Information processing device, printing system, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide an information processing device which can select appropriate combination of image forming apparatuses when a plurality of image forming apparatuses execute print processing in corporation with one another.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a selection unit which selects a plurality of image forming apparatuses which can execute print processing based on a printing instruction input from the outside among communicably connected image forming apparatuses according to the printing instruction; a setting unit which acquires information regarding availability of the plurality of image forming apparatuses selected by the selection unit and sets a group consisting of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including an image forming apparatus with the lowest availability among the plurality of image forming apparatuses selected by the selection unit; and an execution instruction unit which instructs execution of the print processing to each of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group set by the setting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, a program, and a recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a printing system has been proposed in which a printer (image forming apparatus) with the lowest printing frequency is selected and a print job is sent to the selected image forming apparatus.

[0003] With this configuration, in Patent Document 1, the usage frequency of the image forming apparatus can be equalized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described Patent Document 1, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses cooperate to execute printing processing, an appropriate combination of image forming apparatuses cannot be selected.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, a printing system, a program, and a recording medium that can select an appropriate combination of image forming apparatuses for executing printing processing when a plurality of image forming apparatuses cooperate to process one input print job.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a selection unit that selects a plurality of image forming devices capable of performing printing based on a print instruction from among a number of image forming devices that are communicably connected, in response to a print instruction input from an external source; a setting unit that acquires information regarding the utilization rate of the plurality of image forming devices selected by the selection unit and sets up a group consisting of a plurality of image forming devices, including the image forming device with the lowest utilization rate among the plurality of image forming devices selected by the selection unit; and an execution instruction unit that instructs each of the image forming devices belonging to the group set up by the setting unit to perform printing.

[0008] A printing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an information processing device comprising: a selection unit that selects a plurality of image forming devices capable of performing printing processing based on a print instruction from among a plurality of image forming devices connected to a communicative network in response to a print instruction input from an external source; a setting unit that acquires information regarding the utilization rate of the plurality of image forming devices selected by the selection unit and sets up a group consisting of a plurality of image forming devices, including the image forming device with the lowest utilization rate among the plurality of image forming devices selected by the selection unit; and an execution instruction unit that instructs each of the image forming devices belonging to the group set up by the setting unit to perform printing processing; and an image forming device that is communicated with the information processing device and performs printing processing in response to an instruction to perform printing processing output from the information processing device.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: select a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of performing printing based on a print instruction from among communicably connected image forming apparatuses in response to a print instruction input from an external source; obtain information regarding the utilization rate of the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses and set up a group consisting of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, including the image forming apparatus with the lowest utilization rate among the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses; and instruct each of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to perform printing.

[0010] A recording medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to perform the following steps: selecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of performing printing based on a print instruction from among communicably connected image forming apparatuses in response to a print instruction input from an external source; acquiring information regarding the utilization rate of the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses and setting a group consisting of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, including the image forming apparatus with the lowest utilization rate among the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses; and instructing each of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to perform printing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, the information processing device, printing system, program, and recording medium have the effect of enabling the selection of an appropriate combination of image forming apparatuses when multiple image forming apparatuses cooperate to perform printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the main components of the management server included in the printing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a function table according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a usage table according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a printing process method in a management server according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a printing process method in a management server according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the display of the estimated printing completion time in the display unit of the management server according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit included in a management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of display on an image forming apparatus included in a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit included in a management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit included in a management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of display on a display unit included in a management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments and modification examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Also, the embodiments and modification examples described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modification examples. Even outside these embodiments and modification examples, various changes can be made according to the design and the like as long as the technical idea of the present disclosure is not deviated from.

[0014] (Printing System) The printing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the printing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] The printing system 100 includes a management server 1 (information processing device) and a plurality of image forming devices 2a to 2d, and each of the plurality of image forming devices 2a to 2d is communicably connected to the management server 1. When there is no need to particularly distinguish and explain the image forming devices 2a to 2d, they are simply referred to as the image forming device 2. Note that the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that the management server 1 and the four image forming devices 2 are communicably connected, but the number of image forming devices 2 included in the printing system 100 may be any plural number.

[0016] The management server 1 is a device that manages the execution of printing processes of a plurality of communicably connected image forming devices 2. The management server 1 is configured to be able to transmit and receive various information to and from the image forming device 2. A detailed description of the management server 1 will be given later.

[0017] The image forming device 2 is, for example, a laser printer that forms a multi-color or single-color image on paper. The image forming device 2 prints an image on paper based on the image data received from the management server 1.

[0018] (Management Server) Next, the configuration of the management server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the management server 1 included in the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the management server 1 includes an input setting unit 10, a display unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage device 13, and a control unit 14.

[0020] The input setting unit 10 is an input device that receives an input of a printing instruction from a user. Examples of the input setting unit 10 include a keyboard, a mouse, and operation buttons. The printing instruction includes, for example, information regarding printing conditions such as the number of printed sheets or the number of printed copies, color printing or monochrome printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, etc. from the user.

[0021] The display unit 11 is a display device that displays various types of information. For example, the display unit 11 can display information that guides the user in entering setting information, and information about each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d that are connected to the management server 1 in a communicative manner. The input setting unit 10 and the display unit 11 may be provided separately, or they may be provided as an integrated touch panel.

[0022] The communication unit 12 establishes communication with each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d to send and receive information. For example, the communication unit 12 sends information related to the printing process, image data, etc. to the image forming apparatus 2, and receives information from the image forming apparatus 2 regarding the functions of the image forming apparatus 2, processing capabilities, and the status of the printing process.

[0023] The storage device 13 is a computer-readable recording medium and can be implemented, for example, by a hard disk or semiconductor memory such as flash memory. The storage device 13 includes a function table 31 and a usage status table 32.

[0024] The function table 31 is a table containing information about the functions of each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the function table 31 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Specifically, for each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d, information is associated regarding whether they support color or monochrome printing, whether they are capable of double-sided printing, and whether they have sorting, stapling, punching, and folding functions. The sorting function is a function that bundles multiple printed materials together by the number of copies to be discharged. The stapling function is a function that automatically bundles printed materials discharged from image forming apparatus 2 by stapling them together. The punching function is a function that punches holes for filing in printed materials discharged from image forming apparatus 2. The folding function is a finishing function that folds printed materials discharged from image forming apparatus 2 into a specified folding method, such as tri-folding.

[0026] Furthermore, in the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, in addition to the ability to execute the above-mentioned functions, the processing capacity of each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d, i.e., the printing speed, is also recorded in the function table 31. Note that the printing speeds of each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d may be stored in the storage device 13 as separate table information from the function table 31 and managed individually.

[0027] The management server 1 may acquire information about functions from each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d and store a table created based on the acquired information as a function table 31 in the storage device 13. Alternatively, if the image forming apparatus 2 whose execution of printing is managed by the management server 1 is predetermined, the management server 1 may be configured to pre-store a function table 31 as shown in Figure 3 in the storage device 13.

[0028] The usage status table 32 is a table containing information regarding the usage status of each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d, as shown in Figure 4, for example. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the usage status table 32 according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0029] Specifically, the usage status table 32 records the number of prints output by each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d up to the present time, and the corresponding maintenance cycle count set for each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d. The maintenance cycle count is the number of prints that require maintenance for each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d. Maintenance includes replacing consumable parts such as toner or photoreceptor drums in each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d. Therefore, the maintenance cycle count can be said to be the number of prints that image forming apparatus 2 can process continuously without replacing consumable parts.

[0030] Furthermore, the management server 1 acquires information regarding usage status (actual number of prints and maintenance cycle count) from each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d, and stores a table created based on the acquired information as the usage status table 32 in the storage device 13.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 14 in the management server 1 calculates the utilization rate of the image forming apparatus 2 as the ratio of the number of prints to the number of prints in the maintenance cycle. For example, in Figure 4, the utilization rate of image forming apparatus 2a is 25%, image forming apparatus 2b is 20%, image forming apparatus 2c is 15%, and image forming apparatus 2d is 10%. The management server 1 then records the calculated utilization rate of image forming apparatus 2 in a utilization status table 32, correlating it with the actual number of prints and the number of prints in the maintenance cycle for each of the image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d.

[0032] In the above example, the management server 1 was configured to determine its utilization rate based on the number of maintenance cycles and the number of prints output to date (actual number of prints output). However, the method of calculating the utilization rate is not limited to this. For example, the utilization rate of each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d may be calculated from the operating time history of each image forming apparatus 2a to 2d.

[0033] The control unit 14 is an arithmetic processing unit that performs various controls on each part of the management server 1, and can be implemented by, for example, a CPU. The control unit 14 includes a selection unit 41, a setting unit 42, a calculation unit 43, an adjustment unit 44, an execution instruction unit 45, a progress determination unit 46, and a notification unit 47 as functional blocks for executing the printing process. If the control unit 14 is a CPU, each of these functional blocks can be implemented by the CPU, for example, reading and executing a program (not shown) stored in the storage device 13.

[0034] The selection unit 41 selects an image forming apparatus 2 from among image forming apparatuses 2a to 2d that can perform printing based on the printing conditions, in response to a print instruction that includes printing conditions input from an external source via the input setting unit 10. For example, if the printing conditions include setting color printing, double-sided printing, and stapling functions, the selection unit 41 refers to the function table 31 and selects an image forming apparatus 2a and an image forming apparatus 2b that correspond to the printing conditions.

[0035] The setting unit 42 acquires information regarding the utilization rate of the image forming apparatus 2 and sets up a group consisting of multiple image forming apparatuses 2, including the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate among those selected by the selection unit 41. For example, suppose the selection unit 41 selects image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b. In this case, the setting unit 42 acquires the utilization rate of each image forming apparatus 2 by referring to Figure 4 and sets up a group that includes the image forming apparatus 2b with the lowest utilization rate among the selected image forming apparatuses 2 and image forming apparatuses 2b. At this time, the setting unit 42 sets image forming apparatuses 2a and image forming apparatuses 2b to belong to the group.

[0036] If the selection unit 41 selects three or more image forming apparatuses 2, all of the selected image forming apparatuses 2 may be set to belong to the group, or two or more arbitrary image forming apparatuses 2, including the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate among the selected image forming apparatuses 2, may be set to belong to the group. This group can be described as a collection of multiple image forming apparatuses 2 that cooperate to perform printing processing for a single print job.

[0037] The calculation unit 43 acquires information regarding the processing capacity of the image forming apparatus 2 and calculates the estimated print completion time for each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group set by the setting unit 42. For example, the group set by the setting unit 42 may include image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b. In this case, the calculation unit 43 acquires information regarding the processing capacity of each image forming apparatus 2, i.e., information regarding the printing speed, by referring to the function table 31 shown in Figure 3. Then, based on the acquired information regarding the printing speed and the number of pages to be printed instructed by the print command, the calculation unit 43 calculates the estimated print completion time when the printing process is performed by image forming apparatus 2a, and the estimated print completion time when the printing process is performed by image forming apparatus 2b.

[0038] Based on the estimated print completion time calculated by the calculation unit 43, the adjustment unit 44 adjusts the amount of printing to be performed by each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group so that the variation in the estimated print completion time of each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group is reduced.

[0039] For example, suppose the group set by the setting unit 42 includes image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b. Also, suppose the number of print orders is 450. In this case, the adjustment unit 44 determines the ratio of the processing speeds of image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b, and from this ratio determines the number of prints to be made by image forming apparatus 2a and the number to be made by image forming apparatus 2b out of the 450 prints.

[0040] In other words, the processing speed ratio of image forming apparatus 2a can be calculated as 60 sheets / (60 sheets + 45 sheets), referring to Figure 3. On the other hand, the processing speed ratio of image forming apparatus 2b can be calculated as 45 sheets / (60 sheets + 45 sheets). Therefore, the number of sheets printed by image forming apparatus 2a is 257, and the number of sheets printed by image forming apparatus 2b is 193.

[0041] The adjustment unit 44 then determines the estimated printing completion time for each image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b based on the number of prints and processing speed of each. In this case, the estimated printing completion time for image forming apparatus 2a is approximately 4 minutes and 16 seconds (257 sheets ÷ 60 sheets / minute), and the estimated printing completion time for image forming apparatus 2b is approximately 4 minutes and 16 seconds (193 sheets ÷ 24 sheets).

[0042] Incidentally, there are cases where a predetermined number of copies is defined as one set, and printing is done in sets of copies. When printing in sets of copies in this way, if the printed materials that should form the same booklet are output from different image forming apparatuses 2, the processing of the printed materials becomes complicated. Therefore, when printing in sets of copies, the adjustment unit 44 adjusts the printing processing amount of each image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b as follows.

[0043] For example, if printing is done in sets of 15 copies, the number of copies printed by the image forming apparatus 2a will be 17 (257 copies ÷ 15 copies = 17.1...), and the number of copies printed by the image forming apparatus 2b will be 13 (193 copies ÷ 15 copies = 12.9...).

[0044] Therefore, when printing in sets of 15 copies, the number of copies processed by the image forming apparatus 2a will be 255 (17 copies × 15 copies), and the number of copies processed by the image forming apparatus 2b will be 195 (13 copies × 15 copies). Consequently, the estimated completion time for printing by the image forming apparatus 2a will be 4 minutes and 15 seconds (255 copies ÷ 60 copies / minute), and the estimated completion time for printing by the image forming apparatus 2b will be 4 minutes and 20 seconds (195 copies ÷ 45 copies / minute).

[0045] In this way, the management server 1 can adjust the image forming apparatus 2a and image forming apparatus 2b to minimize variations in their estimated print completion times, and then have them print in batches.

[0046] The execution instruction unit 45 instructs each of the image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group set by the setting unit 42 to execute the printing process.

[0047] The progress determination unit 46 sequentially receives information regarding the printing status from each of the image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group, monitors the progress of the printing process, and determines whether or not the scheduled printing completion time has changed.

[0048] The notification unit 47 displays information on the display unit 11 regarding the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 whose printing processes are managed by the management server 1. For example, the notification unit 47 displays on the display unit 11 the estimated printing completion time and the installation location of each image forming apparatus 2, as well as information indicating the progress of the printing process in each image forming apparatus 2. Furthermore, the notification unit 47 displays on the display unit 11 whether or not the printed material has been collected from the output tray of the image forming apparatus 2 whose printing process has been completed.

[0049] (Printing method) Next, an example of a printing process method performed by the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of a printing process method in the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the management server 1 receives a print command from the user via the input setting unit 10 (step S11). The print command includes image data to be printed and setting information related to the printing process.

[0051] When a print command is received, the control unit 14 in the management server 1 acquires information on usage status (actual number of prints and maintenance cycle count) from each of the image forming apparatuses 2, and calculates the utilization rate of each image forming apparatus 2 based on the acquired information (step S12). Then, the control unit 14 associates the usage status information acquired from each of the image forming apparatuses 2 with the calculated utilization rate and stores it in the storage device 13 as a usage status table 32.

[0052] In the printing system 100, priority is set to select the image forming apparatus 2 to perform the printing process in order from the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate. For example, in the utilization status table 32 shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 2d with the lowest utilization rate has the highest priority, followed by image forming apparatus 2c, image forming apparatus 2b, and image forming apparatus 2a in decreasing order of priority.

[0053] Next, the selection unit 41 selects an image forming apparatus 2 from among multiple image forming apparatuses 2 that is capable of performing the printing process based on the printing conditions included in the print instruction. At this point, the control unit 14 determines whether there are multiple image forming apparatuses 2 selected by the selection unit 41 (step S13). If it is determined that there are multiple image forming apparatuses 2, the control unit 14 determines whether the number of prints instructed to be printed is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (step S14). The predetermined number is the number of prints that can be processed in a sufficiently short time (for example, about 1 to 5 minutes) using only one image forming apparatus 2, and can be, for example, 100 sheets.

[0054] If the number of prints is less than a predetermined number, it is not necessary to use the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 selected by the selection unit 41 to perform the printing process. Instead, the printing process can be performed using only the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate among the selected multiple image forming apparatuses 2. Therefore, if the answer is "No" in step S13 and "No" in step S14, the process proceeds to step S28. The setting unit 42 then sets the selected image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate as the print destination. In the following step S29, the calculation unit 43 calculates the estimated completion time for printing of the image forming apparatus 2 set as the print destination. After that, the process proceeds to step S20, which will be described later.

[0055] On the other hand, if "Yes" is selected in step S14, the setting unit 42 sets a group of image forming apparatuses 2 to perform the printing process from among the image forming apparatuses 2 selected by the selection unit 41 (step S15). The setting unit 42 sets a group consisting of multiple image forming apparatuses 2, including the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate among the image forming apparatuses 2 selected by the selection unit 41.

[0056] Furthermore, in the management server 1, the calculation unit 43 acquires information regarding the processing capacity of the image forming apparatus 2 and calculates the estimated print completion time for each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group set by the setting unit 42 (step S16). The management server 1 then determines whether the estimated print completion time for each image forming apparatus 2 calculated by the calculation unit 43 is equal to or greater than the specified time (step S17). The specified time is the time that is acceptable even if only one image forming apparatus 2 processes the print job among multiple image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group, and can be, for example, 5 minutes.

[0057] If the estimated printing completion time is less than the specified time, it is not necessary to use multiple image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group to perform the printing process. Instead, the printing process can be performed using only the image forming apparatus 2 with the lowest utilization rate among the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group. Therefore, if the answer in step S17 is "No", proceed to step S20, which will be described later.

[0058] On the other hand, if "Yes" is selected in step S17, the management server 1 adjusts the amount of printing performed by each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group based on the estimated printing completion time calculated by the calculation unit 43, so as to reduce the variation in the estimated printing completion times of each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group (step S18). The adjustment unit 44 then numbers each image forming apparatus 2 after the adjustment of the amount of printing performed in order of their estimated printing completion times (step S19). The order of the estimated printing completion times coincides with the order in which the printed materials are collected by the user.

[0059] Next, the notification unit 47 displays the estimated printing completion time for the image forming apparatus 2 on the display unit 11 (step S20). When the image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group cooperate in the printing process, the notification unit 47 displays the numbered number along with the estimated printing completion time, as shown in Figure 7. The notification unit 47 also displays the message "The estimated printing completion times for each image forming apparatus 2 are as follows." In this way, the notification unit 47 displays the estimated printing completion time on the display unit 11, allowing the user to understand when the printing process will be completed in each image forming apparatus 2. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the estimated printing completion time in the display unit 11 of the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0060] Next, the notification unit 47 displays the arrangement of the image forming apparatus 2 and the order in which the printed materials will be collected (step S21). For example, as shown in Figure 8, the display unit 11 displays multiple image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to a group. Furthermore, it displays the image forming apparatus 2 that will collect the printed materials first in a manner that distinguishes it from the other image forming apparatuses 2, and assigns a number to each image forming apparatus 2 indicating the order of collection. It also displays a comment prompting collection, such as "Please take the printed materials from image forming apparatus 1." It also displays information indicating the location of each image forming apparatus 2. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display in the display unit 11 of the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure. In this way, because the notification unit 47 displays the order in which the printed materials will be collected and their arrangement in association with each image forming apparatus 2, the user can collect the printed materials efficiently.

[0061] Next, the execution instruction unit 45 instructs each image forming apparatus 2 belonging to the group to execute the printing process according to the amount of printing adjusted by the adjustment unit 44 (step S22). The management server 1 also instructs each image forming apparatus 2 to display a message indicating that the printing process is in progress. In response to this instruction, each image forming apparatus 2 executes the printing process and displays a message indicating that the printing process is in progress. As an indication that the printing process is in progress, for example, as shown in Figure 9, each image forming apparatus 2 may display a message such as "Printing process is in progress. Please wait." Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display in an image forming apparatus 2 of the printing system 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0062] When printing is performed in each image forming apparatus 2 in response to an instruction from the execution instruction unit 45, the management server 1 acquires information regarding the printing status from each image forming apparatus 2. Upon acquiring the information regarding the printing status, the notification unit 47 displays the printing status of each image forming apparatus 2 on the display unit 11 (step S23). For example, as shown in Figure 10, the display unit 11 displays the remaining printing time as the printing status of each image forming apparatus 2, along with the message "The printing status is as follows." which provides guidance on the printing status. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display unit 11 of the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure. In Figure 10, the display unit 11 is configured to display the remaining printing time as the printing status, but it may also be configured to display information indicating the percentage of the amount of printing that has been performed in each image forming apparatus 2.

[0063] Each image forming apparatus 2 is configured to sequentially send a signal to the management server 1 indicating the completion of the printing process once the printing process is complete. The management server 1 then determines whether the printing process has been completed in each image forming apparatus 2 based on the signals received by the control unit 14 from each image forming apparatus 2 (step S24). First, the control unit 14 determines whether the printing process has been completed in the image forming apparatus 2 that is scheduled to complete the printing process first, that is, the image forming apparatus 2 designated as "1".

[0064] While it is determined that the printing process is not yet complete (No in step S24), the process returns to step S23 and is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing process is complete (Yes in step S24), the control unit 14 determines whether the printed material has been collected from the image forming apparatus 2 after the printing process is complete (step S25).

[0065] In other words, each image forming apparatus 2 is equipped with a sensor in its output tray to detect the presence or absence of printed material. When the sensor detects that printed material has been removed from the output tray, it is configured to transmit the detection result to the management server 1. The management server 1 can then determine whether or not the printed material has been collected based on whether or not the control unit 14 has received a detection result from the image forming apparatus 2 designated with "1".

[0066] In the management server 1, while the control unit 14 determines that the printed materials have not been collected ("No" in step S25), the determination in step S25 is repeated. On the other hand, when the control unit 14 determines that the printed materials have been collected ("Yes" in step S25), it determines whether all printed materials have been collected (step S26). In this case, the image forming apparatus 2 designated "1" has finished collecting the printed materials, but not all printed materials have been collected. Therefore, in step S26, it determines "No", and returns to step S24 to determine whether the printing process has been completed in the image forming apparatus 2 designated "2" that is scheduled to complete the printing process next.

[0067] If the printing process is completed in the image forming apparatus 2 designated as "2" (Yes in step S24), it is determined whether or not the printed material has been collected from the image forming apparatus 2 designated as "2" (step S25). Before determining whether or not the printed material has been collected from the image forming apparatus 2 designated as "2", the notification unit 47 displays the image forming apparatus 2 designated as "2" on the display unit 11 in a manner that distinguishes it from the other image forming apparatuses 2, as the next image forming apparatus to collect the printed material.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the display unit 11 displays multiple image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to a group. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 2 that will collect the printed material second is displayed in a manner that distinguishes it from the other image forming apparatuses 2, and each image forming apparatus 2 is displayed with a number indicating the order of collection. In addition, a comment prompting collection, such as "Please take the printed material from image forming apparatus 2," is also displayed. Information indicating the location of each image forming apparatus 2 is also displayed. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display in the display unit 11 of the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0069] Then, in step S26, it is determined whether all printed materials have been collected. If not all printed materials have been collected (No in step S26), the process returns to step S24 and the same process is repeated. On the other hand, if all printed materials have been collected (Yes in step S26), the notification unit 47 displays on the display unit 11 that all printing processes have been completed (step S27).

[0070] As described above, the management server 1 can select an appropriate combination of image forming apparatuses when multiple image forming apparatuses 2 cooperate to perform printing.

[0071] Furthermore, the management server 1 can adjust the amount of printing to ensure that the scheduled completion times for each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 are as similar as possible.

[0072] Incidentally, in one of the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 that work together to perform printing on a single print job, accidents such as paper jams, toner depletion, or paper depletion may occur during the printing process. When such accidents occur, the printing process may not be completed in the numbered order across the multiple image forming apparatuses 2.

[0073] Therefore, in the management server 1, the progress determination unit 46 in the control unit 14 is configured to receive information regarding the printing status from each of the image forming apparatuses 2 belonging to the group sequentially and monitor the progress of the printing process, and the progress determination unit 46 determines whether or not there is a change in the scheduled printing completion time.

[0074] If the progress determination unit 46 determines that there is a change in the scheduled printing completion time, the calculation unit 43 recalculates the scheduled printing completion time by adding the time during which the printing process is stopped due to an accident. The adjustment unit 44 also changes the numbered numbers in order of the scheduled printing completion time, taking into account the time during which the printing process is stopped due to an accident. Then, in step S23, the notification unit 47 displays the printing status on the display unit 11, for example, as shown in Figure 12. That is, the notification unit 47 displays the renumbered number and the remaining printing time based on the recalculated printing completion time, associating it with each image forming apparatus 2. It also displays a message notifying that there has been a change in the scheduled printing completion time. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display unit 11 of the management server 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0075] With this configuration, even if an accident occurs in any of the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 working together to perform the printing process, the user can be notified of any changes to the scheduled printing completion time and the order in which the printed materials are collected.

[0076] In the management server 1 described above, the notification unit 47 was configured to notify the user of various information by displaying various information such as the estimated print completion time on the display unit 11. However, the notification of various information by the notification unit 47 is not limited to display on the display unit 11. For example, if the management server 1 is equipped with a speaker, the notification unit 47 may be configured to notify the user of various information as sound through the speaker.

[0077] Furthermore, while the above-described printing process was explained using the example of the management server 1 receiving a print instruction for a single print job, it is also conceivable that the management server 1 may receive print instructions for multiple different print jobs consecutively. In such cases, if a new print instruction for a print job is received from a user while the printing process for a print job is being executed, the new print process will be executed before the currently running print process is completed. Therefore, when the management server 1 executes a new print process, the setting unit 42 sets a group excluding the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 that are currently executing print processes. However, among the multiple image forming apparatuses 2 that are currently executing print processes, image forming apparatuses 2 whose remaining print processing time is shorter than a predetermined time are included in the selection target when the selection unit 41 selects an image forming apparatus 2 in response to a print instruction for a new print job. The predetermined time can be the sum of the time required for the user to input a print instruction by operating the input setting unit 10 and the preparation period required in each image forming apparatus 2 from the time the input setting unit 10 receives the print instruction until the print process is actually executed. For example, the predetermined time can be a time between several tens of seconds and one minute.

[0078] In this way, the management server 1 can include image forming apparatus 2 with a remaining processing time shorter than a predetermined time as targets for selection by the selection unit 41, thereby increasing the number of candidate image forming apparatus 2 to perform the printing process.

[0079] Furthermore, when multiple image forming machines 2 that work together to perform printing are scattered at slightly different locations on the same floor, the system predicts the user's travel time, adjusts the number of copies to be printed by each image forming machine, and coordinates the printing completion time and the order in which the printed materials are collected, thereby enabling users to collect their printed materials without waiting when they collect them on the floor.

[0080] In the embodiment of this disclosure, the printing system 100 consisted of a management server 1 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 2. However, if one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 2 has the same function as the management server 1, the system may consist of this image forming apparatus 2 having the same function as the management server 1 and the plurality of other image forming apparatuses 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1. Management Server 2 Image forming apparatus 2a Image forming device 2b Image forming device 2c Image forming device 2D image forming apparatus 10 Input setting section 11 Display section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage device 14 Control Unit 31 Function Table 32 Usage Status Table 41 Selection Section 42 Setting section 43 Calculation Section 44 Adjustment part 45 Execution Instruction Unit 46 Progress judgment section 47 Hochi Department 100 Printing Systems

Claims

1. A selection unit that, in response to a print instruction input from an external source, selects from among multiple image forming apparatuses that are connected in a communicative manner and capable of performing the printing process based on the print instruction, A setting unit acquires information regarding the utilization rate of the plurality of image forming apparatuses selected by the selection unit, and sets a group consisting of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, including the image forming apparatus with the lowest utilization rate among the plurality of image forming apparatuses selected by the selection unit. An execution instruction unit that instructs each of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group set by the setting unit to perform a printing process, A calculation unit that acquires information regarding the processing capacity of each image forming apparatus belonging to the group and calculates the estimated printing completion time for each image forming apparatus belonging to the group, The system includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of printing to be performed by each image forming apparatus belonging to the group, based on the estimated printing completion time calculated by the calculation unit, so as to reduce the variation in the estimated printing completion times of each image forming apparatus belonging to the group. An information processing device that, when a new print instruction is input from an external source during the execution of the print process, includes among the image forming apparatuses performing the print process, those with a remaining print processing time shorter than a predetermined time, as targets for selection when the selection unit selects the plurality of image forming apparatuses in response to the new print instruction.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the estimated printing completion time for each image forming apparatus belonging to the group, calculated by the calculation unit.

3. The group includes a progress determination unit that monitors the progress of the printing process of each image forming apparatus belonging to the group and determines whether or not the scheduled printing completion time has changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein if the progress determination unit determines that there is a change in the scheduled printing completion time, the notification unit notifies the changed scheduled printing completion time along with information regarding the image forming apparatus for which the change in the scheduled printing completion time was determined.

4. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A printing system comprising: an image forming apparatus which is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus and performs the printing process in response to an instruction to perform the printing process output from the information processing apparatus.

5. On the computer, The first step is to select multiple image forming apparatuses from among those connected to communicate with the system that are capable of performing printing based on a print instruction input from an external source, A second step involves obtaining information regarding the utilization rates of the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses, and setting up a group consisting of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that includes the image forming apparatus with the lowest utilization rate among the selected plurality of image forming apparatuses. A third step involves instructing each of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to perform a printing process, A fourth step involves obtaining information regarding the processing capacity of each image forming apparatus belonging to the group and calculating the estimated printing completion time for each image forming apparatus belonging to the group. A fifth step is performed in which, based on the estimated print completion time calculated in the fourth step, the amount of printing to be performed by each image forming apparatus belonging to the group is adjusted so that the variation in the estimated print completion times of each image forming apparatus belonging to the group is reduced. A program that, when a new print command is input from an external source while the print process is being executed, includes, among the image forming apparatuses performing the print process, any image forming apparatus with a remaining print processing time shorter than a predetermined time, as a target for selection when selecting the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the first step performed in response to the new print command.

6. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in claim 5 is recorded.

Images