Server device and its program

Abstract

To provide a server apparatus and a program therefor for determining an image forming apparatus that can meet a high quality printing request of users.SOLUTION: Provided is a server apparatus that communicates, via a network, with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, each having scan functions, and a user terminal for providing an image that should be formed by any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, comprising a print job receiving unit, an analyzing unit, and a machine determining unit. The print job receiving unit receives job information indicating the image that should be formed transmitted by the user terminal. The analyzing unit analyzes density in the image from the job information. The machine determining unit determines, based on the density information and image quality information of each of the image forming apparatuses obtained by scanning, in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, reference paper on which monochrome reference images having gradations in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction are formed in separated positions of at least two points in the first direction, a proper machine suitable for forming the image out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a server device and its program.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus placed in a workplace forms an image on a sheet of paper. A general image forming apparatus forms a latent image on a photoreceptor drum by irradiating the photoreceptor drum with image light from an exposure device. The image forming apparatus obtains a visible image by visualizing this latent image with a developing material (developer). The image forming apparatus temporarily moves this visible image to a transfer belt, and further moves the visible image that has moved to this transfer belt onto a sheet of paper. Then, the image forming apparatus fixes (fuses) the visible image that has moved onto this sheet of paper to the sheet of paper using a fixing device.

[0003] As such a usage form of the image forming apparatus, it was often the case of printing mainly characters on plain paper. However, along with the need for on-demand printing of printing that was conventionally performed by printing using a plate, opportunities for high-quality poster printing using an image forming apparatus and on-demand printing on special paper have increased recently. Such printing requires a higher quality than that of conventional character-centered printing.

[0004] On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus, in high-end models, although the high-quality printing requirements for the above-mentioned high-quality poster printing and on-demand printing on special paper can be met, in low-end models, although the above-mentioned on-demand printing is possible, there are cases where the high-quality printing requirements cannot be met. Also, among high-end models, there may be a slight level difference in the density difference of images formed on the front side and the rear side of the apparatus for each model.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a server device that can determine an image forming apparatus capable of meeting the user's high-quality printing requirements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the server device is a server device that communicates with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, each having a scanning function, and a user terminal that provides an image to be formed by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and comprises a receiving means, an analysis means, and a determination means. The receiving means receives job information indicating the image to be formed, transmitted by the user terminal. The analysis means analyzes the density in the image from the job information. The determination means determines the appropriate machine from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses that is suitable for forming the image, based on the density information and image quality information for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses obtained by scanning a reference paper on which a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction is formed, using each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Here, in each of the multiple image forming apparatuses, the first direction and the second direction are the same for scanning and image forming. The analysis means analyzes whether the image to be formed has identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction of image forming that correspond to at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction of scanning, and the determination means determines the appropriate apparatus if identical monochromatic density areas exist. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system including a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of quality information records stored in the image quality database of the server device. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of device information records stored in the device database of a server device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of equipment management processing in a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a standard paper. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the first part of a series of flowcharts illustrating an example of operation management processing in a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the second part of a series of flowcharts illustrating an example of operation management processing in a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a standard paper. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of a standard paper. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a standard paper. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a standard paper. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a printing system including an equipment management server device and an operation management server device that function as server devices according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a device management server. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of an operation management server device. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of equipment management processing in an equipment management server device. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of equipment management processing in an operation management server device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each of the drawings used in the following description of the embodiment, the scale of each part is appropriately changed. Also, in each of the drawings used in the following description of the embodiment, the configuration is appropriately omitted for the purpose of explanation.

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system including a server device 100 according to the first embodiment. The printing system further includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 and a plurality of user terminals 300. The server device 100 can be communicably connected to these image forming apparatuses 200 and user terminals 300 via a network NW. The connection between the server device 100, the image forming apparatus 200, the user terminal 300, and the network NW may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0011] The server device 100 is a print server that receives a print job from the user terminal 300 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200, and includes two virtual server functions: a device management server 101 and an operation management server 102. The device management server 101 manages the image forming apparatus 200 and the user terminal 300. The operation management server 102 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0012] Note that the server device 100 may be, for example, a server device operated by a print service company that deploys print service stations in various locations. In this case, the network NW can be a public network such as the Internet. Also, the server device 100 may be an in-house server device arranged within a company. In this case, the network NW can be an in-house LAN (Local Area Network).

[0013] The image forming apparatus 200 is arranged in a workplace such as a print service station or in-house.

[0014] The user terminal 300 is an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), smartphone, tablet, or digital camera that instructs printing on any of the image forming apparatuses 200. The user terminal 300 may be located in or outside the workplace.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus 200. In Figure 2, the direction towards the viewer on the page is the front direction of the image forming apparatus 200, and the direction towards the depth of the page is the rear direction of the image forming apparatus 200. The up, down, left, and right directions of the image forming apparatus 200 are as shown in Figure 2. The image forming apparatus 200 will be described below using Figure 2.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 200 prints using an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 200 is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) equipped with at least scanning and printing functions. As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 200 includes, as an example, a paper feed tray 201, a manual feed tray 202, a paper feed roller 203, a toner cartridge 204, an image forming unit 205, an optical scanning unit 206, a transfer belt 207, a transfer roller 208, a fuser unit 209, a heating unit 210, a pressure roller 211, a paper output tray 212, a duplex unit 213, a scanning unit 214, a document feeder 215, and a control panel 216.

[0017] The image forming unit 205 prints images using an electrophotographic method. That is, the image forming unit 205 forms an image on an image forming medium P using toner. The image forming medium P is, for example, a sheet of paper. The scan unit 214 reads an image from a document on which an image has been formed. For example, the image forming apparatus 200 makes a copy of a document by printing the image read from the document using the scan unit 214 onto the image forming medium P using the image forming unit 205.

[0018] The paper feed tray 201 accommodates the image forming medium P used for printing.

[0019] The manual feed tray 202 is a tray for manually feeding the image forming medium P.

[0020] The paper feed roller 203 rotates due to the action of a motor, thereby discharging the image forming medium P contained in the paper feed tray 201 or manual feed tray 202 from the paper feed tray 201. The toner cartridge 204 stores toner for supply to the image forming unit 205. The image forming apparatus 200 is equipped with multiple toner cartridges 204. As an example, the image forming apparatus 200 is equipped with four toner cartridges 204, as shown in Figure 2: toner cartridge 2041, toner cartridge 2042, toner cartridge 2043, and toner cartridge 2044. Each of the toner cartridges 2041, 2042, 2043, and 2044 stores toner corresponding to each of the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) colors. Note that the color of the toner stored in the toner cartridge 204 is not limited to the CMYK colors, but may be other colors. Also, the toner stored in the toner cartridge 204 may be a special toner. For example, the toner cartridge 204 may store a decolorizable toner that becomes invisible when heated to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0021] The image forming unit 205 includes a developer and a photoreceptor drum. The developer uses toner supplied from the toner cartridge 204 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum. This forms a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum. The image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum is transferred (primary transfer) onto the transfer belt 207. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a plurality of image forming units 205. As an example, the image forming apparatus 200 includes four image forming units 205, as shown in Figure 2: image forming unit 2051, image forming unit 2052, image forming unit 2053, and image forming unit 2054. Each of the image forming units 2051, 2052, 2053, and 2054 receives toner corresponding to each CMYK color and forms an image.

[0022] The optical scanning device 206 is also called an LSU (laser scanning unit). The optical scanning device 206 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum of each image forming unit 205 using laser light controlled according to the image data.

[0023] The transfer belt 207 is, for example, an endless belt that is rotatable by the action of rollers. By rotating, the transfer belt 207 transports the images transferred from each image forming unit to the position of the transfer roller 208.

[0024] The transfer roller 208 comprises two rollers facing each other. The transfer roller 208 transfers (secondary transfer) the image formed on the transfer belt 207 onto the image forming medium P that passes between the transfer rollers 208.

[0025] The fixing unit 209 heats and pressurizes the image-forming medium P onto which the image has been transferred. This fixes the image transferred onto the image-forming medium P. The fixing unit 209 comprises a heating unit 210 and a pressure roller 211 facing each other.

[0026] The heating unit 210 is, for example, a roller equipped with a heat source for heating the heating unit 210. The heat source is, for example, a heater. The roller heated by the heat source heats the image forming medium P.

[0027] Alternatively, the heating unit 210 may include an endless belt suspended from multiple rollers. For example, the heating unit 210 includes a plate-shaped heat source, an endless belt, a belt conveying roller, a tension roller, and a press roller. The endless belt is, for example, a film-like material. The belt conveying roller drives the endless belt. The tension roller applies tension to the endless belt. The press roller has an elastic layer formed on its surface. The plate-shaped heat source contacts the inside of the endless belt on the heating side and is pressed in the direction of the press roller, forming a fixed nip of a predetermined width between it and the press roller. Because the plate-shaped heat source heats while forming the nip region, the responsiveness when energized is higher than in the case of a halogen lamp heating method.

[0028] The endless belt, for example, has a 50um thick SUS (steel use stainless) base material or a 70um thick heat-resistant polyimide resin with a 200um thick silicone rubber layer formed on the outside, and the outermost layer is coated with a surface protective layer such as PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane). The press roller, for example, has a φ10mm iron rod surface with a 5mm thick silicone sponge layer formed on the surface, and the outermost layer is coated with a surface protective layer such as PFA.

[0029] The plate-shaped heat source, for example, has a glaze layer and a heat-resistant layer laminated on a ceramic substrate. Furthermore, an aluminum heat sink is bonded to the plate-shaped heat source to dissipate excess heat on the opposite side and prevent warping of the substrate. The heat-resistant layer is formed from a known material such as TaSiO2 and is divided into predetermined lengths and numbers in the main scanning direction.

[0030] The pressure roller 211 applies pressure to the image forming medium P as it passes between the pressure roller 211 and the heating unit 210.

[0031] The output tray 212 is a platform from which the image forming medium P is ejected after printing is complete.

[0032] The duplex unit 213 prepares the image forming medium P for printing on the reverse side. For example, the duplex unit 213 reverses the front and back sides of the image forming medium P by switching it back using rollers or the like.

[0033] The scanning unit 214 reads an image from the original document. The scanning unit 214 is equivalent to a scanner for reading an image from an original document.

[0034] The scanner in question is, for example, an optical reduction type equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor. Alternatively, the scanner is a contact image sensor (CIS (contact image sensor)) type equipped with an image sensor such as a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor. Alternatively, the scanner is of any other known type.

[0035] The document feeder 215 is also called, for example, an ADF (auto document feeder). The document feeder 215 transports documents placed on a document tray one after another. The transported documents are scanned by the scanning unit 214. The document feeder 215 may also be equipped with a scanner for reading images from the back of the documents.

[0036] The control panel 216 functions as a user interface and includes buttons and a touch panel for operation by the operator of the image forming apparatus 200. The touch panel is, for example, a stacked display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display and a pointing device for touch input. Therefore, the buttons and touch panel function as input devices that accept operations from the operator of the image forming apparatus 200. In addition, the display on the touch panel functions as a display device that notifies the operator of the image forming apparatus 200 of various information.

[0037] In such an MFP (Multifunction Printer) image forming apparatus 200, the image reading performance of the scanning unit 214 and the image forming performance of the image forming unit 205 generally correspond. Therefore, when a copy of an original document is made by scanning an image from an original document using the scanning unit 214 and printing that image onto an image forming medium P using the image forming unit 205, the image forming apparatus 200 can print the image onto the image forming medium P with the same quality as the image on the scanned original document. Furthermore, in such an image forming apparatus 200, it is also possible to implement feedback control, such as printing a test pattern image using the image forming unit 205, reading this with the scanning unit 214 to determine the state of the image forming unit 205, and adjusting the image forming operation of the image forming unit 205.

[0038] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a server device 100 according to the first embodiment. The server device 100 includes, for example, a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a communication interface 14, with the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the communication interface 14 connected to the processor 11 by bus lines 15 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0039] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer that performs calculations and control necessary for the operation of the server device 100. Based on programs such as system software, application software, or firmware stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13, the processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions of the server device 100. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), but is not limited thereto. The processor 11 may be multi-core / multi-threaded and capable of executing multiple processes in parallel. The processor 11 may also be an MPU (micro processing unit). Furthermore, the processor 11 may be implemented in various other forms, including integrated circuits such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (field-programmable gate array), DSP (Digital Signal processor), SoC (system on a chip), and PLD (programmable logic device). The processor 11 may also be a combination of several of these.

[0040] The processor 11 loads a program pre-stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 into the main memory 12. The program includes a control program that causes the processor 11 of the server device 100 to implement the various parts described later. The processor 11 performs various operations by executing the program loaded into the main memory 12.

[0041] Main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the server device 100. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area of ​​main memory 12, the OS (Operating System) or programs are stored. Main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 11. For example, main memory 12 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) as a non-volatile memory area. For example, main memory 12 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory area.

[0042] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the server device 100. For example, the auxiliary storage device 13 is an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores the above-mentioned program, data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes, and data generated by the processing performed by the processor 11.

[0043] One of the programs stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 is a control program, which will be described later. Generally, the transfer of a computer device is performed with programs such as the control program stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. However, this is not the only option; the control program, etc., which is transferred separately from the computer device, may be written to a writable storage device provided by the computer device in response to user operations. The transfer of the control program, etc., can be performed by recording it on a removable computer-readable storage medium or by communication via a communication network. The computer-readable storage medium can be any form as long as it can store programs and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card. Furthermore, the functions obtained through program installation or download may work in cooperation with the OS, etc., inside the device to realize those functions.

[0044] The communication interface 14 includes various interfaces that enable communication between the server device 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 and the user terminal 300 via a network NW, in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0045] The hardware configuration of the server device 100 is not limited to the configuration described above. The server device 100 may be modified or have the above-described components omitted or changed, and new components added as appropriate.

[0046] Here, we will describe the components of the auxiliary storage device 13 of the server device 100. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores, for example, an image quality database 131 and an equipment database 132, and also includes a print job storage unit 133. In Figure 3, "database" is abbreviated as "DB".

[0047] The image quality database 131 is a database for managing image quality information for each image forming apparatus 200, and is a collection of data records associated with the registered image forming apparatus 200. Therefore, the image quality database 131 contains quality information records for each image forming apparatus 200.

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a quality information record 1311 stored in the image quality database 131. The quality information record 1311 includes fields F11, F12, etc.

[0049] Field F11 is set with a device ID (identifier), which is a unique identification code set for each image forming apparatus 200 to identify the image forming apparatus 200. The device ID can be arbitrarily set by the administrator of the server device 100 when a new image forming apparatus 200 joins the printing system. For example, the device ID may be a name according to a predetermined naming rule, the type name of the image forming apparatus 200, a unique number such as a serial number, or a combination of these. The administrator can set this device ID from a management terminal (not shown) via the network NW, or, if the server device 100 has or can connect to input / output devices such as a keyboard or display, they can set it using those input / output devices. The device ID may also be automatically generated by the processor 11.

[0050] Field F12 is set with image quality information. This image quality information can be obtained from the image forming apparatus 200 via the communication interface 14. The image quality information is information indicating the quality of the image formed by the image forming apparatus 200, such as the difference in density of the image formed on the front and rear sides of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0051] The equipment database 132 is a database for managing each image forming apparatus 200 and each user terminal 300, and is a collection of data records associated with the registered image forming apparatus 200 or user terminal 300. Therefore, the equipment database 132 includes equipment information records for each image forming apparatus 200 and user terminal 300.

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a device information record 1321 stored in the device database 132. The device information record 1321 includes fields F21, F22, F23, F24, etc.

[0053] Field F21 is set with a device ID, which is a unique identification code set for each image forming apparatus 200 or user terminal 300. The device ID for the image forming apparatus 200 is set to the same identification code as that in the image quality database 131. The device ID for the user terminal 300 can also be arbitrarily set by the administrator of the server device 100 when a new user terminal 300 joins the printing system, or it can be automatically generated by the processor 11, similar to the case of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0054] Field F22 is set with a network address, such as the IP address of the image forming apparatus 200 or user terminal 300, which is indicated by the device ID.

[0055] Field F23 is set with location information for the image forming apparatus 200 or user terminal 300, indicated by the device ID. For the image forming apparatus 200, if it is installed at a print service station, the location information may be the address of that service station. If it is installed within the company, it may be a logical location such as a department or position, as well as a physical location such as a building or floor. This location information can be set by the administrator of the server device 100 when a new image forming apparatus 200 joins the printing system. The same applies to the location information of the user terminal 300. However, in the case of mobile terminals such as notebook PCs or tablet terminals, the location information is not fixed and can be notified and updated each time printing is performed from the user terminal 300. This notification of location information may be included in the print job, as described later, or it may be returned by querying the user terminal 300 in response to the receipt of a print job.

[0056] Field F24 is set with operating status information for the image forming apparatus 200, indicated by the device ID. The operating status information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 200 is powered on and ready to print. This operating status information may be set according to the power ON / OFF status of the image forming apparatus 200, or according to information transmitted at regular intervals, or it may be set according to the status of inquiries made by the server device 100 to the image forming apparatus 200 at regular intervals. In this embodiment, there is no need to manage the operating status of the user terminal 300.

[0057] The print job storage unit 133 is a storage unit that temporarily stores print jobs transmitted from the user terminal 300. A print job is job information that includes information indicating the image to be formed, as well as supplementary information such as information indicating the user terminal 300 and information indicating the image forming apparatus 200 specified as the machine that will perform the printing. The supplementary information may also include information on the installation location of the user terminal 300.

[0058] Next, we will describe the various components implemented in the processor 11 of the server device 100. The processor 11 implements, for example, an image quality acquisition unit 111, an equipment information acquisition unit 112, a print job receiving unit 113, an analysis unit 114, a machine determination unit 115, and a print job transmission unit 116. Each component implemented in the processor 11 can also be called a function. Each component implemented in the processor 11 can also be said to be implemented in the control unit, which includes the processor 11 and the main memory 12. Here, the image quality acquisition unit 111 and the equipment information acquisition unit 112 realize the equipment management server 101, and the print job receiving unit 113, analysis unit 114, machine determination unit 115, and print job transmission unit 116 can realize the operation management server 102.

[0059] The image quality acquisition unit 111 acquires image quality information from each image forming apparatus 200 via the communication interface 14. The image quality acquisition unit 111 stores the acquired image quality information in the image quality database 131. Specifically, the image quality acquisition unit 111 searches for the network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that transmitted the image quality information in the equipment information record 1321 of the equipment database 132 using the network address as the search key, and acquires the equipment ID set in the field F21 of the found equipment information record 1321. The image quality acquisition unit 111 searches for the acquired equipment ID in the field F11 of the quality information record 1311 of the image quality database 1311 using the acquired equipment ID as the search key, and sets the acquired image quality information in the field F12 of the found quality information record 1311.

[0060] If the device information record 1321 in which the network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that transmitted the image quality information is set in field F22 cannot be found in the device database 132, the image quality acquisition unit 111 can notify the administrator's terminal of the server device 100 via the network NW using the communication interface 14, or, if the server device 100 has or is connected to an input / output device, use that input / output device to inform it that a new image forming apparatus 200 has joined the printing system. The image quality acquisition unit 111 will keep the image quality information in a temporary storage area (not shown) of the auxiliary storage device 13 until the administrator registers the new image forming apparatus 200 and a new record is added to the image quality database 131 and the device database 132. Once a new record has been added to the image quality database 131 and the device database 132, the image quality acquisition unit 111 will set the stored image quality information in field F12 of the new quality information record 1311. Alternatively, instead of notifying the administrator, the image quality acquisition unit 111 may issue a new device ID according to predetermined rules and add a new record to the image quality database 131 and the equipment database 132. Once a new record has been added to the image quality database 131 and the equipment database 132, the image quality acquisition unit 111 sets the issued device ID in field F11 of the added quality information record 1311 and the acquired image quality information in field F12. The image quality acquisition unit 111 also sets the issued device ID in field F21 of the added equipment information record 1321 and sets the network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that transmitted the image quality information in field F22. Furthermore, the image quality acquisition unit 111 sets operating status information in field F24 of the added equipment information record 1321, indicating that the image forming apparatus 200 is powered on and ready to print.

[0061] The device information acquisition unit 112 acquires device information from each image forming apparatus 200 and each user terminal 300 via the communication interface 14. The device information acquisition unit 112 stores the acquired device information in the device database 132. Specifically, when the device information acquisition unit 112 acquires operating status information from the image forming apparatus 200 as device information, it searches field F22 of the device information record 1321 in the device database 132 using the network address of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the source of the operating status information, as the search key, and sets the acquired operating status information in field F24 of the found device information record 1321. Similarly, when the device information acquisition unit 112 acquires installation location information from the user terminal 300 as device information, it searches field F22 of the device information record 1321 in the device database 132 using the network address of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the source of the installation location information, as the search key, and sets the acquired installation location information in field F23 of the found device information record 1321.

[0062] If the device information record 1321 in which the network address of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the source of the device information, is set in field F22 cannot be found in the device database 132, the device information acquisition unit 112 can add a new record to the image quality database 131 and the device database 132 in the same manner as the image quality acquisition unit 111. Then, the device information acquisition unit 112 sets the acquired operating status information in field F23 of the new device information record 1321 in the device database 132.

[0063] Furthermore, if the device database 132 does not find a device information record 1321 in which the network address of the user terminal 300 that is the source of the device information is set in field F22, the device information acquisition unit 112 notifies the administrator of the server device 100 that a new user terminal 300 has joined the printing system, or issues a new device ID according to predetermined rules, causing the administrator to add a new device information record 1321 to the device database 132. The device information acquisition unit 112 then sets the acquired installation location information in field F23 of the new device information record 1321 in the device database 132.

[0064] The print job receiving unit 113 receives print jobs sent from the user terminal 300 via the communication interface 14. The print job receiving unit 113 stores the received print jobs in the print job storage unit 133. Specifically, the print job receiving unit 113 searches field F22 of the device information record 1321 in the device database 132 using the network address of the user terminal 300, which is the source of the print job, as the search key, and obtains the device ID stored in field F21 of the found device information record 1321. The print job receiving unit 113 stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 133, linked to the obtained device ID.

[0065] The device information acquisition unit 112 checks whether the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 includes the installation location information of the user terminal 300 as supplementary information. If the installation location information is included, the device information acquisition unit 112 acquires the installation location information as described above and sets it in field F23 of the corresponding device information record 1321 in the device database 132. If the installation location information is not included, the device information acquisition unit 112 can query the user terminal 300 that sent the print job for the installation location information and set it in field F23 of the corresponding device information record 1321 in the device database 132, as described above.

[0066] The analysis unit 114 analyzes the density of the image to be formed from the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133.

[0067] The machine selection unit 115 determines, from among multiple image forming apparatuses, which image forming apparatus 200 will be used for printing as indicated by the print job, based on the density analyzed by the analysis unit 114, the image quality information stored in the image quality database 131, and the installation location information stored in the equipment database 132.

[0068] Specifically, the machine selection unit 115 first extracts a suitable machine for performing the print job, that is, a machine capable of printing the image to be formed with high quality. The machine selection unit 115 performs this extraction based on the density analyzed by the analysis unit 114 and the image quality information set in field F12 of each quality information record 1311 in the image quality database 131. For example, the machine selection unit 115 checks the density difference of the analyzed density for each image quality information of the image forming apparatus 200 and extracts the image forming apparatus 200 with the smallest density difference as the suitable machine. Then, it obtains the machine ID of the extracted suitable machine image forming apparatus 200 from field F11 of the quality information record 1311.

[0069] Next, the machine selection unit 115 confirms the location of the user terminal 300, which is the source of the print job, based on the installation location information set in field F23 of the equipment information record 1321 in the equipment database 132. Then, the machine selection unit 115 checks the relationship between the installation location information set in field F23 of the quality information record 1311, in which the equipment ID of the image forming apparatus 200 extracted as a suitable machine is set in field F21, and the confirmed location of the user terminal 300. If the relationship between the installation location information and the location of the user terminal 300 matches predetermined location conditions, the machine selection unit 115 selects that image forming apparatus 200 as the machine to be used.

[0070] The predetermined location conditions may be physical conditions such as the distance from the current location of the user terminal 300. Alternatively, the predetermined location conditions may include logical conditions such as the relationship between the department or status of the user of the user terminal 300 and the department or location where the image forming apparatus 200 is installed. The location conditions may also be set arbitrarily by the administrator of the server device 100 or the user of the user terminal 300.

[0071] In this way, the machine selection unit 115 can limit the number of image forming machines 200 participating in the printing system to one for each user terminal 300, and select a suitable machine from among the limited image forming machines 200 to be used for printing as indicated by the print job. Note that the number of image forming machines 200 to be selected is not limited to one, but may be multiple. If multiple image forming machines 200 are selected, they may be ranked according to their degree of matching with the positional conditions.

[0072] The print job transmission unit 116 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 200, which is the machine to be used as determined by the machine determination unit 115, via the communication interface 14. If the machine to be used as determined by the machine determination unit 115 includes multiple image forming apparatuses 200, the print job transmission unit 116 can transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus 200 that is ranked highest. The print job transmission unit 116 also notifies the user terminal 300, the source of the print job, via the communication interface 14, of which image forming apparatus 200 is the destination of the print job.

[0073] Furthermore, in the printing system, there is a usage scenario in which the user of the user terminal 300 that sends the print job moves to the location of one of the image forming machines 200, receives a print execution instruction from the control panel 216 of the image forming machine 200, and starts printing on that image forming machine 200. In such cases, the print job transmission unit 116 does not immediately send the print job to the image forming machine 200 that has been determined to be used, but waits for a print execution instruction from one of the image forming machines 200 to be received via the communication interface 14. Upon receiving the print execution instruction, the print job transmission unit 116 checks whether the image forming machine 200 is included in the determined machines to be used, and if it is included in the machines to be used, it sends the print job to the image forming machine 200 via the communication interface 14.

[0074] In contrast, if the image forming apparatus 200 is not included in the selected equipment, the print job transmission unit 116 recommends to the user that they print using one of the selected equipment units instead of the image forming apparatus 200. Specifically, the print job transmission unit 116 transmits information about the selected equipment unit to the image forming apparatus 200 via the communication interface 14, displaying it on its control panel 216. When the print job transmission unit 116 receives the result of the user's equipment selection via the communication interface 14, it transmits the print job to the selected image forming apparatus 200 via the communication interface 14. If the equipment selection unit 115 includes multiple image forming apparatuses 200, the recommendation can present the user with these multiple image forming apparatuses 200, allowing the user to print using the machine of their choice from among these multiple machines.

[0075] When power is turned on to the server device 100 with this configuration by turning on a power switch (not shown), the control program starts and performs information processing as the equipment management server 101 and the operation management server 102.

[0076] The following describes in detail the device management processing, which is the information processing performed by the device management server 101 in the server device 100, and the operation management processing, which is the information processing performed by the operation management server 102.

[0077] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the device management process in the server device 100 according to this embodiment. Note that the process shown in Figure 6 and described below is an example, and various other processes capable of achieving similar results can be used as appropriate. The processor 11 executes this process based on a control program stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. Here, it is assumed that data records with each device ID set have already been registered in the image quality database 131 and the device database 132 for each of the image forming apparatus 200 and user terminals 300 participating in the printing system.

[0078] The processor 11 of the server device 100 operates as an image quality acquisition unit 111 in ACT 101 and determines whether or not it has received image quality information transmitted from any of the image forming apparatuses 200 via the communication interface 14.

[0079] The image forming apparatus 200 can generate image quality information indicating the quality of the image formed by its image forming unit 205 by scanning a reference paper with its scanning unit 214 at any given time, and transmit the generated image quality information to the server device 100 via the network NW. The reference paper is a document on which a monochrome reference image with gradation has been formed in the sub-scanning direction of the image forming apparatus 200, that is, in the sub-scanning direction of the scanning unit 214 and the image forming unit 205. The color of the reference image corresponds to the color of the image formed by the image forming unit 205. In the case of an image forming apparatus 200 that forms a monochrome image of only black, for example, there is only one image forming unit 205 for black, so one reference paper is sufficient. In contrast, for an image forming apparatus 200 equipped with four image forming units 205, namely image forming unit 2051, image forming unit 2052, image forming unit 2053, and image forming unit 2054, as shown in Figure 2, four reference papers on which images of each of the CMYK colors are formed are used.

[0080] Figure 7 shows an example of a reference paper RP. In this example, the reference paper RP has a monochrome reference image with gradation in the sub-scanning direction formed at two spaced-apart positions on the front and rear sides of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the main scanning direction of the scanning unit 214 and the image forming unit 205. That is, the reference image is formed by arranging two columns of multiple rectangular images with different densities spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction, spaced apart in the main scanning direction.

[0081] The manufacturer, distributor, or administrator of the image forming apparatus 200 prepares a reference paper RP by forming such a reference image on reference paper using a standard high-quality image forming apparatus. The prepared reference paper RP can be distributed, for example, to a service technician who performs maintenance and inspection of the image forming apparatus 200, or it can be attached to the image forming apparatus 200. Alternatively, each image forming apparatus 200 may prepare a reference paper RP by forming a reference image common to all image forming apparatuses on a pre-prepared reference paper. The service technician or user of the image forming apparatus 200 has the scan unit 214 of the image forming apparatus 200 read the reference image on the prepared reference paper RP at any time, such as when installing the image forming apparatus, during maintenance and inspection, or when replacing the toner cartridge 204. As a result, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the reading result of the reference image as image quality information to the server device 100.

[0082] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. Based on the determination that image quality information has been received (ACT101, YES), processor 11 stores the received image quality information in the image quality database 131 in ACT102. Specifically, processor 11 obtains the device ID from the device database 132 based on the network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that transmitted the image quality information, and sets the image quality information in the quality information record 1311 of the image quality database 131 corresponding to that device ID. After that, processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT101.

[0083] Furthermore, based on the determination that image quality information has not been received (ACT101, NO), the processor 11 operates as an equipment information acquisition unit 112 in ACT103 to determine whether or not it has received equipment information transmitted from any image forming apparatus 200 or any user terminal 300 via the communication interface 14. Based on the determination that equipment information has not been received (ACT103, NO), the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT101.

[0084] In response, the processor 11, based on the determination that it has received device information (ACT103, YES), stores the received device information in the device database 132 in ACT104. Specifically, if the processor 11 receives operating status information as device information, it sets the received operating status information in the corresponding device information record 1321 in the device database 132 based on the network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that transmitted the operating status information. Also, if the processor 11 receives installation location information from the user terminal 300 as device information, it sets the received installation location information in the corresponding device information record 1321 in the device database 132 based on the network address of the user terminal 300 that transmitted the installation location information. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT101.

[0085] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation management process in the server device 100 according to this embodiment. The content of the processes shown in Figures 8 and 9 and described below is just an example, and various processes that can obtain similar results can be used as appropriate. The processor 11 executes this process based on a control program stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. The processor 11 can execute this process and the device management process shown in Figure 6 in parallel and simultaneously. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of the processor 11 is assumed to transition from ACTn (where n is a natural number) to ACT(n+1).

[0086] In ACT111, the processor 11 of the server device 100 operates as a print job receiving unit 113 and determines whether or not it has received a print job sent from any user terminal 300. Based on the determination that it has not received a print job (ACT111, NO), the processor 11 repeats the processing operation of ACT111. That is, the processor 11 continues the processing operation of ACT111 until it determines that it has received a print job. It can also be said that the processor 11 waits for a print job to be received.

[0087] Based on the determination that a print job has been received (ACT111, YES), the processor 11 stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 133 in ACT112. Specifically, the processor 11 obtains the device ID of the user terminal 300 that sent the print job from the device database 132 based on the network address of the user terminal 300 that sent the print job, and stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 133, associated with that device ID.

[0088] In ACT113, the processor 11 operates as an analysis unit 114 to analyze the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 and determine whether or not there are areas of the same monochromatic density on the front and rear sides of the image to be formed on a single sheet of paper. The processor 11 performs this determination for each color in the image forming unit 205. Based on the determination that there are no areas of the same monochromatic density (ACT113, NO), the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT117, which will be described later.

[0089] In response to this, based on the determination that there is a section with the same single color density (ACT113, YES), the processor 11 analyzes the density of that section with the same single color density from the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 in ACT114.

[0090] In ACT115, the processor 11 operates as a machine determination unit 115 and extracts a suitable machine from among multiple image forming machines 200 based on the density analyzed in ACT114 and the image quality information stored in the image quality database 131. Specifically, the processor 11 checks the density difference at two separated positions, the front and rear, indicated by the image quality information of each image forming machine 200 stored in the image quality database 131, for the monochromatic density analyzed in ACT114. The processor 11 extracts an image forming machine 200 with a small density difference, that is, one with a density difference below a specified threshold, as the suitable machine. In many cases, multiple image forming machines 200 are extracted as suitable machines.

[0091] In ACT116, the processor 11 selects a machine to use from among the multiple image forming machines 200 that were extracted as suitable machines in ACT115. The processor 11 performs this selection of the machine to use based on the installation location information stored in the equipment database 132. Specifically, the processor 11 narrows down the image forming machines 200 extracted as suitable machines to those whose operating status stored in the equipment database 132 indicates that they are in a printable state. Then, the processor 11 checks the installation location of each of the narrowed-down image forming machines 200 and the installation location of the user terminal 300 that is the source of the print job, using the installation location information stored in the equipment database 132. The processor 11 selects the image forming machine 200 that matches the predetermined location conditions in relation to the two as the machine to use.

[0092] In this way, the processor 11 limits the number of image forming machines 200 participating in the printing system to each user terminal 300, and selects a suitable machine from among the limited image forming machines 200 to be used for printing as indicated by the print job. The processor 11 stores information indicating the selected, i.e., determined machine, such as the machine ID, in a volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 12. There may be multiple image forming machines 200 that are selected as the machine to be used, and the processor 11 can rank these multiple machines based on their degree of matching with the location conditions.

[0093] In ACT117, the processor 11 operates as a print job transmission unit 116 to determine whether the machine to be used is already specified. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 contains information specifying the image forming apparatus 200 to perform the printing. For example, the user may have specified the image forming apparatus 200 to be used for printing at the user terminal 300, or the image forming apparatus 200 to be used may be set in advance for each user terminal 300. Based on the determination that the machine to be used is not already specified (ACT117, NO), the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT123, which will be described later.

[0094] In response to this, based on the determination that the aircraft to be used has already been specified (ACT117, YES), the processor 11 determines in ACT118 whether or not the aircraft to be used has been selected in ACT116. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether or not the aircraft to be used is stored in the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 12.

[0095] Based on the determination that the machine to be used has not been selected (ACT118, NO), the processor 11 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 200 of the specified machine designated as the machine to be used in the print job via the communication interface 14 in ACT119.

[0096] In ACT120, the processor 11 erases the sent print job from the print job storage unit 133. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT111.

[0097] Furthermore, based on the determination that the machine to be used has already been selected (ACT118, YES), the processor 11, in ACT121, sends a print job to the selected machine, the image forming apparatus 200, which is stored in the main memory 12 as the machine to be used, via the communication interface 14. If multiple machines to be used are stored in the main memory 12, the processor 11 selects the machine that is ranked highest among those stored machines.

[0098] In ACT122, the processor 11 notifies the communication interface 14 of the destination image forming apparatus 200 for the print job, that is, which image forming apparatus 200 performed the printing. The recipient of this print destination information may be, for example, the specified image forming apparatus 200 designated as the machine to be used in the print job. Upon receiving this print destination information, the image forming apparatus 200 can, via its control panel 216, display a message to the user who has come to pick up the printed paper, stating that the image forming apparatus in question cannot perform proper printing and that the print job will be performed by the image forming apparatus 200 indicated by the print destination information. Alternatively, the recipient may be the user terminal 300 that sent the print job. The user terminal 300 can then present the user with the destination image forming apparatus 200 according to this print destination information. Of course, the print destination information may be notified to both the specified image forming apparatus 200 and the user terminal 300 that sent the print job. Subsequently, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT120 described above.

[0099] Furthermore, based on the determination that the machine to be used is not specified (ACT117, NO), the processor 11 determines in ACT123 whether or not it has received print selection information from any of the image forming apparatuses 200 via the communication interface 14. For example, if the user of the user terminal 300 that is the source of the print job has not specified the machine to be used, the user operates the control panel 216 of any image forming apparatus 200 to instruct the image forming apparatus 200 to execute the print job. In this case, if there are multiple print jobs, the user can select which print job to execute. The image forming apparatus 200 sends print selection information indicating the selected print job to the server device 100 in order to execute the print job selected by the user. Based on the determination that the server device 100 has not received print selection information (ACT123, NO), the processor 11 of the server device 100 repeats the processing operation of ACT123. That is, the processor 11 continues the processing operation of ACT123 until it determines that it has received print selection information. The processor 11 can also be said to be waiting to receive print selection information.

[0100] Based on the determination that print selection information has been received (ACT123, YES), processor 11 determines in ACT124 whether or not the machine to be used has already been selected in ACT116. Specifically, processor 11 determines whether or not the machine to be used is stored in the volatile memory area of ​​main memory 12.

[0101] Based on the determination that the machine to be used has not been selected (ACT124, NO), in ACT125, the processor 11 transmits the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 to the image forming apparatus 200 of the selected machine indicated by the print selection information received in ACT123, via the communication interface 14.

[0102] In ACT126, the processor 11 erases the sent print job from the print job storage unit 133. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT111.

[0103] Furthermore, based on the determination that a machine has already been selected (ACT124, YES), the processor 11 transmits a list of one or more selected machines stored as machines in the main memory 12 to the image forming apparatus 200, which is the source of the print selection information received in ACT123, via the communication interface 14. Upon receiving this list of selected machines, the image forming apparatus 200 displays the list on the control panel 216 and can also display a message requesting the user to select an image forming apparatus from the list, as proper printing cannot be performed with that image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 200 then receives the user's selection operation for an image forming apparatus and sends the machine selection information corresponding to that operation back to the server device 100.

[0104] In ACT128, the processor 11 determines, via the communication interface 14, whether or not it has received the machine selection information from the image forming apparatus 200, which is the destination of the list of selected machines. Based on the determination that it has not received the machine selection information (ACT128, NO), the processor 11 repeats the processing operation of ACT128. That is, the processor 11 continues the processing operation of ACT128 until it determines that it has received the machine selection information. It can also be said that the processor 11 waits for the machine selection information to be received.

[0105] Based on the determination that the machine selection information has been received (ACT128, YES), in ACT129, the processor 11 transmits the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 133 to the image forming apparatus 200 of the selected machine indicated by the machine selection information via the communication interface 14. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT126.

[0106] The reference paper RP used to acquire image quality information is not limited to the one shown in Figure 7. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the reference paper RP may have a monochrome reference image with gradation in the main scanning direction formed at two spaced-apart positions in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the sub-scanning direction of the scanning unit 214 and the image forming unit 205. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the reference paper RP may have a monochrome reference image with gradation in the sub-scanning direction formed at at least two spaced-apart positions, in this example five positions, in the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 200 (main scanning direction) and the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus 200 (sub-scanning direction).

[0107] Furthermore, in the reference paper RP shown in Figure 7, a series of rectangular images with different densities, spaced apart and aligned in the sub-scanning direction, are used as the reference image, with two of these images spaced apart in the main scanning direction. However, as shown in Figure 12, two images whose gradation changes linearly in the sub-scanning direction can also be used as the reference image, spaced apart in the main scanning direction. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13, a reference paper RP may be used that has a continuous series of the same density in the main scanning direction and whose gradation changes linearly in the sub-scanning direction. In this case, the reading results at two locations in the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 200, which is the main scanning direction, are used as image quality information from the scanned and read reference image, thereby obtaining the same image quality information as when using the reference paper RP in Figure 7.

[0108] As described above, in the server device 100 according to this embodiment, which communicates via a network NW with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 each having a scanning unit 214 that provides a scanning function, and a user terminal 300 that provides an image to be formed by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 200, the processor 11 operates as a print job receiving unit 113 to receive a print job, which is job information indicating an image to be formed transmitted by the user terminal 300, and stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 133. In this way, the processor 11 functions as a receiving means. The processor 11 also operates as an analysis unit 114 to analyze the density in the image to be formed from the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133. In this way, the processor 11 functions as an analysis means. The processor 11 then operates as a machine determination unit 115 and, based on the density it has analyzed and the image quality information of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 obtained by scanning a reference paper RP, which has a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction, with each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200, it determines the appropriate machine from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that is suitable for forming the image shown in the print job. In this way, the processor 11 functions as a determination means. Thus, in the server device 100 according to this embodiment, the processor 11 uses image quality information obtained by reading a reference paper RP on which a reference image has been formed using a scan unit 214 which has image reading performance corresponding to the image forming performance of the image forming unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 200, to confirm whether the image forming apparatus 200 has image forming performance suitable for forming the image indicated in the print job, and thereby determines the appropriate machine from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that is suitable for forming the image. Therefore, the server device 100 can determine an image forming apparatus 200 that can meet the user's high-quality printing requirements.

[0109] Here, in each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200, the scanning of the scanning unit 214 and the image forming of the image forming unit 205 are in the same first and second directions. The processor 11 analyzes whether the image to be formed has identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction of the image forming unit 205 that correspond to at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction of the scanning unit 214. If identical monochromatic density areas exist, the processor determines the appropriate machine. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment performs the process of determining the appropriate machine only when high-quality printing is required in which identical monochromatic density areas exist at two spaced-apart locations in the first direction, and does not perform the process in other cases, thus eliminating unnecessary processing.

[0110] The processor 11 then selects from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that has a small difference in density of the same monochromatic density area at at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction of the image forming unit 205, and identifies that apparatus as the appropriate apparatus. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can determine an image forming apparatus 200 as the appropriate machine, which can achieve high-quality printing with small density differences in identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced-apart positions in the first direction.

[0111] Here, the first direction is the main scanning direction for scanning and image formation, and the second direction is the secondary scanning direction for scanning and image formation. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can determine an appropriate device suitable for forming an image in which identical monochromatic density areas exist at two separated positions, such as the front and rear sides, in the main scanning direction.

[0112] Furthermore, the processor 11 determines the appropriate image forming apparatus from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that are limited to being used by the user terminal 300. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can limit the range of image forming apparatuses 200 that are determined to be suitable, making it possible to determine a suitable apparatus that is more appropriate for the user. For example, the server device 100 can limit the image forming apparatuses 200 that are available to the user of the user terminal 300 based on location information stored in the equipment database 132.

[0113] Furthermore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment further includes an image quality database 131 that functions as a storage means for storing image quality information obtained from each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can easily determine the appropriate machine by centrally managing the image quality information of multiple image forming apparatuses 200.

[0114] Furthermore, in the server device 100 according to this embodiment, the processor 11 operates as a print job transmission unit 116 and transmits the print job, which is the job information stored in the print job storage unit 133, to the image forming apparatus 200 that has been determined to be the appropriate machine. In this way, the processor 11 functions as a transmission means. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can cause the image forming apparatus 200, which has been determined to be the appropriate machine, to execute a print job, thereby obtaining print results that meet the user's high-quality print requirements.

[0115] Furthermore, in the server device 100 according to this embodiment, the processor 11 operates as a print job transmission unit 116 and transmits a determination result indicating the image forming apparatus 200 that has been determined to be the appropriate machine to an external device. In this way, the processor 11 functions as a transmission means. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment can cause an external device, such as a user terminal 300 that is the source of a print job, to present a determination result indicating which image forming apparatus 200 is the appropriate machine.

[0116] Furthermore, the external device includes an image forming apparatus operated by a user using a user terminal that is the source of the print job, which is the job information. The processor 11 transmits the print job, which is the job information, to the selected image forming apparatus 200 in response to a selection operation of the appropriate image forming apparatus 200 from the image forming apparatus 200 operated by the user. Therefore, the server device 100 according to this embodiment allows the user to select the image forming apparatus 200 to be used for actual printing after viewing the appropriate machine displayed on the image forming apparatus operated by the user.

[0117] [Second Embodiment] The server device 100 according to the first embodiment includes two virtual server functions: an equipment management server 101 and an operation management server 102. These two virtual server functions may also be implemented using two physically separated server devices.

[0118] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a printing system including an equipment management server device 400 and an operation management server device 500 that function as server devices according to the second embodiment. The equipment management server device 400 corresponds to the equipment management server 101 and can be, for example, a server device operated by a maintenance company that performs maintenance and inspection of the image forming apparatus 200. The operation management server device 500 corresponds to the operation management server 102 and can be, for example, a server device operated by a print service company or an in-house server device.

[0119] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the equipment management server device 400. The equipment management server device 400 includes, as an example, a processor 41, a main memory 42, an auxiliary storage device 43, and a communication interface 44. The processor 41 is connected to the main memory 42, the auxiliary storage device 43, and the communication interface 44 by bus lines 45 such as an address bus and a data bus. The processor 41, main memory 42, auxiliary storage device 43, communication interface 44, and bus lines 45 have the same hardware configuration as the processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage device 13, communication interface 14, and bus lines 15 of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0120] Here, we will describe the components of the auxiliary storage device 43 of the equipment management server device 400. The auxiliary storage device 43 stores, for example, the image quality database 431 and the equipment database 432. In Figure 15, "database" is abbreviated as "DB".

[0121] The image quality database 431 is a database for managing image quality information for each image forming apparatus 200, and is a collection of data records associated with the registered image forming apparatus 200. This image quality database 431 is the same as the image quality database 131 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0122] Furthermore, the equipment database 432 is a database for managing each image forming apparatus 200 and each user terminal 300, and is a collection of data records associated with the registered image forming apparatus 200 or user terminal 300. This equipment database 432 is the same as the equipment database 132 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0123] Next, the components implemented in the processor 41 of the device management server device 400 will be described. The processor 41 implements, for example, an image quality acquisition unit 411, a device information acquisition unit 412, a query reception unit 413, an aircraft determination unit 414, and an aircraft notification unit 415. The components implemented in the processor 41 can also be called functions. The components implemented in the processor 41 can also be said to be implemented in the control unit, which includes the processor 41 and the main memory 42.

[0124] The image quality acquisition unit 411 acquires image quality information transmitted from each image forming apparatus 200 via the communication interface 44 and stores it in the image quality database 431. This image quality acquisition unit 411 is the same as the image quality acquisition unit 111 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0125] The device information acquisition unit 412 acquires device information transmitted from each image forming apparatus 200 and each user terminal 300 via the communication interface 44 and stores it in the device database 432. This device information acquisition unit 412 is the same as the device information acquisition unit 112 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0126] The inquiry receiving unit 413 receives inquiries transmitted from the operation management server device 500 via the network NW. These inquiries may include the device ID of the user terminal 300 that is the source of the print job, and density information indicating the density in the image to be formed, which has been analyzed from the print job. The inquiry receiving unit 413 transmits the received inquiry to the machine determination unit 414.

[0127] The machine selection unit 414 determines which machine to use for printing, as indicated by the print job, from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200, based on the content of the inquiry received by the inquiry receiving unit 413, the image quality information stored in the image quality database 431, and the installation location information stored in the equipment database 432. This machine selection unit 414 is the same as the machine selection unit 115 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0128] The aircraft notification unit 415 notifies the operation management server device 500 via the communication interface 44 of the aircraft information indicating the image forming apparatus 200 that the aircraft determination unit 414 has determined to be used. The aircraft information may include the device ID and network address of the image forming apparatus 200 that has been determined to be used.

[0129] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the operation management server device 500. The operation management server device 500 includes, as an example, a processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, and communication interface 54, and the main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, and communication interface 54 are connected to the processor 51 by bus lines 55 such as an address bus and a data bus. The processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, communication interface 54, and bus lines 55 have the same hardware configuration as the processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage device 13, communication interface 14, and bus lines 15 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0130] Here, we will describe the various components of the auxiliary storage device 53 of the operation management server device 500. The auxiliary storage device 53 includes, for example, a print job storage unit 531. The print job storage unit 531 is a storage unit that temporarily stores print jobs transmitted from the user terminal 300. A print job is job information that includes information indicating the image to be formed, information indicating the user terminal 300, information indicating the image forming apparatus 200 defined as the machine that performs the printing, information on the installation location of the user terminal 300, and other supplementary information.

[0131] Next, we will describe the various components implemented in the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500. The processor 51 implements, for example, a print job receiving unit 511, an analysis unit 512, a query unit 513, and a print job transmission unit 514. Each component implemented in the processor 51 can also be called a function. Each component implemented in the processor 51 can also be said to be implemented in the control unit, which includes the processor 51 and the main memory 52.

[0132] The print job receiving unit 511 receives print jobs transmitted from the user terminal 300 via the communication interface 54 and stores them in the print job storage unit 531. This print job receiving unit 511 is the same as the print job receiving unit 113 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0133] The analysis unit 512 analyzes the density of the image to be formed from the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 531. This analysis unit 512 is the same as the analysis unit 114 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0134] The inquiry unit 513 sends an inquiry to the equipment management server device 400 via the communication interface 54, which includes concentration information indicating the concentration analyzed by the analysis unit 512 and the device ID of the user terminal 300 that is the source of the print job. Furthermore, the inquiry unit 513 receives the device information notified by the equipment management server device 400 as a response to this inquiry via the communication interface 54.

[0135] The print job transmission unit 514 transmits the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 531 to the image forming apparatus 200, which is the machine being used, via the communication interface 54, based on the device ID and network address of the image forming apparatus 200, which is determined to be the machine being used, as included in the machine information received by the inquiry unit 513. This print job transmission unit 514 is the same as the print job transmission unit 116 in the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that the source of transmission of the machine being used is different, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0136] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of equipment management processing in the equipment management server device 400. Note that the processing shown in Figure 17 and described below is just an example, and various other processes that can achieve similar results can be used as appropriate. When power is turned on by the ON operation of a power switch (not shown), the processor 41 starts up the control program stored in the main memory 42 or auxiliary storage device 43, and executes the information processing shown in this flowchart based on that control program. Here, it is assumed that data records with each device ID set have already been registered in the image quality database 431 and the equipment database 432 for each of the image forming apparatus 200 and user terminal 300 participating in the printing system.

[0137] The processing operations of ACT401, ACT402, and ACT404 executed by the processor 41 of the device management server device 400 are the same as the processing operations of ACT101, ACT102, and ACT104 in the device management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the determination in ACT403 and the processing operations when the determination result is YES are the same as the determination in ACT103 and the processing operations when the determination result is YES in the device management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation of these operations is omitted.

[0138] In this second embodiment, the processor 41 of the device management server device 400 determines, based on the determination in ACT403 that it has not received device information (ACT403, NO), that in ACT405 it operates as a query receiving unit 413 and determines whether or not it has received a query from the operation management server device 500 via the communication interface 14. Based on the determination that it has not received a query (ACT405, NO), the processor 41 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT401.

[0139] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of equipment management processing in the operation management server device 500. Note that the processing shown in Figure 18 and described below is just one example; various other processes capable of achieving similar results can be used as appropriate. When power is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown) in the processor 51, the control program stored in the main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53 is activated, and the information processing shown in this flowchart is executed based on that control program.

[0140] The processing operations of ACT501, ACT502, and ACT504 executed by the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500 are the same as the processing operations of ACT111, ACT112, and ACT114 in the operation management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the determination in ACT503 and the processing operations when the determination result is YES are the same as the determination in ACT113 and the processing operations when the determination result is YES in the equipment management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation of these operations is omitted.

[0141] In this second embodiment, the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500 determines that there are no identical monochromatic density areas in ACT503 (ACT503, NO) and proceeds to the processing operation of ACT507, which will be described later.

[0142] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the processor 51 analyzes the density of the same single-color density area from the print job stored in the print job storage unit 133 in ACT 504, and then operates as an inquiry unit 513 in ACT 505, sending an inquiry to the equipment management server device 400 via the communication interface 54.

[0143] Subsequently, in ACT 506, the processor 51 determines whether or not it has received the device usage information notified from the device management server device 400 as a response to the query via the communication interface 54. Based on the determination that it has not received the device usage information (ACT 506, NO), the processor 51 repeats the processing operation of ACT 506. In other words, the processor 51 continues the processing operation of ACT 506 until it determines that it has received the device usage information. It can also be said that the processor 51 waits for the device usage information to be received.

[0144] Returning to the explanation of Figure 17. Based on the determination that an inquiry has been received (ACT405, YES), the processor 41 of the equipment management server device 400 operates as an equipment determination unit 414 in ACT406 to extract a suitable equipment from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 based on the density indicated by the density information included in the received inquiry and the image quality information stored in the image quality database 431. The processing operation of ACT406 is the same as the processing operation of ACT115 in the operation management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that it uses the density indicated by the density information included in the received inquiry, and therefore a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0145] In ACT407, the processor 41 selects the machine to be used from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that were identified as suitable machines in ACT406. The processing operation of ACT407 is the same as the processing operation of ACT116 in the operation management processing of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

[0146] In ACT408, the processor 41 operates as an aircraft notification unit 415 and notifies the operation management server device 500 via the communication interface 44 of the aircraft information indicating the image forming apparatus 200 selected as the aircraft to be used. Subsequently, the processor 41 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT401.

[0147] Returning to the explanation of Figure 18. Based on the determination that it has received the machine information being used (ACT506, YES), the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500 operates as a print job transmission unit 514 in ACT507 and executes the print job transmission process. This print job transmission process is the same as the processing operations of ACT117 to ACT126 in the operation management process of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted. After performing the same print job deletion processing operation as ACT120 or ACT126 in this print job transmission process, the processor 51 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT501.

[0148] As described above, the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500, which functions as a server device according to this second embodiment, operates as a print job receiving unit 511 to receive a print job, which is job information indicating the image to be formed, transmitted by the user terminal 300, and stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 531. In this way, the processor 51 functions as a receiving means. The processor 51 also operates as an analysis unit 512 to analyze the density in the image to be formed from the print job stored in the print job storage unit 531. In this way, the processor 51 functions as an analysis means. The processor 51 also operates as an inquiry unit 513 to transmit density information indicating the analyzed density to the device management server device 400. The processor 41 of the equipment management server device 400 operates as an inquiry receiving unit 413. Upon receiving an inquiry from the operation management server device 500, it operates as a machine determination unit 414. Based on the density information included in the received inquiry and the image quality information of each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 obtained by scanning a reference paper RP, which has a monochrome reference image with gradation in the sub-scanning direction at at least two spaced positions in the main scanning direction of the scan, with each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 200, the processor 41 determines the appropriate machine from among the multiple image forming apparatuses 200 that is suitable for forming the image shown in the print job. The processor 41 operates as a machine notification unit 415 and notifies the operation management server device 500 of the determined appropriate machine. The processor 51 of the operation management server device 500, which is functioning as an inquiry unit 513, determines the appropriate machine upon receiving this notification. Thus, the processor 51 of the operation management server device 500 functions as the first and third parts of the decision means, and the processor 41 of the equipment management server device 400 functions as the second part of the decision means. Thus, in the server device according to this second embodiment, similar to the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, the image quality information obtained by reading a reference paper RP on which a reference image has been formed is used by a scan unit 214 which has image reading performance corresponding to the image forming performance of the image forming unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 200. This is used to confirm whether the image forming apparatus 200 has image forming performance suitable for forming the image shown in the print job, thereby determining the appropriate machine suitable for forming the image from among multiple image forming apparatuses 200. Therefore, the server device according to the second embodiment can determine an image forming apparatus 200 that can meet the user's high-quality printing requirements.

[0149] Although the first and second embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in the above embodiment, suitable machines are first extracted based on concentration, and the machine to be used is selected by narrowing down the extracted suitable machines using location information. However, it is also acceptable to first narrow down the image forming apparatus 200 to be extracted using location information, then extract suitable machines, and select the extracted suitable machines as the machines to be used.

[0150] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that control programs are pre-stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 of the server device 100, the main memory 42 or auxiliary storage device 43 of the equipment management server device 400, and the main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53 of the operation management server device 500. In this regard, control programs transferred separately from these server devices may be written to the writable storage devices of the server device 100, the equipment management server device 400, and the operation management server device 500 in response to operations by an administrator or the like. The transfer of these control programs, etc., can be carried out by storing them on a removable computer-readable storage medium or by communication over a network. The computer-readable storage medium can be of any form as long as it can store programs and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0151] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims.

[0152] Furthermore, these embodiments and their variations may include the following inventions in addition to the inventions described in the claims. (1) The first direction is the main scanning direction for scanning and image formation. The second direction is the sub-scanning direction for the scan and the image formation. Claim 2 The server device described above. (2) The determination means determines the appropriate image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses that are limited to being used by the user terminal. The server device according to claim 1. (3) A storage means for storing the image quality information obtained from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, The server device according to claim 1, further comprising: (4) The external device includes an image forming apparatus operated by a user using the user terminal that is the source of the job information, The transmission means transmits the job information to the selected image forming apparatus in response to a selection operation of the image forming apparatus determined to be the appropriate apparatus by the user. Claim 4 The server device described above. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [1] A server device that communicates with a user terminal that provides an image to be formed by any of the multiple image forming apparatuses, each having a scanning function, Receiving means for receiving job information indicating the image to be formed transmitted by the user terminal, An analysis means for analyzing density information relating to the density in the image from the job information, A determination means for determining an appropriate machine from among the plurality of image forming machines suitable for forming the image, based on the density information and the image quality information of each of the plurality of image forming machines obtained by scanning a reference paper on which a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction is formed, A server device equipped with the following features. [2] In each of the above-mentioned plurality of image forming apparatuses, the first direction and the second direction are the same for scanning and image forming. The analysis means analyzes whether the image to be formed has identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced positions in the first direction of image formation that correspond to the at least two spaced positions in the first direction of the scan, The determination means determines the appropriate machine when the same single-color density section exists. [1] The server device described above. [3] The determination means selects from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses the apparatus in which the density difference of the same monochromatic density area is small at at least two spaced positions in the first direction of image formation as the appropriate apparatus. [2] The server device described above. [4] The server device includes first and second server devices that can communicate with each other via a network. The receiving means and the analysis means are provided in the first server device. The aforementioned determination means is A first part provided in the first server device that transmits the concentration information to the second server device, The second server device includes a second part which determines the appropriate aircraft based on the density information and the image quality information, and notifies the first server device of the determined appropriate aircraft, A third part provided in the first server device, which determines the appropriate aircraft upon receiving notification of the appropriate aircraft, The server device described in [1], including the following: [5] A transmission means for transmitting the job information to the image forming apparatus that has been determined to be the appropriate machine, A server device as described in any one of [1] to [4], further comprising the following: [6] A transmission means for transmitting the determination result, which indicates the image forming apparatus that has been determined to be the appropriate machine, to an external device. A server device as described in any one of [1] to [4], further comprising the following: [7] A computer in a server device that communicates with multiple image forming apparatuses, each having a scanning function, and a user terminal that provides an image to be formed by any of the multiple image forming apparatuses, A function to receive job information indicating the image to be formed, transmitted by the user terminal, A function to analyze density information related to the density in the image from the aforementioned job information, A function to determine the appropriate machine from among the plurality of image forming machines suitable for forming the image, based on the density information and the image quality information of each of the plurality of image forming machines obtained by scanning a reference paper on which a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction is formed, with each of the plurality of image forming machines. A program to achieve this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 11,41,51…Processor, 12,42,52…Main memory, 13,43,53…Auxiliary storage device, 14,44,54…Communication interface, 15,45,55…Bus line, 100…Server device, 101…Equipment management server, 102…Operation management server, 111,411…Image quality acquisition unit, 112,412…Equipment information acquisition unit, 113,511…Print job receiving unit, 114,512…Analysis unit, 115,414…Machine determination unit, 116,514…Print job transmission unit, 131,431…Image quality database, 1311…Quality information record, 132,432…Equipment database, 1321…Equipment information record, 133,531…Print job storage unit, 200…Image forming apparatus 205, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054…Image forming unit, 214…Scanning unit, 216…Control panel, 300…User terminal, 400…Equipment management server device, 413…Inquiry receiving unit, 415…Unit notification unit, 500…Operation management server device, 513…Inquiry unit, NW…Network, RP…Reference paper.

Claims

1. A server device that communicates with a user terminal that provides an image to be formed by any of the multiple image forming apparatuses, each having a scanning function, Receiving means for receiving job information indicating the image to be formed transmitted by the user terminal, An analysis means for analyzing density information relating to the density in the image from the job information, A determination means for determining the appropriate machine from among the plurality of image forming machines suitable for forming the image, based on the density information and the image quality information of each of the plurality of image forming machines obtained by scanning a reference paper on which a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction is formed, Equipped with, In each of the aforementioned plurality of image forming apparatuses, the first direction and the second direction are the same for scanning and image forming. The analysis means analyzes whether the image to be formed has identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced positions in the first direction of image formation that correspond to the at least two spaced positions in the first direction of the scan, The determination means determines the appropriate machine when the same single-color density section exists. Server device.

2. The determination means selects from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses the apparatus in which the density difference of the same monochromatic density area is small at at least two spaced positions in the first direction of image formation as the appropriate apparatus. The server device according to claim 1.

3. The server device includes first and second server devices that can communicate with each other via a network. The receiving means and the analysis means are provided in the first server device. The aforementioned determination means is A first part provided in the first server device that transmits the concentration information to the second server device, The second server device includes a second part which determines the appropriate aircraft based on the density information and the image quality information, and notifies the first server device of the determined appropriate aircraft, A third part is provided in the first server device, which determines the appropriate aircraft upon receiving notification of the appropriate aircraft, The server device according to claim 1, including the following:

4. A transmission means for transmitting the job information to the image forming apparatus that has been determined to be the appropriate machine, A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

5. A transmission means for transmitting the determination result, which indicates the image forming apparatus that has been determined to be the appropriate machine, to an external device. A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

6. A computer in a server device that communicates with multiple image forming apparatuses, each having a scanning function, and a user terminal that provides an image to be formed by any of the multiple image forming apparatuses, A function to receive job information indicating the image to be formed, transmitted by the user terminal, A function to analyze density information related to the density in the image from the aforementioned job information, A function to determine the appropriate machine from among the plurality of image forming machines suitable for forming the image, based on the density information and the image quality information of each of the plurality of image forming machines obtained by scanning a reference paper on which a monochrome reference image having gradation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at at least two spaced positions in the first direction is formed, with each of the plurality of image forming machines. This is a program to achieve this. In each of the aforementioned plurality of image forming apparatuses, the first direction and the second direction are the same for scanning and image forming. The analysis function analyzes whether the image to be formed has identical monochromatic density areas at at least two spaced positions in the first direction of image formation, corresponding to the at least two spaced positions in the first direction of the scan. The function that determines the appropriate unit when the same single-color density section exists, program.

Images