JP2009093223A - Data processor, image forming system and data processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system for transmitting print data to an image forming device requiring the shortest time for printing among a plurality of image forming devices. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming system, the plurality of image forming devices executing the print processing based on the received print data and a data processor transmitting the print data to the prescribed image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices are connected via a communication line. The data processor has: a determination means determining the highest-priority image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices used for print output based on element information for determining printing time of the plurality of image forming devices; and a control means transmitting the print data to be printed to the highest-priority image forming device determined by the determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a data processing program.

  There is a system in which an image supply device such as a scanner or a personal computer and a plurality of image output devices such as a printer are connected via a communication medium such as a network. In such a system, the following two processes are performed.

  As the first processing, the image supply device (scanner) stores information related to the image output device (printer) connected to the communication medium, and sets each image based on the size (data amount) of the image (print job). The image output destination is distributed in consideration of the image output end time in the image output device.

  A system described in Patent Document 1 is known as a system that performs such processing. In Patent Document 1, the image output end time of the output destination image output device to be allocated is the time when the print job is not spooled.

  As a second process, the image supply device (personal computer) adds the priority set by the user and the alternative output destination information to the output information (print job), and the output to which the additional information is added. When the information is sent to the image output device (printer) and the image output device is difficult to execute the output information printing process, the output information is assigned the priority and the alternative output destination added thereto. The information is transferred to the alternative image output device based on the information.

Note that a system described in Patent Document 2 is known as a system for performing such processing. In this patent document 2, when it is difficult for all the alternative image output devices set (selected) by the user to execute the printing process, the output information is not printed out.
JP 2000-151873 A JP 2000-259377 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of transmitting print data to an image forming apparatus that performs a printing process in a shortest time among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. .

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a data processing program capable of transmitting print data to an image forming apparatus that performs printing processing in a shortest time among a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  In order to solve the above problem, the data processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication line, and determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Determining means for determining a top-priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and directing print data to be printed to the top-priority image forming apparatus determined by the determining means. And a control means for performing control to transmit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the determination unit includes an inquiry unit that inquires the element information to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Obtaining means for obtaining a result for the inquiry to be transmitted; and priority order determining means for determining a priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the result for the inquiry obtained by the obtaining means. It is characterized by.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on received print data, and print data from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A data processing apparatus that transmits data to a predetermined image forming apparatus is connected via a communication line, and the data processing apparatus is based on element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Determining means for determining the highest priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and control for transmitting print data to be printed to the highest priority image forming apparatus determined by the determining means. And a control means for performing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the determining unit includes an inquiry unit that inquires the element information to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Obtaining means for obtaining a result for the inquiry to be transmitted; and priority order determining means for determining a priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the result for the inquiry obtained by the obtaining means. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the inquiry means sends a print speed and print data relating to a spooled print job to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The priority order determining means, based on a result of the inquiry obtained by the obtaining means and a data amount of print data relating to a print job to be requested for printing, The priority order of the image forming apparatuses is determined.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the inquiry means inquires of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about a state according to a time required to start a printing process, The priority order determining means determines the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the order of a short time required for starting the printing process based on a result of the inquiry acquired by the acquiring means; Features.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the inquiry means sends a print speed and print data data relating to a spooled print job to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Inquiry about the amount and the state according to the time required for the start of the printing process, and the priority order determination unit determines the time required for the start of the printing process from the results for the inquiry acquired by the acquiring unit. Based on the status, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined in the order of the shortest time required for starting the printing process, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the same state are spooled with the printing speed. Shortening the estimated print end time based on the amount of print data related to the print job and the amount of print data related to the print job requested for printing Determining a priority order, characterized in that.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry means inquires of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the printing speed, and the priority order determination means requests printing. When a priority mode for preferentially printing a print job is designated, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined in descending order of printing speed based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit; It is characterized by that.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the inquiry means inquires of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the occurrence frequency of a jam per preset period, The priority order determining means determines the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the order of the occurrence frequency of jam based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquiring means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects, the inquiry unit is spooled with a remaining amount of printing paper for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The priority order determining means, the remaining amount of print paper as a result of the inquiry acquired by the acquiring means is spooled as a result of the inquiry. If the number of papers corresponding to the amount of print data related to the print job being received and the number of papers corresponding to the amount of print data related to the print job requested for printing is smaller than the total value, the event concerned The image forming apparatus is excluded from print output destination candidates.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the determining means includes an inquiry means for inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about a printing speed, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An acquisition unit that acquires a result of the inquiry to be transmitted; a print end time of the print data based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed Distribution means for distributing to the plurality of image forming apparatuses or any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to be fastest, and the control means uses the print data distributed by the distribution means as an image as a distribution destination. Control is performed to transmit the data to the forming apparatus.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the third to eleventh aspects, the image forming apparatus that has received print data from the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes: When the print process cannot be executed based on the received print data due to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the print process, the next image formation using the received print data as a preset transfer destination It transfers to the apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the twelfth aspect, an image forming apparatus that receives print data transmitted from the data processing apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is the first image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus capable of executing the printing process executes the printing process based on the received print data, notifies the data processing apparatus that the printing process is executed in the image forming apparatus, and When all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses cannot execute the printing process, the last image forming apparatus notifies the data processing apparatus that all the image forming processes cannot be printed. It is characterized by.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming system according to the present invention includes a server device, a plurality of image forming devices that execute print processing based on the received print data, and data of print data requested to be printed. A data processing device that transmits data amount information indicating the amount to the server and transmits the print data to a predetermined image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices is connected via a communication line. The server device includes: a data amount information receiving unit that receives data amount information transmitted from the data processing device; and a printing speed as element information that determines the time required for printing for each of the plurality of image forming devices Inquiry means for inquiring about the print data amount related to the spooled print job, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An acquisition unit that acquires a result of the inquiry, a result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit, and data amount information received by the data amount information reception unit; Priority order determining means for determining priority order, storage means for storing priority order information indicating priorities of the plurality of image forming apparatuses determined by the priority order determining means, and priority orders from predetermined image forming apparatuses Priority order information providing means for providing priority order information stored in the storage means to the predetermined image forming apparatus in response to an information provision request, and print data in the plurality of image forming apparatuses The image forming apparatus that received the print data received due to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the print processing of the image forming apparatus. If the print processing cannot be executed based on the priority information, the server device requests the server device to provide the priority information, and the received image data is provided by priority information providing means of the server device. Is transmitted to the next image forming apparatus obtained based on the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data processing program according to the present invention described in claim 15 is based on element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A determination processing step for determining the highest-priority image forming apparatus from the computer, and a control processing step for controlling transmission of print data to be printed to the highest-priority image forming apparatus determined by the determination processing step. It is made to perform.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, based on the element information that determines the time required for printing each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the image that is subjected to the printing process in the shortest time among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A forming apparatus can be determined, and print data can be transmitted to the determined image forming apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined based on the element information for determining the time required for printing obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the priority is determined. The print output destination can be determined according to the rank.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the print output destination is determined based on the element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the shortest time among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is reached. Print data can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing process.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined based on the element information for determining the time required for printing obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the priority is determined. The print output destination can be determined according to the rank.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the print speed obtained by making an inquiry to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the data amount of the print data relating to the spooled print job, and the print request for printing in the data processing apparatus Based on the amount of print data related to the job, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be determined in ascending order of predicted print end time, and the print data can be transmitted to the highest priority image forming apparatus. .

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, based on the state corresponding to the time required to start the printing process for the print job requested for printing obtained by making an inquiry to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, The priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be determined in the order of the shortest time required for the start, and the print data can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus with the highest priority.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the print speed obtained by making an inquiry to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the amount of print data relating to the spooled print job, and the time required to start the print process are obtained. The priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined in the order of the shortest time required until the start of the printing process based on the corresponding state, and the estimated print end time for the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the same state The priority order is determined in the shortest order, and the print data can be transmitted to the highest priority image forming apparatus.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the priority mode is designated by the user, the plurality of images are arranged in descending order of the printing speed based on the printing speed obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The priority order of the forming apparatuses can be determined, and the print data can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus with the highest priority.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined in ascending order of the jam occurrence frequency based on the jam occurrence frequency obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The print data can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus having the highest priority.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, the remaining amount of printing paper obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is obtained by inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and spooled printing. If the number of sheets corresponding to the amount of print data related to the job and the number of sheets corresponding to the amount of print data related to the print job requested for printing in the data processing device is smaller than the total value, The image forming apparatus concerned can be excluded from the candidates for the print output destination, and the priority order can be determined for the other image forming apparatuses.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, based on the printing speed obtained by making an inquiry to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the data amount of the print data relating to the print job requested for printing in the data processing apparatus, the printing is performed. Data can be distributed to the plurality of image forming apparatuses or any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the print end time is the fastest.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus that has received the print data cannot execute the print process for the print data, the next image as the transfer destination set in advance is set to the print data. Printing processing can be performed in the forming apparatus.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus capable of performing the printing process of the transferred print data notifies the data processing apparatus that the printing process is executed in the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when the printing process cannot be performed in all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the last image forming apparatus notifies the data processing apparatus that the printing process is impossible in all the image forming apparatuses. The user can know the result of the processing for the print job to be printed.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus that has received the print data among the plurality of image forming apparatuses receives the print data because the image forming apparatus has an abnormality related to the printing process. When the printing process cannot be executed based on the print data, the server device is requested to provide priority information, and the received image data is obtained based on the priority information provided from the server device. The image data is transferred to the next image forming apparatus, and printing processing can be performed in the next image forming apparatus.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, an image that is subjected to printing processing in the shortest time among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Software for determining the forming apparatus and controlling the print data to be transmitted to the determined image forming apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  (Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment.

  In the image forming system 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a scanner 100 and a plurality (n) of printers 200-1 to 200 -n are connected via a communication line 300.

  The plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n correspond to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on received print data. Here, the printers 200-1 to 200-n are collectively referred to as the printer 200 except when individual printers are described.

  The scanner 100 corresponds to a data processing apparatus that transmits print data to a predetermined printer among a plurality of printers (image forming apparatuses) 200.

  Examples of the communication line 300 include a local area network (LAN), a wired communication line such as a telephone line, a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  The scanner (data processing apparatus) 100 includes a determination unit 110, a storage unit 120, an operation panel 130, a document reading unit 140, a control unit 150, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 160. These components are connected to the bus 170.

  The determination unit 110 has a function of a determination unit that determines the highest priority printer from the plurality of printers 200 based on element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of printers 200.

  The determination unit 110 includes an inquiry unit 111, an acquisition unit 112, and a priority order determination unit 113.

  The inquiry unit 111 has a function of inquiry means for inquiring element information for determining the time required for printing to each of the plurality of printers 200.

  In the first embodiment, the inquiry unit 111 makes an inquiry about the element information to each of a plurality of printers at a predetermined timing.

  In the present specification, the element information that determines the time required for printing relates to the print speed of the printer, the print job spooled in the printer at the predetermined inquiry timing (when the printer receives the inquiry). It means the amount of print data, the status of the printer, the occurrence frequency of jam per preset period, the remaining amount of print paper, and the like.

  In this specification, the amount of print data is determined by the number of print jobs (number of print jobs) and the amount of print data related to print jobs (data amount according to the number of pages). means.

  Further, in the present specification, the printer state means a state corresponding to the time required until the start of print processing for a print job requested by the printer, for example, a printable state, a light sleep state, and a deep sleep state. It is. In this case, in these printer states, the time required for starting the printing process satisfies the relationship of “time in printable state <time in light sleep state <time in deep sleep state”.

  Then, the inquiry unit 111 makes an inquiry to each printer 200 with respect to all or a part of the element information described above.

  The acquisition unit 112 has a function of an acquisition unit that acquires results for the inquiry transmitted from a plurality of printers. In addition, the acquisition unit 112 stores the result of the acquired inquiry in the storage unit 120 in response to the inquiry process performed by the inquiry unit 111 performed at each predetermined timing.

  The priority order determination unit 113 has a function of priority order determination means for determining the priority order of a plurality of printers based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit (acquisition means) 112.

  The storage unit 120 stores a print job (print data) to be printed and results (element information that determines the time required for printing) from a plurality of printers with respect to the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112 and the inquiry unit 111. In this case, the result from the printer in response to the inquiry by the inquiry unit 111 is stored for each printer.

  The storage unit 120 includes a scanner information storage area 121 that stores the number of print jobs to be allocated (print jobs to be requested) (number of print jobs) and the amount of print data (number of pages) related to the print job, A printer information storage area 122 for storing element information for determining the time required for printing, such as the printing speed and the number of print jobs currently spooled, is assigned to each printer.

  In the printer information storage area 122, the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112, that is, the time required for printing, is determined in response to the inquiry processing by the inquiry unit 111 that is performed at predetermined timings as described above. Element information is stored, and the latest element information is stored.

  The operation panel 130 operates as a user interface, and includes an instruction such as an instruction to start reading a document, an input unit 131 for inputting predetermined input information, and a display unit 132 for displaying predetermined display information. is doing. For example, the input unit 131 of the operation panel 130 includes a function button including a confirmation button (not shown), a movement button for moving the cursor in four directions, up and down, left and right, a numeric keypad, an alphabetic input key, and a document reading start. A start button for instructing is provided.

  The document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts an optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data).

  The control unit 150 has a function of a control unit that performs control to transmit print data to be printed to the highest-priority printer determined by the determination unit (determination unit) 110.

  The control unit 150 also has an image processing function such as conversion processing of image data generated by the document reading unit 140 into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer.

  Furthermore, the control unit 150 controls the entire scanner 100 in an integrated manner, and controls each component connected thereto via the bus 170.

  The communication I / F unit 160 is an interface that transmits / receives data to / from a plurality of printers 200. For example, the inquiry unit 111 transmits inquiry information to a plurality of printers, and results information on the inquiry from the printer 200. And sending a print job (print data) to a specific printer.

  In addition, the communication I / F unit 160 transmits print data to be printed to the printer as the highest priority print output destination determined by the determination unit (determination unit) 110 under the control of the control unit 150. .

  The above-described scanner 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown). When the user sets a document on the automatic document feeder and further presses the start button on the operation panel 130, for example, the document reading process is performed. Is implemented.

  In addition, the scanner 100 can store a plurality of print jobs and transmit the plurality of print jobs to a print output destination printer.

  The printer 200 (200-1 to 200-n) includes a communication I / F unit 210, a storage unit 220, a control unit 230, and a printing unit 24.

  The communication I / F unit 210 is an interface that transmits / receives data to / from the scanner 100. For example, the communication I / F unit 210 receives inquiry information and a print job (print data) from the scanner 100, and outputs result information for the inquiry to the scanner. Send to 100.

  The storage unit 220 stores element information that determines the time required for printing related to the printer (for example, the amount of print data related to a spooled print job, the state of the printer, and the frequency of occurrence of jam per preset period. , The remaining amount of printing paper, etc.)), the inquiry information received by the communication I / F unit 210 and the print job are stored. The print job is spooled in the storage unit 220.

  The control unit 230 manages element information that determines the time required for the above-described printing related to the printer, performs inquiry processing based on the inquiry information received via the communication I / F unit 210, and responds to the inquiry. The result is transmitted to the scanner 100.

  A result for this inquiry is transmitted to the scanner 100 via the communication I / F unit 210.

  In addition, the control unit 230 performs image processing on a print job (print data) received via the communication I / F unit 230 and outputs the image data after the image processing to the printing unit 230. Examples of image processing include interpretation of print data (PDL) described in a page description language, conversion to raster data, and the like.

  The printing unit 240 executes a printing process based on the image data from the control unit 230 and outputs a printed matter that is a printing result.

  In the first embodiment, in the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 inquires each of a plurality of printers about the print speed and the amount of print data related to the spooled print job.

  The priority order determination unit 113 also prioritizes a plurality of printers in ascending order of the estimated print end time based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112 and the data amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed. The order is decided.

  Next, the print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 instructs the plurality of printers 200 to print data amounts related to print jobs currently spooled, that is, the number of print jobs currently spooled, at a predetermined timing. Further, an inquiry is made about the data amount (number of pages) of the print data corresponding to the number of print jobs and the print speed (step S101).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information indicates the printing speed related to the printer and the number of print jobs currently spooled, that is, the number of print jobs (hereinafter referred to as “current spool print job number”) as a result of the inquiry. Send to.

  In the first embodiment, the current spool print job number (number of print jobs spooled) as a result of the inquiry includes the number of print jobs and the amount of print data corresponding to the number of print jobs (number of pages). ).

  Here, it is assumed that the printing speed and the current spool print job number of each printer 200 are the contents shown in FIG.

  That is, in the printer 200-1 (printer 1), the printing speed is 35 ppm (Page Per Minute), and the current number of spool print jobs is five. In the printer 200-2 (printer 2), the printing speed is 40 ppm, and the current number of spool print jobs is 10. In the printer 200-3 (printer 3), the printing speed is 26 ppm, and the current number of spool print jobs is two. In the printer 200-n (printer n), the printing speed is 20 ppm, and the current number of spool print jobs is 0.

  Since the control unit 230 of each printer 200 manages the above-described printing speed and the amount of print data (the current number of spool print jobs and the number of pages) of the printer, these pieces of information are used in response to an inquiry from the scanner 100. Reply as a result.

  In the scanner 100 that has finished step 101, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 with respect to the inquiry, the acquisition result (printing speed and current spool print job number) is received. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 120 (step S102).

  In step S102, the result (element information for determining the time required for printing) for the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112 is stored in the storage unit 120 in response to the inquiry processing by the inquiry unit 111 performed at each predetermined timing. Stored in Therefore, the latest element information related to a plurality of printers 200 is stored in the storage unit 120.

  By the way, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses, for example, a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job. Here, two print jobs (7 pages) as print request target print jobs (print jobs to be allocated in the future) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  Here, an example of the contents stored in the storage unit 120 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a scanner information storage area 121 and a printer information storage area 122 are allocated to the storage unit 120.

  The scanner information storage area 121 stores the number of print jobs to be allocated (print jobs to be printed) (number of print jobs). Here, the number of print jobs is two. In FIG. 4, 2 (7 Page) means that the data amount related to two print jobs is the data amount of print data corresponding to 7 pages.

  On the other hand, the printer information storage area 122 stores the print speed and the current spool print job count for each printer. In FIG. 4, the current spool print job number 5 (30 pages) for the printer 200-1 (printer 1) means that the amount of data related to the five print jobs is the amount of print data corresponding to 30 pages. To do.

  Similarly, the current spool print job number 10 (50 pages) for the printer 200-2 (printer 2) means that the data amount related to 10 print jobs is the data amount of print data corresponding to 50 pages. Further, the current spool print job number 2 (4 pages) for the printer 200-3 (printer 3) means that the amount of data related to two print jobs is the amount of print data corresponding to four pages. Further, the current spool print job number 0 (0 Page) for the printer 200-n (printer n) means that there is no spooled print job.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the scanner 100, the priority order determination unit 113 of the acquisition unit 112 determines whether to start printing based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 caused by pressing the start button. (Step S103) and if it is determined that printing has started, the estimated printing end time of each printer is calculated based on the storage contents of the storage unit 120. (Step S104) Based on the estimated print end time calculated for each printer, the priority order of the plurality of printers is determined in the order of the shortest estimated print end time (Step S105).

  Here, a specific example of calculation of the predicted print end time and priority determination by the priority determination unit 113 will be described.

  First, the priority order determination unit 113 calculates the print end predicted time by calculating the following equation (1).

(Equation 1)
Predicted printing end time = total number of pages / number of pages that can be processed per second

  In this mathematical formula 1, the numerator is obtained by computing the following formula 2, and the denominator is obtained by computing the following formula 3.

(Equation 2)
Total number of pages = “number of print jobs to be allocated” + “number of current spool print jobs”

(Equation 3)
Number of pages that can be processed per second = printing speed / 60 seconds

The estimated printing end time of the printer 200-1 (printer 1) is obtained.
(1) Total number of pages ruled by the printer 1 = “7 pages related to the scanner” + “30 pages related to the printer”
= 37 (Page)
(2) Number of pages processed by the printer 1 per second = 35/60 = 0.58 (Page)
(3) Predicted printing end time when the total number of pages of the printer 1 = 37 / 0.58 = 63.7≈64 (seconds)

  Similarly, when the estimated printing end time of the printers 200-2 to 200n (printers 2 to n) is calculated, the printer 2 is 85 seconds, the printer 3 is 26 seconds, and the printer n is 21 seconds.

  Incidentally, the estimated print end time of the printers 1 to n is shown in FIG.

  Next, the priority order determination unit 113 that has calculated the estimated print end time in this way, based on the estimated print end time calculated for each printer, a plurality of printers in the order of shortest estimated print end time as shown in FIG. Determine the priority.

  In the first embodiment, the printer with the shortest (less) calculated print end prediction time is regarded as the device with the highest priority, and the priority is given in the order of the shortest print end prediction time. ing.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. When the priority order of the plurality of printers is determined as described above, the control unit 150 determines the print output destination according to the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit 113 (step S106).

  Here, when determining the print output destination, the control unit 150 allocates the print request target print job to all of the plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n or to a plurality of arbitrary printers. When a print output destination is assigned from a plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n according to the above, and a print job to be printed is assigned to one printer, the highest priority printer among the above priority orders is assigned the highest priority. Allocate as a print destination.

  For example, when the printer n is assigned to one printer, the printer “n” having the priority “1” is assigned as a print output destination, so that the print job to be printed is transmitted to the printer n, and the printer n performs print processing. Will be.

  Next, the control unit 150 performs control to transmit the print job to be requested for printing to the determined print output destination printer, and causes the operation panel 130 to display the print output destination printer information. The printer information of the print output destination is notified to the user (step S107).

  For example, when a print job to be printed is assigned to one printer according to the priority order shown in FIG. 6, the printer n with the priority “first place” is assigned as a print output destination. As shown in FIG. 7, a message stating “Output from printer n” is displayed on the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130.

  If step S107 is completed, or if it is determined in step S103 that printing has not started, this process ends.

  FIG. 8 shows a hardware configuration of the image forming system 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.

  In the image forming system 1, as shown in FIG. 8, a scanner (data processing apparatus) 100 and a plurality of printers (image forming apparatuses) 200-1 to 200 -n are connected via a communication line 300.

  The scanner 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an operation panel unit 12, an image reading unit 13, a storage device 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as needed. And a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 17.

  The operation panel unit 12 functions as the operation / display unit 130 (see FIG. 1), the image reading unit 13 functions as the image reading unit 140 (see FIG. 1), and the communication I / F 17 includes the I / F unit 160 (see FIG. 1). (See FIG. 1).

  The storage device 14 fulfills a part of the function of the storage unit 120 (see FIG. 1), and stores a print job (print data) to be printed. In addition, the storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the processing handled by the scanner in the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection process (see FIG. 2). ing.

  The data processing program 14A includes at least the following processing steps (1) and (2).

  (1) A determination process for determining a top-priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on element information that determines the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  (2) A control process for controlling the print data to be printed to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus having the highest priority determined by the determination process.

  The ROM 15 stores data, parameters, and the like necessary for executing the print output destination device selection process.

  The RAM 16 fulfills a part of the function of the storage unit 120 (see FIG. 1). The RAM 16 stores the number of print jobs (print jobs to be printed) to be allocated (print job number) and print jobs. The area (scanner information storage area) that stores the amount of print data (number of pages) related to the printer, and element information that determines the time required for printing, such as the print speed and the number of print jobs currently spooled for each printer Area (printer information storage area) to be assigned.

  The RAM 16 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) read from the storage device 14, data and parameters read from the ROM 15, and the like.

  Further, the RAM 16 is a result of reading an original by the image reading unit 13, a result of photoelectric conversion corresponding to the reading result (image data), and data transmitted / received via the communication I / F 17 (for example, an image forming apparatus). A program and various data, such as transmission data (print job) to be transmitted to 200, are stored.

  The CPU 11 performs the function of the determination unit 110 (see FIG. 1) and the function of the control unit 150 (see FIG. 1). For example, the CPU 11 reads the data processing program 14A from the storage device 14 into the RAM 16 and executes the data processing program 14A, thereby performing a print output destination device selection process, and prints it to the highest priority printer (image forming apparatus) according to the priority order. Control to send a print job. The CPU 11 controls the scanner 100 as a whole.

  The printer 200 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, an operation panel 24, a communication I / F 25, and an image output device 26.

  The RAM 22 functions as the storage unit 220 (see FIG. 1), the communication I / F 25 functions as the I / F unit 210 (see FIG. 1), and the image output device 26 functions as the printing unit 240 (see FIG. 1). Fulfill.

  The ROM 23 stores data, parameters, and the like necessary for performing an image forming process (electrophotographic process).

  The operation panel unit 24 operates as a user interface, and has a display function (display unit) that displays various types of information to the user, and an operation function (reception unit) that receives a predetermined instruction.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the entire printer 200 and performs image processing (conversion of PDL data to raster data, color conversion, gradation processing, etc.) for print data (image data). Are output to the image output device.

  (Embodiment 2)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

  The configuration of this image forming system is the same as that of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the second embodiment, in the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 inquires each of a plurality of printers for a state corresponding to the time required to start the printing process at every predetermined timing.

  Further, the priority order determination unit 113 determines the priority order of the plurality of printers in the order of the short time required for starting the printing process based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112. Yes. In this case, for a plurality of printers in the same state, the estimated print end time based on the print speed, the amount of print data related to the spooled print job, and the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed The priority order is determined in ascending order.

  Next, the print output destination device selection process of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In the second embodiment, the amount of print data relating to a print job currently spooled is the number of print jobs currently spooled and the amount of print data (number of pages) corresponding to the number of print jobs. means. Further, the current spool print job number (the number of print jobs currently spooled) as a result of the inquiry includes the number of print jobs and the amount of print data corresponding to the number of print jobs (number of pages). Shall.

  These contents are also applied to the embodiments (Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4) described later.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 inquires a plurality of printers 200 about the printing speed, the state of the printer, and the amount of print data relating to the currently spooled print job at every predetermined timing ( Step S201).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information transmits the printing speed, the printer state, and the current spool print job number relating to the printer to the scanner 100 as a result of the inquiry.

  Here, it is assumed that the printing speed of each printer 200, the state of the printer, and the current number of spool print jobs are as shown in FIG.

  That is, in the printer 200-1 (printer 1) to the printer 200-n (printer n), the print speed and the current spool job number are the same as the print speed and the current spool print job number in the example shown in FIG. ing. Regarding the printer status, the printer 200-1 (printer 1) and the printer 200-2 (printer 2) are ready for printing, the printer 200-3 (printer 3) is in the deep sleep state, and the printer 200-n (printer n) is Light sleep state.

  Since the control unit 220 of each printer 200 manages the above-described printing speed of the printer, the printer state, and the current number of spool print jobs, this information is returned as a result of the inquiry from the scanner 100.

  In the scanner 100 that has finished step 201, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 with respect to the inquiry, the inquiry result (printing speed, printer state, and current spool printing). The number of jobs) is stored in the storage unit 120 (step S202).

  By the way, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses, for example, a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job. Here, two print jobs (7 pages) as print request target print jobs (print jobs to be allocated in the future) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  Here, an example of the storage contents of the storage unit 120 is shown in FIG. The stored contents shown in FIG. 11 are stored contents in which the printer status is added for each printer in the example shown in FIG.

  The printer information storage area 122 corresponds to the print diprinter 200-1 (printer 1), the printer 200-2 (printer 2), the printer 200-3 (printer 3), and the printer 200-2 (printer n). The print state, print state, deep sleep, and light sleep are stored.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the scanner 100, the priority order determination unit 113 of the acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not to start printing (whether or not to start reading a document) based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 resulting from the pressing of the start button. Is determined (step S203).

  If the priority order determination unit 113 determines that printing is started in step S203, the priority order determination unit 113 executes based on the number of print job jobs to be allocated, the print speed, and the current spool print job number in the storage content of the storage unit 120. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the estimated print end time (see FIG. 5) of each printer is calculated (step S204), and the status of each printer is referred to in the storage contents of the storage unit 120 (step S205). ), “Printable”, “light sleep”, and “deep sleep” are determined in order of priority (step S206).

  Next, the priority order determination unit 113 determines whether there are printers in the same state (step S207). If there are a plurality of printers in the same state, the printing end for each printer calculated in step S204 is completed. Based on the estimated time, the priority order of the plurality of printers is determined in the order of shortest estimated print end time (step S208).

  If there are not a plurality of printers in the same state in step S207, the priority order determined in step S206 is adopted.

  Here, the determination of the priority order will be described with a specific example.

  For example, when the priority order of the printers is determined based on the printer status stored in the storage unit 120 shown in FIG. 11, the printer 1 and the printer 2 in the printable state are in the same order and the write sleep order is the next order. The printer n in the state becomes the printer 3 in the deep sleep state in the next order.

  For the printer 1 and the printer 2 in the same order in the printable state, the estimated print end time is calculated in the same manner as described above based on the print speed of the storage content of the storage unit 120 shown in FIG. Then, the estimated print end time of the printer 1 is 64 seconds, and the estimated print end time of the printer 2 is 85 seconds. Therefore, the priority order of the printer 1 and the printer 2 is set.

  Accordingly, the priority order of the printers determined based on the storage contents of the storage unit 120 shown in FIG. 11 is the contents shown in FIG. That is, priority is given to the arrangement order of the printer 1, the printer 2, the printer n, and the printer 3.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. When the priority order of the plurality of printers is determined as described above, the control unit 150 determines the print output destination according to the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit 113 (step S209), and prints the print request target. Control is performed to transmit the job to the determined print output destination printer, and the printer information of the print output destination is displayed on the operation panel 130 to notify the user of the print output destination printer (step). S210).

  Here, when determining the print output destination, the control unit 150 allocates the print request target print job to all of the plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n or to a plurality of arbitrary printers. When a print output destination is assigned from a plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n according to the above, and a print job to be printed is assigned to one printer, the highest-order printer in the above priority order is printed out. Allocate as a destination.

  For example, when a print job to be printed is assigned to one printer in accordance with the priority order shown in FIG. 12, the printer 1 with the priority order “1st” is assigned as a print output destination. The data is transmitted to the printer 1 and is printed by the printer 1. Then, under the control of the control unit 150, a message “output from the printer 1” is displayed on the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 as shown in FIG. 13.

  If it is determined in step S207 that there is no printer in the same state, the process proceeds to step S209. If it is determined in step S203 that printing is not started, the process ends when step S210 is ended.

  By the way, the hardware configuration of the image forming system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the process in charge of the scanner in the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection process (see FIG. 9). ing.

  (Embodiment 3)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

  The configuration of the image forming system is the same as that of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the third embodiment, in the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 makes an inquiry about the printing speed to each of a plurality of printers.

  In addition, when a priority mode for preferentially printing a print job to be requested for printing is designated, the priority order determination unit 113 sets a plurality of items in order of increasing print speed based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112. The priority order of the printers is determined.

  By the way, if the user wants to preferentially print a print job to be printed by a printer having the fastest printing speed among the printers 200 (200-1 to 200-n) for a special reason, By operating the operation panel 130 and switching from the “normal mode” to the “priority mode”, the printer with the fastest printing speed can be designated as the highest priority print output destination.

  That is, the user operates a function button and a move button (not shown) of the input unit 131 of the operation panel 130 to display a “mode list” as shown in FIG. 14A on the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130. 14 and select “print mode” from the “mode list” to display a “print mode list” as shown in FIG. 14B, and then select “print mode list” from the “print mode list”. Select “Priority Mode”, and then press the Confirm button as a function button.

  As a result, the display section 132 has the display content (password input screen) as shown in FIG. 14C, and the user operates the numeric keypad or the alphabet input key to enter the password as shown in FIG. 14D. A predetermined password is input in the input field 132a, and then a confirmation button as a function button is pressed.

  When the input password is authenticated as a valid user, the default “normal mode” is switched to the “priority mode”, and the display unit 132 displays the password as shown in FIG. The content of “priority mode” setting is displayed. Further, the storage unit 120 stores that the current mode is the priority mode.

  Next, the print output destination device selection process of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 inquires a plurality of printers 200 for the print speed and the data amount of print data related to the currently spooled print job at every predetermined timing (step S301).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information transmits the printing speed, the printer state, and the current spool print job number relating to the printer to the scanner 100 as a result of the inquiry.

  Here, it is assumed that the printing speed, the printer state, and the current spool print job number of each printer 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the scanner 100 that has finished step 301, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 with respect to the inquiry, the acquisition result is stored in the inquiry result (printing speed and current spool print job number). Store in the unit 120 (step S302).

  By the way, the user sets the “priority mode” as described above, then sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130, for example.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 stores the “priority mode” as the current mode in the storage unit 120 based on data corresponding to the setting content notified from the operation panel 130.

  In the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown) and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job. Here, it is assumed that two print jobs (7 pages) as print jobs to be printed (print jobs to be allocated from now on) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  The contents stored in the storage unit 120 at the time when these two print jobs (7 pages) are stored in the storage unit 120 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the scanner 100, the priority order determination unit 113 of the acquisition unit 112 determines whether or not to start printing (whether or not to start reading a document) based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 caused by pressing the start button. (Step S303), and if it is determined that printing has started, the embodiment is based on the storage contents of the storage unit 120, that is, the number of print jobs to be allocated, the printing speed, and the current spool print job number. Similarly to the case of 1, the estimated print end time (see FIG. 5) of each printer 200 is calculated (step S304).

  Next, the priority order determination unit 113 determines whether or not the current mode stored in the storage unit 120 is the “priority mode” (step S305). As described above, the highest priority is set from the printer with the fastest printing speed (step S306).

  When the priority order of the plurality of printers in the “priority mode” is determined in this way, the control unit 150 determines a print output destination according to the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit 113 (step S307).

  For example, the control unit 150 prints the print request target print job with the highest priority because the print output destination with the highest priority according to the priority order shown in FIG. 16 is the printer 2. The information is transmitted to the printer 2 via the communication I / F unit 160 together with the power (or the highest priority mode).

  The printer 2 that has received the print job indicating that printing should be performed with the highest priority determines whether there is a spooled print job in the storage unit 220 of the printer 2 (step S308). If there is a spooled print job, the print job designated to be printed with the highest priority is printed with the highest priority over the spooled print job (step S309).

  When print processing is being performed for a print job, when printing is received with the highest priority and when a print job is received, it is specified that printing should be performed with the highest priority after the current print processing is completed. A printing process is performed on the printed job.

  In step S307, the control unit 150 transmits the printer information of the print output destination to the operation panel 130 in the scanner 100 that has transmitted the print request target print job to the printer 2 as the print output destination having the highest priority. Is displayed on the screen, the printer of the print output destination is notified to the user (step S310).

  For example, when the print job to be printed is transmitted to the printer 2 as the print output destination having the highest priority according to the priority shown in FIG. 16, the display on the operation panel 130 is performed under the control of the control unit 150. As shown in FIG. 17A, a message stating “Output from printer 2” is displayed on section 131.

  If there is no print job spooled in the printer of the print output destination in step S308, the process proceeds to step S310. That is, in this case, since the print output destination printer 2 does not have a ruled print job, it prints the received print job (a print job that is designated to be printed with the highest priority). It will be. Further, since the print job in which it is designated that printing should be performed with the highest priority is not printed out by the printer 2, step S310 is performed.

  By the way, in the scanner 100, the priority order determination unit 1113 of the acquisition unit 110 that determines that the “priority mode” is not stored as the current mode in the storage unit 120 in step S <b> 305 (the “normal mode” is stored). The priority order of the plurality of printers is determined based on the estimated print end time for each printer calculated in step S304 (step S311). In this case, since the estimated printing end time of each printer 200 is the content of the example shown in FIG. 5, the priority order of the plurality of printers is the content shown in FIG. That is, the print output destination with the highest priority is the printer n.

  When the priority order of the plurality of printers in the “normal mode” is determined as described above, the control unit 150 determines the print output destination according to the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit 113 (step S312). The print job to be printed is controlled to be transmitted to the determined print output destination printer, and the printer information of the print output destination is displayed on the operation panel 130, so that the printer of the print output destination is displayed. The user is notified (step S313).

  For example, when a print job to be requested for printing is transmitted to the printer n as the highest print output destination in the priority order shown in FIG. 6, the control panel 150 controls the operation panel 130. As shown in FIG. 17B, a message stating “Output from printer n” is displayed on the display unit 131.

  If it is determined in step S303 that printing has not started, step S310 is terminated, or if step S313 is terminated, the process ends.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the process in charge of the scanner in the processing procedure (see FIG. 15) of the print output destination device selection process described above. ing.

  (Embodiment 4)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 4 will be described.

  The configuration of the image forming system is the same as that of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the fourth embodiment, in the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 inquires each of a plurality of printers about the occurrence frequency of a jam per preset period at every predetermined timing. .

  Further, the priority order determination unit 113 determines the priority order of a plurality of printers in the order of the occurrence frequency of the jam based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit 112.

  By the way, the user operates the operation panel 130 of the scanner 100 and designates a predetermined period as a reference for obtaining the number of occurrences of the jam of the printer. The priority order of the printers can be calculated according to the jam occurrence frequency per period.

  That is, the user operates a function button and a move button (not shown) of the input unit 131 of the operation panel 130 to display, for example, a predetermined reference on the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130 as a reference for obtaining the number of occurrences of printer jam. The item (menu) of “setting of period” is displayed, and then a confirmation button as a function button is pressed.

  As a result, the display section 132 has display contents as shown in FIG. 18A (setting of a predetermined period J within a predetermined period W), and the user operates the numeric keypad to display as shown in FIG. 18B. As described above, a desired value, for example, “1” is entered in the number of days entry field 132b, and then a confirmation button as a function button is pressed. Thereby, the predetermined period J = 1 day is determined and stored in the storage unit 120.

  The fixed period W is a preset value, and for example, one week = 7 days is set. Of course, this fixed period W may be 10 days, 2 weeks (14 days), 1 month (31 days), or the like.

  Next, the print output destination device selection process of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 causes a plurality of printers 200 to generate a jam (jam) for a plurality of printers 200 for a certain period W (for example, one week = 7 days). Frequency) is inquired (step S401).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information refers to the jam occurrence history information stored in the storage unit 220, and determines the number of jam occurrences for a certain period W specified from the scanner 100 as a result of the inquiry. Transmit to the scanner 100. In this case, the number of jam occurrences for the predetermined period W is set to the number of jam occurrences for the past certain period W with reference to the day before the inquiry date.

  In the scanner 100 that has finished step 401, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 with respect to the inquiry, the storage unit stores the inquiry result (the number of jam occurrences for a certain period W). 120 (step S402).

  Here, it is assumed that the daily jam occurrence frequency of each printer 200 is as shown in FIG. That is, the printer 200-1 has 15 jams / day, the printer 200-2 has 2 jams / day, the printer 200-3 has 0 jams / day, and the printer 200-1 has 10 jams / day.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the inquiry result is stored in the jam count field 122a for a predetermined period in the printer information storage area 122 of the storage unit 120.

  By the way, when the user sets a predetermined period J, for example, one day as described above at an arbitrary time (step S403), in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 responds to the setting content notified from the operation panel 130. A predetermined period J = 1 day is stored in the storage unit 120 based on the data.

  Further, the priority order determination unit 113 acquires the predetermined period J days stored in the storage unit 120, and sets the total number of jams for the acquired predetermined period J days as the jam occurrence frequency for each printer. (Step S404).

  Here, the total number of jams for a predetermined period J days for each printer is stored in the jam occurrence frequency column 122b of the printer information storage area 122 of the storage unit 120 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the priority order determination unit 113 determines a high priority order from the printer with the lowest jam occurrence frequency, as shown in FIG. 22, based on the jam occurrence frequency for each printer (step S405). Incidentally, as is apparent from FIG. 22, the printer with the lowest jam occurrence frequency is the printer 3 with the jam occurrence frequency “0 Jam / 1 day”, which is the highest priority print output destination.

  By the way, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses, for example, a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job.

  In the scanner 100, the control unit 150 determines whether or not to start printing (whether or not to start reading an original document) based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 resulting from the pressing of the start button ( In step S406), when it is determined that printing is started, the print output destination is determined according to the priority determined by the priority determining unit 113 (step S407), and the print job to be printed is determined as the determined print output. In addition to performing control for transmission to the destination printer, the printer information of the print output destination is displayed on the operation panel 130 to notify the user of the printer of the print output destination (step S408).

  For example, when a print job that is a print request is transmitted to the printer 3 as the highest print output destination in the priority order shown in FIG. 22, the control panel 150 controls the operation panel 130. As shown in FIG. 23, a message stating “Output from printer 3” is displayed on display 131.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the process in charge of the scanner in the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection process (see FIG. 19). ing.

  (Embodiment 5)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 5 will be described.

  The configuration of the image forming system is the same as that of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the fifth embodiment, in the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 determines the remaining amount of print paper and the amount of print data related to a spooled print job for each of a plurality of printers at a predetermined timing. It comes to ask.

  Further, the priority order determination unit 113 corresponds to the data amount of the print data related to the spooled print job as a result of the inquiry with respect to the inquiry remaining acquired by the acquisition unit 112 as a result of the inquiry. If the total number of sheets to be printed and the number of sheets corresponding to the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed is smaller, the image forming apparatus related to the event is excluded from the print destination candidates. The priority order is determined for other image forming apparatuses.

  In the fifth embodiment, the data amount of print data related to a spooled print job is the number of print jobs (number of print jobs) and the print data related to one print job, as described in the first embodiment. Data amount (data amount corresponding to the number of pages) means that the number of sheets corresponding to the data amount of the print data is the number of sheets corresponding to the number of pages related to the print data. Means the number of

  Next, the print output destination device exclusion process of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device exclusion processing.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 sends the remaining amount of print paper and the amount of print data (number of pages) related to the spooled print job to the plurality of printers 200 at a predetermined timing. (Step S501).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information receives the remaining amount of print paper relating to the printer and the amount of print data relating to the print job currently spooled, that is, the number of pages relating to the print data (hereinafter referred to as “current spool print page number”). Is transmitted to the scanner 100 as a result of the inquiry.

  Here, it is assumed that the remaining amount of printing paper and the current number of spool print jobs of each printer 200 are as shown in FIG.

  That is, in the printer 200-1 (printer 1), the current spool print job number is “5”, and the remaining amount of print paper is A3 size paper = 0 sheets, A4 size paper = 40 sheets, A5 size paper sheets. = 0, B4 size paper = 0, and B5 size paper = 0.

  In the printer 200-2 (printer 2), the current number of spool print jobs is “10”, and the remaining amount of print paper is A3 size paper = 10 sheets, A4 size paper = 5 sheets, A5 size paper = 6. Sheets, B4 size paper = 3 sheets, and B5 size paper = 0 sheets.

  In the printer 200-3 (printer 3), the current number of spool print jobs is “2”, and the remaining amount of print paper is A3 size paper = 0 sheets, A4 size paper = 0 sheets, A5 size paper = 0. Sheets, B4 size sheets = 0 sheets, and B5 size sheets = 0 sheets.

  In the printer 200-n (printer n), the current number of spool print jobs is “0”, and the remaining amount of print paper is A3 size paper = 10 sheets, A4 size paper = 40 sheets, A5 size paper = 0. Sheets, B4 size paper = 30 sheets, and B5 size paper = 20 sheets.

  In the scanner 100 that has finished step 401, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (remaining amount of printing paper) from each printer 200 in response to the inquiry, the acquisition unit 112 stores the inquiry result in the storage unit 120 ( Step S502).

  By the way, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses, for example, a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job. Here, it is assumed that two print jobs (print data corresponding to 7 pages in A4 size) as print jobs to be requested for printing (print jobs to be allocated from now on) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  Here, an example of the storage contents of the storage unit 120 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the storage unit 120 stores the amount of print data, that is, the number of pages, related to the print job (print request target print job) to be allocated in the scanner information storage area 121. Here, the number of print jobs is two. Specifically, A3 size paper = 0 sheets, A4 size paper sheets = 7 sheets, A5 size paper sheets = 0 sheets, B4 size paper sheets = 0 sheets, and B5 size paper sheets = 0 sheets.

  On the other hand, the printer information storage area 122 stores the current spool print page number and the remaining amount of print paper for each paper size for each printer.

  In the printer 200-1 (printer 1), the current spool print page number corresponding to the current spool print job number “5” is “30” for A4 size paper. Also, the remaining amount of A3 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper = 40, the remaining amount of A5 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of B4 size printing paper = 0 sheets, The remaining amount of B5-size printing paper is zero.

  In the printer 200-2 (printer 2), the current spool print page number corresponding to the current spool print job number “10” is “10” for A5 size paper and “30” for B4 size paper. Also, the remaining amount of A3 size printing paper = 10, the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper = 5, the remaining amount of A5 size printing paper = 6, the remaining amount of B4 size printing paper = 3, The remaining amount of B5-size printing paper is zero.

  In the printer 200-3 (printer 3), the current spool print page number corresponding to the current spool print job number “2” is “4” for B5 size paper. Also, the remaining amount of A3 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of A5 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of B4 size printing paper = 0, and B5. The remaining amount of size printing paper = 0.

  In the printer 200-n (printer n), the current spool print page number is “0” when the current spool print job number is “0”. Also, the remaining amount of A3 size printing paper = 10, the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper = 40, the remaining amount of A5 size printing paper = 0, the remaining amount of B4 size printing paper = 30, and B5. The remaining amount of size printing paper is 20 sheets.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the scanner 100, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 finishes the registration process of the remaining amount of print paper and the current spool print page number, the priority order determination unit 113 of the acquisition unit 112 stores the contents stored in the storage unit 120 (from now on). The total number of pages for each printer is calculated based on the number of print pages of the print job to be printed, the remaining amount of print paper, and the number of current spool print pages (step S503).

  Here, since the page of the print data relating to the print job to be printed (print job to be allocated from now on) is A4 size as shown in FIG. 26, attention should be paid to the A4 size paper for the number of current spool pages of the printers 1 to n. Then, the total value (total number of pages) of the number of allocated print job pages corresponding to the A4 size paper and the current spool page number corresponding to the A4 size paper of each printer is calculated.

  The total number of pages of these printers 1 to n is as follows.

The printer 1 is assigned the number of print job pages “7” + the current spool print page number “30”.
= 37 (pages). The remaining amount of A4-size printing paper is 40 sheets.

The printer 2 is assigned the number of print job pages “7” + the current spool print page number “0”.
= 7 (page). The remaining amount of A4-size printing paper is 5 sheets.

The printer 3 is assigned the number of print job pages “7” + the current spool print page number “0”.
= 7 (page). The remaining amount of A4 size printing paper = 0.

The printer n is assigned the number of print job pages “7” + the current spool print page number “0”.
= 7 (page). The remaining amount of A4-size printing paper is 40 sheets.

  Incidentally, FIG. 27 shows the total number of pages (calculation results) of the printers 1 to n for A4 size paper.

  The priority determining unit 113 that has finished step S503 pays attention to the first printer (the printer with the smallest printer number) regarding the total number of pages of the printers 1 to n regarding the A4 size paper surrounded by the dotted line shown in FIG. The printer determines whether or not the relationship of “printer number <n” is established (step S504). If this relationship is established, the paper satisfying the relationship of “printing paper remaining amount <total number of pages” is established. It is determined whether or not a paper size exists (step S505). Here, the printer numbers are “1,” “2,” “3,” “(n−1)” in the printer 1, the printer 2, the printer 3,..., The printer (n−1). is there.

  If the relationship “remaining printing paper <total number of pages” is established in step S505, the printer involved in the event is excluded from the selection targets (print output destination candidates) (step S506), and the next printer is referred to. (Step S507) Then, it returns to Step S504.

  In step S504, if there is no paper size of the paper satisfying the relationship “printer number <n”, that is, whether the printer of interest satisfies the relationship “remaining printing paper <total number of pages” for the printer n. When the check is finished and the printer number becomes “n + 1”, the control unit 150 displays information indicating the excluded printer on the operation panel 130 to notify the user of the excluded printer (step S1). S508).

  For example, in the case of the total number of pages for each printer on A4 size paper shown in FIG. 27, the printer 2 has the total number of pages “7”, the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper “5”, and the printer 3 Since the total number of pages is “7” and the remaining amount of A4 size printing paper is “0”, the relationship “printing paper remaining amount <total number of pages” is established, and the printer 2 and the printer 3 are not selected. Excluded.

  Therefore, under the control of the control unit 150, the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130 indicates that “Printers 2 and 3 have been excluded from the selection targets due to lack of paper-A4” as shown in FIG. 28. Message is displayed.

  In the fifth embodiment, the printer that satisfies the relationship “printing paper remaining amount <total number of pages” is excluded from the selection target. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is performed as follows. Also good.

  That is, priority is given to these printers 1 and n with respect to the printers other than the printers excluded from the selection targets, in this example, in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments, for the selection target printers 1 and n. The order may be determined, and the highest print output destination in this priority order may be obtained. Naturally, the scanner 100 needs to inquire the printers 1 and n of element information that determines the time required for printing, such as the printing speed, the current number of spool print jobs, and the printer status.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the processing handled by the scanner in the processing procedure of the above-described print output destination device exclusion processing (see FIG. 24). ing.

  (Embodiment 6)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 6 will be described.

  The image forming system according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except that the determination unit 100 of the scanner 100 is slightly different. Here, the difference will be described.

  FIG. 29 shows the configuration of the determination unit 110 of the scanner 100. The determination unit 110 in FIG. 29 has a configuration in which the priority order determination unit 113 is replaced with a distribution unit 114 in the configuration of the determination unit 100 shown in FIG.

  In the sixth embodiment, the inquiry unit 111 makes an inquiry about the printing speed to each of a plurality of printers (image forming apparatuses) at every predetermined timing.

  The acquisition unit 112 acquires results for the inquiry transmitted from a plurality of printers.

  Based on the result (printing speed) for the inquiry acquired by the acquiring unit 113 and the data amount (number of pages) of the print data related to the print job requested for printing, the distribution unit 114 sets the print data to the print end time. Is distributed to a plurality of printers or a plurality of arbitrary printers so as to be the fastest.

  The control unit 15 performs control to transmit the print data distributed by the distribution unit 114 to a printer as a distribution destination.

  By the way, when the user wants to distribute the print job to be assigned to a plurality of printers, the user operates the operation panel 130 of the scanner 100 and changes the “print mode” in the “mode list” to “sort print mode”. You can switch to

  That is, the user operates a function button and a move button (not shown) of the input unit 131 of the operation panel 130 to display a “mode list” as shown in FIG. 30A on the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130. The “print mode” is selected from the “mode list” to display the “print mode list” as shown in FIG. 30B, and the “print mode list” “Distributed printing mode” is selected, and then a confirmation button as a function button is pressed.

  As a result, the content of “sort printing mode” setting as shown in FIG. 30C is displayed on the display unit 132. This “sort printing mode” is stored in the storage unit 120.

  Next, the print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  This print output destination device selection process is a print output destination selection process when a print job distribution process is performed.

  In the scanner 100, the inquiry unit 111 of the determination unit 110 inquires a plurality of printers 200 about the printing speed at every predetermined timing (step S601).

  Each printer 200 that has received the inquiry information transmits the printing speed relating to the printer to the scanner 100 as a result of the inquiry.

  Here, it is assumed that the printing speed of each printer 200 has the contents shown in FIG. That is, the printer 200-1 (printer 1) has a printing speed of 20 ppm, the printer 200-2 (printer 2) has a printing speed of 10 ppm, and the printer 200-n (printer n) has a printing speed of nppm.

  In the scanner 100 that has completed step 601, when the acquisition unit 112 of the determination unit 110 receives a result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 for the inquiry, the acquisition unit 112 stores the inquiry result (printing speed) in the storage unit 120 (step). S302).

  By the way, the user sets the “sort printing mode” as described above, then sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses, for example, a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 stores the “sort printing mode” as the print mode in the storage unit 120 based on the data corresponding to the setting content notified from the operation panel 130.

  In the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), converts an optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data), and The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and further stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job. Here, it is assumed that two print jobs (30 pages) as print jobs to be requested for printing (print jobs to be allocated in the future) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  Here, FIG. 33 shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit 120 when these two print jobs (30 pages) are stored in the storage unit 120.

  As shown in FIG. 33, the scanner information storage area 121 stores the number of print jobs to be allocated (print jobs to be requested for printing) (number of print jobs). In FIG. 33, the number of print jobs (number of pages) = 2 (30 pages) means that the amount of data related to two print jobs is the amount of print data corresponding to 30 pages.

  On the other hand, the printer information storage area 122 stores the printing speed for each printer. For example, the printing speed is 20 ppm for the printer 200-1 (printer 1) and the printing speed is printed for the printer 200-2 (printer 2). The printing speed nppm is stored for the printer 10-n (printer n) with a speed of 10 ppm.

  In the scanner 100, the sorting unit 114 of the acquisition unit 112 determines whether printing is started (whether reading of a document is started) based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 caused by pressing the start button. Is determined (step S603), and if it is determined that printing is started, it is determined whether or not “sort printing mode” is stored as a print mode in the storage unit 120 (step S604), and “sort printing mode” is determined. Is stored, the print speed for each printer in the printer information storage area 122 of the storage unit 120 is referred to, and a print job to be allocated is assigned to each printer 200-1 to 200-n (printer 1 to n). As a result, the print job is distributed so that the print end time of each printer is the fastest (step S605).

  For example, in the case of performing the sorting process based on the stored contents of the printer information storage area 122, as shown in FIG. 34, if 20 pages are sorted to the printer 1 (printing speed 20 ppm), the printing end time of the printer 1 is 60 seconds. . If 10 pages are assigned to the printer 2 (printing speed 10 ppm), the printing end time of the printer 2 is 60 seconds. Therefore, the print end time of the printer 1 = the print end time of the printer 2.

  When the distribution of the print job in the “distribution print mode” is completed in this way, the control unit 150 corresponds to the print output destination to which the print job to be allocated is allocated through the communication I / F unit 160. Send print data.

  Each printer that has received the sorted print job (print data) In this example, the printers 1 and 2 execute the print processing of the received print job (print data) (step S606).

  In the scanner 100 that distributes the allocated print jobs to a plurality of printers and transmits them to the corresponding printers, the control unit 150 causes the operation panel 130 to display the printer information of the print output destination and the number of pages, thereby printing the print jobs. The user is notified of the number of output pages in the output destination printer (step S607).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 34, when 20 pages are allocated to the printer 1 and 10 pages are allocated to the printer 2, the control unit 150 controls the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 as shown in FIG. As shown, a message saying “20 pages are output from printer 1” and a message saying “10 pages are output from printer 2” are alternately displayed.

  If it is determined in step S603 that printing is not started, if it is determined in step S604 that the sort printing mode is not stored in the storage unit 120, or if step S607 is ended, this processing is ended.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Note that the storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the processing handled by the scanner in the processing procedure (see FIG. 31) of the above-described print output destination device selection processing (including distribution processing). The program 14A) is stored.

  (Embodiment 7)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 7 will be described.

  The configuration of the image forming system is the same as that of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  In the seventh embodiment, when a plurality of printers (image forming apparatuses) cannot execute print processing based on received print data because the printer has an abnormality related to print processing. The received print data is transferred to the next image forming apparatus as a preset transfer destination.

  In this case, a printer that receives print data transmitted from a scanner (data processing apparatus) among a plurality of printers is the first printer, and a printer that can execute print processing is based on the received print data. When the printing process is executed, the scanner is notified that the printing process is executed in the printer, and when all of the plurality of printers cannot execute the printing process, the last printer is set to all printers. Notifies the scanner that the printing process is impossible.

  In the seventh embodiment, the abnormality relating to the printing process means, for example, an error state such as a paper jam (jam) or an open state of the printer cover.

  By the way, when the user wants to automatically designate a printer as an alternative print output destination without performing the user himself / herself, the user operates the operation panel 130 of the scanner 100 to select “automatic transfer mode” from the “mode list”. ”Can be selected to automatically specify an alternative print output destination.

  That is, the user operates a function button and a move button (not shown) of the input unit 131 of the operation panel 130 to display a “mode list” as shown in FIG. 36A on the display unit 132 of the operation panel 130. Display, select "automatic transfer mode" from the "mode list", and then press the confirm button as a function button.

  As a result, the display unit 132 displays the contents of the “automatic transfer mode” setting as shown in FIG. This “automatic transfer mode” is stored in the storage unit 120.

  Next, the print output destination device selection process of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In addition, the user sets the “automatic transfer mode” as described above, then sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown), and further presses a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 stores the “automatic transfer mode” in the storage unit 120 based on data corresponding to the setting content notified from the operation panel 130.

  In the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), converts an optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data), and The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and further uses the converted data as a print job.

  Next, the control unit 150 determines whether or not to start printing based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 resulting from the pressing of the start button (step S701), and determines that the printing is started Transmits the created print job to a printer as a preset print output destination via the communication I / F unit 210.

  Here, in the seventh embodiment, the preset print output destination is the printer 1. When the designated printer 1 cannot execute the print job printing process due to an error, the printer 2, printer 3,..., Printer n are determined as alternative print output destinations in this order. .

  In the seventh embodiment, in the printers 200-1 to 200-n (printers 1 to n), as shown in FIG. 38, the printer 1 cannot print, the printer 2 cannot print, the printer 3 and the printer n Assume that printing is possible.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The printer that has received the print job transmitted from the scanner 100 determines whether or not the printer is in a normal state, that is, whether or not the printer is capable of printing (step S702).

  Here, if an error has occurred, it is determined that printing is not possible. On the other hand, if no error has occurred, it is determined that printing is possible.

  If the printer as the print output destination determines that printing is impossible in step S702, it transfers the received print job to the next print output destination printer (step S703).

  The printer that has received the print job transmitted in step S703 determines whether or not the printer is the last printer # as a print output destination (step S704), and if it is determined that the printer is not the last printer #. Returning to step S702, if it is determined that the printer # is the last printer #, it is determined whether printing is possible in the printer # (step S705). In this example, the last printer # is the printer n.

  Here, if an error has occurred, it is determined that printing is not possible. On the other hand, if no error has occurred, it is determined that printing is possible.

  If the last printer # described above determines that printing is possible in step S705, the printer # starts printing based on the received print job (step S706) and indicates that the printer # performs printing processing. Notify the scanner 100.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 displays the printer information of the print output destination received via the communication I / F unit 160 on the operation panel 130, thereby notifying the user of the printer of the print output destination ( Step S707).

  On the other hand, when the scanner 100 is notified that the last printer # determined to be unprintable in step S705 is unprintable, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 receives via the communication I / F unit 160. Based on the fact that printing is not possible, information indicating that all printers cannot be printed is displayed on the operation panel 130, thereby notifying the user that all printers are not printing (step S708).

  Here, it demonstrates concretely. Assuming that each of the printers 1 to n is in a printable or non-printable state as shown in FIG. 38, when the scanner 100 transmits a print job to the printer 1 as a preset print output destination, Since the printer 1 that has received the print job cannot print, the received print job is transferred to the printer 2 as the next print output destination as shown in FIG.

  Since the printer 2 that has received the print job transferred from the printer 1 cannot print, the received print job is transferred to the printer 3 as the next print output destination.

  Since the printer 3 is capable of printing, when the print job transferred from the printer 2 is received, the printer 3 executes print processing based on the print job and informs the scanner 100 that the printer performs print processing. Notice.

  In the scanner 100, when the control unit 150 receives a notification from the printer 3 that the printing process is to be performed, the “output from the printer 3” is displayed on the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 as shown in FIG. "Is displayed.

  When all the printers from the printer 1 to the printer n cannot print, the print job transmitted from the scanner 100 is transmitted to the printer 1 and finally transferred to the printer n.

  However, since the printer n cannot print, the printer n notifies the scanner 100 that printing cannot be performed. In the scanner 100, the control unit 150, based on the fact that printing from the printer n received via the communication I / F unit 160 is not possible, as shown in FIG. The message “No printer was available for printing” is displayed.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system of the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The storage device 14 stores a predetermined program (data processing program 14A) such as a program corresponding to the processing procedure of the process in charge of the scanner in the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection process (see FIG. 37). ing.

  (Embodiment 8)

  Next, an image forming system according to Embodiment 8 will be described.

  FIG. 41 shows the configuration of an image forming system according to the eighth embodiment. The image forming system 1 has a configuration in which a server (server device) is added and the acquisition unit 110 of the scanner 100 is deleted in the configuration of the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 41, parts having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted with the same reference numerals.

  The scanner 100 as a data processing apparatus transmits data amount information indicating the amount of print data requested to be printed to the server 400 and directs the print data to a predetermined printer among a plurality of printers (image forming apparatuses). To send. The control unit 150 transmits the data amount information to the server 400 via the communication I / F unit 160.

  As shown in FIG. 42, the server 400 includes an inquiry unit 410, an acquisition unit 420, a priority order determination unit 430, a storage device 440, a priority order information provision unit 450, and a communication I / F unit 460.

  The inquiry unit 410, the acquisition unit 420, and the priority order determination unit 430 have the same functions as the inquiry unit 111, the acquisition unit 112, and the priority order determination unit 113 of the determination unit 110 of the scanner 100 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. have. The inquiry unit 111 prints the print speed and the spooled print job as element information for determining the time required for printing for each of the plurality of printers 200-1 to 200-n at each predetermined timing. Inquires about the amount of data.

  The communication I / F unit 460 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the scanner 100 or a plurality of printers. Further, the communication I / F 460 has a function of data amount information receiving means for receiving data amount information transmitted from the scanner 100.

  The storage device 440 is determined by the priority determining unit 430, the data amount information received by the communication I / F unit 460, the print speed acquired by the acquiring unit 420 and the data amount of print data related to the spooled print job. Priority information indicating the priority order of a plurality of printers is stored.

  Similarly to the storage device 140 of the scanner 100, the storage device 440 includes a scanner information storage area 441 and a printer information storage area 442. The scanner information storage area 441 stores data amount information, and the printer information storage area 442 stores the print speed and the data amount of print data related to the spooled print job.

  The priority order information providing unit 450 provides priority order information stored in the storage unit 440 to the predetermined printer in response to a request for provision of priority order information from the predetermined printer.

  In the eighth embodiment, a printer that has received print data from a plurality of printers executes print processing based on the received print data because the printer has an abnormality related to print processing. If it cannot, the server (server device) 400 is requested to provide priority information, and the received image data is obtained based on the priority information provided from the priority information providing unit 450 of the server 400. To the next printer to be sent.

  Next, the print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing.

  In the server 400, the inquiring unit 410 prints data of print data related to the print speed and the currently spooled print job as element information for determining the time required for printing for a plurality of printers 200 at a predetermined timing. The amount is inquired (step S801).

  Here, the data amount of the print data is the number of print jobs currently spooled (current number of spool print jobs) and the amount of print data corresponding to the number of print jobs (number of pages).

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the control unit 220 of each printer 200 manages the above-described printing speed and the current spool print job number of its own printer. Reply as a result to. Note that the printing speed of each printer 200 and the number of print jobs currently spooled are as shown in FIG.

  In the eighth embodiment, the current spool print job number (number of print jobs spooled) as a result of the inquiry includes the number of print jobs and the amount of print data corresponding to the number of print jobs (number of pages). ).

  Upon receiving the result (inquiry result) from each printer 200 in response to the inquiry, the acquisition unit 420 stores the inquiry result (printing speed and current spool print job number) in the storage device 440. (Step S802).

  By the way, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (not shown) of the scanner 100, and further presses a start button (not shown) on the operation panel 130, for example.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the document reading unit 140 optically reads a document sent from an automatic document feeder (not shown), and converts the optical signal obtained by the reading into an electrical signal (image data). The control unit 150 converts the image data into data in a data format that can be transmitted to the printer, and stores the converted data in the storage unit 120 as a print job.

  Further, the control unit 150 determines whether or not to start printing (whether or not to start reading a document) based on an instruction signal from the operation panel 130 resulting from the pressing of the start button (step S303). If it is determined that printing has started, information indicating the amount of print data (number of print jobs (number of pages)) related to the print job to be printed (print job to be printed) is transmitted to the server 400. (Step S804).

  Further, the control unit 150 transmits the print job to be printed stored in the storage unit 120 to a printer as a print output destination designated in advance via the communication I / F unit 160.

  In the server 400, the communication I / F unit 460 receives the data amount information of the print data transmitted from the scanner 100 and stores it in the storage device 440 (step S805).

  Here, FIG. 44 shows an example of the storage content stored in the storage device 440 at the time when step S805 is completed, that is, the data amount information of the print data transmitted from the scanner 100 and the inquiry result from each printer. Since the storage contents of the scanner information storage area 441 and the printer information storage area 442 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the server 400 that has finished step S805, the priority order determination unit 430 stores the content stored in the storage device 440 (the number of print jobs to be printed (print job to be printed) from the scanner), as in the first embodiment. Based on the print speed and the number of spool print jobs of each printer), the estimated print end time of each printer is calculated (see FIG. 5) (step S806), and based on the estimated print end time calculated for each printer. As shown in FIG. 45, the priority order of a plurality of printers is determined in the order of shortest estimated print end time (step S807).

  In the example shown in FIG. 45, a portion surrounded by a dotted line indicated by reference numeral 442a indicates priority information. The priority information 442a includes the printer n for the highest (first) print output destination, the printer 3 for the second print output destination, the printer 1 for the third print output destination, and the fourth (lowest) ) Indicates that the print output destination is the printer 2.

  Incidentally, it is determined whether or not the printer as the print output destination that has received the print job to be printed transmitted from the scanner 100 is in a normal state, that is, whether or not it is a printable printer (step S808).

  Here, if an error has occurred, it is determined that printing is not possible. On the other hand, if no error has occurred, it is determined that printing is possible.

  If the printer as the print output destination determines in step S808 that printing is not possible, it requests the server 400 to provide priority information, and the priority provided from the priority information providing unit 450 of the server 400. The information is acquired, and the received print job is transferred to the next print output destination printer obtained based on the acquired priority information (step S809).

  The next print output destination printer that has received the print job transferred in step S809 determines whether or not the printer is the last printer # as the print output destination (step S808). If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S808. In this example, the last printer # is the lowest priority printer.

  If the next print output destination printer is also unable to print, the server 400 is requested to provide priority information, and the next print output destination is determined based on the priority information obtained as a result of this request. become.

  If it is determined in step S810 that the next printer output destination printer that has received the print job transferred in step S809 is the last printer #, it is determined whether printing is possible in the printer # ( Step S811).

  Here, if an error has occurred, it is determined that printing is not possible. On the other hand, if no error has occurred, it is determined that printing is possible.

  If the last printer # described above determines that printing is possible in step S811, print processing is started based on the received print job (step S812), and the printer # performs print processing. Notify the scanner 100.

  Then, in the scanner 100, the control unit 150 displays the printer information of the print output destination received via the communication I / F unit 160 on the operation panel 130, thereby notifying the user of the printer of the print output destination ( Step S813).

  On the other hand, when the scanner 100 is notified that the last printer # determined to be unprintable in step S811 is unprintable, the control unit 150 receives via the communication I / F unit 160 in the scanner 100. Based on the fact that printing is not possible, information indicating that all printers cannot be printed is displayed on the operation panel 130, thereby notifying the user that all printers are not printing (step S814).

  Here, it demonstrates concretely. Assuming that each printer 1 to n is in a printable or non-printable state as shown in FIG. 46, the printing speed of each printer 200 and the number of print jobs currently spooled are the contents shown in FIG. Is the same.

  Under such preconditions, when the scanner 100 transmits a print job to the printer 1 as a preset print output destination, the printer 1 that has received the print job cannot print, so the server 400 sends it to the server 400. By requesting provision of priority order information, the priority order information 442a provided from the server 400 is referred to, and the first print output destination is recognized as the printer n. Then, as shown in FIG. 46, the printer 1 transfers the print job from the scanner 100 to the printer n.

  Since the printer n is also in a non-printable state, the priority order information 442a provided from the server 400 is referred to by requesting the server 400 to provide priority order information, and the printer n has the first priority order. It is recognized that the next print output destination is the printer with the second highest priority, that is, the printer with the second highest priority. Then, the printer n transfers the print job from the scanner 100 to the printer 3 as shown in FIG.

  Since the printer 3 is capable of printing, upon receiving a print job transferred from the printer n, the printer 3 performs print processing based on the print job and notifies the scanner 100 that the print processing is to be performed in the printer. .

  In the scanner 100, when the control unit 150 receives a notification from the printer 3 that the printing process is to be executed, as shown in FIG. Message is displayed.

  When all of the printers corresponding to the priority ranks from the first rank (highest rank) to the fourth rank (lowest rank) cannot be printed, the second priority printer 2 (lowest rank) printer 2 ( Printer #) notifies the scanner 100 that printing is not possible.

  In the scanner 100, the control unit 150 determines that “printing from the printer n received via the communication I / F unit 160 is not possible” as shown in FIG. The message “No printer was available for printing” is displayed.

  Incidentally, the hardware configuration of the image forming system of the eighth embodiment is the same as that of the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the data processing apparatus is described as a scanner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data processing apparatus sends a print job to a printer (image forming apparatus). It may be a personal computer that requests printing.

  That is, the personal computer inquires element information (for example, the printing speed) for determining the time required for printing to a plurality of image forming apparatuses at a predetermined timing, and the result of the inquiry for each image forming apparatus and the print request target. The highest priority image forming apparatus as a print output destination is determined from a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the amount of print data of the print job.

  In the present specification, a predetermined program (data processing) including a program that realizes each function of a data processing device such as a scanner and a personal computer and indicates a processing procedure of the print output destination device selection processing (or print output destination device exclusion processing). In the above embodiment, the program is stored in a storage device as a recording medium. However, the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  That is, the predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. In this case, after the data processing apparatus installs the program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the program. As an installation destination of this program, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. Then, the data processing device loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the data processing device is connected to a computer such as a server device or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the data processing device downloads the predetermined program from the server device or the computer, This program may be executed. In this case, the download destination of the program includes a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. Then, the data processing apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses having image forming processing functions such as a printer function and a scanner function and a data processing apparatus that transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line. Can be applied to the system.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print output destination device selection process of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the printing speed and the number of spooled print jobs for each of a plurality of printers according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage information stored in a storage unit of a scanner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating a predicted print end time by the priority determination unit of the scanner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining priority determined by a priority determination unit of the scanner according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of display information displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when printing is output from a printer with a highest priority print output destination according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the printing speed, the number of spooled print jobs, and the printer status of each of a plurality of printers according to the second embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage information stored in a storage unit of a scanner according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a priority determination method by a priority determination unit of a scanner according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display information displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when printing is output from a top-priority print output destination printer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining setting of a priority mode by an operation panel of a scanner according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a priority determination method by a priority determination unit of a scanner according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display information displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when printing is output from a top-priority print output destination printer according to a third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the setting of the predetermined period (engine which calculates | requires the frequency | count of jam occurrence) by the operation panel of the scanner which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the number of jam occurrences per day for each of a plurality of printers according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage information stored in a storage unit of a scanner according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure explaining the priority determined by the priority determination part of the scanner which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display information displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when printing is output from a top-priority print output destination printer according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print output destination device exclusion process by a scanner of an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the number of spooled print jobs and the remaining amount of print paper for each of a plurality of printers according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage information stored in a storage unit of a scanner according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining how to determine an exclusion target of a print output destination apparatus by a priority determination unit of a scanner according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when there is a printer to be excluded from a print output destination apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a determination unit of a scanner of an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining setting of sort printing mode by an operation panel of a scanner according to a sixth embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing (distribution processing) of the image forming system according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining printing speeds of a plurality of printers according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of stored information stored in a storage unit of a scanner according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining print output destination device selection processing (distribution processing) by a distribution unit of a scanner of an image forming system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of display information displayed on a display unit of an operation panel when printing is output from a sorted print output destination printer according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining setting of an automatic transfer mode by an operation panel of a scanner according to a seventh embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing (automatic transfer processing) of the image forming system according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the status of each of a plurality of printers according to Embodiment 7 (printing is not possible or printing is possible). FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining automatic transfer of a print job in an image forming system according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an example of display contents displayed on the display unit of the operation panel according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server according to an eighth embodiment. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print output destination device selection processing of the image forming system according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of storage information stored in a storage unit of a server according to Embodiment 8. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit of the server according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a method for selecting a print output destination in an image forming system according to an eighth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming system 11, 21 CPU
12, 24 Operation panel 13 Image reading device 14 Storage device 14A Data processing program 15, 23 ROM
16,22 RAM
17, 25 Communication I / F
26 Image output device 100 Scanner 110 Determination unit 111, 410 Inquiry unit 112, 420 Acquisition unit 113, 430 Priority determination unit 120, 440 Storage device 121, 441 Scanner information storage region 122, 442 Printer information storage region 130 Operation panel 131 Input Unit 132 display unit 140, 210 communication I / F unit 150, 230 control unit 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, 200-n printer 220 storage unit 240 printing unit 300 communication line

Claims (15)

Connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication line,
Determining means for determining a top-priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on element information for determining the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Control means for performing control to send print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus having the highest priority determined by the determination means;
A data processing apparatus comprising: The determining means includes
Inquiry means for inquiring the element information for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Obtaining means for obtaining results for the inquiry transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Priority order determination means for determining the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition means;
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on the received print data;
A data processing device that transmits print data to a predetermined image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices;
Is connected via a communication line,
The data processing device includes:
Determining means for determining a top-priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on element information for determining the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Control means for performing control to send print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus having the highest priority determined by the determination means;
An image forming system comprising: The determining means includes
Inquiry means for inquiring the element information for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Obtaining means for obtaining results for the inquiry transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Priority order determination means for determining the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition means;
The image forming system according to claim 3, further comprising: The inquiry means includes
Inquires of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the print speed and the amount of print data related to the spooled print job,
The priority determining means includes
Determining the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the order of the shortest estimated print end time, based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed;
The image forming system according to claim 4. The inquiry means includes
Inquiries to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the state according to the time required to start the printing process,
The priority determining means includes
Determining the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the order of the short time required to start the printing process based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit;
The image forming system according to claim 4. The inquiry means includes
Inquiries to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the printing speed, the amount of print data related to the spooled print job, and the state according to the time required to start the printing process,
The priority determining means includes
Of the results for the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit, the plurality of image forming apparatuses are arranged in the order of the shortest time required for starting the printing process based on the state corresponding to the time required for starting the printing process. Determine the priority,
With respect to a plurality of image forming apparatuses in the same state, the estimated print end time is determined based on the print speed, the amount of print data related to the spooled print job, and the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed. Decide the priority in short order,
The image forming system according to claim 4. The inquiry means includes
Queries the printing speed for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
The priority determining means includes
When a priority mode for preferentially printing a print job to be requested for printing is designated, the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is set in descending order of printing speed based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit. decide,
The image forming system according to claim 4. The inquiry means includes
Queries each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the occurrence frequency of jam per preset period,
The priority determining means includes
Determining a priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit in order of decreasing occurrence frequency of the jam;
The image forming system according to claim 4. The inquiry means includes
Queries each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses about the remaining amount of print paper and the amount of print data relating to the spooled print job,
The priority determining means includes
The number of sheets corresponding to the data amount of print data related to the spooled print job as a result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit and the print request to be printed. When the total number of sheets corresponding to the amount of print data related to the job is less than the total value, the image forming apparatus related to the event is excluded from the print output destination candidates.
The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The determining means includes
Inquiry means for inquiring the printing speed for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Obtaining means for obtaining results for the inquiry transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquisition unit and the amount of print data related to the print job requested to be printed, the plurality of image forming apparatuses or any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the print end time of the print data becomes the fastest A sorting unit that sorts the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
With
The control means includes
Performing control to transmit the print data distributed by the distribution unit to an image forming apparatus as a distribution destination;
The image forming system according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus that has received the print data among the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
If the image forming apparatus cannot execute the print process based on the received print data due to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the print process, the received print data is used as a preset transfer destination. Forward to the next image forming device,
The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. An image forming apparatus that receives print data transmitted from the data processing apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is an initial image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus capable of executing the printing process executes the printing process based on the received print data, and notifies the data processing apparatus that the printing process is executed in the image forming apparatus.
When all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses cannot execute the printing process, the last image forming apparatus notifies the data processing apparatus that all the image forming processes cannot be printed.
The image forming system according to claim 12. A server device;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute print processing based on the received print data;
A data processing device that transmits data amount information indicating the amount of print data requested to be printed to the server and transmits the print data to a predetermined image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices;
Is connected via a communication line,
The server device
Data amount information receiving means for receiving data amount information transmitted from the data processing device;
Inquiry means for inquiring each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses a printing speed as element information for determining a time required for printing and a data amount of print data relating to a spooled print job;
Obtaining means for obtaining results for the inquiry transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Priority order determining means for determining the priority order of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the result of the inquiry acquired by the acquiring means and the data amount information received by the data amount information receiving means;
Storage means for storing priority information indicating priorities of the plurality of image forming apparatuses determined by the priority determination means;
Priority order information providing means for providing priority information stored in the storage means to the predetermined image forming apparatus in response to a request for provision of priority order information from the predetermined image forming apparatus;
With
The image forming apparatus that has received the print data among the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
When the image forming apparatus cannot execute the print process based on the received print data due to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the print process, the server apparatus is requested to provide the priority order information. And transmitting the received image data to the next image forming apparatus obtained based on the priority information provided from the priority information providing means of the server device.
An image forming system. A determination process for determining a top-priority image forming apparatus from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on element information for determining the time required for printing of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A control process for controlling the print data to be printed to be transmitted to the highest-priority image forming apparatus determined by the determination process;
A data processing program for causing a computer to execute.

Images