Image forming system

Abstract

This system provides an image forming system that allows image forming processing to be performed by an appropriate image forming apparatus according to the user's wishes. [Solution] The storage unit 132 of the printer 100, which is responsible for the image formation distribution function, stores changeable attribute information 133A and 134A. This information can be changed in each printer 100 according to user input via the touch panel display 120. The PC selects either changeable attribute information 133A or 134A of the printer 100 according to the user input. Image formation is distributed to the printer 100 according to the changeable attribute information 133A or 134A selected by the PC.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Conventionally, through a terminal device communicatively connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, any one of these image forming apparatuses is sometimes caused to perform image formation. The system according to Patent Document 1 is one example thereof, in which a computer acquires the capability of each printer from a plurality of printers on a network (said printers corresponding to the image forming apparatuses of the present invention). Next, the capability selected by a user from among the capabilities acquired by the computer is registered in a database. At the time of printing, printing conditions are selected from the database, and the computer selects a printer in accordance with the conditions. Then, printing is performed by the selected printer. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-344081 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] As described above, according to Patent Document 1, a printer (image forming apparatus) is automatically selected in accordance with printing conditions. On the other hand, which image forming apparatus a user desires may depend on factors other than printing conditions, for example, the usage environment such as the installation location and application of the image forming apparatus. In this case, the image forming apparatus selected in Patent Document 1 may not match the user's desire.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of causing an appropriate image forming apparatus that meets a user's desire to perform image forming processing. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The present invention provides an image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming devices and a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the plurality of image forming devices, wherein each of the plurality of image forming devices comprises an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, a self-attribute holding unit that holds its own attribute information which can be modified by a user, and a control unit that executes an image forming process to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation, wherein the terminal device transmits to a first image forming device, which is one of the plurality of image forming devices, the selection result and image data of one of the self-attribute information held in the self-attribute holding unit of the plurality of image forming devices according to user input, and the first image forming device, which is one of the plurality of image forming devices, attribute information that shows the same content as the self-attribute information held in the self-attribute holding unit of a second image forming device, which is one of the plurality of image forming devices. The first image forming apparatus includes an attribute storage unit that stores attribute information of another person, which is sexual information, and first correspondence information that indicates which of the second image forming apparatus the attribute information of the other person belongs to. The control unit of the first image forming apparatus executes a first image forming process based on the image data received from the terminal device when the selection result received from the terminal device indicates the attribute information of the self that is stored in its own attribute storage unit. When the selection result indicates the attribute information of the other person stored in the attribute storage unit, the control unit transmits an instruction to the second image forming apparatus corresponding to the selection result to perform the image forming operation based on the image data, based on the first correspondence information stored in the attribute storage unit. The control unit of the second image forming apparatus executes a second image forming process based on the image data when it receives an instruction to perform the image forming operation from the first image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This image forming system causes an image forming apparatus corresponding to the self-attribute information selected on the terminal device to perform image forming. The self-attribute information is attribute information related to the image forming apparatus that can be modified by the user. Therefore, the user can set the self-attribute information to reflect the usage environment, such as the installation location and purpose of the image forming apparatus. The user can then select the self-attribute information they have set for each image forming apparatus on the terminal device. This makes it easier for the user to select an image forming apparatus based on their preferences, such as the usage environment of the apparatus. Furthermore, the self-attribute information is provided from the first image forming apparatus to the terminal device. Therefore, there is no need for the terminal device to access the second image forming apparatus to obtain the self-attribute information.

[0008] As described above, the user can transmit the selection result and image data to the first image forming apparatus via a terminal device, thereby allowing the image forming process to be performed by an image forming apparatus of their choice from among multiple image forming apparatuses. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer system relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the printer configuration. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PC in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of preparatory processes required for the printer to perform the sorting function. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows a series of processes that use the sorting function to perform image formation after the preparation process shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is an example of a GUI image displayed on the PC screen for inputting settings in step 1 of Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is another example of a GUI image displayed on the PC screen for inputting settings in step 1 of Figure 5. [Figure 8]Figure 5 shows yet another example of a GUI image displayed on the PC screen for inputting settings in step 1. [Figure 9] Figure 5 shows yet another example of a GUI image displayed on the PC screen for inputting settings in step 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A printer system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. As shown in Figure 1, the printer system 1 has a plurality of printers 100 and PCs 200. The plurality of printers 100 and PCs 200 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other through a communication network N. Hereinafter, the printers 100 may be referred to individually as printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D. Printers A to D have different image formation capabilities. Image formation capabilities include whether or not they support A3 printing, whether or not they support color printing, etc. (see Table 1 below).

[0011] Each printer 100 (corresponding to the "first image forming apparatus" and the "second image forming apparatus" of the present invention) has an image forming unit 110, a touch panel display 120, and a control unit 130, as shown in Figure 2.

[0012] The image forming unit 110 houses the printing paper for image formation. The image forming unit 110 performs an image forming operation to form a monochrome or color image on the printing paper by adhering ink to the paper. Note that other coloring materials such as toner or ink ribbons may be used instead of ink.

[0013] The touch panel display 120 displays text, images, and other content on its screen. Furthermore, when a finger or other object touches the screen, the touch panel display 120 detects the contact point and outputs the detection result to the control unit 130. This allows the touch panel display 120 to accept various user inputs. For example, when a user touches a screen displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image (hereinafter referred to as "GUI image"), the GUI image at the contact point is manipulated. The control unit 130 then receives the input corresponding to that manipulation.

[0014] The control unit 130 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131, a storage unit 132 consisting of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and other electronic devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The storage unit 132 stores program data and other information executed by the CPU 131 and the ASIC.

[0015] In particular, the printer 100 according to the present embodiment is a printer compatible with the distribution function. As described later, the distribution function is a function for distributing image formation among a plurality of printers 100. In the printer 100, program data for executing processing related to the distribution function and information used for the distribution function are stored in a storage unit 132 (corresponding to the "self-attribute holding unit" of the present invention). Among these, the information used for the distribution function includes self-attribute information 133. The self-attribute information 133 is information indicating attributes of the printer 100. The self-attribute information 133 includes changeable attribute information 133A and unchangeable attribute information 133B. The changeable attribute information 133A will be described later. The unchangeable attribute information 133B indicates, as attributes of the printer 100, whether the printer 100 supports A3 printing, color printing, or the like. In addition, as described later, when the printer 100 is selected as the printer 100 responsible for the distribution function, other-person attribute information 134 is also stored in the storage unit 132 (corresponding to the "other-attribute holding unit" of the present invention) of the printer 100. This will be described later.

[0016] The CPU 131, which is hardware, executes various types of processing independently or in cooperation with an ASIC according to program data, which is software stored in the storage unit 132. Hereinafter, execution of various processing by the CPU 131 may be described as execution of various processing by the control unit 130.

[0017] The control unit 130 executes image forming processing and capability information notification processing. The image forming processing is processing for causing the image forming unit 110 to perform an image forming operation. In this image forming operation, the image forming unit 110 forms an image indicated by image data from the PC 200 on a sheet according to print settings from the PC 200. The capability information notification processing includes two processes. The first process is a process of requesting self-attribute information 133 of the printer 100 from another printer 100. The second process is a process of, in response to a request from another printer 100, transmitting data indicating the self-attribute information 133 stored in the storage unit 132 to the requesting printer 100.

[0018] PC200 (corresponding to the "terminal device" of the present invention) includes a user input unit 210, a display 220, and a control unit 230, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0019] The user input unit 210 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts various user inputs. The display 220 displays characters, images, and the like on a screen. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) image displayed by the display 220 is operated by a user input through the user input unit 210. Then, input of information corresponding to the operation is accepted by the control unit 230.

[0020] The control unit 230 is composed of hardware including a CPU 231 and a storage unit 232, and software such as program data. The storage unit 232 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a storage, and the like, and stores the program data and the like described above. The storage unit 232 also stores information about the printer 100 used for image formation as additional printer information 333. The CPU 231, which is hardware, executes various processes in accordance with program data and the like, which are software stored in the storage unit 232. Hereinafter, execution of various processes by the CPU 231 may be described as execution of various processes by the control unit 230.

[0021] The control unit 230 executes initial setting for starting use of the printer 100 that is connected to the communication network N for the first time. That is, the control unit 230 acquires self-attribute information 133 from the new printer 100 and adds it to the additional printer information 233. The printer 100 whose self-attribute information 133 is added to the additional printer information 233 becomes selectable in the PC 200 as a printer 100 for image formation.

[0022] In the conventional method, when forming an image, the PC200 generates image data representing the image to be formed according to user input via the user input unit 210. Next, the PC200 selects a printer 100 to be used for image formation from the already added printers 100, according to user input via the user input unit 210. Next, the PC200 sets the print settings to be used for image formation related to the above image data, according to user input. The print settings are settings related to image formation, such as whether to use A3 paper or color printing. Then, the PC200 sends the image data and data indicating the print settings to the printer 100 selected as described above.

[0023] According to the conventional method described above, the user must add all the printers 100 they wish to use to the PC 200 in advance. Forcing the user to perform such a task may impair user convenience.

[0024] Therefore, in this embodiment, printers 100, i.e., printers A to D, are configured as printers that support the distribution function, as follows. The distribution function is a function of the already added printer 100 that distributes image formation to itself and other printers 100. The storage unit 132 of each printer 100 stores self-attribute information 133 for the distribution function. The self-attribute information 133 includes changeable attribute information 133A and unchangeable attribute information 133B. Of these, the unchangeable attribute information 133B relates to fixed attributes that the user cannot change, such as whether it supports A3 printing or color printing, as described above. In contrast, the changeable attribute information 133A is information that indicates attributes that can be changed according to user input through the touch panel display 120.

[0025] As an example of the modifiable attributes according to this embodiment, there are two types: an attribute related to the printer's location and an attribute related to the printer's purpose. The attribute related to the printer's location indicates which floor of the building the printer 100 is installed on. The attribute related to the printer's purpose indicates what purpose the printer 100 is assigned to. Specifically, the modifiable attribute information 133A shows the attribute value for the attribute related to the printer's location. This attribute value takes the value corresponding to the floor number, such as "1F", "2F", "3F", etc. Also, the modifiable attribute information 133B shows the attribute value for the attribute related to the printer's purpose. This attribute value indicates one of "general documents", "design drawings", or "photographs". This indicates which of the following purposes is assigned to the printer: image formation related to general documents, image formation related to design drawings, or image formation related to photographs.

[0026] When using the distribution function, preparation processing is performed for the printer 100 that will actually perform the distribution function. Then, when the printer 100 that will perform the distribution function is selected for image formation, that printer 100 can distribute the image formation to other printers that have not been added, based on the changeable attribute information 133A mentioned above. The details of the processing related to the distribution function will be explained below.

[0027] The preparatory processes required for printer 100 to perform the distribution function will be explained with reference to Figure 4. First, PC 200 adds printer 100, which is connected to the communication network N for the first time, according to user input via user input unit 210 (S1). At this time, the control unit 230 of PC 200 performs the above initial setup to start using the new printer 100. Meanwhile, the control unit 130 of the added printer 100 determines whether or not other printers 100 exist on the communication network N (S2; corresponding to the "device determination process" of the present invention). If it is determined that no other printers 100 exist on the communication network N (S2, No), the control unit 130 terminates the series of processes. In other words, there are no other printers 100 on the communication network N, and there are no candidate printers 100 to distribute to. Therefore, there is no need to have printer 100 perform the distribution function, and no preparatory processes for the distribution function are performed.

[0028] If the control unit 130 determines that other printers 100 exist on the communication network N (S2, Yes), it obtains self-attribute information 133 for each printer 100 from all other printers 100 on the communication network N through capability information notification processing (S3; corresponding to the "attribute information acquisition processing" of the present invention). Next, the control unit 130 aggregates all the self-attribute information 133 related to the other printers 100 obtained in S3 as other-attribute information 134 and correspondence information 135 and stores them in the storage unit 132 (S4). Then, the control unit 130 terminates the series of processes.

[0029] In S4, each other attribute information 134 stored in the memory unit 132 includes modifiable attribute information 134A and immutable attribute information 134B. The modifiable attribute information 134A has the same content as the modifiable attribute information 133A included in the self attribute information 133 from each printer 100. The immutable attribute information 134B has the same content as the immutable attribute information 133B included in the self attribute information 133 from each printer 100. The mapping information 135 is information that maps each other attribute information 134 to each printer 100. In other words, the mapping information 135 indicates which printer 100 each other attribute information 134 relates to. Thus, the memory unit 132 of the added printer 100 stores the self attribute information 133, the other attribute information 134, and the mapping information 135. The entirety of the self attribute information 133 and the other attribute information 134 corresponds to the attribute information for all printers 100 on the communication network N. Furthermore, the correspondence information 135 associates all other attribute information 134 with all printers 100.

[0030] Table 1 shows an example of the contents of the self-attribute information 133, other-attribute information 134, and mapping information 135 stored in the memory unit 132 of the added printer 100. Table 1 shows the attribute values ​​indicated by the modifiable attribute information 133A and 134A and the immutable attribute information 133B and 134B for each of the printers A to D connected to the communication network N. For example, if the added printer 100 is printer A, the attribute values ​​for printer A are indicated by its self-attribute information 133. The attribute values ​​for the other printers B to D are indicated by the other-attribute information 134. The mapping information 135 corresponds to the information that maps this information to printers A to D.

[0031] [Table 1]

[0032] The series of processes for image formation using the sorting function after the execution of the preparation process shown in Figure 4 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. First, the control unit 230 of PC200 selects the printer 100 according to the user input via the user input unit 210 (S11). Next, the control unit 230 of PC200 determines whether or not the preparation process for the sorting function has been executed at the selected printer 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected printer") (S12). This determination is made based on information sent from the selected printer to PC200 indicating whether or not the preparation process shown in Figure 4 has been executed.

[0033] If it is determined that the preparation process for the distribution function has not been completed for the selected printer (S12, No), the control unit 230 of PC200, in the same way as in the conventional method, sets the print settings related to image formation according to the user input via the user input unit 210, based on the additional printer information 233 already added to PC200 (S13). In other words, print settings are made within the range that the selected printer can directly handle, such as A3 printing and color printing. Next, the selected printer performs image formation based on the print settings made in S13 (S14). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0034] If the PC200 determines that the sorting function preparation process has been completed in the selected printer (S12, Yes), the PC200 control unit 230 requests the selected printer for its own attribute information 133, other attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135 (S15). In response, the selected printer obtains the own attribute information 133 of each printer 100 from the other printers 100 through capability information notification processing. As a result, the latest information at that time is obtained from the other printers 100. The selected printer's control unit 130 updates the other attribute information 134 in the storage unit 132 based on the latest information obtained from the other printers 100 (S16).

[0035] Next, the selected printer transmits its own attribute information 133, other attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135 from its storage unit 132 to the PC 200 that requested the service in S15 (S17). Then, the control unit 230 of the PC 200 performs print settings related to image formation based on the own attribute information 133, other attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135 transmitted from the selected printer (S18).

[0036] In the print settings of S18, the control unit 230 displays the GUI image G shown in Figure 6 on the display 220. The GUI image G has image areas G1 and G2 for setting the self attribute information 133 and other party attribute information 134 acquired in S16.

[0037] Image area G1 is the area for configuring settings related to the unchangeable attribute information 133B and 134B. Image area G1 includes a checkbox image B1 and a checkbox image B2 for selecting the paper size. Checkbox image B1 has content that allows color printing to be selected depending on whether color printing is possible on at least one of printers A to D. Checkbox image B2 has content that allows A3 printing to be selected depending on whether A3 printing is possible on at least one of printers A to D. In the example in Figure 6, checkbox image B1 is checked to select color printing, and checkbox image B2 is checked to select A4 printing.

[0038] Image area G2 is the area for configuring the changeable attribute information 133A and 134A. Image area G2 contains checkbox images B3 to B6 related to the sorting function. Checking checkbox image B3 is equivalent to using sorting based on the attribute related to the printer location. Checkbox image B4 is an image for selecting the attribute value of the printer location from "1F" to "3F".

[0039] The checkbox image B4 can be either checkable or uncheckable. The state of checkbox image B4 is switched based on the following determination result by the control unit 230. The control unit 230 determines whether each printer 100 corresponds to the settings indicated by the check contents of checkbox images B1 and B2. This determination is made based on self attribute information 133, other attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135.

[0040] For example, regarding the checkbox image B1 shown in Figure 6, which is for color printing, according to Table 1, printers A and D support it, while printers B and C do not. On the other hand, according to Table 1, only printer B has a printer location attribute value of "2F". Accordingly, the "2F" portion in checkbox image B4 is grayed out. This indicates that the image is in a state where it cannot be checked. The "1F" and "3F" portions are in a state where they can be checked.

[0041] Checking checkbox image B5 is equivalent to using a sorting method based on attributes related to printer usage. Checkbox image B6 is an image that allows you to select the attribute value of the printer's location from "General Documents," "Design Drawings," and "Photographs."

[0042] The checkbox image B6 can be either checkable or uncheckable. The state switching in the checkbox image B6 is based on the following determination result by the control unit 230. The control unit 230 determines whether each printer 100 corresponds to the settings indicated by the check contents of checkbox images B1 and B2. This determination is made based on self attribute information 133, other attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figure 7, suppose A3 printing is checked in checkbox image B2. According to Table 1, printers B and D correspond to this check, while printers A and C do not. On the other hand, according to Table 1, only printers A and C have the attribute value "General Document" for printer use. Accordingly, the "General Document" portion of checkbox image B6 will be grayed out. The "Design Drawings" and "Photographs" portions can be checked.

[0044] The state of checkbox images B4 and B6 is switched according to the checked content of each. For example, as shown in Figure 8, suppose "1F" is checked in checkbox image B4. On the other hand, according to Table 1 above, the printer 100 with the printer location attribute value "1F" is limited to printer A. The printer usage attribute value of printer A is "general document". Accordingly, in checkbox image B6, the parts related to the printer usage attribute values ​​"design drawings" and "photographs" will be grayed out. The "general document" part can be checked. Also, printer A does not support A3 printing. For this reason, in checkbox image B2, the part related to A3 printing is also grayed out.

[0045] If neither checkbox images B3 nor B5 are checked, indicating that no sorting will be performed, the selected printer will generate the image itself. For this reason, it is preferable that the parts of checkbox images B1 and B2 related to settings that the selected printer cannot support are grayed out. For example, if printer A is printer 100, which is responsible for the sorting function, and is also the selected printer, it is as shown in Figure 9. In other words, if neither checkbox images B3 nor B5 are checked, the image will be generated by printer A, which is the selected printer. According to Table 1, printer A supports color printing but not A3 printing. For this reason, the part of checkbox image B1 related to color printing can be checked. On the other hand, the part of checkbox image B2 related to A3 printing is grayed out.

[0046] Once the print settings in S18 of Figure 5 are configured as described above, the control unit 230 of the PC200 sends an instruction to perform image formation based on the print settings in S18 and the image data to the selected printer (S19).

[0047] Next, the control unit 130 of the selected printer determines in S19 whether the print settings sent from PC200 indicate that distribution should be performed (S20). If it is determined that the print settings do not indicate distribution (S20, No), the control unit 130 executes the process in S14. If it is determined that distribution should be performed (S20, Yes), the control unit 130 determines the printer 100 according to the attributes indicated by the print settings (S21). Specifically, the control unit 130 compares the selection results of the attribute values ​​for printer location and printer use indicated by the print settings with the self-attribute information 133, other-attribute information 134, and correspondence information 135 in the storage unit 132. Then, the control unit 130 determines the printer 100 according to the selection results of the attribute values ​​indicated by the print settings. For example, suppose the attribute value for printer location indicated by the print settings is "3F" and the attribute value for printer use is "General Document". In this case, according to Table 1, printer C is determined as the printer 100 according to the selection results of the attribute values. Furthermore, let's assume that the attribute value of the printer location indicated by the print settings is "1F". In this case, according to Table 1, printer A is determined as printer 100 based on the selected attribute value.

[0048] Next, the printer 100 determined in S21 performs the image formation process (S22). Specifically, if the printer 100 determined in S21 is itself, the control unit 130 of the selected printer performs the image formation process based on the print settings and image data from the PC 200. If the printer 100 determined in S21 is another printer 100, the control unit 130 of the selected printer sends an instruction to the printer 100 determined in S20 to perform the image formation process based on the print settings and image data from the PC 200. Upon receiving this instruction, the printer 100 performs the image formation process according to the instruction.

[0049] According to the embodiment described above, the PC200 distributes image formation to the printer 100 corresponding to the attribute values ​​of the changeable attribute information 133A and 134A selected by the PC200. The changeable attribute information 133A is included in the self-attribute information 133 of the printer 100 that is responsible for the distribution function. The changeable attribute information 134A is included in the other-attribute information 134 of the printer 100 that is responsible for the distribution function. The changeable attribute information 134A has the same content as the changeable attribute information 133A of the self-attribute information 133 of the other printers 10. In this embodiment, this information indicates attribute values ​​related to the printer's location and attribute values ​​related to the printer's purpose, respectively. The user can set the self-attribute information 133 of each printer 100 to content that matches the actual installation location and purpose. The user can then select attribute values ​​for the attributes indicated by the self-attribute information 133 that they have set for each printer 100 in the PC200. Therefore, the user can easily select a printer 100 from a perspective that suits their own preferences, such as the purpose of the device and the installation location. Furthermore, the self-attribute information 133 and the other-attribute information 134 are provided to the PC 200 from the printer 100 that handles the sorting function. Therefore, the PC 200 does not need to access any printers 100 other than the printer 100 that handles the sorting function in order to obtain this information.

[0050] As described above, the user sends the selected attribute values ​​and image data to the printer 100 via the PC 200. This allows the user to have the image formation process performed by the printer 100 of their choice from among multiple printers 100.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, user input regarding settings such as A3 printing and color printing based on the immutable attribute information 133B and 134B is received by the PC200. The immutable attribute information 133B and 134B are stored in the storage unit 132 of the printer 100 that is responsible for the distribution function. Of these, the immutable attribute information 134B is included in the other party attribute information 134. This information is transmitted from the printer 100 to the PC200 and used in the print settings on the PC200. In this way, even the immutable attributes related to printers 100 other than the printer 100 that is responsible for the distribution function can be appropriately set on the PC200.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if color printing or A3 printing is checked in checkbox images B1 and B2, checkbox images B4 and B6 are partially grayed out. This indicates that the printer 100 corresponding to the attribute values ​​indicated by the checked items in checkbox images B4 and B6 does not support color printing or A3 printing. By partially graying out checkbox images B4 and B6, the user is informed that the printer 100 corresponding to that part is not capable of color printing or A3 printing. Based on the displayed information, the user can appropriately adjust the print settings.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer 100 responsible for the distribution function determines whether or not there are other printers 100 connected to the communication network N. Based on the determination result, the printer 100 responsible for the distribution function appropriately acquires its own attribute information 133 from the other printers 100.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when PC200 performs the initial setup of the newly added printer 100, it executes the preparation process shown in Figure 4 so that the printer 100 can assume the distribution function. The preparation process is a process in which the printer 100, which is responsible for the distribution function, obtains its own attribute information 133 from other printers 100 on the communication network N. In this way, the above preparation process is executed at the appropriate timing when PC200 starts using the printer 100.

[0055] <Variation> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description of embodiments, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, changeable attribute information 133A, which is attribute information that can be changed by the user, is stored in the storage unit 132 of the printer 100. Alternatively, or in addition to this, whether or not an A3 sheet of paper is stored in the paper storage unit of the image forming unit 110 may be treated as changeable attribute information by the user. In this case, the paper storage unit of the image forming unit 110 corresponds to the "self-attribute holding unit" of the present invention.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the self-attribute information 133 is input to each printer 100 via the touch panel display 120. Alternatively, the self-attribute information 133 of each printer 100 may be input via the user input unit 210 of the PC 200.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 100 responsible for the distribution function receives its own attribute information 133 from the other printers 100 through capability information notification processing. As a result, the storage unit 132 of the printer 100 responsible for the distribution function stores both its own attribute information 133 and the attribute information of other printers 134. Alternatively, the storage units of each printer 100 may initially store the own attribute information 133 of printers A to D.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, based on the determination by the control unit 130, checkbox images B4 or B6 in Figure 6 are partially grayed out. Alternatively, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, the PC 200 can freely set the print settings. Next, the printer 100, which is responsible for the distribution function, may determine whether printers A to D can handle the print settings after the print settings have been sent to the printer 100, which is responsible for the distribution function. This determination can be made based on the self-attribute information 133 and other-attribute information 134 stored in the storage unit 132 of the printer 100.

[0060] In addition, although the embodiments described above have described the application of the present invention to a printer system 1 having a printer, the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied to other image forming apparatuses, such as image forming systems having a copier, fax machine, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1. Printer System 100 Printers (Printers A-D) 110 Image forming unit 130 Control Unit 200 PC 230 Control Unit

Claims

1. An image forming system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses and terminal devices that are communicatively connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, Each of the aforementioned plurality of image forming apparatuses is An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, A self-attribute holding unit that holds self-attribute information, which is the user's own attribute information and whose content can be changed by the user, The system comprises a control unit that performs an image forming process to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation, The aforementioned terminal device is The selection result, in response to user input, of any of the self-attribute information held in the self-attribute holding unit of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, along with the image data, is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus, which is one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The first image forming apparatus is The system includes an other-party attribute storage unit that stores other-party attribute information, which is attribute information that has the same content as the self-attribute information held in the self-attribute storage unit of a second image forming apparatus, which is an apparatus other than itself among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a first correspondence information that indicates which of the second image forming apparatuses the other-party attribute information belongs to. The control unit of the first image forming apparatus is If the selection result received from the terminal device indicates the self-attribute information stored in the self-attribute holding unit of the terminal device, the first image forming process based on the image data received from the terminal device is executed; if the selection result indicates the other party attribute information stored in the other party attribute storage unit, an instruction is sent to the second image forming device corresponding to the selection result to perform the image forming operation based on the image data, based on the first correspondence information stored in the other party attribute storage unit. The control unit of the second image forming apparatus is An image forming system characterized in that, upon receiving an instruction from the first image forming apparatus to perform the image forming operation, it executes the second image forming process based on the image data.

2. The aforementioned other-person attribute storage unit is, The system stores attribute information of the second image forming apparatus, which includes immutable attribute information that cannot be changed by the user, and second correspondence information that indicates which of the second image forming apparatus the immutable attribute information pertains to. The control unit of the first image forming apparatus transmits the unchangeable attribute information to the terminal device, The terminal device receives user input regarding the settings related to image formation based on the unchangeable attribute information from the first image forming apparatus, and transmits the received settings to the first image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit of the first or second image forming apparatus performs the first or second image forming process according to the settings.

3. The control unit of either the terminal device or the first image forming apparatus is: Based on the contents of the other-person attribute storage unit, a compatibility determination process is performed to determine which of the settings corresponding to the self-attribute information selected in the terminal device is not compatible with the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that the terminal device notifies the user that the setting content is not configurable if the second image forming apparatus determines, based on the compatibility determination process, that it is not configurable.

4. The aforementioned multiple image forming apparatuses are connected to each other in a way that allows them to communicate with one another. The control unit of the first image forming apparatus is A device determination process that determines whether or not there is a second image forming apparatus that is connected to itself in a manner that enables communication, If the apparatus determination process determines that the second image forming apparatus exists, the following is performed: an attribute information acquisition process is performed to acquire the self-attribute information from the second image forming apparatus. Each of the aforementioned plurality of image forming apparatuses is The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first image forming apparatus requests the self-attribute information, the self-attribute information held in the self-attribute holding unit is transmitted to the first image forming apparatus.

5. The terminal device is capable of performing initial settings for starting the use of the first image forming apparatus in response to user input. The control unit of the first image forming apparatus is The image forming system according to claim 4, characterized in that the device determination process and the attribute information acquisition process are executed when the terminal device performs the initial setup.

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