Image forming system and image forming method

Abstract

To easily acquire a print early.SOLUTION: A management device 3 comprises a storage queue that stores a print job transmitted from a terminal device 2, and the management device determines, on the basis the printing performance of image forming apparatuses 1A to 1D, an image forming apparatus that completes print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue earliest and transmits the print job to the determined image forming apparatus 1A to perform transfer processing, and notifies a user of the terminal device 2 of a transfer destination of the print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for relaying a print job created on a terminal device via a management device and transmitting the job to an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various image forming systems that include a terminal device that creates and transmits print jobs and multiple image forming devices have been proposed and are already in practical use. Patent Document 1 listed below describes transmitting a print job to an image forming device that a user is likely to use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-150528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, convenience would be improved if a print job were sent to the image forming device that the user is most likely to use from among multiple image forming devices. However, if that device has low performance, a slow printing speed, or has many print jobs waiting, it becomes difficult to obtain printed materials quickly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to make it possible to easily and quickly obtain printed materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming system according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including a terminal device that creates and transmits a print job, a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job, and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices, wherein the management device includes a storage queue that stores the print job transmitted from the terminal device, and a transfer unit that determines, based on the printing performance of the image forming devices, the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device; When the transfer unit determines that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the transfer unit narrows down the image forming apparatus that will complete the print processing most quickly using at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the amount of data as a determination factor; The terminal device has a print control unit that creates a print job based on the document to be printed and sends the created print job to the management device, and the image forming device has an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium to generate a printed matter, and a control unit that performs the printing process by controlling the image forming unit based on the print job received from the management device.

[0007] An image forming method according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming method executed in an image forming system including a terminal device that creates and transmits a print job, a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job, and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices, the image forming method including a transfer step in which the management device, which has a storage queue that stores the print job transmitted from the terminal device, determines the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue based on the printing performance of the image forming device, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device; In the transfer step, if it is determined that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the image forming device that will complete the print processing most quickly is narrowed down based on at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the data amount, a print control step in which the terminal device creates the print job based on a document to be printed and transmits the created print job to the management device; anda control step of controlling an image forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium and generate a printed matter, based on the print job received from the management apparatus, to perform the printing process; And, further Has. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the image forming device that can complete the print process the fastest is determined based on the printing performance (e.g., print speed) of the image forming device, and the print job is transferred to that image forming device for print processing, thereby enabling the fastest output of printed materials, and therefore making it easy to obtain printed materials early. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an entire image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of a management device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in a device information storage unit. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in a storage queue for which the "direct printing" function is set. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in a storage queue for which the "print anywhere" function is set. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in a storage queue for which the "fastest print" function is set. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the management device when a print job is received. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification sent from the management device to the user of the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An image forming system and an image forming method according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the entire image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] An image forming system 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1A to 1D (hereinafter collectively referred to as "image forming apparatuses 1"), a plurality of terminal devices 2A and 2B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminal devices 2"), and a management device 3, which are present on a network such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction device that combines multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, or a printer that only has a printer function.

[0012] The terminal device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a printer driver having a function of creating a print job based on a document to be printed and transmitting the created print job to the management device 3.

[0013] The management device 3 is, for example, a server, and relays communication between the terminal device 2 and the image forming device 1. The management device 3, for example, temporarily stores a print job transmitted from the terminal device 2 and transmits the print job to the image forming device 1 to perform a transfer process.

[0014] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeder 6, a document reader 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeder 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface 91, and a storage device 8. It is composed of the following.

[0015] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is an automatic document feeder called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and is equipped with a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0016] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0017] The following describes an image forming operation performed by image forming apparatus 1. Image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on paper as a recording medium fed from paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation or image data received from a computer as an external device (not shown) connected via a network.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, fixing the toner image to the paper, and the paper that has undergone the fixing process is discharged to an output tray (not shown). The paper feed unit 14 is equipped with a paper feed cassette.

[0019] The storage device 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs and the like.

[0020] The operation unit 47 receives instructions, such as an instruction to perform an image forming operation, from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user via a touch panel provided in the display unit 473, based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 or the user's operation on the physical keys.

[0021] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 473 is equipped with a touch panel. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position.

[0022] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (for example, the management device 3) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0023] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100.

[0024] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation in accordance with the control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0025] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feed unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, and the storage device 8, and performs drive control of each of these units. For example, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12 and the like based on a print job received from the management device 3 to perform printing processing and generate printed matter.

[0026] 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of the management device 3. The management device 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage device 33.

[0027] The communication unit 32 is a communication interface that performs data communication with an external device within a local area or on the Internet. For example, the communication unit 32 performs data communication with the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2.

[0028] The storage device 33 is an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and stores various control programs. The storage device 33 includes a map information storage unit 330, a device information storage unit 331, and storage queues 332A to 332D (hereinafter collectively referred to as "storage queues 332") that store print jobs transmitted from the terminal device 2. The storage queues 332 are part of the storage area of ​​the storage device 33. The storage queues 332 are, for example, folders. Each storage queue 332 is assigned a name for identification. In this embodiment, the storage queues 332 will be described as a folder.

[0029] The map information storage unit 330 stores map information relating to the location where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed. The device information storage unit 331 stores device information relating to the image forming apparatus 1 connected to the management apparatus 3 via a network. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration stored in the device information storage unit 331.

[0030] The device information storage unit 331 stores information indicating the device name, IP address, performance, installation location, and current status of each image forming device 1, in association with an identification number for identifying the image forming device 1. The performance of the image forming device 1 includes the printing speed and the maximum paper size that can be printed. Information indicating the current status includes information regarding print jobs that are waiting to be printed in the image forming device 1. This device information is transmitted from the image forming device 1 periodically or irregularly, and the control unit 310, which will be described later, updates the information stored in the device information storage unit 331 each time.

[0031] From the information stored in the device information storage unit 331, it can be seen that, for example, the image forming device 1 assigned the identification number "0001" has the device name "TF40", the IP address "10.191.21.95", the color printing speed "40 pages per minute", the monochrome printing speed "40 pages per minute", and the maximum printable paper size "A3".

[0032] Furthermore, the management device 3 can acquire information about the installation location of the image forming device 1 based on information (e.g., coordinate information) indicating the installation location stored in the device information storage unit 331 and map information stored in the map information storage unit 330. For example, the management device 3 can acquire information such as "15th floor, 6th examination room" as information about the installation location of the image forming device 1.

[0033] The control unit 31 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an ASIC, or an MPU. The control unit 31 includes a control unit 310, a transfer unit 311, and a notification unit 312.

[0034] The control unit 31 functions as a control unit 310 , a transfer unit 311 , and a notification unit 312 through the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 33 .

[0035] The control unit 310 is responsible for overall operational control of the management device 3. The control unit 310 is connected to the communication unit 32 and the storage device 33, and controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned components connected thereto, and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each of the components.

[0036] The transfer unit 311 performs a process of storing a print job sent from the terminal device 2 in the storage queue 332 and a process of sending the print job stored in the storage queue 332 to the image forming device 1, i.e., a transfer process.

[0037] The notification unit 312 performs a notification process to notify the user of the terminal device 2 of information relating to the installation location of the image forming device 1 to which the print job is to be transferred. For example, the notification unit 312 causes the communication unit 32 to send the information to a pre-registered email address associated with the user.

[0038] The transfer unit 311 sets, in each storage queue 332, one or more image forming devices 1 as candidates for the transfer destination of the print job stored in the storage queue 332. Furthermore, the transfer unit 311 executes a plurality of predetermined transfer functions for the print job stored in the storage queue 332. The transfer unit 311 sets which transfer function to execute for each storage queue 332. Differences in the transfer function affect the printing procedure. The transfer functions include, for example, the following three patterns. This will be described using FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0039] <Pattern 1> "Direct Print"

[0040] 5A to 5C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in storage queue 332 for which the "direct printing" function has been set by transfer unit 311. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the "direct printing" function has been set in storage queue 332A by transfer unit 311 and image forming device 1B has been set as the transfer destination of the print job.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5A, a user U stores a print job in a storage queue 332A. When an operation is performed on the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 2 so that the print job is stored in the storage queue 332A, the control unit 210 of the terminal device 2 sends the print job to the management device 3 via the communication unit 24, along with an instruction to store the print job in the storage queue 332A.

[0042] In the management device 3, the transfer unit 311 stores the print job received by the communication unit 32 in the storage queue 332A in accordance with the above instruction. As shown in Fig. 5(B), the transfer unit 311 transmits the print job stored in the storage queue 332A from the communication unit 32 to the image forming device 1B, which is the transfer destination of the storage queue 332A. When the image forming device 1B receives the print job via the network interface unit 91, the control unit 100 performs printing processing based on the received print job and causes the image forming unit 12 to generate a printed matter P, as shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0043] <Pattern 2> "Print & follow"

[0044] 6A to 6C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in storage queue 332 for which the "Print Anywhere" function has been set by transfer unit 311. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the "Print Anywhere" function is set in storage queue 332B by transfer unit 311 and image forming devices 1B to 1D are set as candidates for transfer destinations of the print job stored in storage queue 332B.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(A), when a user U operates the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 2 to store a print job in the storage queue 332B, the control unit 210 of the terminal device 2 transmits an instruction to store the print job in the storage queue 332B and the print job itself to the management device 3 from the communication unit 24.

[0046] In the management device 3, the transfer unit 311 stores the received print job in the storage queue 332B in accordance with the above instruction. The print job stored in the storage queue 332B can be requested to be acquired from any of the image forming devices 1B to 1D set in the storage queue 332B as a candidate for the transfer destination.

[0047] For example, when a user U operates the operation unit 47 of the image forming device 1C and inputs an instruction to retrieve a print job stored in the storage queue 332B, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1C sends an instruction to the management device 3 via the network interface unit 91 requesting the transfer of the print job.

[0048] In the management device 3, when the communication unit 32 accepts the request, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the transfer unit 311 transmits the print job stored in the storage queue 332B to the image forming device 1C via the communication unit 32. When the image forming device 1C receives the print job via the network interface unit 91, as shown in Fig. 6(C), the control unit 100 performs printing processing based on the received print job and causes the image forming unit 12 to generate a printed matter P.

[0049] <Pattern 3> "Fastest printing (PPM Based Printing)"

[0050] 7A to 7C are conceptual diagrams showing the flow of processing when a print job is stored in storage queue 332 for which the "fastest print" function has been set by transfer unit 311. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the "fastest print" function has been set in storage queue 332C and image forming devices 1A to 1D have been set by transfer unit 311 as candidates for the transfer destination of the print job.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7(A), when a user U operates the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 2 to store a print job in the storage queue 332C, the control unit 210 of the terminal device 2 sends an instruction to store the print job in the storage queue 332C together with the print job from the communication unit 24 to the management device 3.

[0052] In the management device 3, the transfer unit 311 stores the received print job in the storage queue 332C. Thereafter, the transfer unit 311 determines the image forming device 1 that will complete the print processing based on the print job earliest from among the image forming devices 1A to 1D that are candidates for the transfer destination of the print job specified in the storage queue 332C.

[0053] When the transfer unit 311 determines that the image forming device 1 that will complete the printing process the earliest is the image forming device 1A, it sends the print job stored in the storage queue 332C from the communication unit 32 to the image forming device 1A, as shown in Figure 7(B).

[0054] Furthermore, the notification unit 312 of the management device 3 transmits a notification to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 32, informing the user U of the terminal device 2 of information regarding the installation location of the image forming device 1A to which the print job has been transferred. This allows the user U to easily know which image forming device 1 will produce the printed matter P. In the image forming device 1A, when the network interface unit 91 receives the print job, the control unit 100 performs printing processing based on the received print job, as shown in FIG. 7(C), and causes the image forming unit 12 to generate the printed matter P.

[0055] 8 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a storage device 25. Each of these components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a communication path.

[0056] The operation unit 22 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used to input commands and characters to the control unit 21, and also to operate a pointer on the screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 22 accepts input of instructions from the user based on operations by the user. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD, etc., and displays responses and data results from the control unit 21.

[0057] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from external devices such as the management device 3 within the local area or on the Internet.

[0058] The storage device 25 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various control programs. A printer driver 250 is installed as a program in the terminal device 2. The printer driver 250 is stored in the storage device 25.

[0059] The control unit 21 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and dedicated hardware circuits. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an ASIC, or an MPU. The control unit 21 includes a control unit 210 and a print control unit 211.

[0060] The control unit 21 functions as a control unit 210 through operation by the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 25, and functions as a print control unit 211 through operation by the processor in accordance with a printer driver 250 stored in the storage device 25. However, these control units 210 and the like can also be configured by hardware circuits, rather than relying on operation in accordance with a control program by the control unit 21. Unless otherwise stated below, this applies to each embodiment.

[0061] The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 2. The control unit 210 is connected to the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, the communication unit 24, and the storage device 25, and controls the operation of each of these units.

[0062] The print control unit 211 creates a print job by converting the document to be printed into print data that can be analyzed by the image forming device 1, and sends an instruction to the management device 3 via the communication unit 24 to store the created print job in a storage queue 332 specified by the user via the operation unit 22. For example, the print control unit 211 creates print data by converting the document to be printed into a description in a page description language (PDL).

[0063] In addition, the print control unit 211 displays an operation screen G1 on the display unit 23 for specifying a storage queue 332 to which a print job is to be submitted, as shown in an example in Figure 9, and accepts the user's specification of the storage queue 332 via the operation unit 22.

[0064] The operation screen G1 includes a display field C1 (Address) for displaying the IP address of the terminal device 2, a display field C2 (Protocol) for displaying the printing protocol, a display field C3 (Queue) for displaying the name of the storage queue 332 to which the print job will be submitted, and a display field C4 (Use) for displaying the PDL to be used, and further includes an operation key K1 marked "Add."

[0065] The IP address is automatically displayed in display field C1, while display fields C2 to C4 display information entered or selected by the user via operation unit 22. That is, the user specifies the print protocol, the print job submission destination (storage queue 332), and the PDL via operation screen G1.

[0066] For example, if the name of storage queue 332C is set to "PPMQueueXX", when the user specifies "PPMQueueXX" as the name of storage queue 332 as the destination for submitting a print job via operation unit 22, terminal device 2 transmits an instruction to store the print job in storage queue 332C and the print job itself to management device 3 from communication unit 24.

[0067] Regarding the storage queue 332, when an instruction is input to the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 2, the control unit 210 transmits the instruction from the communication unit 24 to the management device 3. When the communication unit 32 of the management device 3 receives the instruction, the transfer unit 311 creates, modifies, or deletes a new storage queue 332 in accordance with the instruction. The terminal device 2 receives, via the operation unit 22, an input of the name of the storage queue 332, a selection of a function to be set in the storage queue 332 (e.g., direct printing, printing anywhere, or fastest printing), and a designation of an image forming device 1 that is a candidate destination for a print job stored in the storage queue. The control unit 210 transmits the received content as an instruction to the management device 3 via the communication unit 24. In the management device 3, the transfer unit 311 creates a new storage queue 332 in the storage device 33, to which the content indicated in the instruction transmitted from the terminal device 2 is set.

[0068] Next, the process performed by the management device 3 when a print job transmitted from the terminal device 2 is received via the communication unit 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0069] The transfer unit 311 of the management device 3 stores the print job received from the terminal device 2 in a storage queue 332 specified by the user of the terminal device 2 (S1), and determines which transfer function is pre-set in the storage queue 332 (S2).

[0070] If the transfer unit 311 determines that the transfer function set in the storage queue 332 is "direct printing" ("direct printing" in S2), it transmits the print job stored in the storage queue 332 via the communication unit 32 to the image forming device 1 specified as the transfer destination in the storage queue 332 (S3). After this, the process ends.

[0071] If the transfer unit 311 determines that the transfer function set in the storage queue 332 is "Print Anywhere" ("Print Anywhere" in S2), it transmits the print job stored in the storage queue 332 to the image forming device 1 that requested the transmission via the communication unit 32 (S4). After this, the process ends.

[0072] If the transfer unit 311 determines that the transfer function set in the storage queue 332 is "fastest printing" ("fastest printing" in S2), it determines the image forming device 1 (i.e., the transfer destination) that will complete the printing process based on the print job stored in the storage queue 332 the fastest, from among the image forming devices 1 set as candidate transfer destinations in the storage queue 332, based on the printing performance of the image forming device 1 (S5).

[0073] For example, if image forming devices 1A to 1D are set as candidate transfer destinations, and the print job is "A4 size monochrome printing," the image forming device 1 with the identification number "0004" shown in Figure 4 will complete the print process the fastest, and if the print job is "A4 size color printing," the image forming device 1 with the identification numbers "0001" and "0003" shown in Figure 4 will complete the print process the fastest.

[0074] The transfer unit 311 determines whether two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain (S6), and if it determines that two or more remain (YES in S6), it narrows down to one image forming device 1 that will complete the printing process the fastest, using at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed in the image forming device 1 and the amount of data as a determination factor (S7).

[0075] For example, if there are two or more image forming devices 1 with the same printing speed, the transfer unit 311 determines the image forming device 1 with the fewest number of print jobs waiting to be printed and that will complete the printing process the fastest as the transfer destination based on the ``current status'' stored in the device information storage unit 331.

[0076] Next, the transfer unit 311 transmits the print job stored in the storage queue 332 to the image forming device 1 determined as the transfer destination via the communication unit 32 (S8). Upon receiving the print job, the image forming device 1 performs printing processing based on the received print job, as shown in FIG. 7(C), to generate a printed matter P.

[0077] The notification unit 312 acquires information about the installation location of the image forming device 1 to which the print job is to be transferred, based on the information indicating the installation location of the image forming device 1 stored in the device information storage unit 331 and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 330 (S9), and sends a notification from the communication unit 32 to the user of the terminal device 2 informing them of the information about the installation location of the image forming device 1 to which the print job is to be transferred (S10). After this, the process ends.

[0078] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification sent to the user. The notification M1 includes a message indicating that the print job has been successfully sent, as well as device information about the image forming apparatus 1 to which the job is to be transferred and information about its installation location.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, the image forming device 1 that will complete the print process the fastest is determined based on the printing performance (e.g., print speed) of the image forming device 1, and the print job is transferred to that image forming device 1, where the print process is performed, thereby enabling the fastest output of printed matter. Therefore, printed matter can be easily obtained early.

[0080] In the above embodiment, when the number of transfer destinations is narrowed down to one, the print job is sent directly to the image forming device 1 to which the job is to be transferred. However, in another embodiment, if the image forming device 1 that will complete the printing process the fastest has many print jobs waiting to be printed, the user is asked whether it is okay to transfer the jobs directly.

[0081] For example, the control unit 31 may further include a confirmation section that, when the image forming device 1 that completes the printing process the fastest has a number of print jobs waiting that is equal to or greater than a preset threshold (e.g., five), temporarily puts the transfer of the print job on hold and sends a confirmation to the terminal device 2 as to whether or not to transfer the print job to the image forming device 1, and a response receiving section that receives a response from the terminal device 2 to the confirmation.

[0082] As a specific example, the confirmation unit transmits information required for the inquiry to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 32. In the terminal device 2, when the communication unit 24 receives the information, the control unit 210 performs processing to display the inquiry to the user, for example, using a dialog box, based on the received information, waits for the user to input an answer (OK or NG) via the operation unit 22, and, when the input is received, causes the communication unit 24 to transmit information indicating the answer from the user to the management device 3.

[0083] The transfer unit 311 of the management device 3 performs the transfer process of the print job when the response receiving unit receives a response from the terminal device 2 permitting the transfer, but does not perform the transfer process of the print job when a response not permitting the transfer is received from the terminal device 2. When not performing the transfer process, the transfer unit 311 stores the print job in the storage queue 332, and as described in "Printing Anywhere", transmits the print job from the communication unit 32 to the image forming device 1 that has requested to obtain the print job.

[0084] Alternatively, by operating the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 2, the control unit 210 may receive an instruction to limit the destination of the print job specified in the storage queue 332 to the image forming device 1 installed in a location close to the user, and the control unit 210 may transmit the instruction to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 24, and the transfer unit 311 may determine the image forming device that will complete the print process the fastest from among the image forming devices 1 installed in locations close to the user in accordance with the instruction received by the communication unit 32. In this case, the printed matter can be created on the image forming device 1 installed in a location close to the user.

[0085] In another embodiment, the print control unit 211 of the terminal device 2 may transmit location information indicating the location of the terminal device 2 to the management device 3 together with the print job via the communication unit 24, and the transfer unit 311 of the management device 3 may determine the image forming device 1 that will complete the print process the fastest from among the image forming devices 1 within a preset range from the location indicated by the location information received by the communication unit 32. This makes it possible to exclude image forming devices 1 installed far away from the user from candidates for the transfer destination, thereby improving convenience.

[0086] In yet another embodiment, the transfer unit 311 of the management device 3 may send a print job to the image forming device 1 that will complete the print processing earliest, and may also send a command to execute the print processing based on that print job as a priority, and the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 may perform the print processing based on the print job that received the command received by the network interface unit 91 as a priority over other print jobs waiting to be printed.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is used as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus that constitutes the image forming system according to the present invention, but this is merely an example, and other image forming apparatuses that have printer functions may also be used.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Image forming device 2. Terminal Device 3 Management device 11 Image forming system 12 Image forming unit 100 control section 211 Printing control unit 311 Transfer Department 312 Notification Department 332 Storage Queue

Claims

1. a terminal device that creates and transmits a print job; a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job; and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices; An image forming system comprising: The management device a storage queue for storing the print job transmitted from the terminal device; a transfer unit that determines the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue based on the printing performance of the image forming device, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device, When the transfer unit determines that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the transfer unit narrows down the image forming apparatus that will complete the print processing most quickly using at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the amount of data as a determination factor; The terminal device a print control unit that creates the print job based on a document to be printed and transmits the created print job to the management device; the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium to generate a printed matter; a control unit that performs the printing process by controlling the image forming unit based on the print job received from the management device, The management device a confirmation unit that, when the number of print jobs waiting in the image forming device that will complete the print processing earliest is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, temporarily puts the transfer of the print job on hold and transmits to the terminal device a confirmation as to whether or not to transfer the print job to the image forming device; a response receiving unit that receives a response from the terminal device in response to the confirmation, The image forming system further includes a transfer unit that transmits the print job to the image forming device when the transfer unit determines that the response received by the response receiving unit indicates execution of the transfer. An image forming system.

2. the transfer unit of the management device transmits the print job to the image forming device that will complete the print process earliest, and transmits a command to execute the print process based on the print job with priority; The control unit of the image forming apparatus executes the print job with priority.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print processing based on the print job is performed with priority over other print jobs that are waiting to be printed.

3. the print control unit of the terminal device transmits the print job to the management device and also transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal device; The image forming system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the transfer unit of the management device determines the image forming device that will complete the printing process the fastest from among the image forming devices within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the location information.

4. The management device 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that performs a notification process to notify a user of the terminal device of information about the installation location of the image forming device to which the print job is to be transferred.

5. A terminal device that creates and transmits a print job, a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job, and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices. An image forming system comprising: The management device a storage queue for storing the print job transmitted from the terminal device; a transfer unit that determines the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue based on the printing performance of the image forming device, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device, When the transfer unit determines that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the transfer unit narrows down the image forming apparatus that will complete the print processing most quickly using at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the amount of data as a determination factor; The terminal device a print control unit that creates the print job based on a document to be printed and transmits the created print job to the management device; the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium to generate a printed matter; a control unit that performs the printing process by controlling the image forming unit based on the print job received from the management device, In the image forming system, the transfer unit of the management device sets, in each of the storage queues, one or more of the image forming devices as candidates for transfer destinations of the print jobs stored in the storage queues.

6. A terminal device that creates and transmits a print job, a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job, and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices. An image forming system comprising: The management device a storage queue for storing the print job transmitted from the terminal device; a transfer unit that determines the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue based on the printing performance of the image forming device, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device, When the transfer unit determines that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the transfer unit narrows down the image forming apparatus that will complete the print processing most quickly using at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the amount of data as a determination factor; The terminal device a print control unit that creates the print job based on a document to be printed and transmits the created print job to the management device; the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium to generate a printed matter; a control unit that performs the printing process by controlling the image forming unit based on the print job received from the management device, the transfer unit of the management device sets a different transfer function in advance for each of the storage queues, and transmits the print job stored in the storage queue to the image forming device in accordance with the transfer function set in the storage queue; In an image forming system, the print control unit of the terminal device transmits to the management device an instruction to store the print job in the storage queue specified by a user, and the print job itself.

7. An image forming method executed in an image forming system including a terminal device that creates and transmits a print job, a plurality of image forming devices that perform print processing based on the print job, and a management device that relays communication between the terminal device and the image forming devices, a transfer step in which the management device, which has a storage queue for storing the print job transmitted from the terminal device, determines the image forming device that will most quickly complete the print processing based on the print job stored in the storage queue based on the printing performance of the image forming device, and performs a transfer process by transmitting the print job to the determined image forming device; In the transfer step, if it is determined that two or more candidates for the transfer destination remain, the image forming apparatus that will complete the print processing earliest is narrowed down based on at least one of the number of print jobs waiting to be printed and the data amount, and a print control step in which the terminal device creates the print job based on a document to be printed and transmits the created print job to the management device; a control step of performing the printing process by controlling an image forming unit provided in the image forming device, which forms an image on a recording medium to generate a printed matter, based on the print job received from the management device, In the transferring step, the management device further If the number of print jobs waiting in the image forming device that will complete the print processing the earliest is equal to or exceeds a preset threshold, the transfer of the print jobs is temporarily put on hold, and a process is performed to transmit to the terminal device a confirmation as to whether or not to transfer the print jobs to the image forming device, and a response to the confirmation is received from the terminal device; an image forming method for transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the received response indicates execution of the transfer;

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