JP2023175308A - Computer program for manager terminal, communication system and method executed by communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a new technique for notifying that there is such a possibility that a malfunction occurs in an image formation device.SOLUTION: A manager terminal comprises: a determination unit which determines whether or not a first image formation device identified by first device identification information included in first execution information matches a second image formation device closest to a first user terminal identified by first terminal identification information included in the first execution information when the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image formation device; and a first output unit which outputs first notification information indicating that there is such a possibility that a malfunction occurs in the second image formation device when it is determined that the first image formation device does not match the second image formation device, and does not output the first notification information when it is determined that the first image formation device matches the second image formation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to notification of the occurrence of a malfunction in an image forming apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses a failure estimation device. In this defect estimating device, if after a print job is executed on one image forming apparatus, the number of cases in which print jobs with the same content are executed on other image forming apparatuses exceeds the standard number of cases, It is presumed that a problem has occurred in the image forming apparatus.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-016754

This specification provides a new technique for notifying that a problem may occur in an image forming apparatus.

This specification discloses a computer program for an administrator terminal. The administrator terminal includes a plurality of terminal identification information for identifying a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of device identification information for identifying a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a plurality of device identification information for each of the plurality of user terminals. The image forming apparatus may include a computer and a memory that stores specific information for specifying the image forming apparatus closest to the user terminal. The computer program causes the computer to form an image from one of the plurality of user terminals to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses by using the following units. an execution information receiving unit that receives execution information indicating that communication of the image formation instruction has been executed from the user terminal or the image forming apparatus when the instruction is transmitted; The execution information receiving section includes terminal identification information for identifying a user terminal and device identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus, and first execution information from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus. is received, the first image forming device identified by the first device identification information included in the first execution information and the first execution a second image forming apparatus closest to the first user terminal identified by first terminal identification information included in the information; or when the first execution information is received from the first image forming apparatus and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, outputting first notification information indicating that a malfunction may have occurred in the image forming apparatus, and receiving the first execution information from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus; and a first output unit that does not output the first notification information when it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus match. good.

The user of the first user terminal normally causes the second image forming apparatus closest to the first user terminal to perform image formation, but if a problem occurs in the second image forming apparatus, Another image forming apparatus can be caused to perform image formation. In view of these circumstances, the administrator terminal realized by the above-mentioned computer program is configured to display the second image forming apparatus when it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. First notification information indicating that there is a possibility that a problem has occurred is output. Thereby, the administrator can know that there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the second image forming apparatus by looking at the first notification information.

A computer readable recording medium storing the above computer program, an administrator terminal itself realized by the above computer program, and a method executed by the administrator terminal are also new and useful. Further, the communication system including the above-mentioned administrator terminal, a plurality of user terminals, and an image forming apparatus is also new and useful. Also, the methods performed by the communication system described above are novel and useful.

The configuration of the communication system is shown. The control configuration of each device is shown. A flowchart of processing executed by the administrator terminal is shown. A sequence diagram of case A is shown. A sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 4 is shown. A sequence diagram of case B is shown. A sequence diagram of case C is shown. A sequence diagram of case D is shown. A sequence diagram of case E is shown. A sequence diagram of case F is shown. The flowchart of the process performed by the administrator terminal of 2nd Example is shown. A flowchart of processing executed by the administrator terminal of the third embodiment is shown.

(First example)
(Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes an administrator terminal 10 used by an administrator of the communication system 2, two printers 100A and 100B, and four user terminals 200A1 used by individual users. , 200A2, 200B1, 200B2. Printer IDs "PA" and "PB" are assigned to printers 100A and 100B, respectively. Further, terminal IDs "TA1", "TA2", "TB1", and "TB2" are assigned to the user terminals 200A1, 200A2, 200B1, and 200B2, respectively. Below, when the printers 100A and 100B are not particularly distinguished, they may be referred to as "printer 100." Similarly, when the user terminals 200A1, 200A2, 200B1, and 200B2 are not particularly distinguished, they may be written as "user terminals 200." The devices 10, 100, and 200 are installed in an office and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a LAN (abbreviation for Local Area Network, not shown). The printer 100A and user terminals 200A1 and 200A2 belong to group GA. The printer 100B and user terminals 200B1 and 200B2 belong to group GB. Each device belonging to each group GA, GB is determined in advance by the user of the administrator terminal 10 (that is, the administrator of the communication system 2).

In this embodiment, devices belonging to the same group are close to each other, and devices belonging to different groups are far apart. That is, the printer closest to each user terminal 200A1, 200A2 is not printer 100B but printer 100A. Similarly, the printer closest to each user terminal 200B1, 200B2 is printer 100B, not printer 100A. Therefore, normally, the user of each user terminal 200A1, 200A2 causes the printer 100A to execute printing, and the user of each user terminal 200B1, 200B2 causes the printer 100B to execute printing. However, for example, if a problem occurs in the printer 100A, the users of the user terminals 200A1 and 200A2 can cause the printer 100B to perform printing. In this embodiment, the administrator terminal 10 detects such user behavior and notifies the administrator that a problem may be occurring in the printer. Note that in this specification, a "fault" in a printer refers to a situation in which the printer is capable of printing itself, but a defect (for example, a blurred printed image) may occur in at least a portion of the print medium to be formed. means.

(Control configuration of each device; Figure 2)
(Configuration of administrator terminal 10)
The administrator terminal 10 is a terminal device such as a stationary PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a PDA. The administrator terminal 10 includes an operation section 12, a display section 14, a communication interface 16, and a control section 30. Each part 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (numerals omitted). In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I/F".

The operation unit 12 is an I/F for inputting various instructions to the administrator terminal 10, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The administrator can input various instructions to the administrator terminal 10 via the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. When the display section 14 is a touch panel, the display section 14 also functions as the operation section 12. Communication I/F 16 is connected to the LAN.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, and the like. The memory 34 further stores a terminal table 38, a printer table 40, and a job table 42.

The terminal table 38 is a table for managing a plurality of user terminals (four user terminals 200A1, etc. in this embodiment) to be managed. The terminal table 38 stores terminal IDs and belonging group information in association with each other. The terminal ID is information for identifying a user terminal. Belonging group information indicates the group to which the user terminal belongs (in this embodiment, one of the two groups GA and GB). Each piece of information included in the terminal table 38 is registered by the administrator.

The printer table 40 is a table for managing a plurality of printers to be managed (two printers 100A and 100B in this embodiment). The printer table 40 stores printer IDs, device statuses, and belonging group information in association with each other. The printer ID is information for identifying the printer. The device status is information indicating the current status of the printer (for example, waiting, printing, error, etc.). Belonging group information indicates the group to which the printer belongs. The printer ID and belonging group information included in the printer table 40 are registered by the administrator. Furthermore, each printer 100A, 100B is configured to transmit device status information indicating the changed device status to the administrator terminal 10 via the LAN every time its own status changes. Each time the administrator terminal 10 receives device status information from each printer 100A, 100B, it updates the device status associated with the printer in the printer table 40.

The job table 42 is a table for managing print jobs. As will be described in detail later, when each printer 100A, 100B receives a print execution instruction from the user terminal 200A1, etc., it generates a job ID for identifying the print job, and sends execution information including the job ID to the administrator terminal 10. Send. The administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 upon receiving the execution information. The job table 42 stores a job ID, a file name, a sender ID, a sender ID, a reception time, and a job status in association with each other. The file name is information for identifying the image to be printed. The sender ID is a terminal ID that identifies the user terminal that is the sender of the print execution instruction. The destination ID is a printer ID that identifies the destination printer of the print execution instruction. The reception time indicates the time when the administrator terminal 10 received the execution information. The job status indicates the status of print processing corresponding to the print job (for example, waiting, executing, completed, canceled, etc.). Each time the job status corresponding to a print job changes (for example, printing is started, printing is completed, etc.), each printer 100A, 100B sends job status information indicating the job status after the change to the administrator terminal 10. Send. The administrator terminal 10 updates the job status in the job table 42 every time it receives job status information from each printer 100A, 100B.

(Configuration of printer 100)
The printer 100 is a peripheral device (for example, a peripheral device of the user terminal 200) that can execute a printing function. In a modified example, the printer 100 may be a multi-function device that can perform a scanning function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to the printing function. The printer 100 includes an operation section 112, a display section 114, a communication I/F 116, a print execution section 118, and a control section 130. Each part 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (numerals omitted).

The operation unit 112 includes a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the printer 100 by operating the operation unit 112. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various information. When the display section 114 is a touch panel, the display section 114 also functions as the operation section 112. Communication I/F 116 is connected to the LAN. The printing execution unit 118 includes a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method.

The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. CPU 132 executes various processes according to program 136 stored in memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, and the like.

(Configuration of user terminal 200)
The user terminal 200 is a terminal device such as a stationary PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a PDA. User terminal 200 includes an operation section 212, a display section 214, a communication I/F 216, and a control section 230. Each part 212 to 230 is connected to a bus line (numerals omitted).

The operation unit 212 is an I/F for inputting various instructions to the user terminal 200, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like. A user of the user terminal 200 can input various instructions to the user terminal 200 via the operation unit 212. The display unit 214 is a display for displaying various information. When the display section 214 is a touch panel, the display section 214 also functions as the operation section 212. Communication I/F 216 is connected to the LAN.

The control unit 230 includes a CPU 232 and a memory 234. CPU 232 executes various processes according to programs 236 (eg, OS programs, application programs) stored in memory 234. The memory 234 is composed of volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, and the like.

(Processing of administrator terminal 10; Figure 3)
Next, the process executed by the CPU 32 of the administrator terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the power of the administrator terminal 10 is turned on as a trigger, and is repeatedly executed while the power is turned on.

In S10, the CPU 32 monitors reception of execution information from a printer (for example, printer 100A). If the CPU 32 receives execution information from the printer in response to a print execution instruction being sent from the user terminal to the printer, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12. In the following, the print execution instruction and the execution information will be referred to as "target print execution instruction" and "target execution information," respectively, and will refer to the user terminal that sent the target print execution instruction, and the transmission of the target print execution instruction. The above printers will be referred to as "target user terminal" and "target printer", respectively. The target execution information includes a job ID, a file name, a sender ID that is the terminal ID of the target user terminal, and a destination ID that is the printer ID of the target printer (see FIG. 4, which will be described later). The file name is the file name of the print target image included in the target print execution instruction.

The CPU 32 updates the job table 42 in S12. Specifically, the CPU 32 stores each information included in the received target execution information (i.e. job ID, file name, sender ID, destination ID), the time when the target execution information was received, and the job status. , are stored in the job table 42 in association with each other. At this stage, the job status indicates "waiting". In the following, the print job corresponding to the target execution information (that is, the print job identified by the job ID stored in S12) will be referred to as a "target job."

In S14, the CPU 32 determines whether the target printer is the closest printer to the target user terminal. Specifically, first, the CPU 32 identifies belonging group information associated with the terminal ID of the target user terminal from the terminal table 38. Next, the CPU 32 identifies, from the printer table 40, a printer ID associated with the same belonging group information as the relevant group information. In other words, the CPU 32 identifies the printer ID of the printer closest to the target user terminal. Then, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the printer ID of the target printer matches the specified printer ID. If the printer ID of the target printer and the specified printer ID match, the CPU 32 determines YES in S14 and skips the processing from S16 onwards. On the other hand, if the printer ID of the target printer and the identified printer ID do not match, the CPU 32 determines NO in S14 and proceeds to S16. In this manner, the CPU 32 can appropriately determine whether the target printer is the closest printer to the target user terminal based on the belonging group information.

In S16, the CPU 32 determines whether an error has occurred in the printer closest to the target user terminal (that is, the target printer). Specifically, the CPU 32 identifies, from the printer table 40, the device status associated with the printer ID identified in S14. If the specified device status indicates "error", the CPU 32 determines YES in S16 and skips the processing from S18 onwards. On the other hand, if the specified device status does not indicate an "error" (for example, if it is "on standby"), the CPU 32 determines NO in S16 and proceeds to S18. Note that in this specification, an "error" in a printer means an error that makes printing impossible in the printer.

In S18, the CPU 32 determines whether the printer closest to the target user terminal is currently printing. Specifically, the CPU 32 identifies, from the printer table 40, the device status associated with the printer ID identified in S14. When the identified device status indicates "printing", the CPU 32 determines YES in S18 and skips the processing from S20 onwards. On the other hand, if the specified device status does not indicate "printing" (for example, "standby"), the CPU 32 determines NO in S18 and proceeds to S20.

In S20, the CPU 32 determines whether the same job exists in the job table 42. Here, the "same job" means a print job that has the same combination of file name and sender ID as the target job. First, the CPU 32 identifies one print job from among the plurality of print jobs included in the job table 42. Next, the CPU 32 determines whether the combination of the file name and sender ID of the target job matches the combination of the file name and sender ID of the identified print job. If the former and latter match, the CPU 32 determines that the same job exists (YES in S20), and proceeds to S22. The CPU 32 executes the above processing for each print job stored in the job table 42. Thereby, the CPU 32 can determine that one or more identical jobs exist. If the CPU 32 determines that there is not even one identical job (NO in S20), it skips the processing from S22 onwards.

In S22, the CPU 32 determines the job status of the same job. Specifically, the CPU 32 identifies the job status of one identical job among the one or more identical jobs from the job table 42, and if the identified job status indicates "executed", the CPU 32 executes S24. If the identified job status indicates "waiting" or "execution", the process advances to S26; if the identified job status indicates "cancelled", the process advances to S30.

In S24, the CPU 32 determines whether the difference between the reception time of the target job and the reception time of the identified identical job is less than a predetermined time (for example, less than 5 minutes). Here, "reception time of target job" and "reception time of same job" are reception times associated with the target job and the identified same job, respectively, in the job table 42. If the difference is less than the predetermined value, the CPU 32 determines YES in S24 and proceeds to S30, and if the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the CPU 32 determines NO in S24 and proceeds to S26.

In S26, the CPU 32 determines whether the process in S22 has been executed for all of the one or more identical jobs identified in S20. If the process of S22 has been executed for all the same jobs, the CPU 32 determines YES in S26 and does not execute the process of S30. On the other hand, if there is an identical job for which the process of S22 has not been executed among the one or more identical jobs identified in S20, the CPU 32 determines NO in S26, and in S22, the CPU 32 determines that the process of S22 has not been executed. Determine job status.

In S30, the CPU 32 displays the notification screen SC1 on the display unit 14. The notification screen SC1 includes the printer ID of the printer closest to the target user terminal and a message indicating that a malfunction may occur in the printer identified by the printer ID. When the process of S30 is completed, the process returns to the monitoring process of S10.

(Case A; Figures 4 and 5)
Next, a specific case realized by the process shown in FIG. 3 will be explained. First, case A will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the following, for ease of understanding, the processes executed by the CPU (for example, 32, 132, 232) will not be described with the CPU as the main body, but will be described for each device (for example, the administrator terminal 10, printer 100, user terminal). 200) is mainly described. Furthermore, all communications between the devices described below are performed via communication I/Fs (16, 116, 216, etc.). Therefore, in the following description, when describing communication between devices, the description "via communication I/F" will be omitted.

The user terminal 200A1 receives a print execution operation from the user of the user terminal 200A1 at T100. The print execution operation includes designation of the printer ID "PA" of the printer 100A that is to perform printing, and designation of the file name F1 of the image to be printed. In this case, the user terminal 200A1 transmits a print execution instruction to the printer 100A at T102. The print execution instruction includes the designated file name F1, the image to be printed, and the terminal ID "TA1" of the user terminal 200A1. The image to be printed has a data format that can be interpreted by the printer 100A.

Upon receiving the print execution instruction from the user terminal 200A1 at T102, the printer 100A generates a job ID "JA1" at T103. Here, the printer 100A associates the job ID "JA1", the file name F1, and the image to be printed and stores them in the memory 134. Next, the printer 100A transmits execution information to the administrator terminal 10 at T104. The execution information includes the generated job ID "JA1" and the file name F1 included in the print execution instruction. The execution information further includes the terminal ID "TA1" included in the print execution instruction as the sender ID, and also includes the printer ID "PA" of the printer 100A as the sender ID "PA".

When the administrator terminal 10 receives the execution information from the printer 100A at T104 (YES at S10 in FIG. 3), the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T106 (S12). As a result, the print job identified by the job ID "JA1" is added to the job table 42. At this stage, the job status of the print job indicates "waiting". Further, since the group information "GA" of the printer 100A and the group information "GA" of the user terminal 200A1 match, that is, the printer 100A is the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1, so the notification screen SC1 is not displayed. (YES in S14).

The printer 100A starts printing the print target image associated with the job ID "JA1" at T110. When the printer 100A starts printing, it transmits status information to the administrator terminal 10 at T112. The status information includes device status information and job status information. The device status information includes a printer ID "PA" and a device status "printing" indicating that printing is in progress. The job status information includes a job ID "JA1" and a job status "in progress" indicating that printing is in progress.

Upon receiving the device status information and job status information from the printer 100A at T112, the administrator terminal 10 updates the printer table 40 and job table 42 at T114. Specifically, the administrator terminal 10 stores "printing" in place of the device status "standby" associated with the printer ID "PA" in the printer table 40, and stores the job status in the job table 42. The job status "Executing" is stored instead of "Waiting" associated with the ID "JA1." Note that in FIG. 4, the description of "affiliation group information" is omitted in the printer table 40. Hereafter, when describing the printer table 40, the description of "affiliation group information" will be omitted.

Thereafter, in the printer 100A, printing of the image to be printed associated with the job ID "JA1" is completed (T120). In this case, the printer 100A transmits status information to the administrator terminal 10 at T122. The status information includes device status information and job status information. The device status information includes a printer ID "PA" and a device status "standby" indicating that the printer is on standby. The job status information includes a job ID "JA1" and a job status "Executed" indicating that printing has been completed.

Upon receiving the job status information from the printer 100A at T122, the administrator terminal 10 updates the printer table 40 and the job table 42 at T124. Specifically, the administrator terminal 10 stores "standby" in place of the device status "printing" associated with the printer ID "PA" in the printer table 40, and stores the job status in the job table 42. The job status "Executed" is stored instead of "Executing" associated with the ID "JA1."

(Continuation of Figure 4; Figure 5)
At T130 in FIG. 5, the user terminal 200A1 again receives a print execution operation from the user of the user terminal 200A1. The print execution operation is the same as the print execution operation at T100 in FIG. 4, except that it is specified by the printer ID "PB" of the printer 100B. The process at T132 is similar to the process at T102 in FIG. 4, except that the destination is the printer 100B. The process at T133 is similar to the process at T103 in FIG. 4, except that the generated job ID is "JB1." Further, the process at T134 is similar to the process at T104 in FIG. 4, except that the job ID and destination ID are "JB1" and "PB", respectively. The process at T136 is similar to the process at T106 in FIG. 4, except that the print job identified by the job ID "JB1" is added to the job table 42.

(Case A-1; Figure 5)
First, a case A-1 will be described in which the difference between reception times T1 and T2 of execution information corresponding to print jobs identified by job IDs "JA1" and "JB1" is less than a predetermined time. Case A-1 assumes the following situation. At T120 in FIG. 4, the user of the user terminal 200A1 obtains the print medium printed by the printer 100A. The user notices that at least a portion of the print medium is defective (for example, the printed image is faded), and relatively immediately causes the printer 100B, which is different from the printer 100A, to print the same image to be printed (T130).

When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T136 (S12 in FIG. 3), the affiliated group information "GB" of the printer 100B and the affiliated group information "GA" of the user terminal 200A1 do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Further, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is not executing printing (NO in S18). Further, from the job table 42, the print job identified by the job ID "JA1" is identified as the same job (YES in S20), and the status of the print job is "Executed" ("Executed" in S22). . Then, at T140, the administrator terminal 10 checks the reception time T2 associated with the print job identified by job ID "JB1" and the reception time T1 associated with the print job identified by job ID "JA1". It is determined that the difference (T2-T1) is less than a predetermined time (YES in S24). In this case, the administrator terminal 10 displays the notification screen SC1 on the display unit 14 (S30). The notification screen SC1 includes the printer ID "PA" of the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1.

As described above, in case A-1, the user of the user terminal 200A1 notices a defect in the print medium printed by the printer 100A, and then relatively immediately causes another printer 100B to perform printing. Therefore, by viewing the notification screen SC1, the administrator can know that a malfunction may have occurred in the printer 100A. Therefore, the administrator can resolve the malfunction of the printer 100A.

(Case A-2; Figure 5)
Next, case A-2 will be explained. Case A-2 is a case where the difference between the reception times T1 and T2 of the execution information corresponding to the print jobs identified by the job IDs "JA1" and "JB1" is a predetermined time or more. Case A-2 assumes the following situation. At T120 in FIG. 4, the user of the user terminal 200A1 obtains the print medium printed by the printer 100A. The user confirms that there are no defects in the print medium, and after a relatively long period of time, causes the printer 100B, which is different from the printer 100A, to print the same print target image (T130). For example, if the user has some business to go near the printer 100B, the user may cause the printer 100B to print the same print target image.

When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T136 (S12 in FIG. 3), the affiliated group information "GB" of the printer 100B and the affiliated group information "GA" of the user terminal 200A1 do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Further, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is not executing printing (NO in S18). Further, from the job table 42, the print job identified by the job ID "JA1" is identified as the same job (YES in S20), and the status of the print job is "Executed" ("Executed" in S22). . Then, at T150, the administrator terminal 10 checks the reception time T2 associated with the print job identified by the job ID "JB1" and the reception time T1 associated with the print job identified by the job ID "JA1". It is determined that the difference (T2-T1) is longer than a predetermined time (NO in S24, YES in S26). In this case, the notification screen SC1 is not displayed.

As described above, in case A-2, the user causes another printer 100B to execute printing after a relatively long time has passed since printing was completed by printer 100A. In such a situation, it is unlikely that a problem has occurred in the printer 100A. In this case, since the notification screen SC1 is not displayed, unnecessary screens are suppressed from being displayed.

(Case B; Figure 6)
Next, case B will be explained with reference to FIG. Case B is a case in which the same print target image is printed on a different printer 100B after printing on the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 is canceled. Case B assumes the following situation. During printing with the printer 100A, the user of the user terminal 200A1 notices that at least a portion of the printing medium is defective, and cancels the printing. Then, the user causes the printer 100B, which is different from the printer 100A, to print the same print target image. In case B, first, the same processing as T100 to T114 in FIG. 4 is executed.

At T220, the printer 100A cancels printing according to the print job identified by the job ID "JA1", for example, in response to receiving a print cancel operation from the user. In this case, the printer 100A transmits status information to the administrator terminal 10 at T222. The status information includes device status information and job status information. The device status information includes a printer ID "PA" and a device status "standby" indicating that the printer is on standby. The job status information includes a job ID "JA1" and a job status "cancelled" indicating that printing has been canceled.

Upon receiving the status information from the printer 100A at T222, the administrator terminal 10 updates the printer table 40 and job table 42 at T224. Specifically, the administrator terminal 10 stores "standby" in place of the device status "printing" associated with the printer ID "PA" in the printer table 40, and stores the job status in the job table 42. ``Cancelled'' is stored in place of the job status ``Waiting'' associated with ID ``JA1''. Specifically, the administrator terminal 10 stores "cancelled" in place of the job status "currently running" associated with the job ID "JA1." The processing from T230 to T236 is similar to the processing from T130 to T136 in FIG.

When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T236 (S12 in FIG. 3), the affiliated group information "GB" of the printer 100B and the affiliated group information "GA" of the user terminal 200A1 do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Further, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is not executing printing (NO in S18). Further, from the job table 42, the print job identified by the job ID "JA1" is identified as the same job (YES in S20), and the status of the print job is "cancelled" ("cancelled" in S22). Therefore, the administrator terminal 10 displays the notification screen SC1 on the display unit 14 at T242 (S30).

As described above, in case B, the user of the user terminal 200A1 notices a defect in the print medium being printed by the printer 100A and cancels the printing. The user then causes another printer 100B to perform printing. Therefore, by viewing the notification screen SC1, the administrator can know that a problem may have occurred in the printer 100A, and can resolve the problem in the printer 100A.

(Case C; Figure 7)
Next, case C will be explained with reference to FIG. Case C is a case where, while the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 is waiting for printing, another printer 100B is caused to print the same image to be printed. For example, when the user of the user terminal 200A1 wants to print a large amount of the same print target image, the user distributes the printing to multiple printers 100A and 100B. In case C, first, the same processing as T100 to T106 in FIG. 4 is executed.

The processing from T330 to T336 is similar to the processing from T130 to T136 in FIG. When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T336 (S12 in FIG. 3), the printer 100B's belonging group information "GB" and the user terminal 200A1's belonging group information "GA" do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Further, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is not executing printing (NO in S18). Further, from the job table 42, the print job identified by the job ID "JA1" is identified as the same job (YES in S20), and the status of the print job is "waiting" ("waiting" in S22, YES in S26). In this case, the administrator terminal 10 does not display the notification screen SC1.

As described above, in case C, printing is distributed to each of the printers 100A and 100B and executed. In such a situation, it is unlikely that a problem has occurred in the printer 100A. In this case, since the notification screen SC1 is not displayed, unnecessary screens are suppressed from being displayed.

(Case D; Figure 8)
Next, case D will be explained with reference to FIG. Case D is a case in which the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 prints a print target image, and a different printer 100B prints a different print target image. For example, if the user of the user terminal 200A1 wishes to finish printing the first and second images to be printed early, the user of the user terminal 200A1 may cause the printer 100A to print the first image to be printed, and print the second image. The printer 100B is caused to print the target image. The processing from T400 to T406 in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing from T100 to T106 in FIG. 4, except that the image to be printed, the file name, and the job ID are different. In this case, the notification screen SC1 is not displayed.

The processing from T430 to T436 is similar to the processing from T130 to T136 in FIG. When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T436 (S12 in FIG. 3), it determines that the group information "GB" of the printer 100B and the group information "GA" of the user terminal 200A1 do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Further, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is not executing printing (NO in S18). Further, the same job is not specified from the job table 42 (NO in S20). In this case, the administrator terminal 10 does not display the notification screen SC1.

As described above, in case D, each printer 100A, 100B is caused to print different images to be printed. In such a situation, it is unlikely that a problem has occurred in the printer 100A. In this case, since the notification screen SC1 is not displayed, unnecessary screens are suppressed from being displayed.

(Case E; Figure 9)
Next, case E will be explained with reference to FIG. Case E is a case where the printer 100B, which is different from the printer 100A, is caused to perform printing in a situation where an error has occurred in the printer 100A. In case E, first, the same processing as T100 to T114 in FIG. 4 is executed.

At T500, a paper jam occurs in the printer 100A. In this case, the printer 100A transmits device status information to the administrator terminal 10 at T502. The device status information includes the printer ID "PA" of the printer 100A and information "paper jam" indicating that a paper jam has occurred.

Upon receiving the device status information from the printer 100A at T502, the administrator terminal 10 updates the printer table 40 at T504. Specifically, the administrator terminal 10 stores "error" in place of the device status "printing" associated with the printer ID "PA".

The administrator terminal 10 displays the notification screen SC2 on the display unit 14 at T506. The notification screen SC2 includes the printer ID "PA" of the printer 100A in which the error has occurred, and a message indicating that the error has occurred in the printer. The administrator can know that an error has occurred in the printer 100A by viewing the notification screen SC2.

Since an error has occurred in the printer 100A, the user of the user terminal 200A1 causes the printer 100B to print the same print target image. The processing from T530 to T536 is similar to the processing from T130 to T136 in FIG. When the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T536 (S12 in FIG. 3), the printer 100B's belonging group information "GB" and the user terminal 200A1's belonging group information "GA" do not match, that is, the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Furthermore, at this moment, an error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (YES in S16). Therefore, the administrator terminal 10 does not display the notification screen SC1.

In this way, in case E, in a situation where an error has occurred in the printer 100A, the notification screen SC1 is not displayed even if the printer 100B, which is different from the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1, executes printing. As described above, in a situation where an error has occurred in the printer 100A, the notification screen SC2 is displayed (T506), so that the administrator can know that an error has occurred in the printer 100A. Therefore, the notification screen SC1 indicating that a malfunction may occur in the printer 100A becomes an unnecessary screen. This prevents unnecessary screens from being displayed.

(Case F; Figure 10)
Next, case F will be explained with reference to FIG. Case F is a case in which the user of the user terminal 200A1 causes a different printer 100B to perform printing when the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 is currently printing. For example, when the user of the user terminal 200A1 recognizes that the printer 100A is currently printing, the user of the user terminal 200A1 causes a different printer 100B to print in order to quickly obtain the print result.

The processing from T600 to T606 in FIG. 10 is the same as the processing from T100 to T106 in FIG. 4, except that the user terminal 200A2 is used, and the image to be printed, the file name, and the job ID are different. In this case, the notification screen SC1 is not displayed. Furthermore, the processing from T610 to T614 is similar to the processing from T110 to T114 in FIG. 4, except that printing is performed according to the job ID "JA21".

Thereafter, processing similar to T130 to T136 in FIG. 5 is executed between the user terminal 200A1, the printer 100A, and the administrator terminal 10. In this case, when the administrator terminal 10 updates the job table 42 at T136 in FIG. 5 cited in FIG. "GA" does not match, that is, it is determined that the printer 100B is not the closest printer to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S14). Furthermore, at this moment, no error has occurred in the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 (NO in S16), and the printer 100A is currently printing (YES in S18). Therefore, the administrator terminal 10 does not display the notification screen SC1.

As described above, when the printer 100A is printing, the user of the user terminal 200A1 causes another printer 100B to print. In such a situation, it is unlikely that a problem has occurred in the printer 100A. In this case, since the notification screen SC1 is not displayed, unnecessary screens are suppressed from being displayed.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
The user of the user terminal 200A1 normally causes the printer 100A closest to the user terminal 200A1 to perform printing, but if a problem occurs with the printer 100A, printing is performed on another printer (in this embodiment, the printer 100B). can be executed. In view of these circumstances, the administrator terminal 10 is configured to connect the printer 100B identified by the destination ID (i.e. printer ID) "PB" included in the execution information (see T134 in FIG. 5) and the user terminal 200A1. If it is determined that the printer 100A and the nearby printer 100A do not match, a notification screen SC1 indicating that there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the printer 100A is output (T142 in FIG. 5). Thereby, the administrator can know that a malfunction may have occurred in the printer 100A by viewing the notification screen SC1.

(correspondence)
The administrator terminal 10 is an example of an "administrator terminal." The four user terminals 200A1 to 200B2 and the two printers 100A and 100B are examples of "a plurality of user terminals" and "a plurality of image forming apparatuses", respectively. The four terminal IDs "TA1" to "TB2" and the two printer IDs "PA" and "PB" are examples of "multiple terminal identification information" and "multiple device identification information", respectively. . User terminal 200A1 is an example of a "first user terminal." Printers 100A and 100B are an example of a "first image forming apparatus." The printer 100A is an example of a "second image forming apparatus." The printer ID "PA" and the terminal ID "TA1" are examples of "first device identification information" and "first terminal identification information", respectively. Belonging group information is an example of "specific information (and belonging group information)." The file name is an example of "image identification information." The file name F1 is an example of "specific image identification information." The execution information at T132 in FIG. 5 and the execution information at T104 in FIG. 4 are examples of "first execution information" and "second execution information", respectively. The notification screen SC1 and the notification screen SC2 are examples of "first notification information" and "second notification information", respectively. A print execution instruction (for example, T102 in FIG. 4) is an example of an "image formation instruction."

The process of S10, the process of S14, and the process of S30 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by the "execution information receiving section", "determination section", and "first output section", respectively. The process at T506 in FIG. 9 is an example of the process executed by the "second output unit."

(Second example)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the method for determining the printer closest to the target user terminal is different from that in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in the second embodiment, location information is stored in each of the terminal table 38 and printer table 40 instead of belonging group information. The location information is information indicating the location (ie, coordinates) within the office, and is registered in advance by the administrator. Note that in a modified example, the position information may be information specified by GPS (abbreviation for Global Positioning System).

(Processing of administrator terminal 10; Figure 11)
With reference to FIG. 11, the processing of the administrator terminal 10 of the second embodiment will be described. In FIG. 11, the same reference numbers are given to processes similar to those in FIG. 3, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. Below, differences from the process in FIG. 3 will be explained.

In S113, the CPU 32 calculates each distance between the target user terminal and each printer indicated by each printer ID included in the printer table 40. Specifically, first, the CPU 32 identifies, from the terminal table 38, the position information (i.e., coordinates) associated with the terminal ID of the target user terminal. Next, the CPU 32 identifies one printer ID and the position information (i.e., coordinates) associated with the printer ID from the printer table 40. Then, the CPU 32 uses the two specified coordinates to calculate the distance between the target user terminal and the one printer, and stores the distance in association with the printer ID. The CPU 32 executes similar processing for other printer IDs included in the printer table 40.

In S114, the CPU 32 determines whether the target printer is the closest printer to the target user terminal. Specifically, the CPU 32 identifies the printer ID associated with the smallest distance among the distances already calculated in S113. In other words, the CPU 32 identifies the printer ID of the printer closest to the target user terminal. Then, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the printer ID of the target printer matches the specified printer ID. If the printer ID of the target printer and the identified printer ID match, the CPU 32 determines YES in S114 and skips the processing from S16 onwards. On the other hand, if the printer ID of the target printer and the identified printer ID do not match, the CPU 32 determines NO in S114 and proceeds to S16.

(Effects of the second embodiment)
In the configuration of the second embodiment, the administrator terminal 10 calculates the distance between the target user terminal and each printer based on the position information (i.e., coordinates) of the target user terminal and each printer. Based on these distances, the administrator terminal 10 can appropriately determine whether the target printer is the closest printer to the target user terminal. Location information is an example of "specific information (and location information)." The process of S113 and the process of S114 in FIG. 11 are examples of processes executed by the "calculation unit" and the "determination unit", respectively.

(Third example)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a frequency table 44 is further utilized. As shown in FIG. 2, the number table 44 is a table that stores printer IDs and numbers in association with each other. The number of times is the number of times it has been determined that there is a possibility that a problem has occurred in the printer. In the third embodiment, the notification screen SC1 is displayed when the number of times in the number of times table 44 reaches a predetermined number of times.

(Processing of administrator terminal 10; Figure 12)
With reference to FIG. 11, the processing of the administrator terminal 10 of the third embodiment will be described. In FIG. 12, the same reference numbers are given to processes similar to those in FIG. 3, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. Below, differences from the process in FIG. 3 will be explained.

The CPU 32 updates the number of times table 44 in S226. Specifically, the CPU 32 increments the number of times associated with the printer ID of the target printer by one in the number of times table 44 .

In S228, the CPU 32 determines whether the number of times associated with the target printer ID has reached a predetermined number (for example, "3"). If it is determined that the number of times has reached the predetermined number, the CPU 32 determines YES in S228 and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of times has not reached the predetermined number of times, the CPU 32 determines NO in S228 and does not execute the process of S30.

(Effects of the third embodiment)
In the configuration of the third embodiment, the administrator terminal 10 determines that when the number of times associated with the number of times table 44 reaches a predetermined number of times of 2 or more (for example, "3 times"), that is, a malfunction has occurred in the printer 100A. When the number of times that it is determined that there is a possibility that a problem has occurred reaches a predetermined number of times, a notification screen SC1 is displayed. For this reason, the administrator terminal 10 can display the notification screen SC1 in a situation where there is a high possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the printer 100A.

Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the process of S16 in FIG. 3. That is, in this modification, the administrator terminal 10 determines that the target printer does not match the printer closest to the target user terminal, regardless of whether an error has occurred in the printer closest to the target user terminal. In this case, the notification screen SC1 may be displayed.

(Modification 2) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the process of T506 in FIG. Generally speaking, the "second output section" can be omitted.

(Modification 3) In the second embodiment, the administrator terminal 10 may calculate the distance between each user terminal and each printer in advance, and store each calculated distance in the memory 34 in advance. good. In this modification, the process of S113 in FIG. 11 can be omitted. Further, in this modification, the process of calculating each distance in advance is an example of the process executed by the "calculation unit".

(Modification 4) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the processing of S20 to S26 in FIG. 3. That is, even if the same job does not exist in the job table 42, the administrator terminal 10 may display the notification screen SC1 when it is determined that the target printer does not match the printer closest to the target user terminal. .

(Modification 5) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the process of S24 in FIG. 3. That is, when it is determined that the target printer does not match the printer closest to the target user terminal, the administrator terminal 10 determines whether the difference between the reception time of the target job and the reception time of the same job is less than a predetermined time. Regardless, the notification screen SC1 may be displayed.

(Variation 6) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the processes of S22 to S26 in FIG. 3. That is, if it is determined that the target printer does not match the printer closest to the target user terminal, and the same job exists in the job table 42, the administrator terminal 10 displays the notification screen regardless of the status of the same job. SC1 may also be displayed.

(Modification 7) The administrator terminal 10 can omit the process of S18 in FIG. 3. That is, the administrator terminal 10 sends a notification when it is determined that the target printer does not match the printer closest to the target user terminal, regardless of whether the printer closest to the target user terminal is currently printing. Screen SC1 may be displayed.

(Modification 8) In the above embodiment, execution information is transmitted to the administrator terminal 10 by the printer (for example, 100A) that has received a print execution instruction from the user terminal (for example, 200A1). In a modification, execution information may be transmitted to the administrator terminal 10 by the user terminal that transmitted the print execution instruction. Particularly in this case, when accepting a print execution request from a user (see T100 in FIG. 4), the user terminal may generate a job ID and send a print execution instruction including the job ID to the printer.

(Modification 9) In each of the above embodiments, each of the processes shown in FIGS. It may also be realized by hardware such as.

The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as filed. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of the objectives has technical utility in itself.

2: Communication system, 10: Administrator terminal, 12, 112, 212: Operation unit, 14, 114, 214: Display unit, 16, 116, 216: Communication I/F, 30, 130, 230: Control unit, 32 , 132, 232: CPU, 34, 134, 234: Memory, 36, 136, 236: Program, 40: Printer table, 42: Job table, 44: Number of times table, 100 (100A, 100B): Printer, 118: Print Execution unit, 200 (200A1, 200A2, 200B1, 200B2): User terminal

Claims (13)

A computer program for an administrator terminal,
The administrator terminal is
For each of the plurality of user terminals, a plurality of terminal identification information identifying a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of device identification information identifying a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and an image closest to the user terminal. a memory that stores specific information for identifying the forming device;
computer and
Equipped with
The computer program causes the computer to run the following parts:
When an image forming instruction is transmitted from any one of the plurality of user terminals to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the user terminal or the image forming an execution information receiving unit that receives execution information indicating that communication of the image forming instruction has been executed from the apparatus, the execution information including terminal identification information that identifies the user terminal and the image forming apparatus; The execution information receiving unit includes device identification information for identifying the device;
When first execution information is received from a first user terminal or a first image forming apparatus, first device identification information included in the first execution information is generated using information in the memory. and a second image forming apparatus closest to the first user terminal identified by first terminal identification information included in the first execution information. a determination unit that determines whether or not they match;
The first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. outputting first notification information indicating that there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the second image forming apparatus;
When the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus match. a first output unit that does not output the first notification information;
A computer program that functions as The computer program further causes the computer to
When an error that makes it impossible to perform image formation occurs in any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, a second message indicating that the error has occurred in the image forming apparatus is provided. Function as a second output unit that outputs notification information,
The first output section is
the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match; and outputting the first notification information when the error has not occurred in the second image forming apparatus;
the first notification when the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus and the error has occurred in the second image forming apparatus; do not output information,
The computer program according to claim 1. The specific information is belonging group information associated with each of the plurality of terminal identification information and the plurality of device identification information,
The judgment unit is
When the belonging group information associated with the first device identification information and the belonging group information associated with the first terminal identification information do not match, the first image forming apparatus determining that the second image forming apparatus does not match;
When the belonging group information associated with the first device identification information and the belonging group information associated with the first terminal identification information match, the first image forming apparatus determining that the second image forming apparatus matches the second image forming apparatus;
The computer program according to claim 1. The specific information is position information associated with each of the plurality of terminal identification information and the plurality of device identification information,
The computer program further causes the computer to
Using the location information associated with the first terminal identification information and the plurality of location information associated with the plurality of device identification information, the first user terminal functioning as a calculation unit that calculates a distance to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
The judgment unit is
Among the calculated distances, if the distance between the first user terminal and the first image forming apparatus is not the minimum, the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus may It is determined that there is no match,
When the distance between the first user terminal and the first image forming apparatus is the minimum among the calculated distances, the distance between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus is determined. is determined to match,
The computer program according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is an image forming apparatus having a printing function,
The image formation instruction is a print execution instruction,
The execution information further includes image identification information that identifies the image to be printed,
The first output section is
In response to the print execution instruction being transmitted from the first user terminal to the second image forming apparatus, specific image identification information is included from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. In response to the print execution instruction being transmitted from the first user terminal to the first image forming apparatus after receiving the second execution information, the first user terminal or the first When the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the image forming apparatus and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, outputting the first notification information;
When the second execution information including the specific image identification information is not received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus, the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus not outputting the first notification information when the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received from
The computer program according to claim 1. The first output section is
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. The first execution information including the specific image identification information is received, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, and the first execution information outputting the first notification information when the difference between the information reception time and the second execution information reception time is less than a predetermined value;
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. When the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received, and the difference between the reception time of the first execution information and the reception time of the second execution information is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. not outputting the first notification information;
The computer program according to claim 5. The first output section is
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. The first execution information including the specific image identification information is received, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, and the second image forming apparatus is outputting the first notification information when printing of the image identified by the specific image identification information is canceled in the forming device;
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. not outputting the first notification information when the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received and printing of the image is not canceled in the second image forming apparatus;
The computer program according to claim 5. The first output section is
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. The first execution information including the specific image identification information is received, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, and the second image forming apparatus is outputting the first notification information when printing of the image identified by the specific image identification information has been completed in the forming device;
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. not outputting the first notification information when the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received and printing of the image is not completed in the second image forming apparatus;
The computer program according to claim 5. The first output section is
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. The first execution information including the specific image identification information is received, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match, and the second image forming apparatus is outputting the first notification information when printing of the image identified by the specific image identification information in the forming device is on standby or is not being executed;
from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus after the second execution information including the specific image identification information is received from the first user terminal or the second image forming apparatus. When the first execution information including the specific image identification information is received and printing of the image is on standby or being executed in the second image forming apparatus, the first notification information is transmitted. no output,
The computer program according to claim 5. The first output section is
the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match; and outputting the first notification information when the second image forming apparatus is not performing image formation;
the first notification when the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus and image formation is being executed in the second image forming apparatus; do not output information,
The computer program according to claim 1. The first output section is
The first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. outputting the first notification information when the number of times reaches a predetermined number of times of 2 or more;
The first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. not outputting the first notification information when the number of times does not reach the predetermined number of times;
The computer program according to claim 1. administrator terminal and
multiple user terminals,
a plurality of image forming devices;
A communication system comprising:
The administrator terminal is
For each of the plurality of user terminals, a plurality of terminal identification information for identifying the plurality of user terminals, a plurality of device identification information for identifying the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a plurality of device identification information for identifying the plurality of image forming apparatuses. a memory for storing specific information for identifying a nearby image forming apparatus;
When an image forming instruction is transmitted from any one of the plurality of user terminals to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the user terminal or the image forming an execution information receiving unit that receives execution information indicating that communication of the image forming instruction has been executed from the apparatus, the execution information including terminal identification information that identifies the user terminal and the image forming apparatus; The execution information receiving unit includes device identification information for identifying the device;
When first execution information is received from a first user terminal or a first image forming apparatus, first device identification information included in the first execution information is generated using information in the memory. and a second image forming apparatus closest to the first user terminal identified by first terminal identification information included in the first execution information. a determination unit that determines whether or not they match;
The first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. outputting first notification information indicating that there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the second image forming apparatus;
When the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus match. a first output unit that does not output the first notification information;
A communication system equipped with A method performed by a communication system, the method comprising:
The communication system includes:
administrator terminal and
multiple user terminals,
a plurality of image forming devices;
Equipped with
The administrator terminal includes a plurality of terminal identification information for identifying the plurality of user terminals, a plurality of device identification information for identifying the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a plurality of device identification information for each of the plurality of user terminals. , specific information for specifying an image forming apparatus closest to the user terminal, and a memory for storing.
The method includes:
When an image forming instruction is transmitted from any one of the plurality of user terminals to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the user terminal or the image forming an execution information receiving step of receiving execution information indicating that communication of the image forming instruction has been executed from the apparatus, the execution information including terminal identification information identifying the user terminal and the image forming apparatus; and the execution information receiving step, which includes identifying device identification information;
When first execution information is received from a first user terminal or a first image forming apparatus, first device identification information included in the first execution information is generated using information in the memory. and a second image forming apparatus closest to the first user terminal identified by first terminal identification information included in the first execution information. a judgment step of determining whether or not they match;
The first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus do not match. outputting first notification information indicating that there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the second image forming apparatus;
When the first execution information is received from the first user terminal or the first image forming apparatus, and it is determined that the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus match. a first output step in which the first notification information is not output;
A method of providing.

Images