JP5257221B2 - Program and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program and a printing system.

  Conventionally, after sending a subsequent print job to the printer, the print job that has already been accumulated in the printer in advance and the subsequent print job are processed based on the print conditions of those print jobs. A technique for predicting how much physical resources are required to complete the process has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1: [0023] to [0030]). If the physical resources are likely to be insufficient when a subsequent print job is executed, this is notified to the user.

  Further, in the following Patent Document 1, a print job that has already been accumulated in the printer in advance and a subsequent print job are targeted until a subsequent print job is completed based on the print conditions of those print jobs. Also describes how much time resources are required (for example, see Patent Document 1: [0037]).

JP 2007-328494 A

  By the way, in the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the above-described prediction is performed after the subsequent print job is transmitted to the printer, when it is desired to cancel the subsequent print job by looking at the prediction result, It is necessary to delete the print job that has been sent to the printer.

  On the other hand, if the same prediction as described above is performed before the subsequent print job is transmitted to the printer, it is possible to cope with the fact that the subsequent print job is sent to the printer by looking at the prediction result. There is no need to delete a print job that has been sent to the printer.

  However, in an environment where a print job is transmitted to a single printer from a plurality of PCs (Personal Computers) via a network, there is a possibility that the plurality of PCs may transmit a print job at any time. Therefore, even if it is predicted how much physical resources or time resources are required immediately before sending a subsequent print job from the first PC to the printer, the second PC immediately after the prediction The transmitted print job may arrive at the printer.

  Therefore, if an unexpected print job arrives at the printer immediately after the prediction as described above, even if a subsequent print job is sent from the first PC to the printer immediately after that, the predicted situation and actual There may be discrepancies between these situations.

  Specifically, for example, at the time of prediction, there is a possibility that the physical resource may be consumed due to an unexpected print job interrupted even though there is no risk of a shortage of the physical resource. Therefore, in this case, unlike prediction, physical resources may be insufficient.

  In addition, at the time of forecasting, although it seems that less time resources are required to complete a later print job, an unexpected print job interrupts and time processing is consumed. It may be done. In this case, unlike prediction, a situation may occur in which a large amount of time resources are required until the completion of a subsequent print job.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a new print job before sending it to the printing apparatus even in an environment where a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus exist. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of appropriately predicting physical resources and time resources required for starting or completing a print job.

Hereinafter, the configuration employed in the present invention will be described.
The program described as the first configuration in this specification is necessary for at least one computer among a plurality of computers sharing a printing apparatus to complete printing related to a print job stored in the printing apparatus. Information relating to at least one of time resources and physical resources or information that can be estimated is used as first resource information, and the first resource information is directly acquired from the printing apparatus or indirectly via another apparatus. First acquisition means to acquire, information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing related to a print job stored in each of the plurality of computers, or information capable of estimating the information As the second resource information, or the second resource information is directly acquired from each of the plurality of computers or another device Second acquisition means for indirectly acquiring the first resource information, first resource information acquired by the first acquisition means when generating a new print job, and second resource information acquired by the second acquisition means Based on the prediction means for predicting the situation relating to at least one of the time resource and the physical resource required to start or complete the printing for the new print job, and the situation predicted by the prediction means It is characterized by functioning as notification means for notifying the user of the contents of notification according to the above.

  The first resource information includes a time required to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus (corresponding to an example of a time resource in the present invention), a remaining amount of a coloring material such as toner or ink. (Corresponding to an example of a physical resource in the present invention), remaining amount of paper (corresponding to an example of a physical resource in the present invention), and other various consumables (free space and staples in a punch scrap collecting unit) The remaining amount (corresponding to an example of a physical resource in the present invention) is any one or two or more pieces of information, or information on which such information can be estimated.

  Such information that can be estimated varies depending on the estimation target, but if it is a time required to complete printing of a print job accumulated in the printing apparatus, printing conditions for each print job (for example, (Paper size and number of sheets) and the average time required for the print job for each paper size can be estimated. In addition, if the remaining amount of consumables required to complete printing for a print job stored in the printing apparatus, the printing conditions for each print job (for example, paper size, necessity of punch holes, and staple Based on the necessity, it is possible to estimate the remaining amount of consumables to be estimated (for example, the remaining amount of paper in the printer, the free capacity of the punch waste collecting unit, and the remaining amount of staples).

  The second resource information is different from the first resource information targeted for the print job accumulated in the printing apparatus in that the print job accumulated in each of the plurality of computers is targeted. , The same number and the same item information as the first resource information. For example, when the first resource information is a time necessary for completing the printing, the second resource information is also a time necessary for completing the printing. Further, when the first resource information is the remaining amount of the coloring material necessary for completing the printing, the second resource information is also the remaining amount of the coloring material necessary for completing the printing. Further, if the first resource information is a combination of a plurality of pieces of information (for example, time and remaining amount of coloring material), the second resource information is also a combination of a plurality of pieces of information of the same item.

  In addition, the time resources and physical resources required to start printing for a new print job are necessary for processing a print job stored in the printing apparatus and a print job stored in each of a plurality of computers. Time resources and physical resources. Therefore, the situation of whether these are sufficient or insufficient can be predicted based on the first resource information and the second resource information. In addition, the time and material resources required to complete printing for a new print job are required for processing a new print job in addition to the prediction based on the first resource information and the second resource information. The prediction should be made with consideration of the time resources and physical resources.

  In other words, the computer is stored in each of a plurality of computers in addition to the print job that has been stored in the printing device, regardless of which is to be predicted until printing for a new print job is started or completed. The situation is predicted in consideration of the print job. Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus.

In this specification, the program described as the second configuration is the program described as the first configuration , wherein the first acquisition unit affects the print speed set in the print job accumulated in the printing apparatus. It is means for acquiring the content of the setting item as the first resource information capable of estimating the time required to complete the printing, and the second acquisition means is for a print job stored in each of the plurality of computers. Means for acquiring, as the second resource information capable of estimating the time required to complete printing, the contents of the setting item that affects the set printing speed, and the prediction means includes the first resource information and Based on the second resource information, how long does it take to start or complete printing for the new print job? Characterized in that it is a means for predicting whether situations are.

  Therefore, based on the first resource information and the second resource information, in addition to the print job stored in the printing apparatus, the print job stored in each of the plurality of computers is considered, and printing related to a new print job is performed. With respect to the time required for completion, it is possible to more accurately predict how much time is required and notify the user.

The program according to a third configuration in this specification, the program described as the first or second configuration, the first acquisition means, consumables set in already stored print job to the printing apparatus Is a means for acquiring the contents of setting items that affect the amount of consumption of the first resource information that can estimate the amount of consumption of consumables required to complete printing, and the second acquisition means includes the plurality of items The contents of the setting items that affect the consumption amount of the consumables set in the print job stored in each of the computers are used as the second resource information that can estimate the consumption amount of the consumables necessary for completing the printing. The obtaining means is configured to start or complete printing related to the new print job based on the first resource information and the second resource information. Relates consumables required, characterized in that it is a means for predicting whether situations whether to become insufficient remaining capacity of the consumables.

  Therefore, based on the first resource information and the second resource information, in addition to the print job stored in the printing apparatus, the print job stored in each of the plurality of computers is considered, and printing related to a new print job is performed. With respect to the consumables required to be completed, it is possible to more accurately predict whether or not the consumables are in a situation where the remaining amount of the consumables is insufficient and notify the user.

In the present specification, the program described as the fourth configuration is the program described as any one of the first to third configurations , wherein the second acquisition unit obtains the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers. The second resource information is indirectly acquired through the server device by communicating with the server device to be directly acquired.

  Accordingly, the computer can acquire the second resource information by communicating with the server device without directly communicating with each of the plurality of other computers, and the second resource information can be obtained by communicating with the plurality of computers directly. The communication load required to complete the acquisition of resource information can be reduced.

A printing system described as a fifth configuration in the present specification is a printing system including a printing apparatus and a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus, and at least one of the plurality of computers is , Information about at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information capable of estimating the information as first resource information, At least one of a first acquisition unit that acquires first resource information from the printing apparatus, and a time resource and a physical resource necessary to complete printing related to a print job stored in each of the plurality of computers Information on which the information can be estimated or second resource information, and the second resource information is the plurality of components. Second acquisition means acquired from each of the computers, first resource information acquired by the first acquisition means when generating a new print job, and second resource information acquired by the second acquisition means. Based on a prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of a temporal resource and a physical resource necessary for starting or completing printing for the new print job, and a situation predicted by the prediction means And a notification means for notifying the user of the corresponding notification content.

Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus.
A printing system described as a sixth configuration in the present specification is a printing system including a printing apparatus, a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus, and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers. At least one of the plurality of computers is information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary for completing printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or the information. Necessary to complete the printing of the print job stored in each of the plurality of computers, and the first acquisition means for acquiring the first resource information from the printing apparatus as the information that can be estimated as the first resource information Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources or information that can be estimated As second resource information, by communicating with a server device that directly acquires the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers, the second acquisition of the second resource information indirectly via the server device And a new print job based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition means and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition means when generating a new print job. A prediction means for predicting a situation relating to at least one of time resources and physical resources required to start or complete printing, and a notification content corresponding to the situation predicted by the prediction means. And a notification means for notifying to the above.

  Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus. Further, the computer can acquire the second resource information by communicating with the server device without directly communicating with each of the other plurality of computers. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the communication load required until the computer completes the acquisition of the second resource information, compared with the case where the computer directly communicates with each of the plurality of computers.

A printing system described as a seventh configuration in the present specification includes a printing apparatus, a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus and a server apparatus that can communicate with the plurality of computers. In the system, at least one of the plurality of computers relates to at least one of a time resource and a physical resource necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus. The first resource information is indirectly transmitted via the server device by communicating with the server device that directly acquires the first resource information from the printing device by using the information or information that can be estimated as the first resource information. First acquisition means for acquiring automatically and a print job that has been stored in each of the plurality of computers Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete the process or information that can be estimated is used as second resource information, and the second resource information is directly obtained from each of the plurality of computers. A second acquisition unit that indirectly acquires the second resource information via the server device by communicating with the server device, and the first acquisition unit when generating a new print job. Based on the first resource information and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the time resource and the physical resource necessary to start or complete the printing for the new print job Predicting the situation relating to at least one of the information, and notifying the user of the contents of notification according to the situation predicted by the predicting means Characterized in that it comprises a notifying means.

  Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus. In addition, the computer can acquire the first resource information and the second resource information by communicating with the server device without directly communicating with each of the printing apparatus and the plurality of other computers. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the communication load required until the computer completes the acquisition of the first resource information and the second resource information, compared to the case where the computer directly communicates with the printing apparatus and each of the plurality of computers.

A printing system described as an eighth configuration in the present specification is a printing system including a printing apparatus, a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus, and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers. The server device first sets information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing related to a print job stored in the printing device or information on which the information can be estimated. As resource information, first acquisition means for acquiring the first resource information from the printing apparatus, and time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing for a print job stored in each of the plurality of computers Information on at least one of them or information that can estimate the information is used as the second resource information, and the second resource information is used as the second resource information. A new print job based on the second acquisition means acquired from each of the computers, the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition means, and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition means. Information for providing the computer with prediction means for predicting a situation regarding at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary for starting such printing, and information indicating the situation predicted by the prediction means Providing means, and when the computer generates a new print job, the information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the situation provided from the information providing means provided in the server device; and the information acquisition means It is characterized by comprising notifying means for notifying the user of the contents of notification corresponding to the situation indicated by the information obtained by the above.

  Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus. In addition, the computer can acquire information indicating a situation predicted on the server device side by communicating with the server device without directly communicating with each of the printing device and the plurality of other computers. Further, it is not necessary for the computer to directly communicate with the printing apparatus and each of the plurality of computers to acquire the first resource information and the second resource information, and the computer makes a prediction based on the first resource information and the second resource information. Since it is not necessary to do so, the communication load and the load required for prediction on the computer side can be reduced.

A printing system described as a ninth configuration in the present specification is a printing system including a printing apparatus, a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus, and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers. The server device first sets information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing related to a print job stored in the printing device or information on which the information can be estimated. As resource information, first acquisition means for acquiring the first resource information from the printing apparatus, and time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing for a print job stored in each of the plurality of computers Information on at least one of them or information that can estimate the information is used as the second resource information, and the second resource information is used as the second resource information. A new print job based on the second acquisition means acquired from each of the computers, the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition means, and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition means. Providing to the computer primary prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary for starting such printing, and information indicating the situation predicted by the primary prediction means Information providing means for obtaining information indicating the status provided from the information providing means provided in the server device when the computer generates a new print job, and the information Time required to complete printing for a new print job based on the status indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition means Secondary prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of resources and physical resources, and notification means for notifying a user of notification contents according to the situation predicted by the secondary prediction means It is characterized by that.

  Accordingly, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation than in the case of predicting only the print job stored in the printing apparatus. In addition, the computer can acquire information indicating a situation predicted on the server device side by communicating with the server device without directly communicating with each of the printing device and the plurality of other computers. In addition, it is not necessary for the computer to acquire the first resource information and the second resource information by directly communicating with each of the printing apparatus and the plurality of computers, and the computer is newly updated based on the situation predicted on the server apparatus side. Since it is only necessary to predict the situation related to at least one of the time resources and physical resources required to complete the printing for a simple print job, the communication load can be reduced, and the primary prediction means on the server device side Compared with the case where the calculation corresponding to the primary prediction to be performed is performed on the computer side, the load on the prediction on the computer side can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a PC, a printer, and software related to print processing included in the PC. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the correspondence of the printing setting for every printer, and a printing speed, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the correspondence of the printing setting for every printer, and consumable consumption, (c) ) Is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print job held by a PC and a printer in the printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job transmission control executed by the PC according to the first embodiment. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a printing execution confirmation dialog, (d) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a print job discard confirmation dialog. The block diagram of the printing system of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart of the process which the server apparatus of 2nd Embodiment performs. FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing print job information registration processing executed by the PC of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing print job information deletion processing executed by the PC of the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print job transmission control executed by the PC according to the second embodiment. The flowchart of the process which the server apparatus of 3rd Embodiment performs. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating print job transmission control executed by the PC according to the third embodiment. 12 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating print job transmission control executed by the PC according to the third embodiment.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with some examples.
[1] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described.

[Configuration of printing system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system including personal computers 1A, 1B, and 1C (hereinafter referred to as PCs 1A, 1B, and 1C) and printers 3A and 3B connected to the PCs 1A to 1C. is there. The PCs 1A to 1C included in the printing system correspond to a computer referred to in the present invention, and the printers 3A and 3B correspond to a printing apparatus referred to in the present invention.

  In this printing system, the PC 1A includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an NVRAM 14, an HDD 15 (hard disk device 15), an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, a LAN communication unit 18, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 11 is a device that executes control and various operations for each part of the PC 1A according to programs stored in the ROM 12 and the RAM 13, and performs processing as an application 51, a printer driver 53, a spooler 55, and a status monitor 57, which will be described later, and other OSs. And the like are executed by the CPU 11.

  The ROM 12 is a storage device that can retain stored contents even when the power switch of the PC 1A is turned off. The RAM 13 is a storage device used as a main memory or the like that is directly accessed from the CPU 11. When executing processing as a status monitor 57 described later, a program for the status monitor 57 is read from the HDD 15 into the RAM 13, and the CPU 11 executes processing as the status monitor 57 in accordance with the program stored in the RAM 13. .

The NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 14 is a storage device that can retain the stored contents and can update the stored contents even when the power switch of the PC 1A is turned off.
The HDD 15 is an apparatus for storing the OS, various application programs, and various data files. The application 51, printer driver 53, and status monitor 57 programs are also stored in the HDD 15.

  The operation unit 16 is an input device for inputting various instructions from the user. The display unit 17 is an output device for presenting various types of information to the user. The LAN communication unit 18 is a communication interface for connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network).

Since the internal configurations of the PC 1B and PC 1C are the same as those of the PC 1A, the illustration is omitted in FIG.
The printer 3A includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM 34, a printing unit 35, an operation unit 36, a display unit 37, a LAN communication unit 38, and the like.

  The CPU 31 is a device that executes control of various parts of the printer 3A and various calculations in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 32. The ROM 32 is a storage device that can retain the stored contents even when the printer 3A is turned off. The RAM 33 is a storage device that is used as a main memory or the like that is directly accessed from the CPU 31, and is used as a buffer for storing print jobs received from the PCs 1A to 1C.

  The NVRAM 34 is a storage device that stores data such as settings related to the printer 3A that are not to be lost even when the power supply is cut off. The printing unit 35 is configured to be able to execute printing on a sheet-like medium (for example, recording paper) by an inkjet type or electrophotographic type printing mechanism. The operation unit 36 is a key input device that is operated when a user gives a command to the printer 3A by manual operation. The display unit 37 is a device configured by a liquid crystal display. The LAN communication unit 38 is a communication interface for connecting to a LAN and conforms to the same standard as the LAN communication unit 18 of the PCs 1A to 1C.

Since the internal configuration of the printer 3B is the same as that of the printer 3A, the illustration is omitted in FIG.
[Outline of PC software]
Next, an outline of software included in the PC 1A will be described. In the present embodiment, each of the PCs 1A to 1C is equipped with an OS having a multitask function (for example, Windows XP (registered trademark)), and a plurality of processes function in parallel. Processing is to be executed.

  As software for executing printing-related processing described later, an application 51, a printer driver 53, a spooler 55, a status monitor 57, and the like function as shown in FIG. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 shows only PC 1A, PC 1B, and printer 3A, but PC 1C is similar to PC 1A and 1B, and printer 3B is similar to printer 3A. It is.

  The application 51 is typified by, for example, word processing software or spreadsheet software. When an operation for instructing printing of a document created by the application 51 is performed, the application 51 is related to printing corresponding to the document to be printed. Is transmitted to the printer driver 53 via the OS.

  The printer driver 53 is software that generates and outputs print data in accordance with a command transmitted from the application 51 via the OS. The print data output by the printer driver 53 is transmitted to the spooler 55.

  The spooler 55 executes a process of centrally managing print data generated by commands from various software (for example, the application 51) functioning on the PCs 1A to 1C as a print job and sending the print data to the printer 3A or 3B side. This is a well-known system.

  The status monitor 57 transmits a status inquiry command to the printer 3A or 3B and confirms the response from the printer 3A or 3B in order to confirm the operation status of the printer 3A or 3B and status information such as out of paper. This is software that receives and displays the received status information on the display unit 17 of the PCs 1A to 1C.

  In the present embodiment, the status monitor 57 monitors the print job of the spooler 55. When the PC 1A to PC 1C transmits a new print job to the printer 3A or 3B, the status monitor 57 includes the print job. A function of predicting time resources and material resources necessary for completing such printing and outputting a message to the display unit 17 of the PCs 1A to 1C is provided.

  The status monitor 57 communicates with the printer 3A or 3B and acquires the printing conditions of the print job stored in the printer 3A or 3B as the first resource information, as will be clear in the description of the processing described later in detail. Then, based on the first resource information, information on time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing related to the print job stored in the printer 3A or 3B is estimated.

  Each of the status monitors 57 provided in each of the PCs 1A to 1C has a function of communicating with each other, and print conditions of a print job stored in the spooler 55 of the own machine are set as second resource information to other machines other than the own machine. Provide for. Based on the second resource information provided from the other machine, the own machine estimates information about the time resource and the physical resource necessary to complete the printing related to the print job stored in the other machine. To do.

[Method for estimating information on temporal and physical resources]
Next, a method for estimating information related to time resources and physical resources will be described. In the following description, toner will be described as a specific example of consumables that are physical resources.

  The status monitor 57 stores the correspondence between the print setting and the print speed for each printer as illustrated in FIG. 3A regarding the printer to be monitored (the printer 3A or 3B in the first embodiment). 3 and a table storing correspondence relationships between print settings and consumable consumption for each printer, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

  Among these, the table shown in FIG. 3A is a table used when predicting a time resource necessary to complete printing for a print job. In the case of the printer 3A, the resolution is 1200 dpi, both sides. When the print setting such as “print = ON” is performed, the print speed is affected, and the print speed is different from the print speed during normal printing.

  Specifically, for example, if the printing speed at normal printing (paper size = A4, resolution = 600 dpi) of the printer 3A is a printing speed of 20 sheets / minute, printing is performed when the resolution is set to resolution = 1200 dpi. It shows that the speed drops to 50% (10 sheets / min).

Similarly, in the case of the printer 3B, if the print setting such as print quality = photo image quality / beautiful / normal, borderless = ON is performed, the print speed is affected.
The table shown in FIG. 3B is a table used when predicting physical resources necessary to complete printing for a print job. In the case of the printer 3A, resolution = 1200 dpi, toner save = ON, When the print setting is performed, the consumption amount of the consumable item is affected, and the consumption amount of the consumable item is different from the consumption amount of the consumable item during normal printing.

  Specifically, for example, if the toner consumption during normal printing (paper size = A4, resolution = 600 dpi) of the printer 3A is “1500 sheets / toner cartridge”, the print setting is set to resolution = 1200 dpi. In this case, the toner consumption increases to 150% (1000 sheets / toner cartridge).

Similarly, in the case of the printer 3B, if the print setting such as print quality = photo image quality / beautiful / normal, borderless = ON is performed, the print speed is affected.
With reference to the table as described above, the status monitor 57 predicts time resources and physical resources necessary for completing the printing of the print job.

  Specifically, when print output is performed from the PC 1A to the printer 3A, information on the print jobs accumulated in the printer 3A to be output and the PC 1B that is a PC other than the own machine is acquired. To do. Also, the PC 1A that is its own machine plans to transmit new print jobs, and information relating to those print jobs is information as illustrated in FIG.

  When such information is acquired, in the PC 1A, the status monitor 57 estimates time resources and physical resources necessary for completing all the print jobs illustrated in FIG.

  For example, in the case of job 1, since the number of printed sheets = 7, the number of copies = 1, and the resolution = 1200 dpi, 1/20 (minute / sheet) × 7 (sheet) × 1 (copy) × (100/50) = 7 / 10 (minutes) = 42 (seconds), and it can be estimated that 42 seconds are required as a time resource.

  Incidentally, the printing speed ratio (100/50) is a value that is multiplied with reference to FIG. 3A as a coefficient corresponding to resolution = 1200 dpi. In the case of normal printing, the printing speed ratio is (100/100). Therefore, in this case, the time resource required for completion of a job whose conditions other than the resolution are the same as those of job 1 is 1/20 (minute / sheet) × 7 (sheet) × 1 (part) × (100/100 ) = 7/20 (minutes) = 21 (seconds), and job 1 requires twice as many time resources as normal printing.

  For other jobs, the time resources required to complete each job can be estimated by the same calculation as described above. Therefore, by summing up these estimated values, it is possible to predict the situation regarding time resources such as how long it takes to complete all jobs.

  On the other hand, for example, in the case of job 1, the toner consumption amount is 1/1500 (toner cartridge / sheet) × 7 (sheet) × 1 (part) × (150/100) = 7/1000 (toner cartridge) = 0. Therefore, it can be estimated that 0.7% of toner in the toner cartridge is consumed as a physical resource.

  Incidentally, the consumable consumption ratio (150/100) is a value multiplied by referring to FIG. 3B as a coefficient corresponding to resolution = 1200 dpi, and in the case of normal printing, consumables. The consumption ratio is (100/100). Therefore, in this case, the physical resource (toner consumption) required for completion of a job whose conditions other than the resolution are the same as those of job 1 is 1/1500 (toner cartridge / sheet) × 7 (sheet) × 1 (copy) ) × (100/100) = 7/1500 (toner cartridge) ≈0.47%, and job 1 requires 1.5 times the physical resources of normal printing.

  For other jobs, the physical resources required to complete each job can be estimated by the same calculation as described above. Therefore, by subtracting the sum of these estimated values from the remaining amount of toner at that time, it is possible to predict a situation regarding physical resources such as whether or not toner runs out before completion of all jobs.

  The “toner remaining amount at that time” is reset to 100% when the toner cartridges are replaced in the printers 3A and 3B. After that, each time a print job is processed in the printers 3A and 3B, the printing is performed. Since processing such as subtracting the amount of toner consumed (estimated value) in the job is performed in the printers 3A and 3B, the value may be acquired from the printer 3A or 3B. Alternatively, if the printers 3A and 3B have a remaining amount sensor capable of detecting the remaining amount of toner, the “toner remaining amount at that time” may be obtained from the detected value.

  The situation regarding the temporal resource and the physical resource predicted by the above procedure is displayed on the display unit 17 before transmitting a new print job to the printer 3A or 3B in the personal computer PC1. Can do. Therefore, for example, if the predicted situation is likely to take an unexpectedly long time to complete printing, or a situation where there is a possibility of running out of toner, a new decision is made at the user's discretion. This makes it possible to cope with the situation such as sending off a simple print job to the printer 3A or 3B.

[Description of print job transmission control by status monitor]
Next, details of print job transmission control executed by the status monitor 57 in the PC 1A (strictly speaking, the CPU 11 that executes processing corresponding to the status monitor in the PC 1A; hereinafter simply referred to as the status monitor 57) will be described. This will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In this print job transmission control, the process of estimating information related to temporal resources and physical resources as described above and notifying the user of the result of predicting the status related to those resources is executed. The status monitors 57 of the PCs 1B and 1C also execute processing equivalent to that of the status monitor 57 of the PC 1A. However, in the following description, processing using the status monitor 57 of the PC 1A as an operation subject will be described. Further, the printers 3A and 3B will be described by taking an example of processing for the printer 3A.

  The print job transmission control described below is a process executed every time a new print job is generated in the PCs 1A to 1C. At this time, the print job stored in the spooler 55 is temporarily stopped in the initial stage, so that it is not immediately transmitted to the printer 3A. Then, in the process described later, when the status monitor 57 commands the transmission of the print job, the print job is transmitted to the printer 3A by releasing the pause state.

  When the print job transmission control is started, the status monitor 57 first acquires print job information and consumable information from the printer 3A (S105). As a result, the printing conditions of the print job already accumulated in the printer 3A (see FIG. 3C: jobs 1 and 2) and the toner remaining amount of the printer 3A are acquired.

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 transmits a command for collecting print job information from other PCs (PCs 1B and 1C in this embodiment) to the network (S110). Here, the command for collecting print job information is a command for collecting print job information related to a printer (printer 3A in the present embodiment) to be sent a print job. Then, it waits for a response from another status monitor 57 for a predetermined time (S115). Here, the other status monitor 57 extracts a print job related to the printer designated by the command transmitted in S110, and responds with the print job information.

  In the case of this embodiment, the other status monitor 57 is the status monitor 57 provided in the PCs 1B and 1C. In S115, the PC 1A broadcasts a packet requesting a response from the status monitor 57 provided in the PC 1B, 1C using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and waits for a response for several seconds.

  Here, when the status monitor 57 of the PC 1B, 1C is in a functioning state, each status monitor 57 returns a response packet, so that the PC 1A sequentially receives the response packets transmitted from the PC 1B, 1C, Collect information.

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 determines whether or not there is a response from another status monitor 57 (S120). If there is a response from another status monitor 57 (S120: YES), the print that has already been stored in the other PC that returned the response (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC1B). The job printing conditions (see FIG. 3C: jobs 3 and 4) are acquired.

  Therefore, in this case, the status monitor 57 calculates the print time of the print job on the other PC (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC 1B) from the information acquired from the other status monitor 57. (S125). Further, the consumption amount of the consumables for the print job on the other PC is calculated from the information acquired from the other status monitor 57 (S130). These calculation methods are the methods as described in the above [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources].

  When S130 ends, the process proceeds to S135. If no response is received from the other status monitor 57 in S120 (S120: NO), the process proceeds to S135 without executing S125 and S130.

  In S135, the status monitor 57 calculates the printing time of the print job stored in the printer 3A from the information acquired from the printer 3A (S135). Further, the status monitor 57 calculates the consumption amount of the consumables for the print job stored in the printer 3A from the information acquired from the printer 3A (S140). These calculation methods are also the methods as described in the above [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources].

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 calculates the print time of the print job to be transmitted from the PC 1A (S145). Further, the status monitor 57 calculates the consumption amount of the consumable for the print job to be transmitted from the PC 1A (S150).

  The print condition of the print job to be transmitted from the PC 1A (see FIG. 3C: job 5) can be acquired from the print job that is temporarily stopped in the spooler 55. In S145 and S150, the above-described print job can be acquired. The printing time and the consumption amount of the consumables are calculated by the method described with reference to the example in [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources].

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 displays a message corresponding to the display content setting for the user, and inquires of the user whether to continue printing (S155). The display content setting for the user is a message about the time resource, the message about the physical resource, the message about both the time resource and the physical resource, which of the above three types is to be displayed by the user. It can be arbitrarily set in advance. As a result of executing S155 in accordance with this setting, one of the message dialogs as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is displayed on the display unit 17 of the PC 1A.

  At this time, the user sees the contents of the message dialog, and regarding the print job to be transmitted from the PC 1A, how much time resource is required until the printing is completed. It can be detected whether the resource (in this embodiment, toner is an example) is in a situation where it is sufficient or not. Then, after understanding such a situation, an instruction as to whether or not to transmit print data can be input from the operation unit 16.

  When an instruction from the user is input, based on the instruction, the status monitor 57 determines whether to transmit a print job (S160). If it is determined in S160 that a print job is to be transmitted (S160: YES), the status monitor 57 transmits the print job (S165), and the process shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S160 that the print job is not transmitted (S160: NO), the status monitor 57 determines whether or not to hold the print job (S170). In S170, the status monitor 57 displays a message dialog as shown in FIG. 5D on the display unit 17 of the PC 1A. Here, the user can input an instruction to save or discard the print data. When an instruction from the user is input, in S170, a print job is generated based on the instruction from the user. Judge whether to hold.

  If it is determined in S170 that the print job is to be held (S170: YES), the status monitor 57 saves the print job (S175) and ends the processing shown in FIG. As a result, the print job is stored in the spooler 55 in a paused state. The saved print job can be arbitrarily instructed to resume printing by using a user interface (UI) provided in the OS, as is well known.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S170 that the print job is not held (S170: NO), the status monitor 57 discards the print job (S180) and ends the processing shown in FIG.

[effect]
As described above, according to the status monitor 57, the PC 1A acquires the print settings (first resource information referred to in the present invention) of the print job stored in the printer 3A from the printer 3A in S105, and in S110 to S10. Through S120, the print setting (second resource information in the present invention) of the print job stored in the PC 1B is acquired from the PC 1B.

  Based on this information, in S125 to S150, in addition to the print job accumulated in the printer 3A, the print job accumulated in the PC 1B is considered, and the print related to the new print job to be transmitted by the PC 1A is taken into consideration. The situation regarding the time resource and the physical resource necessary for completing the process is predicted, and the prediction result is notified to the user through S155.

Therefore, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation as compared with the case of predicting only the print job accumulated in the printer 3A.
[2] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second and subsequent embodiments will be described in detail with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, and common portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. .

[Configuration of printing system]
FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a printing system including personal computers 1A, 1B, and 1C (hereinafter referred to as PCs 1A, 1B, and 1C), printers 3A and 3B connected to the PCs 1A to 1C, and a server 7. FIG. The PCs 1A to 1C included in the printing system correspond to the computer referred to in the present invention, the printers 3A and 3B correspond to the printing apparatus referred to in the present invention, and the server 7 corresponds to the server apparatus referred to in the present invention. To do.

  The hardware of the PCs 1A to 1C and the printers 3A and 3B is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 7 includes a CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, NVRAM 74, HDD 75, operation unit 76, display unit 77, LAN communication unit 78, and the like. Note that the hardware included in the server 7 has substantially the same configuration as the hardware included in the PC 1A, but in the present embodiment, a table for storing job information, which will be described later, is secured in the RAM 73.

[Outline of processing executed by PC and server]
Next, the outline of the processing executed by the PCs 1A to 1C and the server 7 of the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  First, in the second embodiment, when the PC 1A to PC 1C transmit a print job to the printer 3A or 3B, information about the print job (hereinafter also referred to as job information) is transmitted to the server 7. The server 7 registers the received job information in the job information storage table.

  Second, in the second embodiment, when the PC 1A to PC 1C completes the transmission of the print job to the printer 3A or 3B, a job information deletion command corresponding to the print job is transmitted to the server 7, The server 7 deletes the job information corresponding to the received delete command from the job information storage table.

  Through these processes, information about print jobs stored in each of the PCs 1A to 1C in the first embodiment is collected and managed in the server 7 in the second embodiment.

  Therefore, thirdly, in the first embodiment, when the PC 1A acquires information about the print job stored in the PCs 1B and 1C, the PC 1A issues an inquiry to the PCs 1B and 1C by broadcast. However, in the second embodiment, the PC 1A inquires of the server 7 about job information, and acquires information related to the print job stored in each of the PCs 1B and 1C.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the PC 1A directly acquires job information from the PCs 1B and 1C. In the second embodiment, the PC 1A acquires job information from the PCs 1B and 1C indirectly via the server 7. To do.

Hereinafter, processing executed by the PCs 1A to 1C and the server 7 in order to realize such a function will be described.
[Details of processing executed by the server]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing executed by the server 7. This process is a process that is always executed in the server 7.

  When this process is started, the server 7 first receives data from the PCs 1A to 1C (S205). The processing on the PC 1A to 1C side will be described in detail later. As already described in the outline, in the second embodiment, the PC 1A to 1C performs job information transmission, job information deletion command, job information inquiry, etc. It transmits to the server 7.

  Therefore, after finishing S205, the server 7 determines the type of received data (S210). If the received data type is print job information in S210 (S210: print job information), the server 7 registers the job information in the job information storage table secured in the RAM 73 (S215). Then, the process shown in FIG.

  In S210, when the received data type is a print job information inquiry (S210: Print job information inquiry), the server 7 extracts necessary job information from the job information storage table. Then, it is transmitted to the PC (for example, PC1A) corresponding to the inquiry source (S220), and the process shown in FIG. The job information extracted here is job information scheduled to be transmitted to the printer that is the target of the print job information inquiry.

  In S210, if the received data type is a print job information deletion command (S210: print job information deletion command), the server 7 deletes the job information from the job information storage table. The corresponding print job information is deleted (S225), and the process shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[Details of processing executed by PC]
FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating print job information registration processing executed by the status monitor 57 in the PCs 1A to 1C. This process is executed every time a new print job is generated in the PCs 1A to 1C.

  When this process is started, the status monitor 57 first determines whether or not print job information is accumulated in the server 7 (S305). If it is determined in S305 that the print job information is not stored in the server 7 due to circumstances such as the server 7 not operating (S305: NO), the processing shown in FIG. To do.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the print job information is stored in the server 7 (S305: YES), the status monitor 57 extracts information to be transmitted to the server 7 from the print job (S310). The information extracted here is information that is necessary when estimating information about time resources and physical resources in the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. , 4 and so on. When such information is extracted, the status monitor 57 transmits the extracted information to the server (S315), and the process shown in FIG.

  When job information is transmitted from the PCs 1A to 1C to the server 7 in S315, the job information is received by the server 7 that executes the above-described S205, and the server 7 executes S215 to store the job information table. Will be registered.

  Next, FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating print job information deletion processing executed by the status monitor 57 in the PCs 1A to 1C. This process is also executed every time a new print job is generated in the PCs 1A to 1C.

  When this process is started, the status monitor 57 monitors the spooler 55 (S405), and determines whether a print job is transmitted from the spooler 55 to the printer 3A or 3B (S410).

  If it is determined in S410 that the print job has not been transmitted (for example, the print job exists in the spooler 55 but has not yet been transmitted) (S410: NO), the process returns to S405, Continue monitoring the spooler 55.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S410 that the print job has been transmitted (S410: YES), the status monitor 57 instructs the server 7 to delete the information of the print job that has been transmitted to the printer 3A or 3B. Transmit (S415).

  When the print job information deletion command is transmitted from the PCs 1A to 1C to the server 7 in S415, the deletion command is received by the server 7 that executes the above-described S205, and the server 7 executes S220, thereby deleting the command. The print job information corresponding to the deletion target is deleted from the job information storage table.

  Following S415, the status monitor 57 determines whether a print job remains in the spooler 55 (S420). As a result of the determination, if another print job remains in the spooler 55 (S420: YES), the process returns to S405 to continue monitoring the spooler 55. If it is determined in S415 that no print job remains in the spooler 55 (S420: NO), the process shown in FIG. 8B ends.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing print job transmission control executed by the status monitor 57 in the PCs 1A to 1C. This process is also executed every time a new print job is generated in the PCs 1A to 1C.

  When the print job transmission control is started, the status monitor 57 first acquires print job information and consumable information from the printer 3A (S505). S505 is the same processing as S105 of the first embodiment, and the printing conditions of the print job accumulated in the printer 3A (see FIG. 3C: jobs 1 and 2) and the remaining toner amount of the printer 3A. Is acquired.

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 acquires print job information from the server 7 (S510). In S510, an inquiry about print job information is transmitted from the status monitors 57 of the PCs 1A to 1C to the server 7. In this inquiry, the status monitor 57 inquires about the print job information for the printer that transmits the generated new print job. This inquiry is received by the server 7 that executes S205 described above, and when the server 7 executes S220, print job information is returned as a response to the inquiry.

  If the print job information returned as the response is acquired, the print conditions of the print job already stored in another PC (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC 1B) (FIG. 3C): Jobs 3 and 4) can be acquired.

  Therefore, the status monitor 57 calculates the print time of the print job on another PC (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC 1B) from the information acquired from the server 7 (S525). Further, the consumption amount of the consumable item for the print job on the other PC is calculated from the information acquired from the server 7 (S530). These calculation methods are as described with reference to an example in [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources] in the first embodiment.

Since S535 to S580 are the same processing as S135 to S180 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[effect]
As described above, also in the second embodiment, according to the status monitor 57, the PCs 1A to 1C set the print settings (first resource information referred to in the present invention) of the print job stored in the printer 3A in S505. In addition to the acquisition from the printer 3A, the print settings (second resource information in the present invention) of the print job stored in the PC 1B are acquired indirectly from the PC 1B via the server 7 in S510.

  Based on this information, in S525 to S550, in addition to the print job accumulated in the printer 3A, the print job accumulated in the PC 1B is also taken into consideration, and the print related to the new print job to be transmitted by the PC 1A. The situation regarding the time resource and the physical resource necessary to complete the process is predicted, and the prediction result is notified to the user through S555.

Therefore, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation as compared with the case of predicting only the print job accumulated in the printer 3A.
Further, when acquiring the print settings (print job information) of the print job stored in the PC 1B, it is not necessary to acquire the print settings (print job information) of the print job individually from the individual PCs 1B and 1C. The information acquisition is completed simply by communicating with the server 7. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the communication load required until the PC 1A completes the acquisition of the print job information (second resource information) than when the PC 1A directly communicates with each of the plurality of PCs 1B and 1C.

[3] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[Outline of processing executed by PC and server]
The printing system exemplified as the third embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 6 as in the second embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that, in the case of the third embodiment, the server 7 acquires and manages information relating to the print jobs stored in the printers 3A and 3B.

  That is, in addition to the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, information related to the print job stored in each of the printers 3A and 3B is acquired and managed, and if necessary, the PCs 1A to 1C It is a mechanism to provide to.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the PC 1A acquires job information from the PCs 1B and 1C indirectly via the server 7 and directly acquires job information from the printer 3A. However, in the third embodiment, the PC 1A Acquires job information from the PCs 1B and 1C and the printer 3A indirectly via the server 7.

  In addition, in the third embodiment, a configuration in which the server 7 predicts the printing time and the consumption amount of consumables is also employed. That is, the server 7 side is configured to be able to predict the situation regarding time resources and physical resources and provide the information to the PCs 1A to 1C.

  However, it is arbitrary whether or not the server 7 side predicts the situation regarding the time resource and the physical resource, and the server 7 side does not perform the prediction, and only the job information necessary for the prediction is provided to the PCs 1A to 1C. It is also possible to do.

Hereinafter, processing executed by the PCs 1A to 1C and the server 7 in order to realize such a function will be described.
[Details of processing executed by the server]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing executed by the server 7. This process is a process that is always executed in the server 7.

  When this process is started, the server 7 first receives data from the PCs 1A to 1C (S605). Although the processing on the PC 1A-1C side will be described in detail later, as already described in the second embodiment, the PC 1A-1C sends job information transmission, job information deletion command, job information inquiry, etc. to the server 7. Therefore, these are received in S605.

  Subsequently, the server 7 determines the type of received data (S610). If the received data type is print job information in S610 (S610: print job information), the server 7 registers the job information in a job information storage table secured in the RAM 73 (S615). Then, the process shown in FIG.

  In S610, when the received data type is a print job information deletion command (S610: print job information deletion command), the server 7 selects a deletion target from the job information storage table. The corresponding print job information is deleted (S625), and the processing shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, when the received data type is an inquiry about print job information in S610 (S610: inquiry about print job information or necessary resources), the server 7 is designated in the inquiry about print job information or necessary resources. It is determined whether or not communication with the printer (printer 3A or 3B) is possible (S630).

  In S630, if communication with the printer is possible (S630: YES), print job information and consumable information of the printer specified in the inquiry are acquired (S635). As a result, the print conditions (see FIG. 3C: jobs 1 and 2 in the case of the printer 3A) of the print job accumulated in the printer designated in the inquiry and the remaining amount of toner are acquired. Is done.

  In S630, when communication with the printer is not possible (S630: NO), or when S635 is completed, the process proceeds to S640. In S640, it is determined whether the print time and the consumable consumption can be calculated from the print job information (S640).

  In S640, in the subsequent processing, the server 7 side predicts the situation regarding the time resource and the physical resource, and the information is provided to the PCs 1A to 1C, or the server 7 side does not perform the prediction, and is necessary for the prediction. It is determined whether only the job information is provided to the PCs 1A to 1C. Which of these processes is performed is an item that is arbitrarily set in advance by the administrator of the printing system.

  If it is determined in S640 that the print time and the consumption amount of consumables can be calculated from the print job information (S640: YES), the server 7 extracts the necessary job information from the job information storage table, and prints the print time. The consumption amount of consumables is calculated (S645). Note that what is extracted here is print job information related to the printer designated in the received inquiry. The calculation method of the printing time and the consumable consumption is the method as described with reference to the “estimation method of information on time resources and physical resources” in the first embodiment. Then, the information obtained by the calculation is transmitted to the PC (for example, PC 1A) corresponding to the inquiry source (S650), and the process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S640 that the printing time and the consumable consumption amount cannot be calculated from the print job information (S640: NO), the server 7 extracts necessary job information from the job information storage table, and The print job information is transmitted to the PC (for example, PC1A) corresponding to the inquiry source (S655), and the process shown in FIG. Note that what is extracted here is print job information related to the printer designated in the received inquiry.

[Details of processing executed by PC]
PC1A-1C is also performing each process shown to Fig.8 (a) and the same figure (b) also in 3rd Embodiment. In the third embodiment, the PCs 1A to 1C execute print job transmission control shown in FIGS. This process is executed every time a new print job is generated in the PCs 1A to 1C.

  When the print job transmission control is started, the status monitor 57 first determines whether the print time and the consumable consumption amount can be calculated on the server side (S705). This determination is equivalent to the above-described S640.

  If it is determined in S705 that the server cannot calculate the printing time and the consumable consumption (S705: NO), the status monitor 57 acquires the print job information stored in the other PC and printer from the server 7. (S710).

  In S710, an inquiry about print job information is transmitted from the status monitor 57 of the PC 1A to 1C to the server 7. In this inquiry, the status monitor 57 inquires about the print job information for the printer that transmits the generated new print job. This inquiry is received by the server 7 that executes S605 described above, and when the server 7 executes S655, print job information is returned as a response to the inquiry.

  If the print job information returned as the response is acquired, the print conditions of the print job already stored in another PC (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC 1B) (FIG. 3C): Jobs 3 and 4) can be acquired.

  Therefore, the status monitor 57 calculates the print time of the print job on another PC (in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C, PC 1B) from the information acquired from the server 7 (S725). Further, the consumption amount of the consumable for the print job on the other PC is calculated from the information acquired from the server 7 (S730). These calculation methods are as described with reference to an example in [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources] in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S705 that the server side can calculate the printing time and the consumable consumption (S705: YES), the status monitor 57 displays the printing time of the print job stored in the other PC and printer. Consumable consumption is acquired from the server 7 (S740).

  In S 740, an inquiry about necessary resources is transmitted from the PCs 1 A to 1 C to the server 7. This inquiry is received by the server 7 that executes S605 described above, and when the server 7 executes S650, the necessary resource prediction information is returned as a response to the inquiry.

  Subsequently, after completing S730 or S740, the status monitor 57 determines whether or not the information acquired from the server 7 includes print job information of the printer (= the printer that transmits the generated new print job). (S741).

  If the print job information of the printer is included in S741 (S741: YES), it is not necessary to acquire the print job information from the printer that transmits the generated new print job. In this case, the process proceeds to S745.

  On the other hand, if the print job information of the printer is not included in S741 (S741: NO), the status monitor 57 acquires the print job information and the consumable information from the printer that transmits the generated new print job (S742). . As a result, the print conditions of the print job accumulated in the printer that transmits the generated new print job (for example, in the case of the printer 3A, see FIG. 3C: jobs 1 and 2), The remaining amount of toner is acquired.

  Subsequently, the status monitor 57 calculates the print time of the print job stored in the printer from the information acquired from the generated printer that transmits the new print job (S743). Further, the status monitor 57 calculates the consumption amount of the consumable item of the print job stored in the printer from the information acquired from the generated printer that transmits the new print job (S744). These calculation methods are also the methods as described in the above [Method for estimating information on temporal resources and physical resources].

  As described above, an affirmative determination is made in S741 (S741: YES), or when S744 is completed, the process proceeds to S745, but thereafter S745 to S780 are the same processes as S145 to S180 of the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

[effect]
As described above, in the third embodiment, according to the status monitor 57, the PCs 1A to 1C allow the print settings (first resource information referred to in the present invention) stored in the printer 3A to be stored in the printer 3A in S710, and The print settings of the print job stored in the PC 1B (second resource information in the present invention) can be acquired indirectly from the printer 3A or PC 1B via the server 7.

  Based on this information, in S725 to S730, in addition to the print job stored in the printer 3A, the print job stored in the PC 1B is also considered, and the print related to the new print job to be transmitted by the PC 1A. Predicts the situation regarding the time and material resources required to complete

  Alternatively, when the server 7 executes S645 to S650, the prediction information considering the print job stored in the PC 1B in addition to the print job stored in the printer 3A is acquired in S740.

  And the prediction result obtained by either of these S730 and S740 is notified to a user by S755. Therefore, it is possible to make a more accurate prediction and notify the user of the same kind of situation as compared with the case of predicting only the print job accumulated in the printer 3A.

  When acquiring print settings (print job information) for the print jobs stored in the printers 3A, 3B, PC1B, and PC1C, the print settings for the print jobs are individually set from the individual printers 3A, 3B, PC1B, and PC1C. Even if (print job information) is not acquired, the information acquisition is completed only by communicating with the server 7. Accordingly, the communication load required for the PC 1A to complete the acquisition of the print job information (first and second resource information) is reduced as compared with the case where the PC 1A directly communicates with each of the plurality of PCs 1B and 1C and the printers 3A and 3B. it can.

[4] Modifications etc. Several specific examples have been described as the embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above specific examples, and various modifications are possible. It is.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, the time resource and the physical resource necessary for completing the printing related to the new print job are predicted. It may be configured to predict the time resource and material resource required before starting the process.

  Specifically, in the first to third embodiments, since the calculation results of S145, S150, S545, S550, S745, and S750 are taken into account, the situation regarding temporal resources and physical resources is predicted. This means that the time resource and material resource necessary for completing the printing for the new print job are predicted.

  On the other hand, without considering the calculation results of S145, S150, S545, S550, S745, and S750, only those print jobs that have already been stored in the printer or other PCs are targeted. If the situation regarding the necessary time resource and the physical resource is predicted, the time resource and the physical resource necessary for starting the printing for the new print job are predicted. In this case, S145, S150, S545, S550, S745, and S750 are unnecessary.

  By the way, in the third embodiment, when the calculation result of S745 and S750 is not taken into account, if the predicted information is acquired from the server by S740 and the prediction by S710 to S730 is not performed, the PC side prints. The configuration is such that it does not calculate any time or consumption of consumables. Therefore, in this case, the load on the PC side can be reduced most.

  In the first to third embodiments, the toner has been described as a specific example of the physical resource. However, for all the consumables consumed in the printer, until the start or completion of the print job. The situation can be predicted.

  In addition, for example, a drum whose quantity is not reduced but whose recommended service life is determined is also a consumable, and such a consumable is also a physical resource in the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can be applied.

  Specifically, for example, a configuration that predicts whether or not the life of the drum will be reached before the completion of the print job, and notifies the user of the predicted situation before sending a new print job. It is good. In addition, the empty capacity of the punch scrap recovery unit exemplified in the prior art column, the remaining amount of staples, and the like can also be applied to the present invention.

  In the first to third embodiments, both situations related to the time resource and the physical resource necessary for completing the print job are predicted. Only the situation regarding resources may be predicted, or only the situation regarding physical resources may be predicted.

  In the second and third embodiments, an example in which the server 7 is provided independently of a PC or a printer has been described. However, a configuration in which one of a plurality of PCs functions as a server, or a printer as a server. It is good also as a structure which comprises a function.

  In particular, when the server is configured to acquire information from the printer as in the third embodiment, since the printer has a function as a server, the server can print jobs stored in the printer. In acquiring the information, the print job information can be read by internal processing without going through the network.

  1A, 1B, 1C ... PC (personal computer), 3A, 3B ... printer, 7 ... server, 11, 31, 71 ... CPU, 12, 32, 72 ... ROM, 13, 33, 73 ... RAM, 14, 34, 74 ... NVRAM, 15, 75 ... HDD (hard disk drive), 16, 36, 76 ... operation unit, 17, 37, 77 ... display , 18, 38, 78 ... LAN communication unit, 35 ... printing unit, 51 ... application, 53 ... printer driver, 55 ... spooler, 57 ... status monitor.

Claims (9)

At least one of a plurality of computers sharing the printing device
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. 1st acquisition means which acquires 1 resource information directly from the said printing apparatus or indirectly via another apparatus,
Of the time and material resources that are generated in each of the plurality of computers and stored in each computer, and are necessary to complete printing of a print job that is scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus , Second acquisition means for acquiring at least one of the information or information capable of estimating the information as second resource information, and acquiring the second resource information directly from each of the plurality of computers or indirectly via another device;
When the new print job is generated, the printing for the new print job is performed based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit. Prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary for starting or completing the operation, and notification contents corresponding to the situation predicted by the prediction means to the user A program characterized by functioning as a notification means for notification. The first acquisition unit uses the contents of the setting items that affect the printing speed set in the print job stored in the printing apparatus as the first resource information that can estimate the time required to complete printing. Is a means to obtain,
The second acquisition means is the contents of setting items that have been generated in each of the plurality of computers and accumulated in each computer, and that affect the printing speed set in the print job scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. Is acquired as the second resource information capable of estimating the time required to complete printing,
Based on the first resource information and the second resource information, the predicting means determines how much time is required for the time required to start or complete printing for the new print job. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a prediction unit. The first acquisition unit can estimate the amount of consumable consumption necessary to complete printing of the contents of setting items that affect the amount of consumable consumption set in a print job stored in the printing apparatus. A means for obtaining the first resource information.
The second acquisition means is a setting that has been generated in each of the plurality of computers and accumulated in each computer, and that affects the amount of consumption of consumables set in a print job scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus. Means for acquiring the content of an item as the second resource information capable of estimating the amount of consumption of consumables necessary for completing printing;
The predicting unit has a shortage of the remaining amount of consumables related to the consumables required to start or complete printing for the new print job based on the first resource information and the second resource information. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program predicts whether the situation is present. The second acquisition means is means for indirectly acquiring the second resource information via the server device by communicating with a server device that directly acquires the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A printing system comprising a printing device and a plurality of computers sharing the printing device,
At least one of the plurality of computers is
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. First acquisition means for acquiring one resource information from the printing apparatus;
Of the time and material resources that are generated in each of the plurality of computers and stored in each computer, and are necessary to complete printing of a print job that is scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus , Second acquisition means for acquiring the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers, using at least one of the information or information that can estimate the information as second resource information;
When the new print job is generated, the printing for the new print job is performed based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit. A prediction means for predicting a situation regarding at least one of time resources and physical resources required to start or complete
A printing system comprising: notification means for notifying a user of notification contents corresponding to a situation predicted by the prediction means. A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus; a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus; and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers.
At least one of the plurality of computers is
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. First acquisition means for acquiring one resource information from the printing apparatus;
Of the time and material resources that are generated in each of the plurality of computers and stored in each computer, and are necessary to complete printing of a print job that is scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus , The second resource information is obtained by communicating with a server apparatus that directly acquires the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers, using at least one of the information or information that can be estimated as the second resource information. Second acquisition means for indirectly acquiring via the server device;
When the new print job is generated, the printing for the new print job is performed based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit. A prediction means for predicting a situation regarding at least one of time resources and physical resources required to start or complete
A printing system comprising: notification means for notifying a user of notification contents corresponding to a situation predicted by the prediction means. A printing system comprising: a printing device; a plurality of computers sharing the printing device; and a server device capable of communicating with the printing device and each of the plurality of computers,
At least one of the plurality of computers is
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. First acquisition means for indirectly acquiring the first resource information via the server device by communicating with a server device that directly acquires the one resource information from the printing device;
Of the time and material resources that are generated in each of the plurality of computers and stored in each computer, and are necessary to complete printing of a print job that is scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus , The second resource information is obtained by communicating with a server apparatus that directly acquires the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers, using at least one of the information or information that can be estimated as the second resource information. Second acquisition means for indirectly acquiring via the server device;
When the new print job is generated, the printing for the new print job is performed based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit. A prediction means for predicting a situation regarding at least one of time resources and physical resources required to start or complete
A printing system comprising: notification means for notifying a user of notification contents corresponding to a situation predicted by the prediction means. A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus; a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus; and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers.
The server device
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. First acquisition means for acquiring one resource information from the printing apparatus;
Of the time and material resources that are generated in each of the plurality of computers and stored in each computer, and are necessary to complete printing of a print job that is scheduled to be transmitted to the printing apparatus , Second acquisition means for acquiring the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers, using at least one of the information or information that can estimate the information as second resource information;
Based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the time resource required to start printing for a new print job, and A prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of physical resources;
Information providing means for providing information indicating the status predicted by the predicting means to the computer;
The computer
An information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the situation provided from the information providing unit included in the server device when generating a new print job;
A printing system comprising: notification means for notifying a user of a notification content corresponding to a situation indicated by information acquired by the information acquisition means. A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus; a plurality of computers sharing the printing apparatus; and a server apparatus capable of communicating with each of the plurality of computers.
The server device
Information on at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary to complete printing of a print job stored in the printing apparatus or information that can be estimated is used as the first resource information. First acquisition means for acquiring one resource information from the printing apparatus;
Information relating to at least one of time resources and physical resources necessary for completing printing of a print job generated in each of the plurality of computers and accumulated in each computer, or information capable of estimating the information As second resource information, second acquisition means for acquiring the second resource information from each of the plurality of computers,
Based on the first resource information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second resource information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the time resource required to start printing for a new print job, and A primary prediction means for predicting a situation related to at least one of physical resources;
Information providing means for providing information indicating the status predicted by the primary prediction means to the computer;
The computer
An information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the situation provided from the information providing unit included in the server device when generating a new print job;
Based on the situation indicated by the information acquired by the information acquisition means, secondary prediction means for predicting the situation regarding at least one of the time resource and the physical resource necessary for completing the printing of the new print job. When,
A printing system comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a user of a notification content corresponding to a situation predicted by the secondary prediction unit.