Image forming system

Abstract

This system provides an image forming system that offers greater user convenience than conventional systems and enables print reservations without putting a strain on the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus. [Solution] An image forming system comprising a user terminal, a plurality of image forming apparatuses that print images based on image data received from the user terminal, and a management server that receives print reservations for the image data from the user terminal and manages the reservation status of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein when the management server receives a print reservation for the image data from the user terminal, it determines whether one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses specified in the print reservation is expected to be congested during the specified time period, and if congestion is expected, it checks whether there is availability in other time periods, notifies the user terminal of the available time periods, and the user terminal inquires whether or not to change the print reservation to the time period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming system, and more specifically, to an image forming system that accepts print reservations for image data from user terminals and manages the reservation status of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a print service is known that prints images stored in a user's mobile terminal or images stored on a server from a multifunction device installed in a store such as a convenience store. In such a print service, by making a print reservation in advance from a mobile terminal or the like, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the user to perform operations in front of the multifunction device.

[0003] As a technology related to print reservations for such print services, there has conventionally been proposed a reserved print system comprising: a search and extraction unit that searches a reservation management database to extract reservation information; a monitoring unit that monitors the current time based on the reservation date and time included in the extracted reservation information; and a print control unit that executes print processing of the specified content when the reservation date and time is reached (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in such a reserved print system, there has been a problem that the data downloaded by print reservations may occupy the storage capacity of the multifunction device, due to an increase in data volume accompanying higher definition of image data, an increase in the number of users using reserved printing, and a large number of print reservations made by some heavy users.

[0006] This disclosure was made in consideration of the circumstances described above, and aims to provide an image forming system that offers greater user convenience than conventional systems and enables print reservations without putting a strain on the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming system disclosed herein comprises a user terminal, a plurality of image forming devices that print images based on image data received from the user terminal, and a management server that receives print reservations for the image data from the user terminal and manages the reservation status of the plurality of image forming devices, wherein when the management server receives a print reservation for the image data from the user terminal, it determines whether one of the plurality of image forming devices specified in the print reservation is expected to be congested during the specified time period, and if congestion is expected, it checks whether there is availability in other time periods, notifies the user terminal of the available time periods, and the user terminal inquires whether or not to change the print reservation to the aforementioned time period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, by adjusting the system to prevent congestion of print reservations at the same time in the same store, it is possible to realize an image forming system that offers greater user convenience than before and does not strain the memory capacity of the image forming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system disclosed. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a digital multifunction printer. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the user terminal. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the management server. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the reserved printing process in the image forming system. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows an example of a reservation print acceptance screen displayed on the user terminal's display. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the scheduled print process on the management server of the image forming system. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reserved printing status of digital multifunction printers at each store of the image forming system. [Figure 9] Figure 1 shows an example of a screen for requesting changes to scheduled printouts, as displayed on the user terminal's display. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the scheduled printing process of the management server of the image forming system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In this disclosure, "image forming apparatus" refers to a device that forms and outputs an image, such as a copier or multifunction printer that has a copying function, such as a printer that uses an electrophotographic method for image formation with toner, or an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) that also includes functions other than copying.

[0011] Furthermore, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0012] In the image forming system disclosed herein, if there are no available slots in other time slots within a predetermined time range from the designated time slot, the management server may, based on the reservation status of the multiple image forming machines, check for other available image forming machines in the designated time slot, and if there are other available image forming machines, notify the user terminal of the other image forming machine, and the user terminal may inquire with the other image forming machine whether or not to change the print reservation.

[0013] The "predetermined time range" is, for example, a range of 1 hour before and after the specified time period.

[0014] In this way, when there is no available space even before and after the time period specified in the print reservation, by inquiring of the user whether or not the print reservation should be changed to another image forming apparatus that has an available space in that time period based on the reservation status, it is possible to realize an image forming system that achieves a print reservation with higher user convenience than before and does not strain the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] In the image forming system of this disclosure, when the storage capacity of one image forming apparatus specified in the print reservation is smaller than a predetermined capacity, the management server confirms other image forming apparatuses that have available space in the specified time period based on the reservation status of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and when there is another image forming apparatus that has available space, notifies the user terminal of the other image forming apparatus, and the user terminal may inquire whether or not the print reservation should be changed to the other image forming apparatus.

[0016] In this way, when the remaining storage capacity of the image forming apparatus specified in the print reservation is low, by inquiring of the user whether or not the print reservation should be changed to another image forming apparatus based on the reservation status, it is possible to realize an image forming system that achieves a print reservation with higher user convenience than before and does not strain the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus.

[0017] The image forming system of this disclosure may further include a data server storing content image data for download, wherein when the image data for which the print reservation is received is the content image data, and the one image forming apparatus specified in the print reservation has already received a print reservation for the content image data, the management server causes the one image forming apparatus to print an image based on the content image data without causing the content image data to be downloaded twice from the data server.

[0018] According to this arrangement, when the image data for which a print reservation has been accepted is content image data, and the image forming apparatus specified in the print reservation has already accepted a print reservation for the content image data, the content image data is printed without being redundantly downloaded from the data server, whereby it is possible to realize an image forming system that achieves a print reservation with higher user convenience than conventional ones and does not occupy the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus.

[0019] Hereinafter, this disclosure will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] The schematic configuration of the image forming system 100 of this disclosure will be described based on FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system 100 of this disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 in FIG. 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 of this disclosure is composed of digital multi-function peripherals 1A to 1D, a user terminal 2, and a management server 3, which are connected via a network 4.

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the digital multi-function peripherals 1A to 1D are installed at stores A to D respectively. Note that in the following description, the digital multi-function peripherals 1A to 1D are collectively referred to as the digital multi-function peripheral 1 for explanation.

[0024] The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is an apparatus such as a multi-function device or MFP that digitally processes image data and has a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0025] User terminal 2 transmits image data stored on user terminal 2 to digital multifunction printer 1 via network 4, and executes jobs such as printing.

[0026] The management server 3 is a print server that provides a printing service that allows users to make print reservations for the digital multifunction printer 1 from user terminals 2 via the network 4. User terminal 2 downloads image data from management server 3 to digital multifunction printer 1 and executes jobs such as printing.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the digital multifunction printer 1 comprises a control unit 10, an image data acquisition unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a storage unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a communication unit 15, a timer 16, and an operation panel 17. The following describes each component of the digital multifunction printer 1.

[0028] The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the digital multifunction printer 1 and consists of at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit), at least one SoC (System on a Chip), at least one RAM (Random Access Memory), at least one ROM (Read-only memory), at least one control circuit, various interface circuits, etc.

[0029] The control unit 10 monitors and controls all loads, including detection by each sensor, motor, clutch, and control panel 17, in order to control the operation of the entire digital multifunction printer 1.

[0030] The image data acquisition unit 11 is the part that acquires image data received from external devices such as the user terminal 2 and the management server 3.

[0031] The image forming unit 12 is the part that prints the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 11 and processed by the image processing unit 14 onto paper.

[0032] The memory unit 13 is an element or storage medium that stores information and control programs necessary to realize the various functions of the digital multifunction device 1. For example, semiconductor elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), storage media such as hard disks, flash memory units, and SSDs (Solid State Drives) are used.

[0033] The memory unit 13 stores data necessary for job execution, such as information related to printing jobs and image data. Furthermore, the storage unit 13 has a spool area for temporarily storing print / fax data. Furthermore, the memory unit 13 stores information such as the user's login name and password, which are stored for user authentication.

[0034] Furthermore, the data may be stored in different devices, such as a hard disk drive for the data storage area and a flash memory unit for the program storage area.

[0035] The image processing unit 14 is the part that converts the image data input from the image data acquisition unit 11 into appropriate electrical signals and processes them to make them suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0036] The communication unit 15 communicates with devices such as the user terminal 2 and the management server 3 via the network 4, and sends and receives various data such as image data to and from these devices.

[0037] Timer 16 is the part that measures and counts time, and obtains the time, for example, through an internal clock or network 4.

[0038] The operation panel 17 consists of a display panel made of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel, such as a capacitive type, which is placed on top of the display panel and detects the position where a finger is touched, and includes a display unit 171 and an operation unit 172.

[0039] The display unit 171 is the part that displays various types of information. The display unit 171 is composed of, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and is a display device such as a monitor or line display for displaying electronic data such as processing status by the operating system or application software. The control unit 10 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction printer 1 through the display unit 171.

[0040] The control unit 172 is an interface for operating the digital multifunction printer 1 and is the part that receives commands from the user.

[0041] <Outline configuration of user terminal 2> Next, the general configuration of user terminal 2 will be explained based on Figure 3.

[0042] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of user terminal 2 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the user terminal 2 comprises a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an image processing unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, and an operation unit 25. The following describes each component of user terminal 2.

[0043] The control unit 20 comprehensively controls the user terminal 2 and consists of at least one CPU, at least one SoC, at least one RAM, at least one ROM, at least one control circuit, various interface circuits, etc.

[0044] The control unit 20 monitors and controls all loads, including detection by each sensor and operation unit 25, in order to control the operation of the entire user terminal 2.

[0045] The memory unit 21 is an element or storage medium that stores information and control programs necessary to realize various functions of the user terminal 2. For example, semiconductor elements such as RAM and ROM, or storage media such as hard disks, flash memory units, and SSDs are used.

[0046] The memory unit 21 stores data necessary for job execution, such as information related to printing jobs and image data.

[0047] Furthermore, the data may be stored in different devices, such as a hard disk drive for the data storage area and a flash memory unit for the program storage area.

[0048] The image processing unit 22 is the part that converts image data into appropriate electrical signals and processes them to make them suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0049] The communication unit 23 communicates with devices such as the digital multifunction printer 1 and the management server 3 via the network 4, and sends and receives various data such as image data with these devices.

[0050] The display unit 24 is the part that displays various types of information. The display unit 24 is composed of, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and is a display device such as a monitor or line display for displaying electronic data such as processing status by the operating system or application software. The control unit 20 displays the operation and status of the user terminal 2 through the display unit 24.

[0051] The control unit 25 is an interface for operating the user terminal 2 and is the part that receives commands from the user.

[0052] The display unit 24 and the operation unit 25 may consist of a display panel made of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel, such as a capacitive touch panel, which is placed on top of the display panel and detects the position where a finger is touched.

[0053] <Outline configuration of management server 3> Next, the general configuration of the management server 3 will be explained based on Figure 4.

[0054] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the management server 3 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the management server 3 comprises a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, an image processing unit 32, a communication unit 33, a display unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a reservation acceptance unit 36. The following describes each component of the management server 3.

[0055] The control unit 30 comprehensively controls the management server 3 and consists of at least one CPU, at least one SoC, at least one RAM, at least one ROM, at least one control circuit, various interface circuits, etc.

[0056] The control unit 30 monitors and controls all loads, including detection by each sensor and operation unit 35, in order to control the operation of the entire management server 3.

[0057] The memory unit 31 is an element or storage medium that stores information and control programs necessary to realize the various functions of the management server 3. For example, semiconductor elements such as RAM and ROM, storage media such as hard disks, flash memory units, and SSDs are used.

[0058] The memory unit 31 stores data necessary for job execution, such as information related to printing jobs and image data.

[0059] Furthermore, the data may be stored in different devices, such as a hard disk drive for the data storage area and a flash memory unit for the program storage area.

[0060] The image processing unit 32 is the part that converts image data into appropriate electrical signals and processes them to make them suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0061] The communication unit 33 communicates with devices such as the digital multifunction printer 1 and the user terminal 2 via the network 4, and sends and receives various data such as image data with these devices.

[0062] The display unit 34 is the part that displays various types of information. The display unit 34 is composed of, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and is a display device such as a monitor or line display for displaying electronic data such as processing status by the operating system or application software. The control unit 30 displays the operation and status of the management server 3 through the display unit 34.

[0063] The control unit 35 is an interface for operating the management server 3 and is the part that receives commands from the user.

[0064] The display unit 34 and the operation unit 35 may consist of a display panel made of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel, such as a capacitive touch panel, which is placed on top of the display panel and detects the position where a finger is touched.

[0065] The reservation reception section 36 is the part that receives print reservations for the digital multifunction printer 1 from the user terminal 2.

[0066] <An example of the reserved printing process of the image forming system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure> Next, an example of the reserved printing process of the image forming system 100 of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described based on Figures 5 and 6.

[0067] <Scheduled printing process of the image forming system 100> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the reserved printing process of the image forming system 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0068] Figure 5 assumes a scenario where a user reserves the printing of image data stored in user terminal 2 using one of the digital multifunction printers 1A to 1D located within stores A to D.

[0069] In step S1 of Figure 5, user terminal 2 accepts the user's selection of a print image (step S1).

[0070] Next, in step S2, user terminal 2 accepts the user's selection of the store / location where printing will be performed (step S2).

[0071] Next, in step S3, user terminal 2 accepts the user's selection of the date and time for printing (step S3).

[0072] Figure 6 is an example of a reservation print acceptance screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the user terminal 2 in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 6, "Image #1" is selected as the print image file. Furthermore, "Store A" has been selected as the designated store for printing. Additionally, the print date and time are set to "9 / 24 08:15~08:25".

[0073] User terminal 2 sends the print image received by user terminal 2, the store / location, and the selected date and time to the management server 3.

[0074] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the scheduled printing process of the management server 3 of the image forming system 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0075] In step S11 of Figure 7, when the control unit 30 of the management server 3 receives a reservation from the user terminal 2 (step S11), in step S12 it determines whether or not a reservation matching the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) is available (step S12).

[0076] If there is availability for the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) (if the determination in step S12 is Yes), in step S13, the control unit 30 determines whether congestion is expected under the specified conditions (step S13).

[0077] The control unit 30 determines, for example, that congestion is expected if the expected waiting time at a designated store / location and designated date and time is longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes).

[0078] If congestion is not expected under the specified conditions (the determination in step S13 is No), in step S14, the control unit 30 updates the reservation status as OK (step S14) and terminates the process.

[0079] On the other hand, if congestion is expected under the specified conditions (if the determination in step S13 is Yes), in step S16, the control unit 30 determines whether there is availability at the same store at a different time (step S16).

[0080] Furthermore, in step S12, if there are no available reservations that meet the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) (if the determination in step S12 is No), in step S15, the control unit 30 determines whether the reservation can be completed immediately (step S15).

[0081] If the reservation is something that can be completed immediately (if the determination in step S15 is Yes), the control unit 30 performs the determination in step S13.

[0082] On the other hand, if the reservation is not something that can be completed immediately (the determination in step S15 is No), in step S16, the control unit 30 determines whether there is availability at the same store at a different time (step S16).

[0083] If there is availability at the same store at a different time (if the determination in step S16 is Yes), in step S17, the control unit 30 determines that the reservation is not possible and proposes that other time (step S17).

[0084] Next, in step S18, it is determined whether or not to execute the reservation without changing the specified conditions (step S18).

[0085] If the reservation is executed without changing the specified conditions (if the determination in step S18 is Yes), in step S14, the control unit 30 updates the reservation status as OK (step S14) and terminates the process.

[0086] On the other hand, if the specified conditions are changed and the reservation is executed (if the determination in step S18 is No), the control unit 30 terminates the process. Subsequently, the control unit 30 returns to step S11 and waits until it receives a reservation with the specified conditions changed from the user terminal 2.

[0087] Furthermore, in the determination in step S16, if there are no available slots at the same store at another time (the determination in step S16 is No), in step S19, the control unit 30 determines that the reservation is not possible and suggests an alternative store / location (step S19). Subsequently, the control unit 30 performs the determination in step S18.

[0088] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reserved printing status of the digital multifunction printers 1A to 1D in each store A to D of the image forming system 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 8(A) shows an example of the print reservation status at store A, and includes information such as available reservation dates and times "9 / 24 09:00~09:10" and "9 / 24 21:05~20:15", as well as estimated available space "1.1 GB". Figure 8(B) shows an example of the print reservation status at store B, and includes information such as available reservation dates and times "9 / 24 10:00~10:10" and "9 / 24 20:10~20:25", as well as estimated available space "0.1 GB". Figure 8(C) shows an example of the print reservation status at store C, including information such as available reservation dates and times "9 / 24 10:00~10:10" and "9 / 24 20:10~20:25", as well as estimated available space "0.8 GB". Figure 8(D) shows an example of the reservation status for store D, and includes information such as available reservation dates and times "9 / 24 08:10~08:30" and "9 / 24 19:15~20:00", as well as estimated available space "1.1 GB".

[0089] Next, in step S4 of Figure 5, the user terminal 2 determines whether or not there has been a change proposal from the management server 3 (step S4).

[0090] The print date and time "9 / 24 08:15~08:25" for the user-specified store "Store A" as shown in the example in Figure 6 is not included in the list of available reservation dates and times in Figure 8(A). Therefore, the management server 3, assuming that there is availability at a different time at the same store A (if the determination in step S16 in Figure 7 is Yes), suggests changing the reservation to another available date and time at the same store A, such as "9 / 24 09:00~09:10" or "9 / 24 21:05~20:15".

[0091] In step S4 of Figure 5, if a change proposal is received from the management server 3 (if the determination in step S4 is Yes), in step S5, it is determined whether there is a change in the store / location or date and time, or whether to accept the congestion (step S5).

[0092] Figure 9 is an example of the screen for requesting changes to scheduled printouts, as displayed on the display unit 24 of the user terminal 2 in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 9, the message "The specified printing date and time '9 / 24 08:15~08:25' at your designated store 'Store A' is fully booked and may be crowded," and "Other available dates and times at Store A are as follows. Please select the date and time you wish to change to," is displayed below a list of available dates and times such as "9 / 24 09:00~09:10" and "9 / 24 21:05~20:15."

[0093] Additionally, as shown in the example in Figure 9, users can also select the "Make a reservation as specified" option, even if they accept the potential congestion.

[0094] In step S5 of Figure 5, if there is a change in the store / location (if the determination in step S5 is that there is a change in the store / location), the process returns to step S2 to accept the selection of the store / location. Additionally, if there is a change in date and time (if the determination in step S5 is that the date and time has changed), the system returns to step S3 to accept the selection of the date and time.

[0095] On the other hand, if the reservation is made as specified, acknowledging the congestion (the determination in step S5 is that the reservation is made as specified), in step S6, the control unit 20 determines that the reservation is complete (step S6).

[0096] In the following step S7, a scheduled print command is sent to the management server 3 to perform printing under the specified conditions (step S7), and the process ends.

[0097] On the other hand, if no change proposal is received from the management server 3 in step S4 (i.e., the determination in step S4 is No), the control unit 20 performs the process in step S6.

[0098] Furthermore, in step S17 of Figure 7, when deciding whether to propose to other stores, the next candidate date and time at the designated store may be compared with a candidate date and time at the other store that takes into account availability and travel time. If the candidate date and time at the other store is earlier, the proposal may be made to the other store.

[0099] In this way, by adjusting the schedule so that reservations do not become crowded at the same time in the same store, an image forming system 100 can be realized that provides greater user convenience than before and does not strain the memory capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1.

[0100] [Embodiment 2] Next, an example of the reserved printing process of the image forming system 100 of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described based on Figures 10 and 11.

[0101] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The configuration of the image forming system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure is the same as that of Embodiment 1 (Figures 1 to 4), except that it further includes a data server 5.

[0102] Data server 5 is a server that stores content image data for download. Content image data includes, for example, image data related to digital content that is downloaded and used as a paid or free bonus from manufacturers, such as idol images, illustrations, and game character icon images.

[0103] The other components of the image forming system 100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1 (Figures 1 to 4), so their description is omitted.

[0104] <Pre-printed image forming system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure> Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the reserved printing process of the server of the image forming system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure.

[0105] In Figure 11, we assume a scenario where a user uses user terminal 2 to reserve printing of content image data stored in data server 5 using one of the digital multifunction printers 1A to 1D installed in stores A to D.

[0106] In step S21 of Figure 11, when the control unit 30 of the management server 3 receives a reservation from the user terminal 2 (step S21), in step S22 it determines whether or not a reservation matching the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) is available (step S22).

[0107] If there is availability for the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) (if the determination in step S22 is Yes), in step S23, the control unit 30 determines whether congestion is expected under the specified conditions (step S23).

[0108] The control unit 30 determines, for example, that congestion is expected if the expected waiting time at a designated store / location and designated date and time is longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes).

[0109] If congestion is not expected under the specified conditions (the determination in step S23 is No), in step S24, the control unit 30 determines whether the reserved image is a content image of the data server 5 (step S24).

[0110] If the reserved image is a content image on data server 5 (if the determination in step S24 is Yes), in step S25, management server 3 determines whether the same image has already been reserved at the same store (step S25).

[0111] If the same image has already been reserved at the same store (if the determination in step S25 is Yes), in step S26, the control unit 30 updates the reservation status as OK (step S26) and terminates the process.

[0112] In this case, if the same content image data is specified from multiple user terminals 2 at the same store, the management server 3 will not allow the digital multifunction printer 1 at that store to download the same content image data multiple times, but will instead save only one content image data and then print that content image.

[0113] In this way, by preventing the same data from being downloaded multiple times at the same store, the storage capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1 at that store is not strained, and at the same time, the amount of communication between the digital multifunction printer 1 and the data server 5 is reduced, thereby reducing the server load and network load.

[0114] On the other hand, if the same image has not already been reserved at the same store (the determination in step S25 is No), in step S27, the management server 3 determines whether or not the storage capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1 is expected to be strained (step S27).

[0115] On the other hand, if the reserved image is not a content image on the data server 5 (i.e., the determination in step S24 is No), the control unit 30 also performs the determination in step S27.

[0116] If the storage capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1 is not expected to be strained (the determination in step S27 is No), in step S26, the control unit 30 updates the reservation status as OK (step S26) and terminates the process.

[0117] On the other hand, if the storage capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1 is expected to be strained (if the determination in step S27 is Yes), in step S28, the control unit 30 determines whether there is availability at the same store at a different time (step S28).

[0118] If there is availability at the same store at a different time (if the determination in step S28 is Yes), in step S29, the control unit 30 determines that the reservation is not possible and proposes that other time (step S29).

[0119] Next, in step S30, it is determined whether or not to execute the reservation without changing the specified conditions (step S30).

[0120] If the reservation is executed without changing the specified conditions (if the determination in step S30 is Yes), in step S26, the control unit 30 updates the reservation status as OK (step S26) and terminates the process.

[0121] On the other hand, if the specified conditions are changed and the reservation is executed (if the determination in step S30 is No), the control unit 30 terminates the process. Subsequently, the control unit 30 returns to step S21 and waits until it receives a reservation with the specified conditions changed from the user terminal 2.

[0122] Furthermore, in the determination in step S28, if there are no available slots at the same store at another time (the determination in step S28 is No), in step S31, the control unit 30 determines that the reservation is not possible and suggests an alternative store / location (step S31). Subsequently, the control unit 30 performs the determination in step S30.

[0123] Furthermore, in step S22, if there are no available reservations that meet the specified conditions (specified store / location and specified date and time) (if the determination in step S22 is No), in step S32, the control unit 30 determines whether the reservation can be completed immediately (step S32).

[0124] If the reservation is something that can be completed immediately (if the determination in step S32 is Yes), the control unit 30 performs the determination in step S23.

[0125] On the other hand, if the reservation is not something that can be completed immediately (if the determination in step S32 is No), the control unit 30 performs the determination in step S28.

[0126] Furthermore, if congestion is expected under the specified conditions in step S23 (i.e., the determination in step S23 is Yes), the control unit 30 also performs the determination in step S28.

[0127] In this way, if the image for which a print reservation has been accepted is a content image, and the digital multifunction printer 1 specified in the print reservation has already accepted a print reservation for the content image, the image forming system 100 can be realized that provides a print reservation that is more convenient for the user than before and does not strain the storage capacity of the digital multifunction printer 1 by printing without having to download the content image data twice from the data server 5.

[0128] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure include combinations of any of the embodiments described above.

[0129] In addition to the embodiments described above, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be construed as being outside the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include the meaning of equivalents to the claims and all variations within that scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0130] 1,1A,1B,1C,1D: Digital multifunction printer, 2: User terminal, 3: Management server, 4: Network, 5: Data server, 10,20,30: Control unit, 11: Image data acquisition unit, 12: Image forming unit, 13,21,31: Storage unit, 14,22,32: Image processing unit, 15,23,33: Communication unit, 16: Timer, 17: Operation panel, 24,34,171: Display unit, 25,35,172: Operation unit, 36: Reservation acceptance unit, 100: Image forming system

Claims

1. An image forming system comprising a user terminal, a plurality of image forming apparatuses that print images based on image data received from the user terminal, and a management server that accepts print reservations for the image data from the user terminal and manages the reservation status of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, The image forming system is characterized in that, when the management server receives a print reservation for the image data from the user terminal, it determines whether one of the multiple image forming machines specified in the print reservation is expected to be congested during the specified time period, and if congestion is expected, it checks whether there is availability in other time periods, notifies the user terminal of the available time period, and the user terminal inquires whether or not to change the print reservation to the time period.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein if there are no available slots in other time slots within a predetermined time range from the specified time slot, the management server checks for other available image forming machines in the specified time slot based on the reservation status of the multiple image forming machines, and if there are other available image forming machines, it notifies the user terminal of the other image forming machines, and the user terminal inquires with the other image forming machines whether or not to change the print reservation.

3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein if the storage capacity of one of the image forming apparatuses specified in the print reservation is less than a predetermined capacity, the management server checks for other image forming apparatuses that are available during the specified time period based on the reservation status of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and if there are other image forming apparatuses that are available, it notifies the user terminal of the other image forming apparatuses, and the user terminal inquires with the other image forming apparatuses whether or not to change the print reservation.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a data server storing content image data for download, wherein the image data for which a print reservation has been received is the content image data, and one of the image forming apparatuses specified in the print reservation has already received a print reservation for the content image data, the management server causes the one image forming apparatus to print an image based on the content image data without requiring the content image data to be downloaded twice from the data server.

Images