JP2009018499A - Image forming device, distributed printing system, distributed printing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, a distributed printing system, a distributed printing method, a program, and a recording medium for realizing efficient distributed printing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device 10 of the present invention is connected with a network and controls distributed printing. The image forming device comprises a receiving means 202 to receive printing demand including identification information for specifying print content data of a printing object, an acquiring means 204 to acquire the print content data specified by the identification information via a network, and an issuing means 208 to determine at least one different image forming device 12 which can communicate with the image forming device and to issue a printing instruction for instructing execution of at least a part of requested print output job and the identification information included in the received printing request to the different image forming device 12 which is determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing technique, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, a distributed printing system, a distributed printing method, a program, and a recording medium for realizing efficient distributed printing.

  In recent years, network printing systems that connect multiple printers to a network and print output from a client computer to an arbitrary printer have become widespread as networking of digital multifunction devices and laser printers and the network infrastructure have become broadband. is doing. There has also been proposed a distributed printing system that uses a dedicated server to distribute print output processing requested by a client to a plurality of printers connected to a network and output them in parallel.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-256089 (Patent Document 1) is a simple system in which a print job transmitted via a network is connected to the network for the purpose of realizing efficient distributed printing. Disclosed is a distributed printing control apparatus that can be distributed to one or more distribution destination printing apparatuses that are distribution destinations among a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  In addition to conventional push-type printing in which data including print contents is transmitted from a client to a printer together with a print request and the printer prints, in recent years, not the print contents data but the data position on the network is indicated. So-called pull-type printing has also been proposed in which a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address or the like is transmitted to a printer together with a print request, and the printer side accesses a resource indicated by the URL address to download data necessary for print output.

In relation to pull-type printing, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-69224 (Patent Document 2) is directly connected to a network based on TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol, and HTML (Hyper -Text
An Internet print system is disclosed in which a Markup Language) file is specified and acquired by a URL which is one of access information, and is printed out. In addition, there exists Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-264440 (patent document 3) regarding pull type | mold printing.
JP 2006-256089 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-69224 JP 2002-264440 A

  However, in the above-described conventional distributed printing mechanism, many of the network resources and processing capability of the apparatus that is the distribution source have to be allocated for distributed printing, which is not sufficient from the viewpoint of load distribution. Further, in the above-described conventional technology, since print job data must be transmitted to a plurality of distribution destinations, network traffic between apparatuses is increased, which is not sufficient from the viewpoint of efficiency. In particular, when performing distributed printing, it is necessary to transmit print content data to each distribution destination device. Therefore, as the number of distribution destinations increases, the transmission load on the distribution source device that controls distributed printing increases. It will increase. Against this background, development of a distributed printing system that realizes low-cost and more efficient distributed printing has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and optimizes the transmission path of print content data necessary for print output and controls network traffic in the vicinity of an image forming apparatus serving as a distribution source for controlling distributed printing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a distributed printing system, a distributed printing method, a program, and a recording medium that can eliminate congestion and efficiently execute distributed printing.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a receiving unit that receives a print request including identification information for specifying print content data to be printed, and print content data specified by the identification information are transmitted via a network. Determining at least one other image forming apparatus communicable with the image forming apparatus, and obtaining at least a part of the requested print output processing for the determined other image forming apparatus. A configuration is provided that includes issuing means for issuing a print command for instructing execution of processing together with identification information included in the received print request.

  The issuing means of the present invention issues a print command including identification information included in the received print request, instead of sending the print content data acquired from the network together with the print command to the image forming apparatus at the distribution destination. Then, the other image forming apparatus as the distribution destination is caused to execute processing. Therefore, the print content data necessary on the other image forming apparatus side of the distribution destination is acquired without the need to transmit / receive the print content data between the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus of the distribution destination. The Rukoto. As a result, network traffic in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus can be suitably reduced, and even if the distribution destination increases, it is preferable to prevent the load from being concentrated on the image forming apparatus.

  For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address can be adopted as the identification information, and the print content data can be acquired by accessing the network location indicated by the URL address. Further, when determining another image forming apparatus for distribution, for example, designation of a distribution destination apparatus that has been set and registered in advance, or the presence, function, and operation state of the image forming apparatus connected to the network Can be referred to.

That is, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus that is connected to a network and controls distributed printing, the image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving a print request including identification information for specifying print content data to be printed;
Acquisition means for acquiring the print content data specified by the identification information via the network;
At least one other image forming apparatus communicable with the image forming apparatus is determined, and the determined other image forming apparatus is instructed to execute at least a part of the requested print output process. An image forming apparatus is provided that includes an issuing unit that issues a print command together with the identification information included in the received print request.

  The image forming apparatus distributes the requested print output process to the process assigned to be executed by the image forming apparatus and the at least some process assigned to be executed by the other image forming apparatus. And print execution means for executing the processing assigned to the image forming apparatus using the acquired print content data.

  The distribution unit detects a designated print quantity from the received print request and distributes the print according to the designated print quantity, and the issuing unit does not wait for completion of acquisition of the print content data by the acquisition unit. The print command for the distributed processing can be issued to the other image forming apparatus. The distribution unit detects a specified print quantity from the print content data acquired by the acquisition unit and distributes the print according to the specified print quantity, and the issuing unit performs the acquisition by the acquisition unit. The print command for the distributed processing can be issued to the other image forming apparatus without waiting for completion of acquisition of all print content data.

  If the determined other image forming apparatus determines that the determined other image forming apparatus does not have a function of acquiring print content data from identification information and printing it out, a print command including the acquired print content data Can be issued. The image forming apparatus may further include a log recording unit that records information about the other image forming apparatus and the issued print command when the print command is issued to the other image forming apparatus. Further, the distribution means can distribute in units of print copies or print pages. The received print request may include information on the number of print copies and / or the number of print pages of the requested print output process.

  According to the invention, the image forming apparatus described above, at least one other image forming apparatus communicable with the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus connected via a network, the image forming apparatus and There is provided a distributed printing system including a server device that stores print content data used for printing by the other image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
A distributed printing method for controlling distributed printing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving a print request including identification information for specifying print content data to be printed;
Obtaining the print content data specified by the identification information via a network;
Determining at least one other image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus;
Issuing a print command for instructing execution of at least a part of the requested print output process to the determined other image forming apparatus together with the identification information included in the received print request; A distributed printing method is provided.

  In the distributed printing method, the image forming apparatus further assigns the requested print output process to be executed by the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus to execute. A step of distributing at least a part of the processing and a step of executing the processing assigned to the image forming apparatus using the acquired print content data can be executed.

  Furthermore, in the distributed printing method, the image forming apparatus further executes a step of determining whether or not the determined other image forming apparatus has a function of acquiring print content data from the identification information and printing it out. In the issuing step, a print command including the acquired print content data can be issued to the other image forming apparatus determined not to have the function.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus executable program for causing an image forming apparatus to function as each of the above-described means. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus executable program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute each step of the above method. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a device-readable recording medium in which the above program is recorded is provided.

  Hereinafter, although embodiment of this invention is described, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus, an example in which a multifunction machine 10 having a complex function for handling images such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a print will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a distributed printing system. The distributed printing system 100 shown in the figure is referred to as a network 20, multifunction devices 10 and 12, a laser printer 14, and a client personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a client PC) that issues a print request to the multifunction device 10. ) 16 and a server 18 having a storage 18a for storing print content data used for print output processing. These devices are connected via a network 20 to realize, for example, a local area network (hereinafter referred to as a LAN) based on Ethernet (registered trademark) and TCP / IP protocol. The network 20 can include a public network such as the Internet, and the server 18 and the multifunction peripherals 10 and 12 may be connected via the Internet.

  The server 18 is installed with an execution environment such as Web server software such as IIS and Apache, and an HTTP (Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol) server process is operating. When the server 18 stores print content data to be used for printout in the storage 18a and receives a message including a data acquisition request, the server 18 responds with a message including the requested data. Note that the print content data stored in the server 18 and used for printing can be print control data described in a print control language.

  In this embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 constitutes a distribution source device that controls distributed printing, receives a print request from the client PC 16, and executes at least a part of the requested print output process. Are assigned to other devices. The multifunction machine 10 has a function of executing so-called pull-type printing, receives a print request including a URL address, specifies a network position of print content data to be printed, and acquires print content data. Further, when the distribution destination device has a function of executing pull-type printing, the multifunction machine 10 distributes a part of the requested processing by issuing a print command including a URL address to the distribution destination device. It is executed on the destination device side. Here, the pull-type printing refers to a printing mode in which identification information for specifying data to be printed is acquired to acquire necessary data on the apparatus side and perform printout.

  The multifunction machine 12 of this embodiment constitutes a distribution destination apparatus that executes print output processing allocated from the multifunction machine 10 serving as a distribution source. The multifunction machine 12 has a function of executing pull-type printing, acquires print content data to be printed using the URL address included in the print command from the multifunction machine 10, and executes the assigned printing process. . In this embodiment, the server 18 and the multifunction peripherals 10 and 12 exchange data according to the HTTP protocol. However, the data exchange method between the devices is not particularly limited, and in other embodiments, it is possible to use FTP (file transfer protocol), a SOAP web service using a structured language such as XML, or a unique protocol. It can also be done.

  Further, the distributed printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured to be assignable to a plurality of distribution destination image forming apparatuses. The multifunction machine 10 can also allocate a part of the requested print output processing to the laser printer 14, for example, and the distribution source multifunction machine 10, the distribution destination multifunction machine 12, and the laser printer 14 Control can be performed in parallel. Note that the laser printer 14 of the present embodiment is configured not to have a function of executing pull-type printing, and when the multifunction device 10 issues a print command to the laser printer 14, it is not a URL address but a network 20 The print content data acquired via the is transferred, and the process is executed by push-type printing. Here, push-type printing refers to a printing mode in which data is to be printed and output to the apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 10 will be described. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 10. The multi-function device 10 of this embodiment includes a controller 32, an operation panel 62, an FCU (facsimile control unit) 64, a scanner engine 66, and a plotter engine 68. The controller 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 34, an NB (North Bridge) 38, an ASIC 40 connected to the CPU 34 via the NB 38, and a system memory 36. The ASIC 40 executes various types of image processing and is connected to the NB 38 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) 60. The system memory 36 is used as a drawing memory or the like.

  The ASIC 40 is connected to a local memory 42, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 44, and a non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as NV-RAM) 46 such as a flash memory. The HDD 44 is a storage device that accumulates image data and the like, and also stores a log table to be described later. The NV-RAM 46 stores a program for controlling the multifunction machine 10, various system information, and various setting information. In the present embodiment, the NV-RAM 46 also stores a distribution destination device information table to be described later.

  The controller 32 further includes an SB (South Bridge) 48, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 50, an SD card slot 52, a USB interface 54, an IEEE 1394 interface 56, and a Centronics interface 58. These are connected to the NB 38 via the PCI bus 70. The NIC 50 is an interface device that connects the MFP 10 to a network 20 such as the Internet or a LAN, and accepts a print request or the like via the network 20. The USB interface 54, the IEEE 1394 interface 56, and the Centronics interface 58 are interfaces conforming to the respective standards, and can accept print requests and the like. In the embodiment described below, a case where a print request is received via the network 20 using the NIC 50 as an interface will be described as an example. However, a print request is sent using the USB interface 54, the IEEE 1394 interface 56, or the Centronics interface 58. May be accepted.

  The operation panel 62 is connected to the ASIC 40 of the controller 32, and provides a user interface for receiving input of various instructions from the operator and displaying the screen. The FCU 64, the scanner engine 66 and the plotter engine 68 are connected to the ASIC 40 via the PCI bus 72. The scanner engine 66 receives the scan command issued by the application and executes image reading processing. The plotter engine 68 receives a print command issued by the application, and executes an image forming process using, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  The multi function device 10 reads a program (not shown) stored in a storage device such as a ROM (not shown), HDD 44, NV-RAM 46, SD card (not shown), and provides a working memory area for the CPU 34. Each function means and each process to be described later are realized in an appropriate operating system by expanding the system memory 36 and the local memory 42. Note that the image forming apparatuses such as the multifunction machine 12 and the laser printer 14 shown in FIG. 1 can have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 and are not particularly limited. The information processing apparatus such as the server 18 or the client PC 16 includes a CPU, a memory that provides a working memory area of the CPU, a ROM or HDD that stores a control program, and other input / output devices. There is no particular limitation.

  Hereinafter, distributed printing control in the distributed printing system 100 will be described. In the following description, in the distributed printing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, a case where the multifunction device 10 operates as a distribution source device and the multifunction device 12 operates as a distribution destination device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a functional configuration related to distributed printing. FIG. 3 shows a client PC 16, a multifunction machine 10 that controls distributed printing of print output processing requested by the client PC 16, a multifunction machine 12 that operates as a distribution destination apparatus, and a server 18 that stores print content data. It is shown. The client PC 16 browses the print content data on the server 18 and prints the application 254 for instructing to print the print content data, and the print settings that are user interfaces for performing various print settings including designation of the number of copies to be printed. In response to a print instruction from the unit 256 and the application 254, a TCP between the MFP 10 and the print driver 252 that issues a print request including a URL address of data to be printed and various print settings to the MFP 10 A communication unit 250 that controls network communication according to the / IP protocol. The application 254 can be, for example, a browser application. Alternatively, the print setting unit 256 can be used to set whether to permit output by distributed printing on the image forming apparatus side.

  The MFP 10 includes a communication unit 200 that controls communication with the client PC 16, the MFP 12, and the server 18 in accordance with the TCP / IP protocol, and a print request reception unit 202 that receives and interprets print requests from the client PC 16. The HTTP client 204 that accesses the URL address included in the received print request and acquires the print content data, and the data analysis unit 206 that analyzes the acquired print content data are configured to have a pull-type print function. It is configured.

  Further, the multifunction machine 10 prints according to the distribution result by the distribution destination determination unit 212 that determines the distribution destination, the allocation number calculation unit 216 that calculates the amount of processing to be allocated to the own device and the distribution destination, and the allocation number calculation unit 216. A print command issuing unit 208 for issuing a command, a data editing unit 214 for editing the acquired print content data in order to perform print output with the number of print copies allocated to the own machine, and an edited or unedited print content And a print execution unit 218 that causes the plotter engine 68 to execute print output according to the data.

  The amount of processing allocated to each device can be distributed, for example, in units of the number of print copies, and can be obtained by the print request receiving unit 202 extracting from the print request or the data analyzing unit 206 extracting from the print content data. Distribution can be made according to the number of copies specified. In another embodiment, distribution can be performed in units of the number of printed pages, and distribution can be performed according to the total number of printed pages obtained by multiplying the designated number of printed copies by the number of printed pages per copy. It is not particularly limited. When distributing in units of the number of print pages, information on the number of print pages can be extracted from the print request and the print content data in the same manner. In addition, the distribution ratio for each device can be substantially equally divided, but is not particularly limited. In other embodiments, a distribution ratio set and registered in advance can be used. The allocation number calculation unit 216 distributes so that the sum of the processing amount allocated to each device matches the processing amount requested from the client PC 16.

  The multi-function device 10 may further include a distribution destination checking unit 210 and a log recording unit 220 that records a log related to distributed printing. The distribution destination investigation unit 210 investigates the existence, function, and operation state of an image forming apparatus that can communicate on the network 20. Information on the presence of other devices, their functions, and their operating states can be obtained by, for example, automatically searching the device configuration on the network 20 in a predetermined subnet mask or IP address range using the SNMP protocol and The information can be obtained by inquiring the object information) corresponding to the motion state. The distribution destination determination unit 212 determines a device that has been set and registered in advance via the operation panel 62 or the like as a distribution destination image forming device, or among the communicable devices detected by the distribution destination check unit 210. Therefore, the image forming apparatus to which the image is distributed is determined according to the presence / absence of the pull type printing function, the operation state, and other functions of the apparatus and the required functions (for example, post-processing functions such as a staple function and a punch function). Can be. The log information recorded by the log recording unit 220 will be described later.

  3 includes a communication unit 230 that controls communication according to the TCP / IP protocol with the multifunction device 10 and the server 18, and a print command reception unit that receives and interprets a print command from the multifunction device 10. 232 and an HTTP client 234 that accesses the URL address included in the received print request and obtains print content data, and is configured to have a pull-type print function as in the case of the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction machine 12 also includes a print execution unit 236 that executes print output in accordance with the received print command and the acquired print content data, and is equivalent to the number of print copies included in the print command from the distribution source multifunction machine 10. Print output is executed, and the processing result is notified to the multifunction machine 10.

  The server 18 includes a communication unit 240 that controls communication according to the TCP / IP protocol with the MFPs 10 and 12 and the client PC 16, an HTTP server 242 that controls communication with the HTTP client of the communication partner, and a storage 18a. The server 18 of this embodiment receives a request message including a print content data acquisition request from the multifunction peripherals 10 and 12, and returns a response message including a file corresponding to the requested URL address. Further, the server 18 receives a request message including an acquisition request from the client PC 16, and returns a response message including the requested data.

  Hereinafter, the distributed printing control will be described more specifically with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of distributed printing control executed by the multifunction machine 10 of this embodiment. The control shown in FIG. 4 is started from step S100. In step S101, a pull-type print request including a URL address is received from the client PC 16. The print request from the client PC 16 can include a URL address, the number of copies, and other print settings. In step S102, the URL address included in the received print request is accessed, and download of print content data is started.

  As described above, the designation of the number of copies may be included in the print request or may be included in the print content data. In step S103, first, whether or not the number of copies is specified in the print request. Determine. If it is determined in step S103 that the number of copies is specified in the print request (YES), the control is branched to step S104.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the number of copies to be printed is not specified in the print request (NO), the control is branched to step S114. In step S114, the number of copies to be printed is specified from the already downloaded data. Whether or not is detected is determined. If it is determined in step S114 that designation of the number of copies has been detected (YES), the control is branched to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the designation of the number of copies has not yet been detected from the downloaded data (NO), the process branches to step S115. In step S115, it is determined whether or not all portions of the print content data that will be described in the number of prints have been downloaded. If it is determined that they have not yet been downloaded (NO), control is performed. Loop to S114. Note that in print content data described in a printer control language or the like, information such as designation of the number of copies is generally included in a predetermined range such as a header portion. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in steps S114 and S115. Control.

  After acquiring the designation of the number of copies to be printed, in step S104, a device that has been set and registered in advance is determined as a distribution destination image forming device. Subsequently, in step S105, in accordance with the designation of the requested number of copies to be printed, the multifunction device 10 and the multifunction device 12 that is the distribution destination distribute the print copies so that they are substantially equally divided, and the process proceeds to steps S106 and S109. Advance control.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not all the print content data has been downloaded, and control is looped and waits until the download is completed (during NO). If it is determined in step S106 that all of the print content data has been downloaded (YES), the control is branched to step S107. In step S107, the print content data is edited to change the number of copies in order to execute the print output of the number of print copies to be processed, which is assigned to the own machine. In step S108, the edited print content data is changed. The data is delivered to the print execution unit 218, and the process ends in step S117.

  The control from step S109 to step S113 is a process that can be executed in parallel with the control from step S106 to step S108 that defines the print output process in the own machine, and is for issuing a print command to the image forming apparatus at the distribution destination. Specify the control. In step S109, it is first determined whether or not the image forming apparatus that is the distribution destination has a pull type printing function. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus has a pull type printing function (YES), the control is branched to step S110. In step S110, since the image forming apparatus of the distribution destination has a pull type printing function by specifying the URL address, a pull type printing command including the designation of the number of distributed copies and the URL address of the print content data is issued to the distribution destination apparatus. Issue. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the distribution destination does not have a pull-type printing function (NO), the control is branched to step S111.

  In step S111, it is determined whether or not all the print content data has been downloaded, and the process waits until the download is completed (during NO). If it is determined in step S111 that the download of all the print content data has been completed (YES), the control branches to step S112, and the download is performed in order to execute the print output with the number of print copies allocated to the distribution destination. In step S113, a print command with the edited print content data attached is issued to the distribution destination image forming apparatus, and the process ends in step S117.

  Returning now to step S115, if it is determined in step S115 that all the portions for which the number of print copies will be described have been downloaded (YES), the process branches to step S116. In step S116, it is determined whether or not all the print content data has been downloaded, and control is looped and waits until the download is completed (during NO). If it is determined in step S116 that the download has been completed (YES), the process branches to step S108. In this case, since the designation of the number of copies to be used for distribution cannot be obtained, the acquisition is performed. The printed content data is transferred to the print execution unit 218 as it is, and all requested print output processes are executed in the own machine without being distributed.

  In the above-described control, in step S106, step S111, and step S116, it is referred to as control for waiting for completion of downloading of all the print content data and then branching to the subsequent step. However, downloading is not performed without waiting for completion of download. It is also possible to control to advance to the next processing sequentially from the completed data.

  Hereinafter, in order to make it easier to understand the distributed printing control of the present embodiment, a data flow between apparatuses in distributed printing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a data flow in the distributed printing system 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the client PC 16, the storage 18 a of the server 18, the multifunction device 10, the multifunction device 12, and the laser printer 14. The client PC 16 issues a pull-type print request including the URL address to the distribution source multifunction device 10, and the multifunction device 10 identifies the network location of the print content data from the obtained URL address, and stores the storage in the server 18. Print content data D is acquired from 18a.

  When the MFP 10 distributes the print output processing requested by the client PC 16 to other image forming apparatuses, the MFP 10 can perform pull type printing including a URL if the MFP 12 capable of pull type printing is used as the distribution destination. Issue a directive. In this case, the MFP 12 that has received the command specifies that the print content data is stored on the storage 18a of the server 18 from the obtained URL address, and the print content data D is stored from the storage 18a of the server 18. , And print output is executed in accordance with the received print command and print content data D. On the other hand, when the laser printer 14 that cannot perform pull-type printing is used as the distribution destination, a push-type print instruction is issued to attach the print content data D + obtained by editing the acquired print content data D for the distribution destination, and the laser The printer 14 executes print output according to the received print content data.

  As described above, the multifunction device 10 of the present embodiment causes the multifunction device 12 capable of pull-type printing to output by pull-type printing. For this reason, it is not necessary to send and receive print content data having a large data size between the multifunction machine 10 as the distribution source and the distribution destination multifunction machine 12 capable of pull-type printing. Network traffic congestion to the machine 10 can be suitably reduced, and the concentration of load on the multifunction machine 10 is alleviated. Therefore, the network resources and processing capacity of the multifunction machine 10 can be used for other useful services.

  In this case, the MFP 10 only needs to transmit only the URL address included in the print request from the client PC 16 to the MFP 12. Therefore, the MFP 10 does not wait for completion of acquisition of all print content data on the MFP 10 side. Thus, it is possible to issue a print command to the multi-function peripheral 12 that is the distribution destination, thereby enabling quick and efficient distributed printing.

  In addition, to an image forming apparatus that does not have a pull-type printing function, print content data acquired via the network 20 is transferred with predetermined editing and output by push-type printing. Therefore, it is possible to perform distributed printing regardless of whether the image forming apparatus on the network 20 has a pull-type printing function.

  Hereinafter, another embodiment of distributed printing control will be described. 6 and 7 show a flowchart of another embodiment of distributed printing control executed by the multifunction machine 10. 6 and 7 are connected by points indicated by A and B. The control shown in FIG. 6 is started from step S200. In step S201, a pull-type print request including a URL address is received from the client PC 16, and in step S202, the URL address included in the received print request is accessed. Then, download of the print content data is started.

  In step S203, it is determined whether or not the number of copies is specified in the print request. If it is determined that the number of copies is specified in the print request (YES), the control is branched to step S204. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the number of copies to be printed is not specified in the print request (NO), control is branched to step S218, and whether the number of copies to be printed has been detected from already downloaded data. Determine whether or not. If it is determined in step S218 that the designation of the number of copies has been detected (YES), the control is branched to step S204. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S218 that the designation of the number of copies has not been detected from the downloaded data yet (NO), the control branches to step S218, and the number of copies to be printed is described in the print content data. It is determined whether or not all the parts that would be present have been downloaded. If not yet downloaded (during NO), control is looped to step S218.

  If it is determined in step S219 that all the parts for which the number of prints will be described have been downloaded (YES), the process branches to step S220. In step S220, the acquired print content data is printed as it is. The print job is delivered to the execution unit 218, and all requested print output processes are executed without being distributed. The log indicating that distributed printing has not been performed is recorded in step S216, and the control is terminated in step S217.

  After obtaining the designation of the number of copies to be printed, in step S204, the presence, function, and operation state of the communication destination image forming apparatus that are candidates for distribution are inquired by polling or the like. In step S205, the inquiry is made. A distribution destination image forming apparatus is determined according to the result. Note that the number of image forming apparatuses to be distributed and the determination method are not particularly limited. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be added regarding the inquiry result in step S204 and the determination of the image forming apparatus as the distribution destination.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the distribution destination device information table 300 generated as the inquiry result in step S204. The distribution destination device information table 300 shown in FIG. 8 includes a field 300a for inputting a priority when determining a distribution destination, a field 300b for inputting identification information such as an IP address of the image forming apparatus, and a pull of the field 300a. It includes a field 300c in which the presence / absence of the mold printing function is input and a field 300d in which whether to execute the printing process is input. Here, whether or not the printing process can be executed is input according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus, such as whether the image forming apparatus is online or offline, and whether other print output is being performed. can do.

  The image forming apparatus detected by the automatic search and the image forming apparatus manually set and registered via the operation panel 62 are entered in the distribution destination apparatus information table 300. The distribution destination apparatus information table 300 includes step S204. It is updated by an inquiry before the distribution destination is determined at, or an inquiry periodically or when the MFP 10 is activated. When determining the distribution destination in step S205, with reference to the distribution destination apparatus information table 300, for example, an image forming apparatus that can be printed and has a predetermined rank can be determined as the image forming apparatus of the distribution destination. In addition, the image forming apparatus that is the distribution destination may be determined according to a rule defined according to a specific specification.

  Referring again to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in step S206 following step S205, the number of copies to be printed is approximately equal between the distribution destination image forming apparatus and the MFP 10 determined according to the designation of the requested number of copies to be printed. And the control proceeds to point A, that is, step S207 and step S209.

  In step S207, the print content data is edited to change the number of print copies so as to execute the print output of the number of print copies allocated to the own device. In step S208, the edited print content data is changed to the print execution unit 218. To branch to point B. Similar to the control shown in FIG. 4, the control from step S209 to step S214 is a process that can be executed in parallel with the control of step S207 and step S208 that define the print output processing in the own machine. It defines the control for issuing a print command to the image forming apparatus. In step S209, the first distribution destination image forming apparatus is targeted. In step S210, the distribution destination apparatus information table 300 is referenced to determine whether the distribution destination image forming apparatus has a pull-type printing function. To do. If it is determined in step S210 that the printer has the pull type printing function (YES), the control is branched to step S211. In step S211, a pull-type print command including designation of the number of distributed copies and the URL address of the print content data is issued to the distribution destination apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S210 that the distribution destination does not have the pull-type printing function (NO), the control is branched to step S212. In step S212, the print content data editing process and the print command issuance are performed. The process is started, and the control proceeds to step S213.

  In step S213, it is determined whether or not the processing in step S211 or step S212 has been performed for all distribution destinations. If it is determined that there are unprocessed distribution destinations (NO), control is performed. The process branches to step S214, advances the target to the next distribution destination, and repeats the control from step S210 to step S212 for each distribution destination until the processing for all the distribution destinations is completed (during NO). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S213 that the processing for all the distribution destinations has been completed (YES), the process branches to point B. Note that the editing process and the issuance process started in step S208 are entered in, for example, a waiting queue, and the process is sequentially advanced according to the progress of the download of print content data.

  When the control executed in parallel up to step S213 and step S208 is completed, the control proceeds to point B, that is, step S215 in FIG. In step S215, a response from the image forming apparatus at the distribution destination is awaited, and control is looped until responses from all the distribution destinations are received (during NO). If it is determined in step S215 that all responses have been received (YES), control is branched to step S216, log information of distributed printing is recorded, and control is terminated in step S217. In the determination in step S215, it is assumed that the print output process assigned to the image forming apparatus that has not responded has not been completed normally in response to a time-out for a predetermined time after the printing command is issued. It is also possible to control to record the effect log. The print output process assigned to the image forming apparatus that has not responded may be reassigned to another image forming apparatus.

  By using the control shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, before issuing a print command for distributed printing, the operation state and function of a device that is a distribution destination candidate are detected, and the device configuration and state of the distributed printing system 100 are changed. Accordingly, it is possible to execute distributed printing.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the log table 350 generated by the log recording in step S216. The log table 350 shown in FIG. 9 is stored in a storage area such as the HDD 44, and a field 350a for inputting a time stamp indicating the date and time when the log is recorded, and a field 350b for inputting the total number of copies requested by the client. And a field 350c to which the number of print copies normally output by the MFP 10 is input, and a field 350d to which the IP address of the distribution destination and the number of print copies normally output at the distribution destination are input. .

  By storing log information related to distributed printing as shown in FIG. 9 for a certain period, the administrator of the distributed printing system can grasp and analyze the results of distributed printing. Note that the data structure of the log table is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9, and can be configured according to a specific application or purpose.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the transmission path of print content data necessary for print output is optimized, and network traffic congestion around the image forming apparatus serving as a distribution source for controlling distributed printing is eliminated. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a distributed printing system, a distributed printing method, a program, and a recording medium that enable efficient distributed printing.

  The above-described print content data includes data described in a page description language (PDL), a printer job language (PJL), etc., data in general-purpose image formats such as JPEG, BMP, and multi-page TIFF, Any data that can be interpreted and output by the multi-function peripheral 10 can be employed, such as print RAW data used in the printer.

  The identification information for specifying the print content data is not limited to the URL address of the above-described embodiment, and may be information that can identify data to be printed and can be associated with the network address of the data. Anything can be adopted. For example, when URN (Uniform Resource Name) is adopted, an inquiry is made to a server that associates a URN name expressed by a predetermined name space with a network address to obtain a corresponding network address. Thus, the print content data can be acquired. In addition, an identification value assigned to each document by a server that centrally manages documents and the like may be adopted, and the server may be inquired using the identification value to acquire corresponding data.

  The above function can be realized by a device executable program described in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, It can be stored in a device-readable recording medium such as flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, SD memory, MO, and distributed.

  The image forming apparatus is not limited to the multifunction machine and the laser printer of the above-described embodiment, and can be configured as an apparatus such as a printing machine or an inkjet printer according to a specific application.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will conceive other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be achieved, and any aspect is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a distributed printing system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a functional configuration related to distributed printing in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of distributed printing control executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 6 is a data flow in the distributed printing system of the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart (1/2) of another embodiment of distributed printing control executed by the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart (2/2) of another embodiment of distributed printing control executed by the multifunction peripheral. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of a distribution destination apparatus information table. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the log table produced | generated by log recording.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,12 ... MFP, 14 ... Laser printer, 16 ... Client PC, 18 ... Server, 18a ... Storage, 20 ... Network, 32 ... Controller, 34 ... CPU, 36 ... System memory, 38 ... NB, 40 ... ASIC, 42 ... Local memory, 44 ... HDD, 46 ... NV-RAM, 48 ... SB, 50 ... NIC, 52 ... SD card slot, 54 ... USB interface, 56 ... IEEE 1394 interface, 58 ... Centronics interface, 60 ... AGP, 62 ... Operation panel, 64 ... FCU, 66 ... Scanner engine, 68 ... Plotter engine, 70,72 ... PCI bus, 100 ... Distributed printing system, 200 ... Communication unit, 202 ... Print request receiving unit, 204 ... HTTP Client, 206 ... Data analysis , 208 ... Print command issuing unit, 210 ... Distribution destination checking unit, 212 ... Distribution destination determination unit, 214 ... Data editing unit, 216 ... Allocation copy number calculation unit, 218 ... Print execution unit, 220 ... Log recording unit, 230 ... Communication 232: Print command receiving unit, 234 ... HTTP client, 236 ... Print execution unit, 240 ... Communication unit, 242 ... HTTP server, 250 ... Communication unit, 252 ... Print driver, 254 ... Application, 256 ... Print setting unit, 300 ... Distribution destination device information table, 350 ... Log table

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus connected to a network and controlling distributed printing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving a print request including identification information for specifying print content data to be printed;
Acquisition means for acquiring the print content data specified by the identification information via the network;
At least one other image forming apparatus communicable with the image forming apparatus is determined, and the determined other image forming apparatus is instructed to execute at least a part of the requested print output process. An image forming apparatus including: an issuing unit that issues a print command together with the identification information included in the received print request. A distribution unit that distributes the requested print output process to be executed by the image forming apparatus and at least a part of the process to be executed by the other image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print execution unit that executes the processing assigned to the image forming apparatus using the acquired print content data.   The distribution unit detects a designated print quantity from the received print request and distributes the print according to the designated print quantity, and the issuing unit does not wait for completion of acquisition of the print content data by the acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print command for distributed processing is issued to the other image forming apparatus.   The distribution unit detects a specified print quantity from the print content data acquired by the acquisition unit and distributes the print according to the specified print quantity, and the issuing unit performs the printing by the acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print command for distributed processing is issued to the other image forming apparatus without waiting for completion of acquisition of all content data.   If the determined other image forming apparatus determines that the determined other image forming apparatus does not have a function of acquiring print content data from identification information and printing it out, a print command including the acquired print content data The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The log recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: a log recording unit configured to record information regarding the other image forming apparatus and the issued print command when the print command is issued to the other image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described in the item.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit distributes in units of print copies or print pages.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received print request includes information on the number of print copies and / or the number of print pages of the requested print output process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
At least one other image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A distributed printing system comprising: a server device connected to the image forming device via a network and storing print content data used for printing by the image forming device and the other image forming device. A distributed printing method for controlling distributed printing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving a print request including identification information for specifying print content data to be printed;
Obtaining the print content data specified by the identification information via a network;
Determining at least one other image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus;
Issuing a print command for instructing execution of at least a part of the requested print output process to the determined other image forming apparatus together with the identification information included in the received print request; Execute the distributed printing method. In the distributed printing method, the image forming apparatus further includes:
Distributing, from the requested print output process, a process assigned to be executed by the image forming apparatus and at least a part of the process assigned to be executed by the other image forming apparatus;
The distributed printing method according to claim 10, further comprising: executing the process assigned to the image forming apparatus using the acquired print content data. In the distributed printing method, the image forming apparatus includes:
Further executing the step of determining whether the determined other image forming apparatus has a function of acquiring print content data from the identification information and printing it out,
In the issuing step, a print command including the acquired print content data is issued to the other image forming apparatus determined not to have the function.
The distributed printing method according to claim 10 or 11.   An apparatus-executable program for causing an image forming apparatus to function as each unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   An apparatus-executable program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute each step of the distributed printing method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.   15. A device-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 13 or 14 is recorded.

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