JP2010224634A - Printing control method, printing control program, and printing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing control method, a printing control program and a printing controller for preventing reception of a printed matter from being delayed due to a time loss for removing a printed matter caught by the paper discharge part of an image forming apparatus to be used for distributed printing. <P>SOLUTION: A printer to be used for distributed printing that divides the total number of printouts is selected from among a plurality of printers so that the total load capacity of the paper discharge tray of the selected printer is equal to or more than the total number of printouts. Then, an instruction to print the assigned number of the total number of printouts is issued to the selected printer, within the range of the load capacity of the paper discharge tray of each printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control method, a print control program, and a print control apparatus. The present invention particularly relates to a print control method, a print control program, and a print control apparatus capable of distributed printing in which printing is performed using a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  In the production printing field, in order to print a large number of sheets, a distributed printing function for performing printing using an image forming apparatus such as a plurality of printers is used. The purpose of executing printing with a plurality of printers is based on a user's request to quickly obtain a printed matter.

  As a related technique for obtaining a printed matter more quickly, a technique shown in Patent Document 1 below has been proposed. The distributed printing system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 is a system that proportionally distributes the number of prints according to the printing speed of each printer in consideration of the printing speed of the printer in advance when performing distributed printing. According to such a configuration, the print processing time can be shortened.

  However, after printing is started, a paper discharge tray of a certain printer may be filled with printed paper, that is, printed matter. In such a case, the printing operation in the printer is stopped until the user removes the printed material from the paper discharge tray of the printer. For this reason, there has been a problem that obtaining a printed matter is substantially delayed. Such a problem is not considered at all in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-203082

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to print a printed material due to a time loss for removing the printed material that is buried in a paper discharge unit of an image forming apparatus used for distributed printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control method, a print control program, and a print control apparatus that can prevent a delay in acquisition.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) A step (a) of acquiring the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a step (b) for calculating the total number of printed sheets, and a paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus A step (c) of selecting an image forming apparatus to be distributed for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that a total stacking capacity is equal to or greater than the total number of sheets; Step (d) for instructing the image forming apparatus selected in step (c) to print the assigned number of the total number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus. And a printing control method.

  (2) In step (c), an image forming apparatus is selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses in order from the image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or greater than the total number of sheets. The printing control method as described in (1) above, wherein:

  (3) The printing control method according to (1) or (2), wherein in the step (c), the division of the total number of sheets is performed in units of the number of copies.

  (4) In the step (c), an image forming apparatus having a higher execution possibility of instructed printing is preferentially selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a printing operation status. The printing control method according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

  (5) In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which no printed matter remains in the paper discharge unit is selected with priority over an image forming apparatus in which the printed matter remains. The print control method according to any one of (1) to (4) above, characterized in that:

  (6) A procedure (a) for acquiring the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a procedure (b) for calculating the total number of sheets to be printed, and a paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus A step (c) of selecting an image forming apparatus that is a target of distributed printing for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that a total stacking capacity is equal to or greater than the total number of sheets; Procedure (d) for instructing the image forming apparatus selected in the procedure (c) to print the assigned number of the total number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus. And a print control program for causing a computer to execute.

  (7) In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, image forming apparatuses are selected in order from an image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or greater than the total number of sheets. The printing control program according to (6) above, wherein

  (8) The printing control program according to (6) or (7), wherein in the step (c), the division of the total number is performed in units of the number of copies.

  (9) In the step (c), an image forming apparatus having a higher execution possibility of instructed printing is preferentially selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a printing operation status. The print control program according to any one of (6) to (8) above.

  (10) In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which no printed matter remains in the paper discharge unit is selected preferentially over an image forming apparatus in which the printed matter remains. The print control program according to any one of (6) to (9) above, characterized in that:

  (11) A computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to any one of (6) to (10) is recorded.

  (12) An acquisition unit that acquires the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a calculation unit that calculates the total number of sheets to be printed, and a total stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus A selection unit that selects an image forming apparatus that is a target of distributed printing for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the total number of sheets is equal to or greater than the total number; A print instructing unit for instructing the image forming apparatus to print the assigned number of the total number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus.

  (13) The selection unit selects an image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses in order from the image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or more than the total number of sheets. The printing control apparatus according to (12), characterized in that it is characterized in that:

  (14) The print control apparatus according to (12) or (13), wherein the division of the total number of sheets is performed in units of the number of copies to be printed.

  (15) The selection unit preferentially selects an image forming apparatus having a higher possibility of performing instructed printing from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a printing operation status. The print control apparatus according to any one of (12) to (14).

  (16) The selection unit selects, among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which a printed material does not remain in a paper discharge unit with priority over an image forming apparatus in which the printed material remains. The printing control apparatus according to any one of (12) to (15).

  According to the present invention, the printed matter is discharged to the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus within the range of the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit, and distributed printing can be executed. Therefore, the printed matter is buried in the paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus used for distributed printing, and it is possible to prevent a delay in obtaining the printed matter due to a time loss for removing the printed matter. Thereby, the productivity of the printing process is improved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client terminal shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the content of the hard disk shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the content of ROM shown by FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing related to distributed printing by a printer controller. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a printer status. It is a figure which shows an example of a distributed printing output setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for selecting a printer to be distributed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for selection according to an operation status of a printer that is a target of distributed printing. It is a figure which shows an example of a message screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a division | segmentation process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes printers 1a and 1b, a client terminal 2, and a printer controller 3. The printers 1a and 1b, the client terminal 2, and the printer controller 3 are connected to each other via a network 4 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The network 4 includes various networks such as a LAN in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, or a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer shown in FIG. A printer 1a as an image forming apparatus includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an operation panel 14, a printing unit 15, and a communication interface 16, which are connected to each other via a bus 17 for exchanging signals.

  The CPU 11 executes control of each part and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 13 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area.

  The operation panel 14 includes elements such as a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, and a stop button, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The printing unit 15 prints an image based on various data on a recording medium such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.

  The communication interface 16 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the printer controller 3 via the network 4, in addition to a network interface based on standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, USB, IEEE 1394, and the like. Serial interfaces, parallel interfaces such as SCSI and IEEE1284, various local connection interfaces such as wireless communication interfaces such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA, and telephone line interfaces for connecting to telephone lines are used. Can be.

  Note that the configuration of the printer 1b is the same as the configuration of the printer 1a, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client terminal shown in FIG. The client terminal 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a hard disk 24, a display 25, an input device 26, and a communication interface 27, which are connected to each other via a bus 28 for exchanging signals. Note that, among the above-described units of the client terminal 2, portions having the same functions as those of the above-described units of the printer 1a are not described in order to avoid duplication.

  The hard disk 24 stores various programs including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) and various data. The display 25 is a CRT or LCD, for example, and displays various information. The input device 26 is a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used to perform various inputs.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the contents of the hard disk of the client terminal shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hard disk 24 of the client terminal 2 has an OS, a document creation application for creating a document file, and a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language that allows the printer controller 3 to interpret the document file). And a printer driver for generating print data by converting into PDL data described in (1).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer controller shown in FIG. The printer controller 3 as a print control device includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a hard disk 34, a display 35, an input device 36, and a communication interface 37, which are connected to each other via a bus 38 for exchanging signals. ing. Note that the above-described units of the printer controller 3 are the same as the above-described units of the client terminal 2, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the contents of the ROM of the printer controller shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ROM 32 of the printer controller 3 has areas for storing programs corresponding to the RIP processing unit, the image data processing unit, and the job processing unit. The RIP processing unit executes RIP processing based on the print data received from the client terminal 2. In other words, the RIP processing unit converts the PDL data included in the print data into bitmap format image data (hereinafter referred to as bitmap image data) used by the printers 1a and 1b for printing. The image data processing unit analyzes a PDL data processing method. The job processing unit instructs the transmission and output method of bitmap image data to the printers 1a and 1b. The functions of the RIP processing unit, the image data processing unit, and the job processing unit are exhibited when the CPU 31 executes programs corresponding to the functions.

  The printers 1a and 1b, the client terminal 2, and the printer controller 3 may include components other than the above components, or some of the above components may not be included. .

  The type and number of devices connected to the network 4 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, printers 1a and 1b are illustrated as a plurality of printers. However, in the following description, a case where a plurality of printers 1a, 1b, 1c,.

  Next, an outline of the printing operation will be described.

  Document data for printing is created by a document creation application installed in the client terminal 2. The document data is converted from the file format of the document creation application into the PDL data by the printer driver, and the print data generated by converting into the PDL data is transmitted to the printer controller 3. In addition, an instruction for performing finishing processing in the printer is set in the print data.

  The printer controller 3 receives the print data, and the print data is arranged in the printer controller 3 in the order of arrival, and is converted into bitmap image data by the RIP processing unit. The printer controller 3 analyzes the set instruction for performing finishing processing such as punching and stapling, and transmits the obtained content of the finishing processing to the printer together with the bitmap image data. The printer prints an image based on the received bitmap image data, executes a set finishing process, and discharges the printed matter to a predetermined discharge tray.

  Next, an outline of distributed printing will be described.

  The user performs a print instruction using a printer driver installed in the client terminal 2. The printer controller 3 receives the print data and generates bitmap image data. The user selects an output document (here, bitmap image data) to be printed from the bitmap image data stored in the printer controller 3, and inputs the number of copies to be acquired. Furthermore, the printer controller 3 grasps the number of pages of bitmap image data, and obtains the number of print copies input by the user, thereby grasping the total number of printed sheets as the entire print job. Here, the printer controller 3 determines whether or not to perform distributed printing. When the distributed printing is not performed, the printer controller 3 transmits a print job to the printer with the highest priority predetermined by the user, and the printer executes printing based on the received print job. When performing distributed printing, the printer controller 3 divides a print job to create a child print job, and transmits the child print job to a plurality of printers. Each printer executes printing based on the received child print job.

  Next, the operation of the printer controller of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  7, 10, and 13 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing related to distributed printing by the printer controller shown in FIG. 1. 7, 10, and 13 are stored as programs in a storage unit such as the ROM 32 of the printer controller 3 and executed by the CPU 31.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the printer controller 3 requests each printer on the network 4 for a printer status, which is information relating to the printer status, and acquires the printer status from each printer (S101).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the printer status. In the printer status, “Output Option” indicating what kind of finisher (post-processing device) is attached, “Output Destination” indicating the output destination of the printed material, and “Output Trait Capacity” indicating the stacking capacity of the output tray. In addition, items such as “Output Trait Status” indicating whether or not printed matter remains in the paper discharge tray and “Printer Status” indicating the operation status of the printer are included. The column “Supported Value” in FIG. 8 indicates the “value” of each item. For example, the value of the item “Output Trait Capacity” indicates the stacking capacity (sheets), and the value of the item “Output Trace Status” indicates that the printed matter remains.

  Subsequently, for each printer, the stack capacity of the discharge tray is acquired from the acquired printer status (S102), and the acquired stack capacity of the discharge tray is stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 33 (S103). .

  Subsequently, based on the user's operation, an output document to be printed is selected from the documents (bitmap image data) stored in the hard disk 34 (S104), and the number of copies to be printed is set (S105). In step S105, finishing processing is set as necessary.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not distributed printing is possible. For example, when staple is set as the finishing process and there is only one printer capable of performing the staple process, it is determined that distributed printing is impossible. If it is determined that distributed printing is not possible (S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S112.

  If it is determined that distributed printing is possible (S106: YES), the total number of printed sheets is calculated (S107). Here, the printer controller 3 calculates the total number of prints as the entire print job from the number of pages of the bitmap image data and the set number of print copies (number of pages × number of print copies).

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the calculated total number of printed sheets is equal to or larger than a predetermined number set in the case of performing distributed printing.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distributed print output setting screen. The user can determine in advance by inputting the minimum set number of sheets when executing distributed printing on the distributed printing output setting screen of FIG. In the present embodiment, the distributed print output setting screen is displayed on the display 35 of the printer controller 3.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the total number of printed sheets is not equal to or greater than the set number (S108: NO), the process proceeds to step S112.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the total number of printed sheets is equal to or greater than the set number (S108: YES), the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not the total number of printed sheets is larger than the stack capacity of the discharge tray of the printer with the highest priority. If the total number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the stack capacity of the discharge tray of the printer with the highest priority (S109: NO), it is determined that there is no need for distributed printing in this embodiment, and the process proceeds to step S112.

  When it is determined that the total number of printed sheets is larger than the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of the printer with the highest priority (S109: YES), a process for selecting a printer to be distributed is executed (S110). In other words, an image forming apparatus that is a target of distributed printing that divides and prints the total number of the plurality of printers so that the total stack capacity of the discharge tray of the selected printer is equal to or greater than the total number of sheets to be printed. Is selected. Then, the print job is divided so that a part of the total number is allocated to the selected printer within the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of each printer. Details of the selection process of the printer to be distributed printing will be described later.

  In step S111, the divided print job, that is, the child print job is transmitted to the selected printer for distributed printing. The printer that is the target of distributed printing prints an image based on the received child print job on a recording medium such as paper.

  On the other hand, in step S112, a print job for executing printing for the total number of printed sheets is transmitted to a printer with the highest priority determined in advance without being divided. Then, the printer prints an image based on the received print job on a recording medium such as paper.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the selection process (S110) of a printer to be distributed is described.

  First, based on the printer status (see FIG. 8), a printer whose printer operating status is ready is selected (S201).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the total number of printed sheets is larger than the total stacking capacity of the discharge tray of the printer in the ready state (S202).

  If it is determined that the total number of printed sheets is larger than the total stack capacity of the discharge tray of the printer in the ready state (S202: YES), the total stack capacity of the discharge tray is insufficient, and is subject to distributed printing. In order to increase the number of printers, a printer in a warm-up state is further selected (S203).

  If it is determined that the total number of printed sheets is not larger than the total stack capacity of the discharge tray of the printer in the ready state (S202: NO), it is determined that the total stack capacity of the discharge tray is sufficient, and step S204 is performed. Proceed to However, even in this case, in order to secure a margin, a printer in a warm-up state can be additionally selected.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for selection according to the operation status of a printer to be distributed. In this embodiment, the printer in the ready state and the warm-up state is selected, but the user can arbitrarily set it on the setting screen shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a setting screen for selection according to the operation status is displayed on the display 35 of the printer controller 3.

  Subsequently, based on the printer status (see FIG. 8), the status of the discharge tray of each printer selected in steps S201 and S203 is grasped (S204).

  In step S205, it is determined whether or not printed matter remains in the paper discharge tray of each printer.

  When it is determined that no printed matter remains in the discharge tray of each printer (S205: NO), each printer selected in steps S201 and S203 is set as a printer to be distributed (S209).

  On the other hand, when there is a printer in which the printed matter remains in the paper discharge tray among the selected printers (S205: YES), in order to accept a user instruction as to whether or not to perform distributed printing after removing the printed matter. Is displayed (S206).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message screen. The user can instruct by selecting “Yes” or “No” on the message screen. In the present embodiment, the message screen is displayed on the display 35 of the printer controller 3.

  When an instruction to remove the printed material is received (S207: YES), each selected printer is set as a printer to be distributed (S209).

  If the instruction to remove the printed material is not received (S207: NO), the printer with the printed material remaining in the paper discharge tray is excluded from the printers to be distributed (S208).

  In step S210, a print job division process for performing distributed printing for the total number of printed sheets is performed. Details of this division processing will be described later.

  Next, the division process (S210) will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, priority is given to the printers in descending order of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray. Here, the printers selected in advance in steps S201 to S209 are referred to as printer A, printer B,..., Printer M in descending order of the stacking capacity of the discharge tray.

  First, it is determined whether or not the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of the printer A is larger than the number of printed copies of one copy of the print job to be executed (S311). If the stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray of the printer A is not larger than the number of printed copies of one copy (S311: NO), the process proceeds to step S320.

  When the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of the printer A is larger than the number of copies of one copy (S311: YES), it is determined that more prints can be stacked on the discharge tray of the printer A, and the stacking of the discharge tray of the printer A is performed. It is determined whether or not the capacity is larger than the number of printed copies of two copies (S312). If the stacking capacity of the paper output tray of the printer A is not larger than the number of copies printed in two copies (S312: NO), the process proceeds to step S320.

  The same processing as in steps S311 and S312 is repeated while incrementing the number of copies, such as one copy, two copies,. Here, for example, in the processing for n copies, a case is considered in which it is determined that the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of the printer A is not larger than the number of copies printed in n copies (S313: NO), and the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the number of copies that can be discharged to the discharge tray of printer A is determined. Here, it is understood that the number of copies that can be discharged to the discharge tray of the printer A is n.

  Subsequently, with respect to the printer B, the same processing as in steps S311, S312, and S313 is performed (S331, S332, and S333).

  In step S340, the number of copies that can be discharged to the discharge tray of printer B is determined. Here, it is understood that the number of copies that can be discharged to the discharge tray of the printer B is n.

  Then, the same processing as in steps S311, S312, and S313 is performed for each printer in descending order of the stacking capacity of the discharge tray. For example, the number of copies that can be discharged to the discharge tray of the printer M is grasped (S350). .

  In step S360, the selection of a printer to be distributed is determined. Here, among the printers selected in advance in steps S201 to S209, the printers necessary for executing the distributed printing for the total number of print jobs of the print job are finally selected in descending order of the stacking capacity of the discharge tray. To be confirmed. From this point of view, the processing in steps S311 to S350 may be terminated when a printer necessary for execution of distributed printing for the total number of print jobs is secured, and may proceed to step S360.

  In step S370, the print job is divided so that a part of the total number of sheets is allocated to the selected printer within the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of each printer. Here, the number of ejectable copies in each printer ascertained in steps S311 to S350 is assigned to each printer.

  Note that when performing distributed printing, as a result, even if there are multiple printers with sufficient stacking capacity for the output tray, or even if all of the printers that are the targets of distributed printing are used, all printed materials are stacked. It may be assumed that this is not possible. In such a case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a printing speed set in advance as the next priority standard for the stacking capacity of the paper discharge tray is adopted, and printers used for distributed printing are selected in order from the printer with the highest printing speed. .

  Further, for example, in a printer that can detect the remaining capacity of the paper discharge tray (capacity that can be stacked on the printed matter if it already exists) by mounting a paper discharge counter or the like, the paper discharge tray It is also possible to perform the same processing as described above using the remaining capacity in the paper discharge tray as the stacking capacity. Furthermore, when the operation status of the printer is print reservation / printing, it is possible to predict the amount of printed matter discharged to the paper discharge tray after completion of printing and perform the same processing as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the total number of printed sheets is divided and printed from a plurality of printers so that the total stack capacity of the discharge tray of the selected printer is equal to or greater than the total number of printed sheets. A printer to be printed is selected. Then, the selected printer is instructed to print the assigned number of the total number of printed sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the discharge tray of each printer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the printed matter is discharged to the discharge tray of each printer within the range of the stacking capacity of each discharge tray, and distributed printing can be executed. Therefore, the printed matter is buried in the paper discharge tray of the printer used for distributed printing, and it is possible to prevent a delay in obtaining the printed matter due to a time loss for removing the printed matter. Thereby, the productivity of the printing process is improved.

  In addition, since the printers are selected in order from the printer having the largest discharge capacity of the discharge tray until the total stack capacity becomes equal to or greater than the total number of printed sheets, it is not necessary to occupy many printers.

  Further, since the division of the total number of printed sheets is performed in units of the number of copies, the process is executed without being divided in the middle of the sentence, which is more preferable for the user. The division of the total number of printed sheets may be performed in units of one bundle of offset (jog function) for shifting the discharge position on the discharge tray. In the present invention, the division of the total number of printed sheets is not necessarily limited to a copy unit or a single bundle unit, and may be performed, for example, in units of one sheet, although it is somewhat troublesome.

  Further, in the present embodiment, among the plurality of printers, a printer having a higher execution possibility of the instructed printing is preferentially selected based on the printing operation status, so that the productivity of the printing process is further improved. .

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of printers, a printer that does not leave printed matter in the paper discharge tray is selected preferentially over a printer that has printed matter left. There is no need for the user to remove it.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the user selects an output document to be printed from the bitmap image data stored in the printer controller 3, inputs the number of copies to be acquired, and executes distributed printing using a plurality of printers. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is naturally applicable to a case where the printer controller 3 executes distributed printing using a plurality of printers based on a print job received from the client terminal 2. In this case, the number of copies is described in the print job based on a user operation on the setting screen provided by the printer driver. Further, the distributed print output setting screen in FIG. 9, the setting screen for selection according to the operation status of the printer to be distributed in FIG. 11, and the message screen in FIG. 12 are displayed on the display 25 of the client terminal 2, A configuration in which a user instruction is received and communication with the printer controller 3 is possible is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, a printer is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, and a multifunction peripheral device having a function combining them. An image forming apparatus such as (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the printer controller 3 is provided separately and independently from the printers 1a and 1b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer controller 3 can form an image such as any printer. It may be included in the device.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the printing system of the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one function of the device.

1a, 1b printer,
11, 21, 31 CPU,
12, 22, 32 ROM,
13, 23, 33 RAM,
14 Operation panel,
15 printing department,
16, 27, 37 communication interface,
17, 28, 38 buses,
2 client terminals,
24, 34 hard disk,
25, 35 display,
26, 36 input devices,
3 Printer controller
4 Network.

Claims (16)

Obtaining a stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Calculating the total number of prints (b);
An image to be distributed for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the total stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than the total number. Selecting a forming device (c);
A step (d) for instructing the image forming apparatus selected in step (c) to print the assigned number of the total number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus; When,
A printing control method.   In the step (c), an image forming apparatus is selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses in order from the image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or more than the total number of sheets. The printing control method according to claim 1, wherein:   The print control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step (c), the division of the total number of sheets is performed in units of the number of print copies.   In the step (c), an image forming apparatus having a higher execution possibility of instructed printing is preferentially selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a printing operation status. Item 4. The printing control method according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which a printed matter does not remain in a paper discharge unit is selected preferentially over an image forming apparatus in which a printed matter remains. The printing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A procedure (a) of acquiring the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A procedure (b) for calculating the total number of prints;
An image to be distributed for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the total stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than the total number. A procedure (c) for selecting a forming apparatus;
Procedure (d) for instructing the image forming apparatus selected in the procedure (c) to print the assigned number of the total number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus. When,
Print control program for causing a computer to execute.   In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, image forming apparatuses are selected in order from the image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or more than the total number of sheets. The print control program according to claim 6.   8. The print control program according to claim 6, wherein in the step (c), the division of the total number of sheets is performed in units of the number of copies.   In the step (c), an image forming apparatus having a higher execution possibility of instructed printing is preferentially selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a printing operation status. Item 9. The print control program according to any one of Items 6 to 8.   In the step (c), among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which no printed matter remains in the paper discharge unit is selected with priority over an image forming apparatus in which the printed matter remains. The printing control program according to any one of claims 6 to 9.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the printing control program of any one of Claims 6-10. Obtaining means for obtaining the stacking capacity of each paper discharge unit for a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A computing means for computing the total number of sheets to be printed;
An image to be distributed for printing by dividing the total number of sheets from the plurality of image forming apparatuses so that the total stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of the selected image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than the total number. Selecting means for selecting a forming device;
A print instructing unit for instructing the image forming apparatus selected by the selecting unit to print the allocated number of sheets within the range of the stacking capacity of the paper discharge unit of each image forming apparatus;
A printing control apparatus.   The selection unit selects an image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses in order from an image forming apparatus having a large stacking capacity of a paper discharge unit until the total stacking capacity becomes equal to or more than the total number of sheets. The printing control apparatus according to claim 12.   14. The print control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the division of the total number of sheets is performed in units of the number of print copies.   13. The selection unit preferentially selects an image forming apparatus that is more likely to be instructed to print based on a printing operation status among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The print control apparatus according to any one of 14.   The selection means selects, from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus in which a printed matter does not remain in a paper discharge unit with priority over an image forming apparatus in which a printed matter remains. The print control apparatus according to any one of 12 to 15.

Images