-described functional means are necessarily included in the image forming apparatus 110 in the configuration shown in Figure 3. For example, in another preferred embodiment, the terminal device 120 may be equipped with functional means corresponding to the display unit 302 and the operation unit 303 in Figure 3. Also, for example, in another preferred embodiment, each functional means may be realized through the cooperation of the image forming apparatus 110, the terminal device 120, and the server device 130.

[0048] Next, the processes performed by each of the functional means described above will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process by which the image forming system 100 executes a print job in an example of this embodiment. The image forming system 100 starts processing from step S1000. In the flowchart example of Figure 6 described below, the case in which the image forming system 100, which includes three image forming apparatuses 110, executes the print job of JOB002 shown in Figure 4 is illustrated. In the example of Figure 6, the three image forming apparatuses 110a are each configured to include an image forming apparatus 110a, which includes an image forming apparatus 110b is the master apparatus.

[0049] In step S1001, the master device among the multiple image forming apparatuses 110 included in the image forming system 100 receives a print job. The master device can receive print jobs from, for example, a terminal device 120.

[0050] Next, in step S1002, the defect impact calculation unit 307 extracts defect information from the defect information storage unit 312 and calculates the impact of the defect when the received print job is executed. In step S1002, the defect impact calculation unit 307 can extract defect information by searching the defect information storage unit 312 based on the printing conditions of the received print job. The impact can be calculated, for example, as the product of the defect size level, the density level, and the occurrence rate.

[0051] Here, let's consider, for example, the case where an image forming apparatus 110a equipped with a defect information storage unit 312 as shown in Figure 5(a) receives a print job with job ID JOB002 as shown in Figure 4 in step S1001. JOB002 is a print job that uses 0.5kg A3 size plain paper to form an image with a density of 80% or more in black and white. In step S1002, when the defect information storage unit 312 in Figure 5(a) is searched based on these printing conditions, a defect called ER-A1 that occurred in the past when an image with a density of 50% or more in black and white was printed on plain paper of A4 size or larger is extracted. In other words, if JOB002 is executed in the image forming apparatus 110a, there is a possibility that a defect similar to ER-A1 will occur. Therefore, the defect impact calculation unit 307 calculates the impact from the defect information of ER-A1. In this case, when calculating the impact from the product of the defect size level, density level, and occurrence rate, the defect impact calculation unit 307 can calculate and output 120, which is the product of defect size 1, density 4, and occurrence rate 30, as the impact of the defect. Note that calculating the impact by product is just one example and does not particularly limit the embodiment, and the impact may be calculated by other methods. Furthermore, if multiple defect information items that satisfy the printing conditions are extracted as a result of the search, the impact of each defect may be calculated and then summed to obtain the total impact of the defects.

[0052] In the subsequent step S1003, the process is branched depending on whether the calculated impact level is below a predetermined threshold. The impact threshold can be arbitrarily set by the user, for example, by the impact threshold setting unit 309.

[0053] If the impact level is below the threshold (YES), printing on an alternative device is not required, and the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, the printing unit 304 of the master device, the image forming apparatus 110a, executes the printing process based on the received print job and forms an image. Then, in step S1011, the print job is deleted from the print job storage unit 311, and the process ends in step S1012.

[0054] On the other hand, if the impact is greater than the threshold in step S1003 (NO), the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, the alternative device inquiry unit 308 inquires about malfunction information from other image forming devices 110b and 110c included in the image forming system 100.

[0055] The inquiry in step S1005 can be carried out as follows: The alternative device inquiry unit 308 transmits the printing conditions of the print job along with the inquiry request to the other image forming apparatuses 110b and 110c. The malfunction impact calculation unit 307 of the image forming apparatuses 110b and 110c that received the inquiry request calculates the impact of any malfunctions that would occur if the print job were executed, based on the received printing conditions, in the same manner as in step S1002.

[0056] Here, we consider the case where the impact of malfunctions in the other image forming apparatuses 110b and 110c is calculated in the same way as in step S1002, using the product of the malfunction size level, density level, and occurrence rate.

[0057] First, let's explain the impact of the malfunction in the image forming apparatus 110b. Since print job JOB002 is a print job that uses 0.5kg A3 size plain paper to form an image with a density of 80% or more in black and white, the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 110b searches the malfunction information storage unit 312 in Figure 5(b) based on these printing conditions and outputs a result that no malfunctions have occurred in the past under the same printing conditions as JOB002. Therefore, the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 110b responds to the image forming apparatus 110a that the impact is zero.

[0058] Next, the impact of malfunctions in the image forming apparatus 110c will be explained. Since print job JOB002 is a print job that uses 0.5kg A3 size plain paper to form an image with a density of 80% or more in black and white, the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 110c searches the malfunction information storage unit 312 in Figure 5(c) based on these printing conditions and extracts a malfunction called ER-C1 that occurred in the past when printing an image with a density of 50% or more in black and white on plain paper of A3 size or larger. In other words, when JOB002 is executed in the image forming apparatus 110c, there is a possibility that a malfunction similar to ER-C1 will occur. Therefore, the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 calculates the impact from the malfunction information of ER-C1. Here, when calculating the impact from the product of the malfunction size level, density level, and occurrence rate, the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 can calculate and output 100, which is the product of the malfunction size 4, density 5, and occurrence rate 5, as the impact of the malfunction.

[0059] When the malfunction impact calculation unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 110b and 110c calculates the impact, it responds with the calculated impact to the image forming apparatus 110a, which is the master device that initiated the inquiry.

[0060] After inquiring about the impact of the malfunction in step S1005, in step S1006, the impact determination unit 310 compares the impact received from the other image forming apparatuses 110b and 110c with the impact of the malfunction of image forming apparatus 110a to determine the image forming apparatus 110 with the smallest impact. In the example of the embodiment described, the malfunction impact of image forming apparatus 110a is 120, the malfunction impact of image forming apparatus 110b is 0, and the malfunction impact of image forming apparatus 110c is 100. Therefore, the impact determination unit 310 can determine that image forming apparatus 110b has the smallest impact. In other words, by using image forming apparatus 110b as a substitute device and executing the print job in place of the master device, the occurrence of the malfunction can be prevented and the image can be formed.

[0061] In the following step S1007, the process branches depending on whether or not printing is performed on the master device. For example, if it is determined in step S1006 that the impact of the master device malfunction is the smallest, printing is performed on the master device (YES), and the process proceeds to step S1004. The processing from step S1004 onward is as described above, so the explanation is omitted.

[0062] On the other hand, as in the example described, if it is determined in step S1007 that the malfunction of an image forming apparatus 110 other than the master apparatus has the smallest impact (NO), the process proceeds to step S1008 in order to perform printing on the alternative apparatus. In step S1008, the communication unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 110a transmits the print job to the alternative apparatus. Here, the alternative apparatus can be the image forming apparatus 110b with the lowest malfunction impact.

[0063] Next, in step S1008, the printing unit 304 of the replacement device performs the printing process based on the received print job and forms an image. Then, in step S1010, the display unit 302 displays that printing has been completed by the replacement device.

[0064] Here, the display in step S1010 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in this embodiment. In the example screen shown in Figure 7, the results of JOB002 being executed by the alternative device B and JOB003 being executed by the alternative device C are shown. By displaying in this way, a user who attempts to perform printing on the master device can recognize that the printing has been performed on the alternative device. Note that the screen displayed in Figure 7 may be the display 206 of the image forming apparatus 110a or the display 206 of the terminal device 120.

[0065] Return to the explanation in Figure 6. After displaying a message indicating that the alternative printing is complete in step S1010, the print job is deleted from the print job storage unit 311 in step S1011, and the process is terminated in step S1012.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the image forming system 100 of this embodiment can avoid executing print jobs on image forming apparatus 110 where malfunctions are predicted, and instead execute print jobs on appropriate image forming apparatus 110. Therefore, a decrease in the quality of printed materials can be prevented.

[0067] By the way, the process shown in Figure 6 is just one example of an embodiment and does not limit the embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments may also be used. For example, in other embodiments, the user may decide whether or not to perform alternative printing. Below, the processes in other examples of embodiments will be described with reference to Figure 8.

[0068] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process by which the image forming system 100 executes a print job in another example of this embodiment. In the description of Figure 8, processes that are common to the flowchart in Figure 6 will be omitted as appropriate. The image forming system 100 starts processing from step S2000.

[0069] First, in step S2001, the print job is received, and in step S2002, defect information is extracted based on the printing conditions and the degree of impact is calculated. Note that the processing in steps S2001 and S2002 is the same as the processing in steps S1001 and S2002 in Figure 6.

[0070] Next, in step S2003, the process branches depending on whether or not to query other devices. For example, the impact of the master device malfunction, calculated in step S2002, is notified to the user, and the user can choose whether or not to print using an image forming apparatus 110 other than the master device.

[0071] Here, the screen selected by the user in step S2003 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in another example of this embodiment. Figure 9(a) shows an example of a screen on which the user performs an operation.

[0072] The screen shown in Figure 9(a) includes a message indicating that a malfunction is expected when a print job is executed on the master device, along with an option to select whether or not to inquire about alternative printing (inquiry about the impact of the malfunction) with the other image forming machines 110b and 110c. The user views the screen shown in Figure 9(a), decides whether or not to make the inquiry, and makes a selection.

[0073] Let's return to the explanation in Figure 8. In step S2003, if the user does not make a selection when querying other devices (NO), proceed to step S2006. On the other hand, if the user makes a selection when querying other devices in step S2003 (YES), proceed to step S2004.

[0074] In step S2004, the replacement device inquiry unit 308 inquires about malfunction information from the other image forming devices 110b and 110c included in the image forming system 100. Then, in step S2005, the impact determination unit 310 compares the impact received from the other image forming devices 110b and 110c with the impact of the malfunction of image forming device 110a to determine the image forming device 110 with the smallest impact. Note that the processing in steps S2004 and S2005 is the same as the processing in steps S1005 and S1006 in Figure 6.

[0075] Subsequently, in step S2006, the process branches depending on whether the impact of the malfunction in the image forming apparatus 110 with the least impact is below a predetermined threshold. If the impact is below the threshold in step S2006 (YES), the process proceeds to step S2007. In step S2007, the process branches depending on whether or not to perform printing on the master device. For example, if it is determined in step S2005 that the malfunction impact of the master device is the smallest, the process proceeds to step S2008 to perform printing on the master device (YES). In this case, printing is performed on the master device in step S2008, the print job is deleted in step S2011, and the process ends in step S2014. Note that the processing in steps S2008 and S2011 is the same as the processing in steps S1004 and S1011 in Figure 6.

[0076] On the other hand, if in step S2007 it is determined that the impact of the malfunction of an image forming apparatus 110 other than the master apparatus is the smallest (NO), the process proceeds to step S2009 in order to perform printing on the alternative apparatus. In step S2009, alternative printing is performed on the alternative apparatus. The alternative printing process in step S2009 is the same as the process in steps S1008 to S1009 in Figure 6.

[0077] Furthermore, if alternative printing is to be performed, the user may be notified and asked to confirm whether to proceed with the alternative printing. For example, by displaying the screen shown in Figure 9(b), the user can recognize which image forming apparatus 110 is a candidate for alternative printing and the degree of impact of the malfunction. Also, as shown in Figure 9(b), by displaying a screen that allows the user to select whether or not to perform alternative printing, alternative printing can be performed based on the user's judgment.

[0078] Let's return to the explanation in Figure 8. After the alternative printing is performed, in step S2010, the display unit 302 displays that printing has been completed by the alternative device. The process in step 2010 is the same as the process in step S1010 in Figure 6.

[0079] Subsequently, the print job is deleted in step S2011, and the process is terminated in step S2014.

[0080] On the other hand, if the defect impact level is not below the threshold (NO) in step S2006, the process proceeds to step S2012. In step S2012, the process branches depending on whether or not to print using the device with the lowest impact level. In step S2012, for example, a screen like the one shown in Figure 9(c) may be displayed to accept the user's selection. The screen shown in Figure 9(c) notifies the user that there are no image forming apparatuses 110 with an impact level below the threshold, and also displays the device with the lowest defect impact level to the user. The user can view the screen shown in Figure 9(c) and perform an operation to select whether to execute the print job (for example, after recognizing the defect impact level and accepting the possibility of a defect occurring). This allows printing to be executed based on the user's judgment.

[0081] In step S2012, if the user selects to print on the device with the lowest impact (YES), the process proceeds to step S2013. In step S2013, the process branches depending on whether the device with the lowest impact is the master device or not. If the device with the lowest impact is the master device (YES), the process proceeds to step S2008, and printing is performed on the master device. On the other hand, if the device with the lowest impact is not the master device (NO), the process proceeds to step S2009 to print on an alternative device. Note that the processing in steps S2008 and S2009 onward is the same as the processing after the branch in step S2007, so the details are omitted.

[0082] Furthermore, if the user does not select (NO) to print on the device with the lowest impact in step S2012, the printing process will not be performed, and the process will proceed to step S2011, delete the print job, and then terminate in step S2014.

[0083] Furthermore, in step S2006, if the degree of impact of the malfunction is greater than the threshold (NO), there is a possibility that a malfunction unacceptable to the user will occur regardless of which image forming apparatus 110 is used to execute the print job. Therefore, the system may be configured to terminate the process without executing the print job (by not proceeding to step S2012).

[0084] As shown in Figure 8, the image forming system 100 of this embodiment can avoid executing print jobs on image forming apparatus 110 where malfunctions are predicted, and instead execute print jobs on appropriate image forming apparatus 110. In particular, the process shown in Figure 8 allows for selection based on user judgment, enabling the execution of more appropriate print jobs and preventing a decline in the quality of printed materials.

[0085] Furthermore, while the above examples illustrate how the degree of impact is calculated based on the type of defect, the embodiments are not particularly limited. For example, as another method for calculating the degree of impact, the degree of impact of dot stains, the degree of impact of main scan streaks, and the degree of impact of sub-scan streaks may be calculated for each image forming apparatus 110, and the sum of these degrees of impact may be used as the degree of impact of the defect.

[0086] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to provide an image forming system, image forming apparatus, method, and program that can predict the occurrence of malfunctions and perform printing with an appropriate device.

[0087] Each of the embodiments of the present invention described above can be implemented by a device-executable program written in C, C++, C#, Java®, etc. The program of this embodiment can be stored and distributed on a device-readable recording medium such as a hard disk drive, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, flexible disk, EEPROM®, EPROM, etc., and can also be transmitted over a network in a format that can be used by other devices.

[0088] Each of the embodiments described above can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It is included within the scope of the present invention as long as it achieves the effects and advantages of the present invention within the range of embodiments that a person skilled in the art could deduce. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 100…Image forming system, 110…Image forming apparatus, 120…Terminal device, 130…Server device, 140…Network, 201…CPU, 202…RAM, 203…ROM, 204…Storage device, 205…Communication I / F, 206…Display, 207…Input device, 208…Printer device, 209…Scanner device, 301…Communication unit, 302…Display unit, 303…Operation unit, 304…Printing unit, 305…Reading unit, 306…Defect detection unit, 307…Defect impact calculation unit, 308…Alternative device inquiry unit, 309…Impact threshold setting unit, 310…Impact determination unit, 311…Print job storage unit, 312…Defect information storage unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0091] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-134758

Claims

1. An image forming system including multiple image forming apparatuses, A storage means for storing information about image defects formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of the print job, A calculation means that, by referring to the storage means, calculates the degree of impact of defects that occur when executing the print job to be processed, for each image forming apparatus, In the image forming apparatus with the lowest impact, the printing means that executes the print job to be processed and An image forming system including...

2. The system further includes a means for setting an impact threshold, The printing means executes the print job to be processed when the degree of influence is less than or equal to the threshold. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. If the print job to be processed is executed on an image forming apparatus other than the one initially set to execute the print job among the multiple image forming apparatuses, a display means will indicate that the print job was executed on that image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. Display means for displaying a screen to select whether or not to inquire about the degree of influence for image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus that was initially set to execute the print job among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. If, among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus other than the one initially set to execute the print job is the one with the lowest impact, a display means displays a screen to select whether or not to execute the print job on that image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A setting means for setting an impact threshold, If there is no image forming apparatus whose influence is below the threshold, a display means displays a screen to select whether or not to execute the print job with the image forming apparatus with the lowest influence. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The calculation means calculates the degree of impact based on the size, density, and occurrence rate of the image defects. The image forming system according to claim 1.

8. An image forming apparatus, A storage means for storing information about image defects formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of the print job, A calculation means that calculates the degree of impact of a malfunction that occurs when the print job to be processed is executed by referring to the storage means, If the degree of influence is lower than a predetermined threshold, the printing means executes the print job to be processed. An image forming apparatus, including one.

9. If the influence level is higher than a predetermined threshold, an inquiry means for inquiring about the influence level from other image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. A method performed by an image forming system including multiple image forming apparatuses, comprising a storage means for storing information regarding defects in images formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of the print job, The steps include: calculating the degree of impact of malfunctions that occur when executing the print job to be processed, for each image forming apparatus, by referring to the storage means; In the image forming apparatus with the lowest impact, the steps include: executing the print job to be processed; Methods that include...

11. A program executed by an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus A storage means for storing information about image defects formed when a print job was executed in the past, in association with the printing conditions of that print job. A calculation means that calculates the degree of impact of a malfunction that occurs when executing a print job to be processed, by referring to the storage means. Printing means that executes the print job to be processed if the influence level is lower than a predetermined threshold. A program that makes something function as such.

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