JP2006268417A - Distributed print controller and print job distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for enhancing user convenience in distributed printing. <P>SOLUTION: This controller of a distributed print system can distribute print jobs to a plurality of printers connected to a network and is provided with a display part. The controller is provided with a distribution destination candidate display control part for displaying distribution destination candidate printers extracted among the plurality of printers to be candidates for a distribution target of the print jobs on the display part. Further, the distribution destination candidate display control part displays a status about the availability of each distribution destination candidate printer on the display part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing distributed printing by distributing a print job to one or more printing apparatuses connected to a network.

  In recent years, printing systems in which a plurality of printers are connected to the same network and a user can use a plurality of printers are becoming popular. When printing a plurality of copies, a technique for completing printing in a short time by distributing a print job to each printer and performing parallel processing, so-called distributed printing has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such distributed printing, every time a print job is input, the number of printers used for printing and the number of the printers may vary depending on the operating status of a plurality of printers connected to the network.

JP 2002-215369 A JP 2003-296062 A JP 2003-108274 A JP 2004-234556 A

  However, in the prior art, since an interface suitable for a distributed print job was not provided to the user, the printer used for printing and its status could not be known until the print job was input.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique for improving user convenience in distributed printing.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the present invention is capable of distributing a print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and controlling a distributed printing system including a display unit I will provide a. This controller is
A distribution destination candidate display control unit that causes the display unit to display a distribution destination candidate printing device that is extracted from the plurality of printing devices and is a candidate for a distribution target of the print job;
The distribution destination candidate display control unit further causes the display unit to display a status regarding availability for each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses.

  According to the control apparatus of the present invention, since the distribution destination candidate printing apparatus that is a candidate for distribution is displayed together with the status regarding availability, it is possible to predict the distribution status of the print job when the print job is submitted. Thereby, for example, it becomes easy to make a decision as to whether to execute distributed printing immediately or after waiting for a while.

  Each of the control device and the display unit may be provided in a client computer included in the distributed printing system, or may be provided in a distributed printing control device described later.

In the above control device,
The control device is provided in one of the plurality of printing devices, receives a print job transmitted via the network, and distributes the print job to at least a part of the plurality of printing devices. You may comprise so that it is possible.

In the above control device,
The display unit is a display included in the client system,
The distribution destination candidate display control unit is further configured to respond to a status representing the availability of each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses in a notification area where the state of the program being executed is displayed on the display using an indicator. Display an indicator that displays the status display to be determined,
The status includes three states for each of the distribution destination candidate printing devices: printable, printing, and unprintable,
The indicator displays the status indication that printing is possible if at least one of the statuses is printable, while the status that printing is not possible if all of the statuses are not printable. You may make it display a display.

In the above control device,
The indicator may display the status display indicating that printing is in progress when the status includes at least one printing in progress and does not include the printable status.

A control device of a printing system capable of transmitting a print job to a printing apparatus connected to a network and having a display unit connected to a client system,
The control device displays an indicator for displaying a status display determined according to a status indicating the availability of the printing device in a notification area where the status of the program being executed is displayed on the display using the indicator. You may comprise so that it may be made.

  Thus, the indicator displayed in the notification area can be applied to a system that does not assume distributed printing, and in this case, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In addition to the configuration as the control device described above, the present invention can also be configured as a printing device incorporating the distributed printing control device. In addition, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect of the apparatus invention, and can be realized as an aspect of a method invention such as a print job distribution method. Further, a mode as a computer program (including firmware) for constructing these methods and apparatuses, a mode as a graphical user interface or a recording medium recording such a computer program, and a carrier wave including the computer program It can be realized in various modes such as a data signal embodied therein.

  When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the entire program for controlling the printing apparatus may be configured, or only the portion that performs the functions of the present invention may be configured. Also good. The recording medium includes a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, a computer internal storage device (RAM or Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory such as a ROM and an external storage device can be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of a distributed printing system in an embodiment of the present invention:
B. Distribution destination setting process in the embodiment of the present invention:
C. Distributed printing processing in an embodiment of the present invention:
D. Indicator display processing in an embodiment of the present invention:
E. Variations:

A. Configuration of a distributed printing system in an embodiment of the present invention:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distributed printing system 1000 as an embodiment of the present invention. The distributed printing system 1000 includes a personal computer 100, three distributed function-installed printers 200a, 200b, and 200c equipped with a custom network board CNB, and six standard printers 300a to 300f equipped with a standard network board NB. I have. These are connected via a local area network LAN. Each of the plurality of distributed function-equipped printers 200a, 200b, and 200c and the plurality of standard printers 300a to 300f has the same configuration.

  The standard network board NB is a board for connecting the standard printers 300a to 300f directly to the local area network LAN and using them as a network printer. On the other hand, the custom network board CNB is a board in which a distributed printing function is additionally mounted on the standard network board NB. In the present embodiment, the distributed printing function divides a received print job into a part of a plurality of standard printers 300a to 300f equipped with a standard network board NB and its own printer main body (described later). It is a function to transmit. Note that the standard network board NB and the custom network board CNB include a CPU and a memory (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of each device included in the distributed printing system 1000. The personal computer 100 includes a display unit 10 and a processing unit 20. The processing unit 20 includes a communication control unit 23, a search unit 22, and a display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 can display a graphical user interface (to be described later) on the display unit 10 in accordance with a command from the custom network board CNB. The processing unit 20 is connected to a keyboard KB and a mouse MS for transmitting user input to the processing unit 20. As described above, the personal computer 100 is configured to function also as a user interface in the printing process.

  The communication control unit 23 functions as an interface between the local area network LAN and the personal computer 100. The search unit 22 searches for a predetermined printer from the three distributed function equipped printers 200a, 200b, and 200c connected to the local area network LAN and the six standard printers 300a to 300f. Details of the search function will be described later.

  The standard printer 300a includes a printer main body 210 that executes printing and a standard network board NB. The printer main body 210 includes a printer engine 212 and a printer controller 214. The printer controller 214 is a computer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM (not shown). The printer controller 214 receives the print job received from the custom network board CNB and controls the printer engine 212 to execute printing.

  The distributed function printer 200a has the same configuration as that of the standard printer 300a except that a custom network board CNB is provided instead of the standard network board NB. The custom network board CNB includes a distributed printing processing unit 220 in which a distributed printing function is implemented. The distributed print processing unit 220 distributes the print job to the distribution destination set in the setting process described later. In this embodiment, the distributed printing processing unit 220 corresponds to a “control device” in the claims.

B. Distribution destination setting process in the embodiment of the present invention:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the graphical user interface W1 used for the distribution destination setting process in the embodiment of the present invention. The graphical user interface W1 is an interface screen displayed on the personal computer 100 for performing the distribution destination setting process. In the present embodiment, the distribution destination setting process sets in advance which of the six standard printers 300a to 300f is to be used for distribution printing for each of the three distribution function-installed printers 200a, 200b, and 200c. It is processing to do.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure of the distribution destination setting process according to the embodiment of this invention. In step S110, the user selects a distribution source printer for which setting of a distribution destination is desired using the graphical user interface W1. The distribution source printer is selected using the distribution source search button B1 and the text box TB1. When the user clicks the distribution source search button B1, a printer that can be a distribution source is searched in the text box TB1 on the local area network LAN. A printer that can be a distribution source is a printer having a distribution function. Specifically, it is a functioning printer among the distributed function-equipped printers 200a, 200b, and 200c having the custom network board CNB.

  The personal computer 100 lists each IP address of the searched distributed function equipped printers 200a, 200b, and 200c (FIG. 1) in the text box TB1 as a pull-down menu. In the present embodiment, three IP addresses “192.168.0.10”, “192.168.0.11”, and “192.168.0.12” are listed. When the user clicks “192.168.0.10” from the pull-down menu among the three IP addresses, “192.168.0.10” is displayed in the text box TB1 (FIG. 3). As a result, it is possible to set the distribution destination of the printer 200a with the distribution function having the IP address “192.168.0.10”.

  In step S120, the user uses the graphical user interface W1 to select a distribution destination of the distribution function-equipped printer 200a. The distribution destination is selected using a distribution destination search button B2, two list boxes LB1 and LB2, an add button B3, and a delete button B4. When the user clicks the distribution destination search button B2, a printer that can be a distribution destination is searched on the local area network LAN. A printer that can be a distribution destination is a printer in which the printer main body 210 is mounted. Specifically, this is a function of a total of nine printers including three distributed function-equipped printers 200a, 200b, and 200c and six standard printers 300a to 300f.

  The personal computer 100 lists the IP addresses of the searched nine printers 200a, 200b, 200c, and 300a to 300f (FIG. 1) in the list box LB1 (FIG. 3). In this example, nine IP addresses “192.168.0.10” to “192.168.0.32” are listed. However, the IP addresses “192.168.0.31” and “192.168.0.32” are displayed by scrolling.

  The user can set a distribution destination printer using the distribution function-installed printer 200a as a distribution source by selecting an arbitrary address from the nine IP addresses. Specifically, the setting of the distribution destination printer is performed by the user clicking one of the nine IP addresses and clicking the add button B3. In the example of FIG. 3, “192.168.0.10” and “192.168.0.20” are already set as distribution destinations, and “192.168.0.21” is selected. is there. When the add button B3 is clicked in this state, “192.168.0.21” is listed as the third distribution destination in the list box LB2.

  In step S130, the user performs initial setting of the distributed mode. In the present embodiment, the distribution mode can be selected from two modes, namely, copy number division printing and sequential printing. The copy number division printing mode is a mode in which, for example, a print job for printing 100 copies is divided into 25 print jobs and transmitted to each of four printers. The sequential printing mode is a mode in which, for example, a print job for printing 100 copies is sequentially transmitted to a printer capable of printing out of each of the four printers until one copy job reaches 100 copies. This mode setting can be performed by selectively clicking one of the two radio buttons RB1 and RB2.

  In step S140, the user clicks the transmission button B7 to transmit the setting contents to the distributed function printer 200a. The setting contents are transmitted as a text data file F1 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In the text data file F1, three IP addresses “192.168.0.10”, “192.168.0.20”, and “192.168.0.21” which are distribution destinations and the number of copies are divided. Data of “dist_mode = 0” representing the print mode is stored.

  The distributed function printer 200a stores the content of the received text data file F1 in the distributed print processing unit 220 (FIG. 2). As a result, even if a distributed print job is received from another computer on the local area network LAN, distributed printing can be performed with this setting as an initial setting.

  Such a distribution destination setting process can be similarly set for each of the other distributed function printers 200b and 200c. The distribution destinations of the distributed function printers 200a, 200b, and 200c may overlap.

C. Distributed printing processing in an embodiment of the present invention:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a graphical user interface W2 used for distributed printing processing in the embodiment of the present invention. The graphical user interface W2 is an interface screen displayed on the personal computer 100 in order to execute the distributed printing process. The graphical user interface W2 includes a distribution source setting area Z1 used for selecting a distribution source, and a distribution destination status display area Z2 used for displaying the status of the distribution destination.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a routine of distributed printing processing in the embodiment of the present invention. In step S210, the user uses the distribution source setting area Z1 of the graphical user interface W2 to select a distribution source printer that is a distribution source for distributed printing. The selection of the distribution source printer is performed in the same procedure as the distribution destination setting process using the distribution source setting button B8 in the distribution source setting area Z1 and the text box TB2. In this example, the distributed function equipped printer 200a is selected as the distribution source. Until the distribution source is selected, the distribution destination status display area Z2 is blank (not shown).

  In step S212, the personal computer 100 inquires of the setting contents to the distributed function printer 200a according to the selection of the distribution source printer. In response to this inquiry, the distributed printing processing unit 220 of the distributed function-equipped printer 200a transmits data representing the contents of the text data file F1 to the personal computer 100.

  In step S214, the personal computer 100 displays the IP address of the printer that is the distribution destination based on the received data. The display of the IP address is performed in the distribution destination status display area Z2.

  In step S <b> 216, the distributed printing processing unit 220 inquires about the status of the distribution destination candidate printer and transmits it to the personal computer 100. This inquiry is performed by reading predetermined status data from a MIB (Management Information Base) (not shown) included in each of the distribution destination candidate printers using the SNMP protocol.

If the predetermined status data is defined in RFC1514, for example, the following objects can be acquired.
(1) hrPrinterDetectedErrorState object,
(2) hrPrinterStatus object, and (3) prtConsoleDisplayBufferBuffer object.

  The hrPrinterDetectedErrorState object stores data indicating whether the printer is in a paper jam or other “error state”. The hrPrinterStatus object stores data representing an operation state such as “whether or not the printer is printing”. The prtConsoleDisplayBufferText object stores text data representing “characters displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the printer”.

  In step S218, the personal computer 100 displays the status of the distribution destination candidate printer in the distribution destination status display area Z2 based on the object received from the distributed print processing unit 220. In the example of FIG. 6, in the distribution destination status display area Z2, as the status display, the display of ○ △ × representing printability and the characters displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the printer are displayed as they are. Yes.

In the present embodiment, the display of ◯ Δ × representing printability is determined based on the following criteria.
(1) ○ indicates that the distribution destination printer is not in an error state and is not printing (2) Δ indicates that the distribution destination printer is not in an error state and is being printed (3) × indicates distribution If the destination printer is in an error state

  As a result, the user can check the distribution destination of the distributed print job and can grasp the status of each distribution destination printer without going to each distribution destination printer. Since the status of each distribution destination printer changes every moment, it is preferable to configure the distributed printing processing unit 220 so that the processing in steps S212 to S218 is updated every second, for example.

  The user can send a print job by clicking the print execution button B12 after grasping the status of each distribution destination printer. However, processing such as “confirm distribution destination (step S220)”, “warm-up command (step S230)”, and “distribution mode change (step S240)” is performed according to the situation, and then the print execution button B12 is clicked. You can also.

  The distribution destination securing process (step S220) is a process for securing the distribution destination printer in a situation that changes every moment. The distribution destination determination process (step S220) can be performed, for example, by clicking the distribution destination reservation button B11 in a state where the IP address displayed in the distribution destination status display area Z2 is clicked and highlighted.

  As a result, the connection is maintained between the printer that is the target of the distribution destination securing process and the personal computer 100. As a result, access from other users is rejected, and the distribution destination is secured.

  The warm-up command process (step S230) is a process for starting the warm-up in advance before sending a print job. This process can be executed for each distribution destination by clicking the warm-up button B9 displayed in the distribution destination status display area Z2.

  Thereby, since the warm-up of the distribution destination can be started prior to transmission of the print job, the time until the completion of the print job can be shortened. However, it is preferable that the warm-up is stopped when a print job is not received even after a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed. By so doing, unnecessary warm-up can be reliably stopped even when, for example, the user stops sending a print job.

  Here, the warm-up means the warm-up of the fixing device in this embodiment, but is not limited to this. For example, the self-diagnosis of the abnormal state such as the warm-up of the fixing device, the initialization of the image controller, or the jam, and the density detection. This means processing for making the printer ready to start image formation, such as image adjustment processing.

  Note that it is preferable that the connection between the printer that is the target of the distribution destination securing process and the personal computer 100 be maintained from the click of the warm-up button B9 to the transmission of the print job. This is because it is possible to avoid a situation in which the printer being warmed up is used by another user.

  The distribution mode change process (step S240) is a process for changing the distribution mode to a setting different from the initial setting. This process can be executed by clicking the distribution mode switching button B10 displayed in the distribution destination status display area Z2. For example, when the distribution mode switching button B10 is clicked in the state of FIG. 6, the distribution mode is switched and the display of “copy division printing” displayed in the distribution destination status display area Z2 is automatically “sequential printing”. Changed to

  After such setting is performed as necessary, the user transmits a distributed print job (step S300). Thereby, the distributed printing execution process is started.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a routine of distributed printing execution processing in the embodiment of the present invention. In step S310, the distributed printing processing unit 220 (FIG. 2) of the distribution function-equipped printer that is the distribution source determines whether a distribution destination is secured. If the distribution destination is secured, the process proceeds to step S344. On the other hand, if the distribution destination is not secured, the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the distributed printing processing unit 220 advances the process to either step S330 or step S340 according to the set distribution mode.

  In the processing from step S330 to step S336, distributed printing processing is performed in the sequential printing mode. In step S330, the distributed printing processing unit 220 inquires the status of each distribution destination candidate using the method described above. As a result of the inquiry, a printable printer is selected as a distribution destination (step S332), and a print job for performing one copy is transmitted (step S334). Such processing is sequentially repeated until the total number of copies is reached (step S336). The total number of copies is the total number of printed materials requested to be printed in a distributed print job.

  In this way, the sequential printing mode can send one copy of a job according to the status of the distribution destination that changes every moment. For example, even if all the printers are printing or an error, the subsequent status Printing can be performed in accordance with the change in. Furthermore, even if printing fails due to an error or the like, the print job is not submitted to the stopped distribution destination. As described above, the sequential printing mode has a feature that printing with high robustness can be realized.

  In the processing from step S340 to step S346, distributed printing processing is performed in the copy number division printing mode. In step S340, the distributed print processing unit 220 inquires the status of each distribution destination candidate using the method described above. As a result of the inquiry, a printable printer is secured as a distribution destination and the connection is maintained (step S342).

  In step S344, the distributed printing processing unit 220 calculates the number of distribution destination copies to be printed at each distribution destination by dividing the total number of copies by the number of distribution destinations that can be secured. The distributed printing processing unit 220 rewrites the number of copies of the print job received from the computer 100 to the number of distribution destinations and transmits the print job to the distribution destination (step S346).

  As described above, the copy number division printing mode is characterized in that printing of the set number of copies set in advance in the distribution destination is performed, so that the printed material is hardly mixed and the printed material can be easily collected.

Since the distributed printing system of the present invention can provide information on the status of each distribution destination printer in the distribution destination status display area Z2, for example, the following operation is possible.
(1) If there are a lot of printers that are printing and it is not urgent, in consideration of other users, a distributed print job is submitted after the number of printers capable of printing increases after a while.
(2) When it is necessary to perform a large amount of printing extremely urgently, the mode is switched to the sequential printing mode and a distributed print job is immediately submitted. In this way, it is possible to collect the printed matter urgently while performing maintenance such as paper supply at the distribution destination after the job is input.
(3) When it is necessary to perform a very large amount of printing, the mode is switched to the copy number division mode, a distribution destination is secured, and a distributed print job is submitted. This is because when the amount of printed matter is extremely large, the burden of collection increases, and therefore a method with less mixing of other printed matter is suitable. Further, in the configuration of this embodiment, it is also possible to submit a distributed print job after sequentially securing the distribution destinations as described above.

  Thus, in the distributed printing system of the present invention, the user can execute an appropriate distributed printing process according to the status of each distribution destination, the number of copies of printed matter, and urgency.

D. Indicator display processing in an embodiment of the present invention:
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen Sc of the personal computer 100 in the embodiment of the present invention. The personal computer 100 employs WINDOWS (registered trademark) as an operating system. The screen Sc displays a task bar Ta at the bottom. The task bar Ta has a start button St and a notification area Z3. The notification area Z3 is an area that is always displayed regardless of the state of the application.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the notification area Z3 in the embodiment of the present invention. In the notification area Z3, a print indicator ID1 for performing display in accordance with the status of the distribution destination printer set as the distribution source selected last is displayed. The print indicator ID1 has “◯” displayed at the center. This means that at least one distribution destination can be printed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence between each print indicator and the distribution destination. In the present embodiment, the following correspondence is configured.
(1) At least one distribution destination can be printed: “◯” is displayed in the central portion (2) All distribution destinations are in error: “×” is displayed in the central portion (3) Other states: “△” in the central portion In other words, it means that there is no distribution destination that can be printed and that there is at least one distribution destination during printing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the overall state of the distribution destination can be always displayed with the icon, there is also an advantage that a print job can be submitted at an appropriate timing.

E. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

E-1. In the above embodiment, the text data file F1 for storing the setting contents is stored on the distributed function-installed printer side. However, for example, the computer 100 may store the text data file F1, or both may store them. It may be configured. If the computer 100 is configured to store, there is an advantage that the setting can be changed for each computer 100.

E-2. In the above embodiment, the status of the distribution destination is displayed on the display of the computer 100. However, for example, it may be configured to be displayed on the display of the printer with the distributed function.

E-3. In the above-described embodiment, the distributed function printer side inquires and searches the status of the distribution destination, but may be configured to be executed by the computer 100, for example.

E-4. In the above embodiment, the indicator displayed in the notification area is assumed to be applied to a distributed printing system, but can be applied to a system that does not assume distributed printing. In this case, the status of the printer in charge of the print job processing of the client can be displayed as it is, or may be configured to be displayed in a simplified form.

  In addition, this configuration can be applied to other operating systems such as Macintosh (registered trademark). In the case of Macintosh, an indicator can be displayed in the notification area at the upper right of the screen, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IP address is used in the designation of the transmission destination, the search for the distribution destination printer, the designation of the distribution destination printer in the distribution destination designation file, etc., but instead, the MAC address, An ID that can uniquely identify a device may be used.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distributed printing system 1000 as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of each device included in the distributed printing system 1000. Explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface W1 used for the distribution destination setting process in the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the dispersion | distribution destination setting process in the Example of this invention. A text data file F1 for storing setting contents. Explanatory drawing which shows the graphical user interface W2 used for the distributed printing process in the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the routine of the distributed printing process in the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the routine of the distributed printing execution process in the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows screen Sc of the personal computer 100 in the Example of this invention. The enlarged view of the notification area | region Z3 in the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of the correspondence of each printing indicator and a distribution | distribution destination.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display part 20 ... Processing part 21 ... Display control part 22 ... Search part 23 ... Communication control part 100 ... Personal computer 1000 ... Distributed printing system 200a, 200b, 200c ... Distributed function mounting printer 210 ... Printer main body 212 ... Printer engine 214 ... Printer controller 220 ... Distributed printing processing unit 300a to 300f ... Standard printer B1 ... Distribution source search button B2 ... Distribution destination search button B3 ... Add button B4 ... Delete button B7 ... Send button B8 ... Distribution source setting button B9 ... Warm-up button B10 ... Distribution mode switching button B11 ... Distribution destination securing button B12 ... Print execution button CNB ... Custom network board F1 ... Text data file ID1 ... Print indicator KB ... Keyboard LAN ... Local area network LB1 ... List box LB2 ... List box MS ... Mouse NB ... Standard network board RB1 ... Radio button Sc ... Screen St ... Start button TB1 ... Text box TB2 ... Text box Ta ... Task bar W1 ... Graphical user interface W2 ... Graphical user interface Z1 ... Distribution source Setting area Z2 ... Distribution status display area Z3 ... Notification area

Claims (7)

A control device for a distributed printing system capable of distributing a print job to a plurality of printing devices connected to a network and having a display unit,
A distribution destination candidate display control unit that causes the display unit to display a distribution destination candidate printing device that is extracted from the plurality of printing devices and is a candidate for a distribution target of the print job;
The distribution destination candidate display control unit further causes the display unit to display a status relating to availability for each of the distribution destination candidate printing devices. The control device according to claim 1,
The control device is provided in one of the plurality of printing devices, receives a print job transmitted via the network, and distributes the print job to at least a part of the plurality of printing devices. It is possible that the control device. The control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display unit is a display included in the client system,
The distribution destination candidate display control unit is further configured to respond to a status indicating the availability of each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses in a notification area in which the state of the program being executed is displayed on the display using an indicator. Display the indicator that displays the status display to be determined,
The status includes three types of states for each of the distribution destination candidate printing devices: printable, printing, and unprintable.
The indicator displays the status display indicating that printing is possible if at least one of the statuses is printable, while the status indicating that printing is not possible if all of the statuses are not printable. Control device that displays the display. The control device according to claim 3,
The said control apparatus is a control apparatus which displays the said status display to the effect of printing, when the said status contains at least 1 said printing and does not contain the said printing possible. A control method of a distributed printing system capable of distributing a print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and having a display unit,
A distribution destination candidate display control step of causing the display unit to display a distribution destination candidate printing device that is extracted from the plurality of printing devices and is a candidate for a distribution target of the print job;
The distribution destination candidate display control step further includes a step of causing the display unit to display a status relating to availability for each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses. A computer program capable of distributing a print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and causing a computer to execute control of a distributed printing system including a display unit,
A distribution destination candidate display control program for causing the computer to realize a function of causing the display unit to display a distribution destination candidate printing device that is extracted from the plurality of printing devices and is a candidate for distribution target of the print job;
The distribution destination candidate display control program further includes a program for causing the display unit to display a status regarding availability for each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses. A graphical user interface of a distributed printing system capable of distributing a print job to a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and having a display unit,
A distribution destination candidate display unit that causes the display unit to display a distribution destination candidate printing device that is extracted from the plurality of printing devices and is a candidate for a distribution target of the print job;
The distribution destination candidate display unit further displays on the display unit a status relating to availability for each of the distribution destination candidate printing apparatuses.

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