JP2008146561A - Information processor and image forming system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of executing control so that a print job will be executed with an image forming apparatus capable of processing it at the fastest speed, and to provide an image forming system using the information processor. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor 21 is provided with a processing time prediction unit 25, a storage unit 23, and a communication unit 22. The processing time prediction unit 25 predicts a processing time for a predetermined print job for each of printers 31a to 31c. The storage unit 23 stores the processing time for each of the printers 31a to 31c. The communication unit 22 transmits an instruction for execution of the predetermined print job to a printer determined to be capable of executing the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time. Then, if the communication unit 22 has received event information from any of the printers 31a to 31c, the processing time prediction unit 25 again predicts a processing time based on the event information, and the communication unit 22 transmits an instruction for execution of the predetermined print job to a printer determined to be capable of executing the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the re-predicted processing time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and acquires various types of information from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The present invention also relates to an image forming system using this information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, in an office of a company, an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus such as a plurality of printers and a plurality of terminals are communicably connected via a network is often used. As such an image forming system, as in Patent Document 1, for example, based on queue information stored in each image forming apparatus at the time when the terminal transmits the printing speed of each image forming apparatus or a print job, There is an apparatus that selects an image forming apparatus that transmits a print job and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus.

  Also, as in Patent Document 2, when a print job cannot be executed for some reason, there is one that transfers the print job to another image forming apparatus.

In addition, as a technique relevant to these, patent document 3 and patent document 4 are mentioned.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187394 JP 2000-284935 A JP 2001-134389 A JP 2002-55795 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when an event such as an interrupt job occurs in an image forming apparatus that is determined to be able to output the fastest, the time for starting a transmitted print job is delayed. If the start time is delayed, the time for ending the print job is also delayed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when a print job is transferred to another image forming apparatus, the print job may be transferred to an image forming apparatus with a low printing speed, for example.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of instructing an image forming apparatus to execute a print job so that the print job is processed at the highest speed when connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. And Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system using this information processing apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that includes a first receiving unit that is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and that can acquire various types of information from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. And a storage means and a first transmission means. The predicting unit predicts the processing time of a predetermined print job for each image forming apparatus. The storage unit stores the processing time predicted for each image forming apparatus. The first transmission unit transmits an instruction to execute the predetermined print job to the image forming apparatus that is determined to be able to execute the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time. When the first receiving unit receives event information regarding an event that has occurred in any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the predicting unit predicts the processing time again based on the event information. At this time, the first transmission unit transmits an instruction to execute the predetermined print job to the image forming apparatus that is determined to be able to execute the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time predicted again.

  For example, when the information processing apparatus is instructed to execute a predetermined print job, the processing time of the predetermined print job is predicted and stored for each connected image forming apparatus. Next, the information processing apparatus determines an image forming apparatus that can perform the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time, and instructs the image forming apparatus to start the predetermined print job. For example, when an interrupt job is generated in the image forming apparatus or another print job is canceled in another image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus predicts the processing time again and can execute the image at the fastest speed. When the forming apparatus is determined again, a print job execution instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. In this way, the information processing apparatus can select an image forming apparatus that can process a predetermined print job at the highest speed according to the situation of each image forming apparatus. Therefore, the predetermined print job is executed by the image forming apparatus that can process the fastest.

  Further, since the information processing apparatus stores the processing time, it is possible to easily determine the image forming apparatus that can be completed at the fastest speed even when another event occurs in any image forming apparatus. it can.

  An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first receiving means receives event information from other image forming apparatuses except for the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job is transmitted. And when the other image forming apparatus is capable of executing the predetermined print job at the fastest speed, the first transmission unit transmits the predetermined print job to the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job has already been transmitted. Is sent to another image forming apparatus that can be executed at the fastest speed.

  After this information processing apparatus has already sent a predetermined print job to one of the image forming apparatuses, an event such as cancellation of another print job has occurred in another image forming apparatus, for example. Is changed so that the image forming apparatus that can be executed at the highest speed performs a predetermined print job. As described above, the information processing apparatus can perform control so that a predetermined print job is efficiently processed according to the circumstances of each image forming apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to a third aspect is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first receiving unit does not perform a predetermined print job from the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job is transmitted. When the cancellation information shown is received, the first transmission unit sends a predetermined print job to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a predetermined print job at the highest speed among other image forming apparatuses excluding the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the cancellation information. Sends an execution instruction for the print job.

  In this information processing apparatus, when an event such as a paper jam occurs in an image forming apparatus that is instructed to execute a predetermined print job, and the predetermined print job is canceled, a new image forming apparatus that can be executed at the fastest speed is newly created. Control to perform a predetermined print job. As a result, the information processing apparatus can control the predetermined print job to be efficiently processed according to the situation of each image forming apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an erasing unit. The erasing unit erases the processing time stored in the storage unit when the first receiving unit receives processing start information indicating that a predetermined print job has started.

  An information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a first display means. The first display means displays processing execution information including information about the image forming apparatus performing a predetermined print job.

  As a result, the user using the information processing apparatus can know which image forming apparatus is performing the print job instructed to be executed.

  An image forming system according to a sixth aspect includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a second receiving unit, a printing unit, and a second transmitting unit. The second receiving unit can receive an instruction to execute a predetermined print job. The printing unit can execute a predetermined print job based on an execution instruction for the predetermined print job. When an event occurs, the second transmission unit transmits event information regarding the event to the information processing apparatus.

  In this image forming system, the information processing apparatus predicts and stores the processing time of a predetermined print job for each image forming apparatus and stores the predetermined print job in the image forming apparatus that can perform the predetermined print job at the fastest speed. Instruct the start of. For example, when an event such as an interrupt job or job cancellation occurs, the image forming apparatus notifies the information processing apparatus of event information. The information processing apparatus determines again the image forming apparatus that can be executed at the fastest speed based on the event information, and transmits a predetermined print job execution instruction to the determined image forming apparatus. Thus, according to this image forming system, a predetermined print job is surely executed by the earliest image forming apparatus according to the situation of each image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention further includes at least one terminal connected to the information processing apparatus and capable of transmitting a predetermined print job start instruction to the information processing apparatus. The terminal includes second display means. The second display means displays processing execution information including information about the image forming apparatus that performs a predetermined print job.

  As a result, the user who has instructed the start of a predetermined print job through this terminal can know in which image forming apparatus the print job instructed to execute is performed.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention can select an image forming apparatus that can process a print job at the highest speed according to the situation of each image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the print job is executed by the image forming apparatus that can process the job at the fastest speed.

(1) Configuration and Outline of Image Forming System FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 1 includes a terminal 11, an information processing device 21, and printers (corresponding to image forming devices) 31a, 31b, and 31c. The terminal 11 is connected to the information processing apparatus 21 and includes a display unit 12 (corresponding to a second display unit) and an operation unit 13. The information processing apparatus 21 is connected to the printers 31a to 31c via a network, and instructs the printers 31a to 31c to execute a print job. The printers 31a to 31c can perform a print job based on a print job start instruction.

  In such an image forming system 1, when a user using the terminal 11 instructs the start of a print job via the operation unit 13 of the terminal 11, the print job start instruction is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 21. The information processing apparatus 21 selects a printer for starting the print job at the fastest speed, and transmits a print job execution instruction to the selected printer. Upon receiving a print job execution instruction, the printers 31a to 31c execute the print job.

(2) Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device 21 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus 21 includes a communication unit 22 (corresponding to a first transmission unit and a first reception unit), a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24.

  The communication unit 22 communicates with the terminal 11 and the printers 31a to 31c. For example, the communication unit 22 receives a print job start instruction from the terminal 11 and transmits an execution instruction, a stop instruction, and the like of the print job to the printers 31a to 31c. When the communication unit 22 receives the process start information indicating that the print job has started, the communication unit 22 displays process execution information indicating that the printers 31a to 31c that are the transmission source of the process start information have started the print job. Transmit to the terminal 11. Furthermore, when an event such as a failure occurs in any of the printers 31a to 31c, the communication unit 22 receives event information related to the event that has occurred.

  The storage unit 23 stores information related to the printers 31a to 31c and processing times of print jobs of the printers 31a to 31c as shown in FIG. Here, the information related to the printers 31a to 31c includes, for example, the print processing speed of each of the printers 31a to 31c, the status of reserved jobs, and the like. The processing time of the print job is predicted by a processing time prediction unit 25 (corresponding to a prediction unit) of the control unit 24 described later.

  The control unit 24 is connected to the communication unit 22 and the storage unit 23. The control unit 24 is a microcomputer including a CPU, and controls various connected devices. In particular, the control unit 24 according to the present embodiment predicts the processing time of the print job for each of the printers 31a to 31c to which the information processing apparatus 21 is connected, and the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed from the processing time. 31a to 31c are selected. When the communication unit 22 receives the event information, the processing time is predicted again based on the event information, and the printers 31a to 31c that can execute the print job at the fastest speed are selected again. In order to perform such operations, the control unit 24 functions as a processing time prediction unit 25, a determination unit 26, an erasing unit 27, and a communication control unit 28. Each function will be described below.

[Processing time prediction section]
The processing time prediction unit 25 predicts the processing time for each of the printers 31 a to 31 c to process a print job, and stores this in the storage unit 23. More specifically, the processing time prediction unit 25 includes the print processing speed of each of the printers 31a to 31c, the size of the instructed print job, and the currently reserved state for each of the printers 31a to 31c. The processing time is predicted from the size of the job.

  Further, when the communication unit 22 receives event information from any of the printers 31a to 31c, the processing time prediction unit 25 re-predicts the processing time based on the event information and overwrites the storage unit 23. For example, when event information indicating that a “paper jam” has occurred is received from the printer 31a to which a print job has already been transmitted, the processing time prediction unit 25 determines that the processing time of the printer 31a is unpredictable and stores it. The part 23 is overwritten.

(Judgment part)
The determination unit 26 determines a printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time of each of the printers 31 a to 31 c predicted by the processing time prediction unit 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the processing times of the printers 31a, 31b, and 31c are “600 sec”, “300 sec”, and “150 sec”, respectively, the determination unit 26 uses the printer 31c with the shortest processing time at the fastest speed. It is determined that the printer is executable.

  When the processing time prediction unit 25 re-estimates the processing time of each of the printers 31a to 31c, the determination unit 26 again determines the printer that can be executed at the fastest speed based on the re-predicted processing time. . For example, when the processing time of the printer 31a is re-estimated and the processing times of the printers 31a to 31c are “600 sec”, “300 sec”, and “750 sec”, respectively, the determination unit 26 selects a printer that can be executed at the fastest speed as “printer”. 31b ″.

  The result determined by the determination unit 26 is output to the communication unit 22.

[Erase part]
When the communication unit 22 receives the processing start information, the erasing unit 27 erases the processing time of each of the printers 31a to 31c stored in the storage unit 23.

(Communication control unit)
The communication control unit 28 controls the communication unit 22.

  For example, if a printer that has already been determined to be executable at the fastest speed for one print job is different from a printer that has been determined to be executable at the fastest speed after the processing time has been re-estimated, The control unit 28 transmits a print job cancel instruction to a printer that has already been determined to be executable at the fastest speed, and transmits a print job execution instruction to a printer that has been newly determined to be executable at the fastest speed. Thus, the communication unit 22 is controlled.

(3) Printer Configuration Next, the configuration of the printers 31a to 31c according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The printers 31a to 31c according to the present embodiment have the same main configuration, although the printing processing speeds are different. Therefore, in the following description of the printer configuration, the printers 31a to 31c are simply described as “printer 31”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 31 includes a communication unit 32 (corresponding to a second transmission unit and a second reception unit), an image forming unit 33 (corresponding to a printing unit), an operation panel 34 and a control unit 35.

  The communication unit 32 communicates with the connected information processing apparatus 21. For example, the communication unit 32 receives a print job execution instruction, a stop instruction, and the like from the information processing apparatus 21. In addition, when an event occurs in its own device, the communication unit 32 transmits event information regarding the generated event to the information processing device 21. Further, the communication unit 32 transmits processing start information to the information processing apparatus 21 when the image forming unit 33 starts execution of a print job. Here, events that occur in the self apparatus include cancellation of a print job for which a failure or execution instruction has been issued, cancellation of other jobs, an interrupt job, a paper jam, and the like.

  The image forming unit 33 is for forming an image on recording paper or the like based on image data, and includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, and the like.

  The operation panel 34 has operation keys and a touch panel. The operation keys have setting keys and numeric keys for various settings. The touch panel is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and can display a setting screen, information about a print job currently being performed by the apparatus itself, and the like.

  The control unit 35 is connected to the communication unit 32, the image forming unit 33, and the operation panel 34. The control unit 35 is a microcomputer including a CPU, and controls various connected devices. For example, when the communication unit 32 receives a print job execution instruction, the control unit 35 according to the present embodiment performs control to perform the print job and generates processing start information. In order to perform such operations, the control unit 35 functions as an event information generation unit 36, an image formation control unit 37, and a communication control unit 38.

  When an event occurs in the device itself, the event information generation unit 36 generates event information indicating this and outputs the event information to the communication unit 32.

  The image forming control unit 37 controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit 33. For example, when the communication unit 32 receives a print job execution instruction, the print job is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) (reserved), and the image forming unit 33 performs the print job. To control. When the communication unit 32 receives a print job cancel instruction, the image formation control unit 37 deletes the print job from the memory.

  The communication control unit 38 controls the communication unit 32. For example, when the event information generation unit 36 generates event information, the communication control unit 38 controls the communication unit 32 so that the communication unit 32 transmits the event information to the information processing apparatus 21.

(4) Series of Operation Flow Next, a series of operations of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of a series of operations of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the printers 31a to 31c are currently executing another job.

  First, when the start of printing is set by the user via the operation unit 13 of the terminal 11, the terminal 11 transmits this print job start instruction to the information processing apparatus 21 (# 1). The communication unit 22 receives this (# 2).

  The information processing apparatus 21 performs control to select a printer that can execute the received print job at the fastest speed. That is, the processing time prediction unit 25 of the control unit 24 predicts the processing time of this print job for each of the printers 31a to 31c and stores it in the storage unit 23 (# 3). The determination unit 26 determines the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed from the predicted and stored processing times of the printers 31a to 31c, and the communication control unit 28 determines the printer that can be executed at the fastest speed. The communication unit 22 is controlled so that a print job execution instruction is transmitted to the printer. Here, it is assumed that the processing times of the printers 31a to 31c are “100 sec”, “200 sec”, and “300 sec” in order, and the determination unit 26 determines that the printer that can be executed at the fastest speed is “printer 31a”. . In this case, the communication unit 22 transmits a print job execution instruction to the printer 31a (# 4). The communication unit 32 of the printer 31a receives this (# 5).

  The image formation control unit 37 in the control unit 35 of the printer 31a stores the received print job in a memory (not shown) as a reserved job. Thus, the reserved print jobs are executed when the order is reached. However, it is assumed here that a paper jam has occurred in the image forming section 33 of the printer 31a (# 6). The image formation control unit 37 cancels the print job stored in the memory, and the event information generation unit 36 generates event information indicating that a paper jam has occurred. The communication control unit 38 controls the communication unit 32 so that the event information and cancellation information indicating that the print job is not performed are transmitted to the information processing apparatus 21. Thereby, the communication unit 22 of the information processing apparatus 21 receives the event information and cancellation information from the printer 31a (# 7).

  The processing time prediction unit 25 in the control unit 24 of the information processing device 21 re-estimates the processing time of each of the printers 31 a to 31 c based on the received event information, and overwrites the storage unit 23. In this case, the processing time prediction unit 25 predicts the processing time of the printer 31 a as “unpredictable” based on the event information “paper jam” from the printer 31 a, and overwrites this in the storage unit 23. Since the processing times of the printers 31a to 31c are “unpredictable”, “200 sec”, and “300 sec” in order, the determination unit 26 reselects the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed as “printer 31b”. The communication control unit 28 controls the communication unit 22 so that a print job execution instruction is transmitted to the printer 31b (# 8). As a result, the communication unit 32 of the printer 31b receives the print job execution instruction (# 9).

  Here, it is assumed that another reserved job is canceled by the user or the like in the printer 31c (# 10). Then, the event information generation unit 36 of the printer 31 c generates event information indicating this and information about the remaining reserved job, and the communication unit 32 transmits these information to the information processing apparatus 21. To do. Here, it is assumed that there is one remaining job reserved in the printer 31c.

  When the communication unit 22 of the information processing device 21 receives the event information and information about the remaining jobs sent from the printer 31c (# 11), the processing time prediction unit 25, based on these information, each printer 31a. The processing time of ˜31c is predicted again, and the storage unit 23 is overwritten. At this time, it is assumed that the processing times of the re-predicted printers 31a to 31c are “unpredictable”, “200 sec”, and “60 sec” in order. Then, the determination unit 26 reselects the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed as “printer 31c”, and the communication control unit 28 transmits an instruction to execute the print job to the printer 31c, and issues a stop instruction to the printer 31b. The communication unit 22 is controlled so as to be transmitted (# 12).

  As a result, the communication unit 32 of the printer 31b receives a print job cancel instruction (# 13), and the image formation control unit 37 cancels the reserved print job (# 14).

  Further, the communication unit 32 of the printer 31c receives a print job start instruction (# 15), and the image forming unit 33 starts this print job after completing one reserved job. Then, the communication unit 32 of the printer 31c transmits processing start information to the information processing apparatus 21 (# 16).

  When the communication unit 22 of the information processing apparatus 21 receives the processing start information from the printer 31c (# 17), along with the processing time of each of the printers 31a to 31c, processing execution information indicating that the printer 31c is performing a print job, It transmits to the terminal 11 (# 18). When the terminal 11 receives this processing execution information (# 19), the display unit 12 displays it as shown in FIG. 6 (# 20).

  Note that the erasing unit 27 of the information processing apparatus 21 erases the processing time of each of the printers 31 a to 31 c stored in the storage unit 23.

(5) Effects In this image forming system 1, the information processing apparatus 21 predicts and stores the print job processing time for each of the printers 31a to 31c, and stores the print job in the printers 31a to 31c that can perform the print job at the fastest speed. Send print job execution instructions. For example, when an event such as an interrupt job occurs, the printers 31 a to 31 c notify the information processing apparatus 21 of event information. Based on this event information, the information processing apparatus 21 determines again the printer that can be executed at the fastest speed, and transmits a print job execution instruction to the determined printer. In this manner, the information processing apparatus 21 can select a printer that can execute and complete a print job earliest according to the situation of each printer 31a to 31c. Therefore, a predetermined print job is executed by a printer that can reliably process at the highest speed.

  Even if another event occurs in any of the printers 31a to 31c, the information processing apparatus 21 re-estimates the latest processing time and easily determines the printer that can complete the print job at the fastest speed. It can be done again.

  Also, when an event such as cancellation of another print job occurs in the printer itself that has received the print job execution instruction, or when an event occurs in another printer other than the printer that has received the print job execution instruction. When the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed changes, the information processing apparatus 21 controls the printer that can execute the print job at the fastest speed to perform the print job. As described above, the information processing apparatus 21 can control the print job to be processed efficiently according to the situation of each printer 31a to 31c.

  Further, the terminal 11 displays processing execution information for a printer that is executing a print job. As a result, the user who has instructed execution of a print job through the terminal 11 can know which printer is performing the print job instructed to execute.

<Other embodiments>
(A) In the above embodiment, the processing time predicted for each of the printers 31a to 31c may be always displayed on the display unit 12 of the terminal 11 from the predicted time as shown in FIG. Further, the processing time information of each of the printers 31a to 31c may be displayed so that the user can select a favorite printer 31a to 31c based on the processing time. Such an information processing apparatus 21 automatically transmits a stop instruction to a printer that has already transmitted a print job execution instruction when information on the processing time of a predetermined printer is selected from the display unit 12. A new print job execution instruction is transmitted to the predetermined printer selected by the user. Thus, the present invention can also be applied when the user selects a printer for which a print job is to be executed in consideration of the distance to the printer. Therefore, user convenience is further improved.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the process execution information is displayed on the display unit 12 of the terminal 11. However, the process execution information may be displayed on a screen other than the display unit 12 of the terminal 11. For example, when the information processing apparatus has a display panel, an operation unit, and the like, and the user directly instructs the start of a print job from the information processing apparatus without going through the terminal 11 or the like, the process execution information is Displayed on the display panel. As a result, a user who uses the information processing apparatus can know which printer is performing the print job.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the case where there is one terminal 11 has been described as an example. However, the number of terminals connected to the information processing apparatus is not one, but a plurality of terminals may be used.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to an apparatus that is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a multifunction peripheral, such as a server. The image forming system of the present invention can be applied to a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and information processing apparatuses are connected so as to be communicable.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the concept of the processing time of each printer which the memory | storage part has memorize | stored. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of operations of each device of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The example of a display of the process execution information displayed on the display part of the terminal. The example of a display of the processing time displayed on the terminal of other Embodiment A.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 11 Terminal 12 Display part 13 Operation part 21 Information processing apparatus 22 Communication part 23 Storage part 24 Control part 25 Processing time prediction part 26 Judgment part 27 Erasing part 28 Communication control part 31a, 31b, 31c Printer 32 Communication part 33 Image formation unit 35 Control unit 36 Event information generation unit 37 Image formation control unit 38 Communication control unit

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus including a first receiving unit connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and capable of acquiring various types of information from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
Predicting means for predicting the processing time of a predetermined print job for each image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing the processing time predicted for each image forming apparatus;
First transmission means for transmitting an instruction to execute the predetermined print job to an image forming apparatus that is determined to be able to execute the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time;
When the first receiving unit receives event information related to an event that has occurred in any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the prediction unit predicts the processing time again based on the event information,
The first transmission unit transmits an instruction to execute the predetermined print job to an image forming apparatus that is determined to be able to execute the predetermined print job at the fastest speed based on the processing time predicted again. Information processing device.   When the first receiving unit receives the event information from other image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job is transmitted, and the other image forming apparatus receives the predetermined When the print job can be executed at the fastest speed, the first transmission unit transmits the stop instruction for the predetermined print job to the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job has already been transmitted, and at the fastest speed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to execute the predetermined print job is transmitted to the other executable image forming apparatus.   When the first receiving unit receives cancellation information indicating that the predetermined print job is not performed from the image forming apparatus to which the execution instruction for the predetermined print job has been transmitted, the first transmission unit The execution instruction for the predetermined print job is transmitted to an image forming apparatus capable of executing the predetermined print job at the fastest speed among other image forming apparatuses excluding the image forming apparatus that is an information transmission source. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an erasing unit that erases the processing time stored in the storage unit when the first receiving unit receives processing start information indicating that the predetermined print job has started. 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 3.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first display means for displaying processing execution information including information about the image forming apparatus performing the predetermined print job. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A second receiving unit capable of receiving an execution instruction for a predetermined print job; a printing unit capable of executing the predetermined print job based on the execution instruction for the predetermined print job; A second transmission unit configured to transmit event information to the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system. And at least one terminal connected to the information processing apparatus and capable of transmitting an instruction to start the predetermined print job to the information processing apparatus;
The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the terminal includes a second display unit that displays processing execution information including information about the image forming apparatus that performs the predetermined print job.

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