JP2006347110A - Image forming apparatus and substitute printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting an appropriate image forming apparatus and requesting proxy printing.
An image forming apparatus that requests another image forming apparatus connected to a network to perform print printing on behalf of the image forming apparatus, and includes information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be printed. A broadcast unit that broadcasts a proxy print request message to the network; a response reception unit that receives a response message from another image forming apparatus that can print the print job in response to the proxy print request; A proxy print execution requesting unit that transfers a print job to the responding image forming apparatus and requests execution of proxy printing;
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes a print job on behalf of another image forming apparatus, and a substitute printing control program.

Conventionally, in order to reduce the time required for printing by delegating printing to a higher-performance printing device at that time even if the performance of the printing device in operation is reduced, a plurality of printing devices and computers (information In a printing system in which processing devices are connected to each other via a network, when a decrease in performance is detected in a printing device that is executing a print job, another printing device that has higher printing performance and is ready for printing Is present, a print control method is known in which the remaining print job is transmitted to the other printing apparatus to request substitution of printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-209781 A

By the way, recent image forming apparatuses have diversified functions, and can output various printed materials. In particular, in the case of a multi-function peripheral, it is possible to use an accessory function when functioning as a copier as a printer. Therefore, the user prints a desired print using these functions. be able to. In addition, image forming apparatuses are often used connected to a computer network. A plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the computer network, and a user selects an image forming apparatus having a desired function and outputs a printed matter. In such a use environment, when the printing process is interrupted due to a malfunction of the image forming apparatus while the printed matter is being output, the printing process can be quickly performed by the proxy printing described in Patent Document 1.
However, when a print job to be printed using a desired function is printed on behalf by another image forming apparatus, the other image forming apparatus does not necessarily have the function desired by the user, and other images Since there is a case where a printing material using a desired function cannot be output by the forming apparatus, there is a problem in that it is necessary to select an appropriate image forming apparatus and request substitution printing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when requesting proxy printing to another image forming apparatus, an appropriate image forming apparatus can be selected to request proxy printing. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and a substitute printing control program.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that requests other image forming apparatuses connected to a network to perform print printing on behalf of a print job, and includes information indicating functions necessary for executing a print job to be printed. A broadcast unit that broadcasts the proxy print request message to the network, and a response reception that receives a response message from another image forming apparatus that can print the print job in response to the proxy print request. And proxy printing execution requesting means for transferring the print job and requesting proxy printing execution to the responding image forming apparatus.

  The present invention includes a capability value of the image forming apparatus that has made the response in the response message. When there are a plurality of responding image forming apparatuses, the request for execution of proxy printing is made with reference to the capability value. And a proxy printing execution requesting unit that transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus selected by the selection unit and requests execution of proxy printing. .

  The present invention further includes, in the response message, a failure rate of the image forming apparatus that has made the response, and the selection unit refers to the failure rate, and the image forming apparatus that requests execution of the proxy printing is referred to It is characterized by selecting.

  The present invention further includes, in the response message, a success rate of proxy printing of the image forming apparatus that has made the response, and the selection unit refers to the success rate of proxy printing and requests the execution of proxy printing. An image forming apparatus that performs the operation is selected.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives a proxy print request for a print job from another image forming apparatus connected to a network, and executes proxy printing. Information on the functions of the apparatus is provided in advance. A stored function data storage means; a substitute print request receiving means for receiving a substitute print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be substituted; and executing the print job. Response means for determining whether or not proxy printing is possible based on information indicating a necessary function and the information stored in the function data storage means, and transmitting a response message to the proxy printing request when the proxy printing is possible And printing means for receiving the transferred print job and executing proxy printing.

  According to the present invention, the function data storage unit includes a capability value of a function included in the function data storage unit, and the response unit includes the capability value in a response message to be transmitted.

  The present invention further includes operation data storage means for storing information on a failure rate at the time of execution of a print job or a success rate of substitution printing, and the response means includes the failure rate or success of substitution printing in a response message to be transmitted. It is characterized by including a rate.

  The present invention is a proxy print control program that operates on an image forming apparatus that requests other image forming apparatuses connected to a network to perform proxy printing of a print job, and executes a print job to be printed. Broadcast processing for broadcasting a proxy print request message including information indicating functions necessary for the network to the network, and another image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing of the print job in response to the proxy print request. A response reception process for receiving the response message, and a proxy print execution request process for transferring the print job and requesting the proxy print execution to the responding image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is a function in which information on functions of a self-device is stored in advance in order to receive proxy print requests for print jobs from other image forming apparatuses connected to a network and execute proxy printing. A substitute print control program that operates on an image forming apparatus having a data storage unit and receives a substitute print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be substituted. Based on the reception process, information indicating a function necessary for executing the print job, and information stored in the function data storage means, it is determined whether or not proxy printing is possible. It is possible to cause a computer to perform a response process for transmitting a response message for a proxy print request and a proxy print execution process for receiving a transferred print job and executing a proxy print. The features.

  According to the present invention, a proxy print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be printed is broadcast to the network, and the print job to be printed is sent to the proxy print request. When another image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing responds, the print job to be printed is transferred to the responding image forming apparatus and the execution of proxy printing is requested. Therefore, it is possible to make a request for proxy printing, and it is possible to reliably and efficiently execute a print job.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus that generates a print job and prints an image based on print data output from the personal computer 5. Reference numeral 11 denotes a communication unit that performs information communication with another network connection device via the network N. Reference numeral 12 denotes a host buffer that temporarily stores print job data generated based on print data output from the personal computer 5. Reference numeral 13 denotes an image expansion unit that sequentially reads out print jobs stored in the host buffer 12 and expands the print data of the print job into bitmap data that is a print image. Reference numeral 14 denotes a printing unit that transfers an image to a print medium based on the bitmap data developed by the image development unit 33. Reference numeral 15 denotes a detection unit that detects an abnormality (such as a paper jam or out of paper) that has occurred in the printing unit 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a substitute for requesting substitute printing to another image forming apparatus when a failure is detected in the detection unit 15 or when the storage capacity of the print job stored in the host buffer 12 exceeds a predetermined value. This is the print request section. Reference numeral 17 denotes a proxy printing request response unit that responds to a proxy printing request when proxy printing is requested from another image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 18 denotes a function data storage unit in which function information of the apparatus itself is stored in advance. Reference numeral 19 denotes an operation data storage unit that stores operation data of the apparatus itself.

Reference numeral 3 is an image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus. Yes. Reference numerals 2 and 4 are image forming apparatuses similar to the image forming apparatuses 1 and 3, and detailed description thereof is omitted. These four image forming apparatuses are connected to the same network N.
Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the personal computer 5 is connected to the network N, the personal computer 5 that is a host computer that creates and outputs print data is not necessarily connected directly to the network N. Alternatively, it may be connected to another network connected via a router (not shown) connected to the network N.

  Next, the function data stored in the function data storage units 18 and 38 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The function data includes information that can identify a function (color printing, 2-in-1 printing, etc.) that the image forming apparatus itself has and a function (double-sided printing, etc.) that it does not have, and information about capability (per minute) Number of printed sheets, usable paper size, etc.). The function data stored in the function data storage units 18 and 38 is added according to the added function when an optional function is added to the image forming apparatus. In addition, the function data of the function that has been removed or does not operate due to a failure or the like is deleted from the function data storage units 18 and 38. That is, data that can be used to identify a function that can be used at present and a function that cannot be used is stored.

  Next, the operation data stored in the operation data storage units 19 and 39 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The operation data is data obtained by operating the image forming apparatus itself, and is data that changes from moment to moment. The operation data includes a failure rate that indicates a ratio between a time zone in which operation should be performed and a time zone in which a failure has occurred, a success rate that indicates a ratio between the number of times of request for substitution printing and the number of times substitution printing has succeeded, the host buffer 12, This is data composed of information such as a buffer usage rate indicating a ratio between the storage capacity of 32 and the amount of print data currently stored in the host buffer.

  Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user creates document data on the personal computer 5 using a document creation application or the like. Then, the user selects an image forming apparatus that performs printing on the personal computer 5 (here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is selected), and performs a print start instruction operation. When this operation is performed, the printer driver installed in the personal computer 5 interprets data output from the document creation application, generates print data in an intermediate language, and outputs it to the selected image forming apparatus 1. To do. The communication unit 11 receives the intermediate language print data and stores it in the host buffer 12. The image development unit 13 reads intermediate language print data from the host buffer 12, interprets the read print data, converts it into bitmap data, and holds bitmap data for each page therein.

  Next, the printing unit 14 reads the bitmap data held in the image development unit 13 and performs printing by transferring an image based on the bitmap data to a printing medium. At this time, if a problem (out of paper or paper jam) occurs during the printing operation in the printing unit 14, the printing unit 14 interrupts the printing process (step S1). When the detection unit 15 detects the occurrence of the problem, the detection unit 15 notifies the substitute print request unit 16 that the problem has occurred and the printing process is interrupted.

  In response to this, the proxy print request unit 16 reads the print data of the print job for which printing has been interrupted from the host buffer 12 and extracts functions necessary for executing this print job. Thereby, the proxy printing request unit 16 receives information (for example, color printing, double-sided printing, used paper size A4, 10 printing pages, etc.) indicating functions necessary for executing a print job requesting proxy printing. It is obtained. Subsequently, the proxy print request unit 16 broadcasts a proxy print request message including its own network address and the obtained information indicating the necessary function to the network N via the communication unit 11 (proxy print processing). Multicast to a group of image forming apparatus devices having a function) (step S2).

  The proxy printing request message is received by each of the image forming apparatuses having a proxy printing processing function connected to the network N. For example, the proxy print request response unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 3 connected to the network N receives the proxy print request message via the communication unit 31 (step S11).

  The proxy print request response unit 37 analyzes the content of the received proxy print request message, and displays information indicating a necessary function included in the received proxy print request message and storage data stored in the function data storage unit 38. Collation is performed (step S12). Then, the proxy printing request response unit 37 determines whether or not proxy printing is possible for the requested print job (step S13). If the result of this determination is that proxy printing is not possible, no response is made to the proxy print request message, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, as a result of collating the information indicating the necessary function included in the received proxy print request message with the stored data stored in the function data storage unit 38, it has all the functions necessary for proxy printing, and When the host buffer 32 buffer usage rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value and the paper is sufficient, the proxy print request response unit 37 reads out the failure rate and success rate values from the operation data storage unit 19 and the function data storage unit 18. A capability value (for example, the number of printable sheets per minute) is read out. Then, the proxy print request response unit 37 communicates a response message including the read capability value, failure rate, success rate, and own network address with respect to the request source network address included in the proxy print request message. It transmits via the part 31 (step S14). This response may be transmitted from the image forming apparatuses 2 and 4 by an operation similar to the operation described above.

  Next, the proxy printing request unit 16 determines whether or not a response message for the proxy printing request has been received within a predetermined time after transmitting the proxy printing request message (steps S3 and S4). As a result of this determination, if the response message for the proxy print request cannot be received within a predetermined time after the proxy print request message is transmitted, the proxy print request unit 16 displays an error message in the operation panel indicating that the proxy printing cannot be executed. Is displayed on the display device arranged in the screen. Since the subsequent processing operation is the same as that in the case where a normal malfunction occurs in the image forming apparatus, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the response message for the proxy print request can be received within a predetermined time after transmitting the proxy print request message, the proxy print request unit 16 counts the number of response messages that can be received, and receives two or more response messages. If it can be received, the image forming apparatus that requests substitution printing is selected (step S6). The image forming apparatus is selected by selecting an image forming apparatus with a lower failure rate that includes a response message. When the failure rates are the same, the failure is performed by selecting an image forming apparatus with a higher success rate. Further, when the success rates are the same, the image forming apparatus with the higher capability value included in the response message is selected. The image forming apparatus selected by this selection operation is an image forming apparatus that is a request target for proxy printing. When the received response message is one, the image forming apparatus that has transmitted this response message is the image forming apparatus that is the request target for proxy printing.

  Next, the proxy print request unit 16 reads the print data of the print job for which the printing process has been interrupted from the host buffer 12, and in response to the network address included in the response message transmitted by the image forming apparatus that is the proxy print request target. The print data of the read print job is transferred (step S7). When the transfer of the print data of the print job is completed, the proxy print request 16 displays a message indicating that the print job whose processing has been interrupted has been executed by proxy printing on a display device arranged in the operation panel. Accordingly, the user can know that the image is output from another image forming apparatus.

  Next, the proxy print request response unit 37 determines whether or not the print data of the print job to be subjected to proxy printing has been received within a predetermined time after transmitting the response message (steps S15 and S16). As a result of this determination, if the print data of the print job to be substituted cannot be received within the predetermined time, the substitute print request response unit 37 considers that a substitute print request has been made to another image forming apparatus. To finish the process. On the other hand, when the print data of the print job to be substituted can be received within the predetermined time, the print data of the transferred print job is received via the communication unit 31 and the received print data is stored in the host buffer 32. . The image development unit 33 reads intermediate language print data from the host buffer 32, interprets the read print data, converts it into bitmap data, and holds bitmap data for each page inside. Then, the printing unit 34 reads the bitmap data held in the image development unit 33 and performs printing by transferring an image based on the bitmap data to a printing medium. As a result, proxy printing is executed.

  In the description of the operation shown in FIG. 2, when the printing process is interrupted at the timing of the proxy printing request, the proxy printing request is made to another image forming apparatus, but is stored in the host buffer 12. Even when the print data storage capacity of a print job exceeds a predetermined value, a substitute print request may be made. In this case, the proxy printing request unit 16 monitors the storage capacity (buffer usage rate) of the host buffer 12 and broadcasts the proxy printing request to the network N when it detects that the predetermined value has been exceeded. That's fine.

  The execution of the print job transferred from the image forming apparatus 1 is not different from the execution process of the print job output from the personal computer 5 in the image forming apparatus 3, and therefore the process of step S16 shown in FIG. 2 is necessary. Depending on the situation. When the image forming apparatus 3 responds to the proxy print request, it is determined whether the data capacity (buffer usage rate) of the print job stored in the host buffer 32 is equal to or less than a predetermined value or whether the sheet is sufficient. Since the determination is made and the response is made, if a predetermined time or more elapses after the response message is transmitted, there is a possibility that the status of the image forming apparatus on the side performing the proxy printing has changed. In step S16, the proxy printing can be executed in an assumed state when a print job to be substituted is received even though the status of the image forming apparatus performing the substitution printing has changed. This is a process for preventing the loss.

  If the image forming apparatus connected to the network N is known, the proxy printing request unit 16 may unicast the proxy printing request message to each image forming apparatus.

  In this way, a proxy print request including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be printed is broadcast to the network, and the print job to be printed is proxy printed in response to this proxy print request. When another possible image forming apparatus responds, the print job to be printed is transferred to the responding image forming apparatus and the execution of proxy printing is requested. Therefore, an appropriate other image forming apparatus is selected. It is possible to execute the print job reliably and efficiently. In addition, when the proxy print request is broadcast to the network, only the proxyable image forming apparatus responds so that information indicating the status of other image forming apparatuses connected to the network is displayed for each image. The forming apparatus does not need to be managed, and the processing operation can be simplified. In addition, when selecting an image forming apparatus that requests proxy printing, selection is made based on a failure rate, a success rate of proxy printing, a capability value, and the like, so that proxy printing can be executed reliably and quickly. An image forming apparatus can be selected.

  The program for realizing the function of the processing unit in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed, thereby executing proxy printing processing. You may go. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-4 ... Image forming apparatus 11, 31 ... Communication part, 12, 32 ... Host buffer, 13, 33 ... Image expansion part, 14, 34 ... Printing part, 15, 35 ... Detection unit 16, 36 ... Proxy print request unit, 17, 37 ... Proxy print request response unit, 18, 38 ... Function data storage unit, 19, 39 ... Operation data storage unit 5 ... PC, N ... Network

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus that requests other image forming apparatuses connected to the network to perform proxy printing of a print job,
Broadcasting means for broadcasting a proxy print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be printed to the network;
A response receiving means for receiving a response message in response to another image forming apparatus capable of performing proxy printing of the print job in response to the proxy printing request;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a proxy print execution requesting unit that transfers the print job to the responding image forming apparatus and requests proxy print execution. The response message includes the capability value of the image forming apparatus that has made the response,
When there are a plurality of responding image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects an image forming apparatus that requests substitution printing execution with reference to the capability value,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proxy printing execution requesting unit transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus selected by the selecting unit and requests execution of proxy printing. The response message further includes a failure rate of the image forming apparatus that has made the response,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects an image forming apparatus that requests the execution of the substitute printing with reference to the failure rate. The response message further includes a success rate of proxy printing of the image forming apparatus that has made the response,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection unit selects an image forming apparatus that requests execution of the proxy printing with reference to a success rate of the proxy printing. An image forming apparatus that receives a proxy print request for a print job from another image forming apparatus connected to a network and executes proxy printing,
Function data storage means in which information on the functions of the device is stored in advance;
Proxy print request receiving means for receiving a proxy print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be subjected to proxy printing;
Based on the information indicating the function necessary for executing the print job and the information stored in the function data storage means, it is determined whether or not proxy printing is possible. A response means for sending a response message;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that receives the transferred print job and executes proxy printing. The function data storage means includes a capability value of a function provided by itself,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the response unit includes the capability value in a response message to be transmitted. An operation data storage means for storing information on a failure rate during execution of a print job or a success rate of proxy printing;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the response unit includes the failure rate or the success rate of the proxy printing in a response message to be transmitted. A proxy printing control program that operates on an image forming apparatus that requests proxy printing of a print job to another image forming apparatus connected to the network,
A broadcast process for broadcasting a proxy print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be printed to the network;
A response reception process for receiving a response message in response to another image forming apparatus capable of performing the proxy printing of the print job in response to the proxy printing request;
A proxy printing control program, which causes a computer to perform proxy printing execution request processing for transferring the print job and requesting proxy printing execution to the responding image forming apparatus. A function data storage unit that stores information on functions of the apparatus in advance in order to receive proxy print requests for print jobs from other image forming apparatuses connected to the network and execute proxy printing. A proxy printing control program that operates on an image forming apparatus provided,
A proxy print request reception process for receiving a proxy print request message including information indicating a function necessary for executing a print job to be substituted;
Based on the information indicating the function necessary for executing the print job and the information stored in the function data storage means, it is determined whether or not proxy printing is possible. A response process for sending a response message;
A substitute print control program for causing a computer to perform a substitute print execution process for receiving a transferred print job and executing a substitute print.

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