JP2007136697A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a time period for forming an image by adequately distributing an amount of data for forming an image to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: Each of printers ((8-1)-(8-n)) comprises an EEPROM 34 for storing a self speed value, an upper communication section 31a for receiving image forming data, a distribution printing management section 31c which is connected to a lower side of itself and carries out a process of acquiring a lower speed value by a printer to be a distribution target, a process of determining a printing amount of itself in a printing amount of the print data based on the speed values of the printer itself and the other printer and a process of issuing an instruction for allowing the other printer connected to the lower side to perform the forming of the image about the residual printing amount in the printing amount of the print data to be not printed by the printer itself, and an image mechanism 36 for performing the printing in the determined printing amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and the like that can form an image by being dispersed by a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Conventionally, a desired image is formed on a predetermined sheet or the like by using an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer. In a scene where an image is formed, there may be a situation where a large amount of image needs to be formed in a short time.
In order to cope with such a situation where a large amount of images are formed in a short time, for example, it is necessary to prepare an image forming apparatus having a high image forming speed.
However, there is a problem that an image forming apparatus having a high image forming speed is expensive.
On the other hand, for example, it is known to shorten the printing time by printing in a distributed manner by a plurality of printing apparatuses. For example, according to the invention of Patent Document 1, the number of copies to be printed is distributed based on the number of connected printing apparatuses, so that the printing process is speeded up by almost averaging each printing apparatus.
JP 2000-155654 A

However, according to the invention of Patent Document 1, for example, when there are printing devices with different printing speeds, printing is finished with a printing device with a slow printing speed even if printing with a printing device with a fast printing speed is finished. A situation that does not occur. That is, a plurality of printing apparatuses cannot be used effectively, and the speed of the printing process is insufficient.
In addition, in the printing apparatus, if there is no paper for printing or other abnormality occurs, the printing apparatus cannot print, but the printing is also distributed to the printing apparatus in such a state. As a result, there is a possibility that a situation in which printing is not performed may occur.
In addition, there may be a printing apparatus that does not have the performance required for the requested printing, but the printing process is also distributed to such a printing apparatus, and a situation may occur in which printing is not performed. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately disperse the amount of image formation to be image-formed to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, thereby reducing the time required for image formation. To provide technology.

  To achieve the above object, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of image formation are connected in a daisy chain format. The self-speed information storage means for storing the self-speed information relating to the image forming speed by the image forming apparatus, and the lower speed information relating to the image forming speed by another image forming apparatus which is connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and to which image formation is distributed Based on the lower speed information acquisition means, the image formation data reception means for receiving the image formation data including the image data for image formation, and the image formation amount included in the image formation data based on the own speed information and the lower speed information. Image forming amount determining means for determining the image forming amount in the apparatus itself, image forming means for executing image formation of the determined image forming amount, and image forming Image forming instruction means for instructing other image forming apparatuses connected to the lower side to perform image formation for the remaining image forming amounts not to be formed by the own apparatus among the image forming amounts included in the data And have.

  According to such an image forming system, based on the self-speed information and the low-speed information, the image forming amount in the self apparatus is determined for the image forming amount included in the image forming data, and the image forming of the determined image forming amount is executed. At the same time, the remaining image forming amounts for which image formation is not performed by the apparatus itself are executed by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side. For this reason, the amount of image formation for image formation can be appropriately distributed to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image, and includes a self-speed information storage unit that stores self-speed information regarding an image forming speed in the self-device, and a subordinate of the self-device. Connected to the side, and a lower-speed information acquisition unit that acquires lower-speed information about an image forming speed by another image forming apparatus that is a dispersion target of image formation, and an image that receives image forming data including image data for image formation Based on the formation data receiving means, the own speed information, and the lower speed information, the image formation amount determining means for determining the image formation amount in the own apparatus in the image formation amount included in the image formation data, and the determined image formation Image forming means for performing image formation of an amount, and the image forming amount included in the image forming data, and the remaining image forming amount for which image forming is not performed by the own device. And an image forming instruction means for instructing to execute the image formed by the other image forming apparatus connected to a position side.
According to such an image forming apparatus, based on the own speed information and the lower speed information, the image forming amount in the own apparatus in the image forming amount included in the image forming data is determined, and the image forming of the determined image forming amount is executed. At the same time, the remaining image forming amounts for which image formation is not performed by the apparatus itself are executed by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side. For this reason, the amount of image formation for image formation can be appropriately distributed to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the lower speed information acquisition unit is connected to a lower side of the own apparatus so as to acquire lower speed information related to an image forming speed by a plurality of other image forming apparatuses that are dispersion targets of image formation. It may be.
According to such a configuration, the image forming amount to be image-formed can be distributed between the own apparatus and the plurality of lower-side image forming apparatuses, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.

In the image forming apparatus, the image forming data includes image forming conditions that are conditions for forming an image, and the self-speed information storage unit stores the self-speed information and a plurality of image forming conditions in association with each other. And a condition receiving means for receiving the image forming conditions included in the image forming data, and an acquiring means for acquiring the own speed information corresponding to the received image forming conditions from the own speed information storing means, and acquiring the lower speed information. The means acquires lower speed information related to the image forming speed under an image forming condition by another image forming apparatus that is connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and is an image forming distribution target, and the image forming amount determining means The image forming amount in the own device in the image forming amount included in the image forming data may be determined based on the own speed information and the lower device speed information.
According to such a configuration, the amount of image formation can be appropriately dispersed based on the image forming speed of the image forming apparatus under the image forming conditions, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.

In addition, the image forming apparatus further includes a state information storage unit that stores state information of the own apparatus, and a state determination unit that determines whether or not the own apparatus is in an image formable state based on the state information. The image formation amount determination unit may determine that the image formation amount by the own apparatus is none when the state determination unit determines that the image formation is not possible.
According to this configuration, when image formation is impossible in the image forming apparatus, assignment of image formation to the image forming apparatus can be appropriately prevented.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, a lower apparatus connecting unit that can connect another apparatus as a lower apparatus of the own apparatus, and another image forming apparatus connected to the lower apparatus connecting unit on the lower side of the own apparatus. A lower speed information requesting unit that requests lower speed information related to an image forming speed by another image forming apparatus that is connected and to which image formation is to be distributed may be further provided.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to request lower speed information from other connected image forming apparatuses. Thereby, the lower speed information can be acquired from another image forming apparatus when necessary.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the lower speed information requesting unit may request the lower speed information after the image forming data is generated.
According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately acquire the lower speed information after the image formation data is generated.

In the image forming apparatus, the image forming amount determination unit may determine the image forming amount in units of the number of copies to be imaged or the number of sheets to be imaged.
According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus can form an image with the number of copies or the number of sheets as a unit.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, based on the lower speed information acquired by the lower speed acquisition means and the own apparatus speed information stored in the own speed storage means, all of the image forming and distribution targets to be distributed below the own apparatus. You may make it further have a dispersion | distribution object speed information transmission means which transmits the dispersion | distribution object speed information regarding the image formation speed of an image forming apparatus to a high-order apparatus.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to cause the higher-level apparatus to grasp the distribution target speed information regarding the image formation speeds of all image forming apparatuses that are the target of image formation in and below the apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, the image forming data includes image forming conditions that are conditions for forming an image, and the self-speed information storage unit stores the self-speed information and a plurality of image forming conditions in association with each other. And a condition receiving unit that receives the image forming condition included in the image forming data, and an acquisition unit that acquires the own speed information corresponding to the received image forming condition from the own speed information storage unit, The transmission means may transmit the distribution target speed information to the higher-level device based on the lower speed information acquired by the lower speed acquisition means and the own speed information acquired by the acquisition means.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to cause the host apparatus to grasp the distribution target speed information related to the image forming speed under the image forming conditions by all the image forming apparatuses that are the target of image forming distribution below the self apparatus.

In addition, the image forming apparatus further includes a state information storage unit that stores state information of the own apparatus, and a state determination unit that determines whether or not the own apparatus is in an image formable state based on the state information. If the image formation determination unit determines that image formation is not possible, the distribution target speed information transmission unit is connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and is used for the image formation by another image forming apparatus that is the distribution target of image formation. The lower speed information related to the formation speed may be transmitted to the upper apparatus as the distribution target speed information.
According to such a configuration, when image formation is impossible in the own apparatus, it is possible to transmit the distribution target speed information excluding the image formation speed in the apparatus to the upper apparatus.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the upper apparatus connecting means capable of connecting another apparatus as the upper apparatus of the own apparatus and the upper apparatus connected by the upper apparatus connecting means are subject to distribution of image formation below the own apparatus. The image processing apparatus further includes a distribution target speed information request receiving unit that receives a request for distribution target speed information related to the image formation speed of all the image forming apparatuses, and the distribution target speed information transmission unit receives the request by the distribution target speed information request reception unit. In this case, the distribution target speed information may be transmitted.
According to such a configuration, the distribution target speed information can be appropriately transmitted when requested by the host apparatus in the own apparatus.

  An image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming method using an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image, and the image forming apparatus stores its own speed information related to the image forming speed of the own apparatus. An information storage means, connected to the lower side of the own apparatus, for acquiring lower speed information relating to the image forming speed by another image forming apparatus to be distributed for image formation; The image forming data receiving step for receiving the image forming data including the image data for determining the image forming amount in the own apparatus in the image forming amount included in the image forming data is determined based on the own speed information and the lower speed information. Image forming amount determination step, image forming step for executing image formation of the determined image forming amount, and image forming amount included in the image forming data Among them, for the remaining image forming amount no image formed by the own apparatus, and an image forming instruction step for instructing to execute the image formed by the other image forming apparatus connected to the lower side.

  According to this image forming method, based on the self-speed information and the lower speed information, the image forming amount in the self-device is determined in the image forming amount included in the image forming data, and the image forming of the determined image forming amount is executed. At the same time, the remaining image forming amounts for which image formation is not performed by the apparatus itself are executed by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side. For this reason, the amount of image formation for image formation can be appropriately distributed to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the time required for image formation can be shortened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent.

First, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the image forming system 1, a PC (personal computer) 2 and a multifunction machine 3 are connected via a network 4 such as a local area network (LAN). The PC 2 generates print data 9 to be described later including image data for image formation in accordance with a user's operation, and transmits the print data 9 to the multifunction device 3 via the network 4.
The multifunction device 3 includes a control unit 5, a scanner device 6, a facsimile (FAX) device 7, and a printer device 8-1 as an example of an image forming device. The scanner device 6, the FAX device 7, and the printer The devices 8-1 are each connected to the control unit 5.
Printer apparatuses 8-1... 8-n (n is an integer of 2 or more) as an example of an image forming apparatus are connected to the printer apparatus 8-1 in a daisy chain format, that is, in a daisy chain. In the figure, for convenience, the printer device 8-2 and the printer device 8-n are shown. However, when n = 2, the printer device 8-1 and one printer device 8-2 are included. Exists. In the present embodiment, all of the uppermost printer device 8-1 to the lowermost printer device 8-n are the target printer devices for distributing image formation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The print data 9 is an example of image formation data. The job start part (JS part) 9a indicating the start of the print data 9, a job language data part 9b, a printer language data part 9c, and the end of the print data 9 are displayed. A job end section (JE section) 9d.
The job language data portion 9b is a portion described according to the job language, and includes a host device name, a job ID, a command indicating a printer language (for example, ESC / PAGE, PostScript, etc.) described in the printer language data portion 9c, and the like. It is.

In the present embodiment, the job language data portion 9b further stores the number of print pages indicating the number of pages to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, the number of print start pages indicating the start page at the time of printing, and the like. The number of copies to be printed is arbitrarily set and is not necessarily included. The job language data section 9b stores printing conditions, which are examples of image forming conditions when images are formed in the printer devices 8-1 to 8-n. In the present embodiment, the printing conditions are a printing color indicating whether the color is monochrome or monochrome, and a paper size to be printed.
The printer language data portion 9c is a portion described according to the printer language, and includes image data indicating an image to be printed.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As described above, the multi function device 3 includes the control unit 5, the scanner device 6, the FAX device 7, and the printer device 8-1.

The scanner device 6 generates digital image data by reading an image of a reading object such as paper or film placed on a document table (not shown) or a document feeder (not shown).
The FAX machine 7 transmits and receives fax data via a telephone line network.

  The printer device 8-1 forms an image on a recording object (paper) such as paper. Details of the printer device 8-1 will be described later.

The control unit 5 receives various instructions from the user and outputs various information to the scanner device 6, the FAX device 7, and the printer device 8-1.
The control unit 5 controls the scanner device 6, the FAX device 7, and the printer device 8-1. Specifically, the control unit 5 causes the scanner device 6 to execute a reading operation. Further, the control unit 5 causes the FAX apparatus 7 to execute a facsimile transmission operation.
Further, the control unit 5 causes the printer device 8-1 to execute an image forming operation.

  Further, the control unit 5 controls the scanner device 6 and the printer device 8-1 to execute a so-called copy function for recording the content of the reading object on the recording object. That is, the control unit 5 causes the scanner device 6 to read the reading object, generates digital image data, generates print data including the digital image data, and transmits the print data to the printer device 8-1 to be recorded. Make an image on the object.

The control unit 5 controls the scanner device 6 and the FAX device 7 to execute a so-called facsimile transmission function for transmitting the contents of the reading object via the telephone line network. That is, the control unit 5 causes the scanner device 6 to read the object to be read, generates digital image data, converts the digital image data into facsimile data, and sends the facsimile data to the FAX device 7 via the telephone line network. To send to the destination.
Further, the control unit 5 controls the FAX apparatus 7 and the printer apparatus 8-1 to execute a so-called facsimile reception function for printing facsimile data received via the telephone line network. That is, the control unit 5 generates print data based on the facsimile data received by the FAX apparatus 7, and transmits the print data to the printer apparatus 8-1 to form an image on the recording object.

Next, a detailed configuration of the control unit 5 will be described.
In the control unit 5, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 and a ROM (Read
Only Memory (RAM) 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 13, input interface unit (input I / F unit) 14, output processing unit 15, and communication interface unit (Communication I / F unit) 16, 17, 18, and 19 are connected via a bus 23.

The ROM 11 stores a program such as a boot program and a distributed printing overall processing program described later.
The RAM 12 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 10.
The EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various kinds of information that need to be stored even when the multifunction device 3 is not turned on.

A key unit 20 and a touch panel 21 are connected to the input I / F unit 14. The input I / F unit 14 outputs signals from the key unit 20 and the touch panel 21 to the CPU 10 as data.
The key unit 20 includes a start button, a stop button, a numeric keypad, and the like provided in a housing (not shown) of the control unit 5. The input I / F unit 14 inputs a signal corresponding to the pressed button or key. Output to.
The touch panel 21 is provided so as to overlap an LCD 22 described later, and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the panel pressed by the user to the input I / F unit 14.
The output processing unit 15 has, for example, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), generates various image data under the control of the CPU 10, and outputs the image data to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22.

The communication I / F unit 16 is connected to the network 4 and mediates data exchange with an external device via the network 4. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F unit 16 mediates data exchange with the PC 2 via the network 4.
The communication I / F unit 17 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the scanner device 6.
The communication I / F unit 18 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the FAX apparatus 7.
The communication I / F unit 19 mediates data exchange between the CPU 10 and the printer device 8-1. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F unit 19 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host I / F.

CPU10 controls operation | movement of each part 11-19. Further, the CPU 10 reads the program stored in the ROM 11 into the RAM 12 and executes it, thereby configuring the communication unit 10a, the print management unit 10b, and the device communication unit 10c to execute various processes.
The communication unit 10 a exchanges data with the PC 2 via the bus 23, the communication I / F unit 16, and the network 4. The communication unit 10a receives print data including image data to be imaged from the PC 2. In addition, when the printing is finished, the communication unit 10a transmits an end notification indicating that the printing is finished to the PC 2.
The device communication unit 10 c exchanges data with the scanner device 6 via the bus 23 and the communication I / F unit 17. The device communication unit 10 c exchanges data with the FAX device 7 via the bus 23 and the communication I / F unit 18. The device communication unit 10c exchanges data with the printer device 8-1 via the bus 23 and the communication I / F unit 19.

The print management unit 10b performs distributed printing control processing for controlling distributed printing performed by the printer devices 8-1 to 8-n. For example, when the print management unit 10b receives print data from the PC 2, the device communication unit 10c causes the printer device 8-1 to transmit a start request. The start request includes printing conditions as an example of image forming conditions. In the present embodiment, the print color and the paper size in the print data are set as the print conditions.
In addition, the print management unit 10b receives the start response from the printer device 8-1 received by the device communication unit 10c, and a later-described distribution target speed value as an example of distribution target speed information included in the start response is 0. In some cases, the output processing unit 15 causes the LCD 22 to display an error indicating that printing is not possible. The print management unit 10b receives the start response received by the device communication unit 10c. If the distribution target speed value included in the start response is not 0, the print management unit 10b sends the print data to the printer device 8-1 through the device communication unit 10c. Send it.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, in the present embodiment, since the printer devices 8-1 to 8-n have substantially the same configuration, the i (1 ≦ i ≦ n) -th printer device 8- The i will be described as an example.
In the printer 8-i, the CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33 as an example of the state information storage unit, the EEPROM 34 as an example of the own speed information storage unit, the mechanism control unit 35, and an example of the host device connection unit A communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 36 and a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 37 as an example of a lower-level device connection unit are connected via a bus 38.

The ROM 32 stores programs such as a boot program and programs such as main processing, distributed printing preparation processing, and distributed printing processing described later.
The RAM 33 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 31. In the present embodiment, the RAM 33 stores state information in the printer apparatus 8-i. The status information includes, for example, information on whether or not a paper jam has occurred, information on whether or not toner has run out, and information on whether or not a predetermined size of paper has run out. These status information can be grasped from detection results by a sensor (not shown) in the printer apparatus 8-i.
The EEPROM 34 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various kinds of information that need to be stored even when the printer apparatus 8-i is not turned on. In the present embodiment, the EEPROM 34 stores a printing speed database 40.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printing speed database according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printing speed database 40 manages a plurality of records having a printing color field 40a, a paper size field 40b, and a printing speed field 40c.
The print color field 40a stores whether it is monochrome or color indicating the print color as an example of the image forming condition.
The paper size field 40b stores a paper size as an example of image forming conditions. In this embodiment, for example, any one of A4, A3, B4, etc. is stored.
The printing speed field 40c stores a printing speed value, which is an example of the own speed information indicating the image forming speed in the own apparatus when the printing color and paper size of the corresponding record are printing conditions. In the present embodiment, the number of printable pages (ppm: page per minute) is stored as a printing speed value.
For example, according to the top record, when the print color is “monochrome” and the paper size is “A4”, the print speed value is 40 ppm.

  Note that the records existing in the printing speed database 40 shown in FIG. 5 and the contents of the records are merely examples, and actually records corresponding to the performance of the printer apparatuses 8-1 to 8-n are set. Has been. For example, in the printing speed database 40 of a printer that cannot perform color printing, there is no record in which a color is set in the printing color field 40a. In the printing speed database 40 in a printer that cannot print on A3 paper, there is no record in which A3 is set in the paper size field 40b.

Returning to FIG. 4, the mechanism control unit 35 is connected to a printing mechanism unit 39 as an example of an image forming unit. The mechanism control unit 35 controls the operation of the printing mechanism unit 39 to form an image on a predetermined sheet.
The printing mechanism unit 39 includes a photoconductor unit 39a that forms a toner image on a photoconductor (not shown), an exposure unit 39b that forms an electrostatic latent image for forming a toner image on the photoconductor by irradiating a laser beam, The image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit 39c that transfers a toner image formed on the body onto a sheet, a fixing unit 39d that fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet, and a paper supply / discharge unit 39e that supplies and discharges the sheet.

The communication I / F unit 36 can be connected to a printer device 8- (i-1) that is an upper level of the printer device 8-i, and can exchange data with the upper printer device 8- (i-1). Intermediary. In the case of i = 1, that is, in the case of the printer device 8-1, the communication I / F unit 36 is connected to the control unit 5 serving as the host device and mediates data exchange with the control unit 5. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F unit 36 is, for example, a USB device I / F.
The communication I / F unit 37 can be connected to a printer device 8- (i + 1) that is a lower level of the printer device 8-i, and mediates data exchange with the lower level printer device 8- (i + 1). When i = n, that is, in the case of the printer device 8-n, no other printer device is connected to the communication I / F unit 37. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F unit 37 is, for example, a USB host I / F.

CPU31 controls operation | movement of each part 32-37. Further, the CPU 31 reads out the program stored in the ROM 32 to the RAM 33 and executes it, thereby configuring the upper communication unit 31a, the lower communication unit 31b, and the distributed printing management unit 31c to execute various processes.
Here, the upper communication unit 31a is an example of an image formation data reception unit, a condition reception unit, a distribution target speed information transmission unit, and a distributed speed information request reception unit, and the lower communication unit 31b includes a lower speed information acquisition unit, The distributed printing management unit 31c is an example of an image formation amount determination unit, an image formation instruction unit, an acquisition unit, and a state determination unit.

The upper communication unit 31a receives print data including image data from the upper device, the printer device 8- (i-1), and the like via the communication I / F unit 36. The upper communication unit 31 a receives the processing start request via the communication I / F unit 36. In the present embodiment, the process start request means a request for distribution target speed information regarding the image forming speed of the printer apparatus to be distributed below the self apparatus. The upper communication unit 31a transmits a start response including a later-described distribution target speed value via the communication I / F unit 36.
The lower-level communication unit 31 b receives lower-speed information about the image formation speed by another printer device to be distributed from the printer device 8-(i + 1) connected to the communication I / F unit 37. In the present embodiment, the lower communication unit 31b receives a lower speed value indicating the sum of image forming speeds of all the printer devices 8- (i + 1) to 8-n connected to the lower side of the own printer device 8-i. To do.

The distributed printing management unit 31 c acquires the own speed value corresponding to the printing condition from the printing speed database 40. In this embodiment, when there is no record indicating the own speed value corresponding to the printing condition, the own speed value is set to zero indicating that the own speed value cannot be printed.
Further, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines the image forming amount by the printer device 8-i in the image forming amount included in the print data based on the own speed information and the lower speed information, and determines the image forming amount. The printing mechanism unit 39 is caused to execute image formation by the mechanism control unit 35.
In addition, the distributed printing management unit 31c uses the higher-level communication unit 31a to transmit the distribution target speed information related to the image formation speed of the distribution target printer apparatus below the own apparatus to the higher-level apparatus based on the own-speed information and the lower-order speed information. Send it. In the present embodiment, the distributed printing management unit 31c causes the higher-level communication unit 31a to transmit the distribution target speed value as an example of the distribution target speed information obtained by adding the own speed value and the lower speed value to the upper apparatus. This distribution target speed value is treated as a lower speed value in the host device.

  Further, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the printer device 8-i is in a printable state based on the state information in the RAM 33. If the printer device 8-i is not in a printable state, the self-speed value is set to zero. The lower speed value is transmitted to the upper apparatus as the distribution target speed value, and image formation by the printer apparatus 8-i is not performed. In the present embodiment, the distributed printing management unit 31c includes, as status information, information indicating that a paper jam has occurred, information indicating that the toner has run out, and out of paper of a size to be printed. Is stored, information is determined to be unprintable.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining distributed printing control processing by the control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine 3, it is determined whether or not the communication unit 10a has received the print data 9 from the PC 2 via the communication I / F unit 16 (step S1). Repeat this step. When the print data 9 is received, the print management unit 10b extracts the print conditions included in the print data 9, and the device communication unit 10c sends a start request including the print conditions to the communication I / F unit. 19 to the printer device 8-1 (step S2). As described above, after print data is generated and transmitted, a speed value corresponding to the latest situation in a plurality of printer apparatuses can be obtained by making a start request to the printer apparatus 8-1.

Next, the print management unit 10b determines whether or not a start response has been received by the device communication unit 10c (step S3), and the steps are repeated until the start response is received. When the start response is received, the print management unit 10b determines whether or not the distribution target speed value included in the start response is 0 (step S4). As a result, when the distribution target speed value is 0, it indicates that none of the plurality of printer devices to be distributed can print, and therefore the print management unit 10b cannot print on the LCD 22 by the output processing unit 15. Is displayed (step S5), and the process is terminated.
On the other hand, when the distribution target speed value is not 0 (NO in step S4), it indicates that printing can be performed. Therefore, the print management unit 10b transmits the print data via the communication I / F unit 19 by the device communication unit 10c. Then, the data is transmitted to the printer device 8-1 (step S6).

Next, the print management unit 10b determines whether or not an end notification has been received from the printer device 8-1 by the device communication unit 10c (step S7). If the end notification is received, it indicates that all printing has been completed. Therefore, the communication unit 10a transmits an end notification to the PC 2 via the communication I / F unit 16 (step S8), and the process ends.
On the other hand, if an end notification has not been received, the print management unit 10b determines whether or not an error notification has been received from the printer device 8-1 by the device communication unit 10c (step S9), and the error notification has been received. If not, step S7 is executed again. When an error notification is received, the print management unit 10b causes the output processing unit 15 to display error information indicating that an error that cannot be printed has occurred on the LCD 22 (step S10), and ends the process. Here, a printer identification number, which will be described later, included in the error notification is displayed as error information. With this printer identification number, the printer device in which the error has occurred can be identified.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining main processing by the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the printer device 8-i, the distributed printing management unit 31c issues a start request from the host device (printer device 8- (i-1) or control unit 5) via the communication I / F unit 36 by the host communication unit 31a. It is determined whether or not it has been received (step S11). If it has not been received, this step is repeated. When a start request is received, the distributed printing preparation process shown in FIG. 8 is executed (step S12), and the distributed printing process shown in FIG. 9 is executed (step S13).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining distributed printing preparation processing by the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the printer device is connected to the lower level, that is, whether or not the printer device 8- (i + 1) is connected to the communication I / F unit 37 (step S21). If the printer device is connected, the distributed printing management unit 31c causes the lower-level communication unit 31b to transmit a start request to the lower-level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 (Step 1). S22).

  Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the printing speed value that matches the printing conditions included in the start request is stored in the printing speed database 40 (step S23), and the own speed value is stored. If yes, it is further determined whether or not the printer device 8-i is in a printable state (step S24). As a result, if it is in a printable state, the distributed printing management unit 31c acquires the printing speed stored in the printing speed database 40 that matches the printing conditions and determines it as its own speed value (step S25). On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing speed value that matches the printing conditions is not stored in the printing speed database 40 (NO in step S23), or when it is determined that the printer device 8-i is not in a printable state (step S24). NO) indicates that printing by the printer device 8-i is impossible, and the distributed printing management unit 31c determines that the self-speed value is zero (step S26). As described above, since the self-speed value is set to zero, it is possible to appropriately prevent printing from being assigned to the printer device 8-i.

Thereafter, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the lower communication unit 31b has received a start response from the lower level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 (step S27). If not, step S27 is repeated.
Next, the distributed print management unit 31c adds the lower speed value included in the start response and the self-speed value that has already been determined, thereby indicating the print speed by all the printer apparatuses below the self-apparatus. The target speed value is calculated (step S28), and the process proceeds to the next step S34.

On the other hand, if the lower printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) is not connected (NO in step S21), the distributed printing management unit 31c prints a printing speed value that matches the printing conditions included in the start request. It is determined whether or not it is stored in the speed database 40 (step S29). If the own speed value is stored, it is further determined whether or not the printer device 8-i is in a printable state (step S30). ). As a result, if it is in a printable state, the distributed printing management unit 31c acquires the printing speed stored in the printing speed database 40 that matches the printing conditions and determines it as its own speed value (step S31). On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing speed value that matches the printing conditions is not stored in the printing speed database 40 (NO in step S29), or when it is determined that the printer device 8-i is not in a printable state (step S30). NO) indicates that printing by the printer device 8-i is impossible, and the distributed printing management unit 31c determines that the self-speed value is zero (step S32). Thus, since the self-speed value is set to zero, it is possible to appropriately prevent printing from being assigned to the printer apparatus.
Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines the self-speed value that has already been determined as the distribution target speed value (step S33), and proceeds to the next step S34.

  Next, the self-speed value and the dispersion target speed value that have already been determined are stored in the RAM 33 (step S34). Then, the distributed printing management unit 31c transmits a start response including the calculated or determined distribution target speed value to the upper printer device 8- (i-1) via the communication I / F unit 36 by the upper communication unit 31a. (Step S35), the process returns to the main process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining distributed printing processing by the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the printer device 8-i, it is determined whether the upper communication unit 31a has received the print data 9 from the upper device via the communication I / F unit 36 (step S41). It is determined whether the upper communication unit 31a has received an error notification from the upper device via the communication I / F unit 36 (step S42). As a result, when the error notification is not received, the above step S41 is executed again. On the other hand, when the error notification is received, the distributed printing management unit 31c transfers the error notification to the lower-level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 by the lower-level communication unit 31b (step S43). Return to the main process.

On the other hand, when print data is received (YES in step S41), the print data received by the distributed print management unit 31c is stored in the RAM 33 (step S44), and it is determined whether or not a printer device is connected to the lower level. (Step S45).
As a result, if it is determined that the printer device is not connected to the lower order, the distributed print management unit 31c determines the number of print start pages included in the print data because the own printer device is the lowest order printer device. Then, printing for the number of print pages is started by the mechanism control unit 35 or printing of the designated number of copies is started by the mechanism control unit 35 (step S46), and the process proceeds to the next step S62.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the printer device is connected to the lower level, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether the number of copies is specified in the print data (step S47).
If the number of copies is specified in the print data, the distributed print management unit 31c calculates its own print allocation number (self-allocation copy number) (step S48). In the present embodiment, the number of self-allocated copies is calculated by the number of print copies in the print data * (own speed value of RAM 33 / distribution target speed value of RAM 33), and rounded up if there are decimal places. In addition, you may make it round off to the 4th about a decimal point, and may make it round off.

Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the own printer apparatus 8-i has an allocation (step S49). If there is an allocation, the distributed printing management unit 31c is allocated by the mechanism control unit 35. Printing of the number of copies is started (step S50), and the remaining number of copies to be printed by the lower printer is calculated (step S51). The remaining number of copies is calculated by (number of printed copies in print data) −number of self-allocated copies. Thereafter, the distributed printing management unit 31c replaces the calculated number of copies in the print data with the calculated remaining number of copies (step S52), and proceeds to the next step S53.
On the other hand, if the distributed printing management unit 31c determines that there is no assignment to the own printer device 8-i (NO in step S49), the process proceeds to step S53 without doing anything.

Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the number of print copies of the print data remains (step S53). If the number of print copies remains, it means that printing is performed by a lower-level printer device. Therefore, the print data is transmitted to the lower printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) by the lower communication unit 31b via the communication I / F unit 37 (step S54). Then, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not an end notification is received from the lower-level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 by the lower-level communication unit 31b (Step S55). If not, the process is repeated. If received, the process proceeds to the next step S62.
On the other hand, if the distributed printing management unit 31c determines that there is no remaining number of print data to be printed (NO in step S53), it is not necessary to perform printing with the lower-level printer device, so the process returns to step S62 without doing anything. move on.

  On the other hand, when the number of copies is not specified in the print data (NO in step S47), the distributed print management unit 31c calculates its own assigned number (step S56). In the present embodiment, the self-assigned number is calculated by the number of printed sheets in the print data * (own speed value of RAM 33 / distribution target speed value of RAM 33), and is rounded up when there is a decimal point. In addition, you may make it round off to the 4th about a decimal point, and may make it round off.

Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the own printer apparatus 8-i has an allocation (step S57). If there is an allocation, the distributed printing management unit 31c is allocated by the mechanism control unit 35. Printing of the number of sheets is started (step S58), and the remaining number of sheets to be printed by the lower printer is calculated (step S59). The remaining number is calculated from the number of printed sheets in the print data minus the self-assigned number. Thereafter, the distributed printing management unit 31c replaces the number of prints in the print data with the calculated remaining number, adds the number of assigned pages to the number of print start pages in the print data (step S60), and proceeds to the next step S61. .
On the other hand, if the distributed printing management unit 31c determines that there is no assignment to the own printer device 8-i (NO in step S57), the process proceeds to step S61 without doing anything.

Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not the number of print data remains (step S61). If the number of prints remains, it means that printing is performed by a lower-level printer device. Therefore, the print data is transmitted to the lower printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) by the lower communication unit 31b via the communication I / F unit 37 (step S54). Then, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not an end notification is received from the lower-level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 by the lower-level communication unit 31b (Step S55). If not, the process is repeated. If received, the process proceeds to the next step S62.
On the other hand, if the distributed print management unit 31c determines that there is no print data remaining (NO in step S61), there is no need to perform printing with a lower-level printer device, so the process proceeds to step S62 without doing anything. move on.

When the number of copies of print data does not remain (NO in step S53), when the number of print data does not remain (NO in step S61), when printing is started (step S46), or from the lower device When the notification is received (step S55), the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether printing by the own printer device 8-i is completed (step S62), and when printing is not completed. On the other hand, if it is received, the process proceeds to the next step S63.
Then, the distributed printing management unit 31c causes the upper communication unit 31a to transmit an end notification to the upper printer apparatus 8- (i-1) via the communication I / F unit 36 (step S63), and returns to the main processing. .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining error-related processing by the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The error-related process is repeatedly executed in parallel with the main process shown in FIG.
First, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether or not an error notification is received from the lower-level printer device 8- (i + 1) via the communication I / F unit 37 by the lower-level communication unit 31b (step S61). When the notification is received, the distributed printing management unit 31c adds 1 to the printer identification number included in the error notification (step S62), and the higher-level communication unit 31a passes the communication I / F unit 36. The error notification is transferred to the upper printer apparatus 8- (i-1) (step S63). On the other hand, if no error notification has been received, the process proceeds to the next step without doing anything.

Next, the distributed printing management unit 31c determines whether an error indicating that printing is not possible has occurred in the printer device 8-i based on the status information (step S64), and an error has occurred. In this case, an error notification with the printer identification number set to 1 is transmitted from the upper communication unit 31a to the upper printer device 8- (i-1) via the communication I / F unit 36 (step S65). If no error has occurred, the process ends without doing anything.
Here, the printer identification number is information for identifying a printer device in which an error has occurred. As described above, in the printer device in which an error has occurred, the printer identification number is set to 1 and transmitted to the upper printer device. Then, 1 is added for each transfer. Therefore, according to the printer identification number, it is possible to grasp the hierarchical difference between the device that has received the error notification and the printer device in which the error has occurred.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing by the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, in FIG. 11, for ease of explanation, a printer device is described using a variable i (1 ≦ i ≦ n), and there may be a plurality of printer devices having the same sign depending on the value of i. It is assumed that there is one printer device with the same code.
First, when a print instruction is generated by the user in the PC 2, print data according to the print instruction is created, and the print data is transmitted to the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine 3 (step S70). Upon receiving the print data, the control unit 5 creates a start request based on the print data and transmits it to the printer device 8-1 (step S71-1).

  Then, the start request is transmitted from the printer device 8-1 to the lower printer device 8-2 (step S71-2), and similarly, the upper printer device 8- (i-1) to the printer device 8- A start request is transmitted to i (step S71-i), and a start request is transmitted from the printer apparatus 8-i to the lower printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) (step S71- (i + 1)). In this way, a start request is transmitted from the printer device 8- (n-1) to the printer device 8-n (step S71-n).

Here, in the following description, the self-speed value of the printer device 8-i is expressed as ppm [i].
The lowest-order printer device 8-n that has received the start request includes its own speed value ppm [n] in the start response and transmits it to the printer device 8- (n-1) (step S72-n). Then, the printer device 8-i determines the distribution target speed value (shown in the following Expression 1), which is the sum of all the self-speed values of the printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) to the printer apparatus 8- (i + 1) or lower. .) Is transmitted (step S72- (i + 1)).

  The printer device 8-i stores a dispersion target speed value (shown in Expression 2 below) obtained by adding the own speed value ppm [i] to the dispersion target speed value included in the received start response, and also starts the response. And transmitted to the printer device 8- (i-1) (step S72-i).

  In this way, the printer device 8-1 receives the start response including the distribution target speed value expressed by the following Equation 3 from the printer device 8-2 (step 72-2).

  Next, the printer device 8-1 stores a dispersion target speed value (shown in Expression 4) obtained by adding the own speed value ppm [1] to the dispersion target speed value shown in Expression 3 included in the received start response. At the same time, it is included in the start response and transmitted to the control unit 5 (step S72-1).

When the distribution target speed value in the start response received from the printer device 8-1 is not 0, the control unit 5 transmits the print data to the printer device 8-1 (step S73-1).
The printer device 8-1 calculates the allocation amount performed by itself. Here, the case where the number of copies is not specified in the print data will be described below as an example. In the printer device 8-1, the self-assigned number of sheets is calculated from the number of printed data sheets * (ppm [1] / stored distribution target speed value shown in Expression 4). Next, the printer device 8-1 starts printing for the assigned number from the start page number of the print data. The printer 8-1 replaces the number of print pages in the print data with a value obtained by subtracting the assigned number from the number of printed pages, and replaces the start page number with a value obtained by adding the assigned number to the start page number, The print data is transmitted to the printer device 8-2 (step S73-2).

  Similarly, the printer device 8-i receives the print data transmitted from the printer device 8- (i-1) (step S73-i), and sets its own allocated number of copies to the received print data print number * ( ppm [i] / stored dispersion target speed value shown in Formula 2). Next, the printer device 8-i starts printing for the assigned number from the start page number of the print data. Further, the printer device 8-i replaces the number of print pages in the print data with a value obtained by subtracting the assigned number from the number of printed pages, and replaces the start page number with a value obtained by adding the assigned number to the start page number, The print data is transmitted to the printer device 8- (i + 1) (step S73- (i + 1)). In this way, the printer device 8-n receives the print data from the printer device 8- (n-1) (step S73-n), and starts the remaining printing based on the print data.

When the printing is completed, the printer device 8-n transmits an end notification to the printer device 8- (n-1) (step S74-n).
Similarly, when the printer device 8-i finishes printing of its own allocation and receives a completion notification transmitted from the printer device 8- (i + 1) (step S74- (i + 1)), it sends the completion notification to the printer. It transmits to the device 8- (i-1) (step S74-i).
In this way, the printer device 8-1 receives the end notification from the printer device 8-2 (step S74-2), and when the self-assignment printing is completed, transmits the end notification to the control unit 5 (step S74-2). S74-1).
Next, the control unit 5 that has received the end notification notifies the PC 2 that is the transmission source of the print data (step S75).

  According to the above-described embodiment, since printing can be distributed based on the printing speeds of a plurality of printer devices, the printer devices can be efficiently operated and printed without wasting time. Time can be shortened. According to this embodiment, printing of each printer device can be finished almost simultaneously. For this reason, the user who instructed printing can collect the necessary printed matter at once.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.
For example, in the above embodiment, a laser printer apparatus is used as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other printer apparatuses such as an ink jet printer apparatus and a thermal transfer printer apparatus may be used. Good. In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of image forming apparatuses are all laser printer apparatuses. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be all ink jet printer apparatuses. Various printer apparatuses such as laser printers and ink jet printers may be used. May be mixed.

In the above embodiment, the printing color and the paper size are used as the printing conditions. However, for example, other conditions such as the paper type, the required printing resolution, and double-sided printing may be included. Two or more conditions may be used as printing conditions, and any one of them may be used as printing conditions.
In the above embodiment, distributed print preparation processing is performed after print data is generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and distributed print preparation processing is performed in advance before print data is generated. You may do it. In this case, as printing conditions, speed values according to these conditions may be collected as a plurality of assumed conditions.

In the above embodiment, each printer device may store the image data of the print data until a notification that printing by all the printer devices is completed is received from the host device. For example, by transmitting information indicating a page that could not be printed by any of the printer apparatuses to another printer apparatus, the image data can be printed without being transmitted again.
In the above embodiment, the image data included in the print data is transmitted as it is to the lower printer device in each printer device. The image data of the assigned portion page to be printed may be removed and transmitted to the lower printer apparatus. According to this, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, when an unprintable error occurs in any of the printer apparatuses, an instruction to print the print portion assigned to the upper or lower printer apparatus is issued. May be.
In the above embodiment, the control device performs the distributed printing overall processing. However, for example, the uppermost printer device may perform the distributed printing overall processing, or the PC 2 may perform the distributed printing overall processing. May be performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, up to the lowest connected printer device is the target of the device that distributes printing (distribution target). For example, only printer devices within a predetermined hierarchy from the upper level may be the target of distribution. In this case, information indicating the hierarchy is transmitted from the upper level, and each printer device adds 1 to the hierarchy from the upper level and transmits it to the lower level printer device. In the above embodiment, the total speed value is notified to the host device. However, it is also possible to notify each printer device of the respective speed values to the host device, and the host device may use the speed values in total.
In the above embodiment, the case where the print data from the PC 2 is distributed and printed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, when printing image data captured from the scanner device 6, The present invention can also be applied when printing facsimile data received by the FAX apparatus 7.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the print data concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the printing speed database which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the distributed printing integrated process by the control unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating main processing performed by the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating distributed printing preparation processing by the printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating distributed printing processing by the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating error-related processing by the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process by the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Personal computer 3 Multifunction device 4 Network 5 Control unit 6 Scanner device 7 FAX device 8-1-8-n Printer device 10 CPU 10a Communication unit 10b Print management unit 10c Device communication unit, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 13 EEPROM, 14 input I / F unit, 15 output processing unit, 16, 17, 18, 19 Communication I / F unit, 20 key unit, 21 touch panel, 22 LCD, 23 Bus, 31 CPU, 31a Upper communication unit, 31b Lower communication unit, 31c Distributed printing management unit, 32 ROM, 33 RAM, 34 EEPROM, 35 Mechanism control unit, 36, 37 Communication I / F unit, 38 Bus, 39 Printing machine Rear part, 39a Photoconductor unit, 39b Exposure unit, 39c Transfer unit, 39d Wearing unit, 39e paper discharge unit.

Claims (13)

An image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of image formation are connected in a daisy chain format,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Self-speed information storage means for storing self-speed information relating to the image forming speed by the self-device;
A lower speed information acquisition unit that is connected to a lower side of the own apparatus and acquires lower speed information related to an image forming speed by another image forming apparatus to be distributed in image formation;
Image formation data receiving means for receiving image formation data including image data for image formation;
An image formation amount determining means for determining an image formation amount in the own apparatus in an image formation amount included in the image formation data based on the self-speed information and the lower-order speed information;
Image forming means for performing image formation of the determined image formation amount;
Image formation instructing execution of image formation by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side with respect to the remaining image formation amount that is not formed by the own apparatus among the image formation amounts included in the image formation data An image forming system having an instruction unit. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image,
Self-speed information storage means for storing self-speed information regarding the image forming speed in the self-device;
A lower speed information acquisition unit that is connected to a lower side of the own apparatus and acquires lower speed information related to an image forming speed by another image forming apparatus to be distributed in image formation;
Image formation data receiving means for receiving image formation data including image data for image formation;
An image formation amount determining means for determining an image formation amount in the own apparatus in an image formation amount included in the image formation data based on the self-speed information and the lower-order speed information;
Image forming means for performing image formation of the determined image formation amount;
Image formation instructing execution of image formation by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side with respect to the remaining image formation amount that is not formed by the own apparatus among the image formation amounts included in the image formation data An image forming apparatus having an instruction unit. 3. The lower speed information acquisition unit is connected to a lower side of the apparatus, and acquires lower speed information related to an image forming speed by a plurality of other image forming apparatuses to be distributed in image formation. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The image formation data includes image formation conditions that are conditions for image formation,
The self-speed information storage means stores the self-speed information and a plurality of image forming conditions in association with each other,
Condition receiving means for receiving the image forming conditions included in the image forming data;
An acquisition means for acquiring own speed information corresponding to the received image forming condition from the own speed information storage means;
The lower speed information acquisition means acquires lower speed information related to an image forming speed under the image forming conditions by another image forming apparatus that is connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and is an image forming distribution target,
The image formation amount determination means determines an image formation amount in the own apparatus in the image formation amount included in the image formation data based on the own speed information acquired by the acquisition means and the lower apparatus speed information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Status information storage means for storing status information of the device itself;
A state determination unit that determines whether the apparatus is in a state where image formation is possible based on the state information;
5. The image forming amount determining unit determines that the image forming amount by the apparatus itself is none when the state determining unit determines that the image forming state is not possible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Subordinate device connection means capable of connecting other devices as subordinate devices of the own device;
Request other image forming apparatuses connected to the lower apparatus connection means for the lower speed information related to the image forming speeds of other image forming apparatuses connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and to be distributed for image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a lower speed information requesting unit that performs   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lower speed information requesting unit requests the lower speed information after the image forming data is generated.   8. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein the image formation amount determination unit determines the image formation amount in units of the number of copies to be imaged or the number of images to be formed. apparatus.   Based on the lower speed information acquired by the lower speed acquisition means and the own apparatus speed information stored in the own speed storage means, image formation of all the image forming apparatuses to be distributed in image formation below the own apparatus The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a distribution target speed information transmission unit configured to transmit the distribution target speed information regarding the speed to a higher-level apparatus. The image formation data includes image formation conditions that are conditions for image formation,
The self-speed information storage means stores the self-speed information and a plurality of image forming conditions in association with each other,
Condition receiving means for receiving the image forming conditions included in the image forming data;
An acquisition means for acquiring own speed information corresponding to the received image forming condition from the own speed information storage means;
The distribution target speed information transmission means transmits the distribution target speed information to a higher-level device based on the lower speed information acquired by the lower speed acquisition means and the own speed information acquired by the acquisition means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. Status information storage means for storing status information of the device itself;
A state determination unit that determines whether the apparatus is in a state where image formation is possible based on the state information;
The distribution target speed information transmitting unit is connected to a lower side of the own apparatus and is determined by another image forming apparatus to be distributed for image formation when the image formation determining unit determines that image formation is not possible. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein lower-order speed information related to an image forming speed is transmitted to the higher-order apparatus as the distribution target speed information. Host device connection means capable of connecting other devices as host devices of the own device;
Distribution target speed information request accepting means for accepting requests for the distribution target speed information relating to the image forming speeds of all image forming apparatuses to be distributed for image formation below the self apparatus from the upper apparatus connected by the upper apparatus connecting means. Further comprising
12. The distribution target speed information transmitting unit transmits the distribution target speed information when a request is received by the distribution target speed information request receiving unit. The image forming apparatus described in the item. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image,
The image forming apparatus includes self-speed information storage means for storing self-speed information relating to the image forming speed in the self-apparatus.
A lower speed information acquisition step for acquiring lower speed information related to an image forming speed by another image forming apparatus which is connected to the lower side of the own apparatus and is a distribution target of image formation;
An image formation data receiving step for receiving image formation data including image data for image formation;
An image forming amount determining step for determining an image forming amount in the own apparatus in an image forming amount included in the image forming data based on the own speed information and the lower speed information;
An image forming step of performing image formation of the determined image formation amount;
Image formation instructing execution of image formation by another image forming apparatus connected to the lower side with respect to the remaining image formation amount that is not formed by the own apparatus among the image formation amounts included in the image formation data And an image forming method.

Images