JP2013235446A - Print job separation device and distributed printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a job separation device that determines a recovery route connecting a plurality of printers and job distribution to the printers in consideration of a destination where printed matters are used in distributed printing.SOLUTION: A job separation device 3 of the present invention includes: a storage unit 34 that stores position information relating to positions of a plurality of printer candidates and a destination; a selection unit 31 for selecting a plurality of printers 1 for performing distribution processing from the plurality of printer candidates; and a determination unit 31 that determines a route connecting the plurality of printers 1 to be ultimately directed to the destination and distribution of print jobs distributed to the plurality of printers 1 on the basis of the position information of the selected plurality of printers 1 and the destination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print job dividing device and a distributed printing system.

  When printing a document having a large number of pages, a distributed printing technique is known in which one print job is divided into a plurality of sub print jobs and distributed to a plurality of printing apparatuses. In distributed printing, a printing process based on a sub print job is executed by a plurality of printing apparatuses, and a plurality of printed materials are combined to complete a document.

  In distributed printing, as a method for distributing a print job, for example, a method of evenly distributing to a plurality of printing apparatuses, a method of distributing so that the time required for printing is minimized according to the printing speed of each printing apparatus, etc. There is.

  Further, in recent years, a technique for distributing print jobs in consideration of not only the time required for printing but also the time for the user to collect printed matter is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, in consideration of the printing speed of each printing device and the moving speed of the user when collecting printed materials, the distribution of print jobs distributed to each printing device and the collection for collecting printed materials from each printing device by the user Determine the route. In the collection path, the collection order is set so that the user collects the printed material in the order of the printing apparatus far from the printing apparatus close to the user terminal.

JP 2009-026207 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the user collects the printed materials in the order of the printing device farthest from the printing device starting from the user terminal according to the collection path. Therefore, the user is away from the user terminal after the collection of the printed matter is finished. Even if the user wants to use the collected printed matter at the user's seat where the user terminal is located, the user may move away from the destination when the collection of the printed matter is completed. In this case, there is a problem that it takes a long time until the user can actually use the printed material after the collection of the printed material is completed. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the place where the printed material is used (destination) is not considered at all after the collection of the printed material is completed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and considers a destination for using a printed material in distributed printing, and determines a collection path connecting a plurality of printing apparatuses and job distribution for each printing apparatus. And a distributed printing system.

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

  (1) A print job dividing apparatus that divides a print job in order to distribute one print job by a plurality of printing apparatuses, and stores a position information regarding a plurality of printing apparatus candidates and destination positions And a selection unit for selecting a plurality of printing devices to be distributed from among a plurality of printing device candidates, and a plurality of the printing devices selected by the selection unit and position information of the destination based on the final position information And a determination unit that determines a path connecting the plurality of printing apparatuses so as to go to the destination, and a distribution of the print job to be distributed to the plurality of printing apparatuses.

  (2) The print job dividing device according to (1), wherein the determination unit determines the route in order of the printing device that is closest to the destination and is closer to the printing device.

  (3) The storage unit stores location information related to the location of the terminal used by the user, and the selection unit compares the location information of the terminal with the location information of the destination, And the destination position are different from each other, the printing device located on the destination side is extracted from the position of the terminal as a starting point, the extracted printing device is set as the printing device candidate, If the destination positions match, the printing device located in the area where the terminal exists is extracted, and the extracted printing device is used as the printing device candidate as described in (1) or (2) Job split device.

  (4) The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user, and the selection unit specifies and specifies a terminal that generates the print job among the plurality of terminal candidates. The print job dividing apparatus according to (3), wherein the position information of the terminal and the position information of the destination are compared.

  (5) The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by the user, and the selection unit receives and receives designation of one terminal from the plurality of terminal candidates. The print job dividing apparatus according to (3), wherein position information of the terminal is compared with position information of the destination.

  (6) The determination unit distributes the print jobs so that the pages of the printed material are arranged in order when the user collects the printed material from the printing apparatus on the route according to the route and overlaps the collection order. The print job dividing apparatus according to any one of the above.

  (7) The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to a moving speed of a user and processing speed information related to a processing speed of the printing apparatus, and the determination unit is configured to store the movement speed information and the printing apparatus. Based on the distance, printing is completed when the user arrives in the printing device after the first printing device in the determined route, and the printing is far from the destination in the determined route. The print job dividing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the print jobs are distributed so that a processing amount increases in order of the printing apparatuses closest to the apparatus.

  (8) The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to a moving speed of a user and processing speed information related to a processing speed of the printing apparatus, and the determination unit includes the moving speed information, the processing speed information, and Any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the route and the distribution of the print job are determined so that the time until the user reaches the destination is the shortest based on the position information of the printing apparatus. The print job dividing apparatus according to one.

  (9) The print job dividing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), further including a display unit that displays the route.

  (10) The print job according to any one of (1) to (9), further including a notification unit that notifies a print collection instruction based on a completion time of distributed processing by the printing apparatus on the path. Splitting device.

  (11) The print job dividing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the destination is set in a terminal of a user who has generated the print job.

  (12) The storage unit stores position information regarding positions of a plurality of destination candidates, and the reception unit receives designation of a destination from the plurality of destination candidates. The print job dividing apparatus according to any one of (11).

  (13) A distributed printing system including a plurality of printing apparatuses capable of printing, and a print job dividing apparatus that divides the print job in order to distribute one print job by the plurality of printing apparatuses. The job dividing device includes a storage unit that stores position information regarding a plurality of printing device candidates and a destination position, a selection unit for selecting a plurality of printing devices to be distributed from the plurality of printing device candidates, Based on the plurality of printing devices selected by the selection unit and the position information of the destination, a route connecting the plurality of printing devices to finally reach the destination and the plurality of printing devices are distributed. A plurality of printing apparatuses selected by the selection unit based on the distribution of the print jobs. Distributed printing system for forming.

  (14) The distributed printing system according to (13), wherein the determining unit determines the route in order of the printing device that is closer to the destination and closer to the printing device.

  (15) The storage unit stores location information related to a location of a terminal used by a user, and the selection unit compares the location information of the terminal with the location information of the destination, And the destination position are different from each other, the printing device located on the destination side is extracted from the position of the terminal as a starting point, the extracted printing device is set as the printing device candidate, When the destination positions match, the printing apparatus located in the area where the terminal exists is extracted, and the extracted printing apparatus is set as the printing apparatus candidate as described in (13) or (14). Printing system.

  (16) The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user, and the selection unit specifies and specifies a terminal that generates the print job among the plurality of terminal candidates. The distributed printing system according to (15), wherein the position information of the terminal and the position information of the destination are compared.

  (17) The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user, and the selection unit receives and receives designation of one terminal from the plurality of terminal candidates. The distributed printing system according to (15), wherein the position information of the terminal is compared with the position information of the destination.

  (18) The determination unit distributes the print jobs so that pages of the printed material are arranged in order when the user collects the printed material from the printing apparatus on the route according to the route and stacks the printed materials in the collection order. ). The distributed printing system according to any one of

  (19) The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to a moving speed of a user and processing speed information related to a processing speed of the printing apparatus, and the determination unit includes the movement speed information and the printing apparatus. Based on the distance, printing is completed when the user arrives in the printing device after the first printing device in the determined route, and the printing is far from the destination in the determined route. The distributed printing system according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein the print job is distributed so that a processing amount increases in the order of the printing apparatuses closest to the apparatus.

  (20) The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to a moving speed of a user and processing speed information related to a processing speed of the printing apparatus, and the determination unit includes the moving speed information, the processing speed information, and Any one of the above (13) to (18) that determines the route and the distribution of the print job so that the time until the user reaches the destination is the shortest based on the position information of the printing apparatus. The distributed printing system as described in one.

  (21) The distributed printing system according to any one of (13) to (20), further including a display unit that displays the route.

  (22) The distributed printing according to any one of (13) to (21), further including a notification unit that notifies a print collection instruction based on a completion time of distributed processing by the printing device on the path. system.

  (23) The distributed printing system according to any one of (13) to (22), wherein the destination is set in a terminal of a user who has generated the print job.

  (24) The storage unit stores position information regarding positions of a plurality of destination candidates, and the reception unit receives designation of a destination from the plurality of destination candidates. (23) The distributed printing system according to any one of (23).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine a collection path connecting a plurality of printing apparatuses and a job distribution for each printing apparatus in consideration of a destination where printed materials are used in distributed printing. If the user collects the printed material along the determined collection path, the user can efficiently collect the printed material while approaching the destination.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a distributed printing system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a user terminal. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print job dividing device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout diagram used by a print job dividing device. It is a figure which shows the position table which shows the arrangement position of each apparatus. It is a figure which shows the distance table which shows the distance between each apparatus. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of processing in a distributed printing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets a destination. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a printing apparatus to be distributed printed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for generating a printing apparatus candidate list. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which produces a collection | recovery path | route. It is a figure which shows a mode that the shortest path | route is calculated. It is a figure which shows the collection | recovery path | route of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the collection path | route example 1 of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the collection path example 2 of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the collection path example 3 of printed matter. It is a figure which shows the collection | recovery path example 4 of printed matter. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of a process of the distributed printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating a printing apparatus list according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the collection | recovery path example 5 of the printed matter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the collection | recovery path example 6 of the printed matter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the collection path | route example 7 of the printed matter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a distributed printing system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the distributed printing system includes a plurality of printing apparatuses 1, at least one user terminal 2, and a print job dividing apparatus 3. The printing apparatus 1, the user terminal 2, and the print job dividing apparatus 3 are connected via a network N so that they can communicate with each other. The network N is a LAN (Local Area Network) according to a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), or a WAN (Wide Area Network) in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line.

  The printing apparatus 1 prints an output image based on a print job received from another apparatus on the network N or a sub print job generated by dividing the print job on paper using an electrophotographic printing technique. The printing apparatus 1 includes a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multi-function peripheral (MFP), and the like. The printing method employed by the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be another printing method such as an impact method, a thermal transfer method, or an ink jet method.

  The user terminal 2 is a terminal that can be used by a user at a specific position, such as a desktop PC (Personal Computer) or a notebook PC. The user terminal 2 transmits various instructions such as a distributed print request and a print job to the print job dividing apparatus 3 via the network N, and displays a screen showing various lists transmitted from the print job dividing apparatus 3. Or display.

  The print job dividing device 3 divides the print job based on the print job and the distributed print request transmitted from the user terminal 2 and assigns them to a plurality of printing devices 1. The print job dividing device 3 is a server specialized in a print job dividing function, for example. In the present embodiment, the print job dividing device 3 has a function of transmitting the divided sub print job to the plurality of printing devices 1 in addition to dividing the print job. However, the print job transmission function may be executed by another device (server).

  Next, details of each component will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a hard disk 24, a display 25, an input device 26, and a network interface 27. Including. Each component is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 28.

  The CPU 21 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processes according to programs stored in the ROM 22 and the hard disk 24. For example, based on the list data transmitted from the print job dividing device 3, a list selection screen is displayed on the display 25, or a user input is received through the input device 26, and transmitted to the print job dividing device 3 through the network interface. To do.

  The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The hard disk 24 stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

  The display 25 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various information. The input device 26 includes, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for inputting various information. The network interface 27 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the printing apparatus 1 and the print job dividing apparatus 3 via the network, and standards such as IPv4, IPv6, Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used. Used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the print job dividing apparatus. In the configuration of the print job dividing device 3, the description of the portion having the same function as the user terminal 2 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print job dividing device 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a hard disk 34, a display 35, an input device 36, and a network interface. 37. Each component is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 38.

  The CPU 31 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 32 and the hard disk 34. The CPU 31 functions as a selection unit and a determination unit by executing a program.

  The hard disk 34 stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The hard disk 34 is installed with an application for dividing a print job and performing distributed printing. In addition, the ROM 32 or the hard disk 34 stores layout information indicating the arrangement positions of the printing apparatus 1 and the user terminal 2 as a storage unit. The layout information will be described later.

  4 is a diagram showing an example of a layout diagram used by the print job dividing device, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a position table showing the arrangement positions of the devices, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a distance table showing the distances between the devices. is there.

  In the ROM 32 or the hard disk 34, for example, layout information for expressing the layout diagram shown in FIG. 4 is stored. The layout information includes map information and arrangement information. Map information includes information on the entire area of the environment where this system is used, such as office and school floor plans, information on passages that the user can pass in the environment, information on obstacles such as desks and walls that the user cannot pass, etc. Information on the location of the doors leading to the rooms and corridors. As shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement information includes information related to the arrangement of the printing apparatus 1 and the user terminal 2. In the layout diagram of FIG. 4, MFPa to MFPe are arranged as the printing apparatus 1, and PCa and PCb are arranged as the user terminal 2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement information is stored as a position table in which the coordinate position of the device and the name of the area where the device is arranged are associated with each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the shortest distance between the devices in consideration of the path through which the user can pass is also stored in advance as a distance table. When a mobile terminal such as a notebook PC or smartphone that can be carried by the user is used as the user terminal, the coordinate position of the mobile terminal and the shortest distance between the mobile terminal and each device are not fixed. It cannot be registered in advance in a table or distance table. In this case, the coordinate position of the mobile terminal is specified using the position information of the wireless LAN access point in the vicinity of the mobile terminal, the shortest distance between the mobile terminal and each device is calculated using the coordinate position information, What is necessary is just to register into a position table and a distance table. The timing for specifying the coordinate position of the mobile terminal is preferably a point in time when distributed printing is instructed from the mobile terminal, but the coordinate position may be specified every predetermined time interval.

  In addition to the layout information, the ROM 32 or the hard disk 34 stores moving speed information related to the moving speed of the user and processing speed information related to the processing speed of the printing apparatus 1. The moving speed of the user may be stored for each user corresponding to the user terminal 2 or may be stored as a uniform value as a general human walking speed, for example, 4 km / hour. The processing speed of the printing apparatus 1 is a speed at which the printing apparatus 1 performs printing. For example, the number of printed sheets per minute is stored for each printing apparatus 1. The ROM 32 or the hard disk 34 also stores functions of the printing apparatus 1.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the layout information and the like are stored in the hard disk 34.

  Next, the flow of processing in the distributed printing system will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing the flow of processing in the distributed printing system, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting a destination, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a printing apparatus for distributed printing. Note that the processes of the printing apparatus 1, the user terminal 2, and the print job dividing apparatus 3 are executed by the respective CPUs.

  First, the user terminal 2 receives an instruction for distributed printing from the user (step S1). Acceptance of an instruction for distributed printing is performed at an arbitrary user terminal 2. This reception is executed, for example, by selecting a distributed printing instruction button displayed on the display 25 of the user terminal 2 using the input device 26 such as a keyboard or a mouse. When there is an instruction for distributed printing, the user terminal 2 transmits a distributed printing request to the print job dividing device 3 (step S2).

  The print job dividing device 3 creates a list using a plurality of locations as destination candidates (step S3), and transmits the list to the user terminal 2 (step S4). The destination candidates are registered in advance in the ROM 32 and the hard disk 34.

  The user terminal 2 receives a destination selection based on a list of a plurality of destination candidates (step S5). Here, the list of destination candidates is displayed on the display 25 of the user terminal 2, for example, as shown in FIG. The user can appropriately set the destination where he / she wants to finally carry the printed matter produced by the distributed printing by looking at the display 25. When the destination is set from the destination candidates, the user terminal 2 transmits destination selection information such as the name of the selected destination to the print job dividing device 3 (step S6).

  The print job dividing device 3 selects a plurality of printing device 1 candidates suitable for printing in consideration of the user going to the destination, generates a list (step S7), and transmits the list to the user terminal 2. (Step S8). Details of selection of a printing apparatus candidate will be described later.

  The user terminal 2 accepts selection of a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 for distributed printing from a printing apparatus candidate list including a plurality of printing apparatus candidates (step S9). Here, the printing device candidate list is displayed on the display 25 of the user terminal 2, for example, as shown in FIG. The user can select (add or delete) the printing apparatus 1 that he / she wants to use by looking at the display 25. The user terminal 2 transmits printing device selection information such as the name of the selected printing device 1 to the print job dividing device 3 (step S10).

  The print job dividing device 3 creates a route for the user to collect the printed material based on the plurality of printing devices 1 selected on the user terminal 2 (step S11). Details of the route creation will be described later.

  The user terminal 2 generates a print job based on electronic data such as a document, an image, and a photograph related to the current distributed printing, and a print setting for printing the electronic data (step S12). The selection of electronic data and the print setting may be executed at the time of step S1, or may be executed at step S12. Since a method for generating a print job from electronic data and print settings is well known, a description thereof will be omitted. The user terminal 2 transmits the print job to the print job dividing device 3 (step S13).

  The print job dividing device 3 allocates to each selected printing device 1 based on the moving speed information of the user, the processing speed of the printing device 1 and the distance between the printing devices 1, that is, causes each printing device 1 to process. A data amount (number of pages or the like) is determined (step S14). Here, the print job dividing device 3 is configured so that the processing amount increases in the order of the printing device 1 that is far from the destination in the generated route in order of the printing device 1 or the processing time is increased. Determine the distribution of print jobs to be assigned. If the distribution is determined in this way, the printing apparatus 1 that the user arrives early when collecting the printed material can be adjusted so that the printing process is completed before the printing apparatus 1 that arrives late. In other words, in the printing apparatuses 1 after the printing apparatus 1 that collects the printed matter first in the generated path, the distribution of the print job is adjusted so that the printing is completed when the user arrives.

  The print job dividing device 3 generates a sub print job for each printing device 1 based on the determined distribution (step S15) and transmits it to each printing device 1 (step S16). FIG. 7 shows a case where N printing apparatuses P1 to PN are subjected to distributed printing processing. Here, the print job dividing apparatus 3 generates the sub print jobs so that the pages of the printed material are arranged in order without being out of order when the user collects and sequentially stacks the printed material according to the route created in step S11.

  The printing apparatus 1 periodically reports the progress of the printing process to the print job dividing apparatus 3 (step S17). The print job dividing device 3 determines whether the remaining number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the predetermined number for the printing apparatus 1 farthest from the destination in the collection path (step S18). If it is not less than the predetermined number (step S18: NO), the print job dividing device 3 waits for a next progress report from the printing device 1. When the remaining number of printed sheets is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number (step S18: YES), the print job dividing apparatus 3 determines that the user should start collecting printed materials at the present time, and prompts the user terminal 2 for the collection path and collection start. An instruction is transmitted (step S19). In this way, the timing of the collection is determined because if the user starts moving to collect the printed matter at that time, the printing apparatus 1 can perform printing just when the user reaches the printing apparatus 1 farthest from the destination. Because it is over.

  The user terminal 2 displays a collection path and a collection start message on the display 25 (step S20).

  Next, the printing device candidate list generation processing in step S7 shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating a printing apparatus candidate list. The process shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 31 of the print job dividing apparatus 3 reading a program.

  In generating a printing apparatus candidate list including a plurality of printing apparatus candidates, the CPU 31 specifies the user terminal 2 that generates a print job related to distributed printing, reads the position of the specified user terminal 2 from the hard disk 34, and reads this. Obtain (step S101). Alternatively, when the user terminal 2 is a mobile terminal, position information may be acquired from the mobile terminal, and this information may be included in the distributed print request. In the present embodiment, the CPU 31 regards that the user using the user terminal 2 that transmits the print job collects the printed matter that has been distributed and collects the position of the specified user terminal 2 where the recoverer is normally located (self-seat ). Note that the print job has not yet been transmitted from the user terminal 2 at the time of step S7 in FIG. However, since the user terminal 2 has already made a distributed print request, it can be considered that the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed print request also transmits a print job.

  The CPU 31 determines whether the identified position of the user terminal 2, that is, the position of the recovery person's own seat, and the destination transmitted in step S6 of FIG. 7 are the same (step S102). The position of the destination is the same as the position of the own seat, that is, the case where the destination is the own seat is, for example, a case where the position of the user terminal 2 shown in the table shown in FIG. .

  When the destination is the own seat (step S102: YES), the CPU 31 extracts the printing apparatus 1 located in the area where the own seat exists as a printing apparatus candidate (step S103). For example, in the layout shown in FIG. 4, when the seat is at the position of PCa and the destination is at the position of PCa, the CPU 31 extracts all of MFPa to MFPe existing in the same room as printing device candidates.

  When the destination is not the own seat (step S102: NO), the CPU 31 extracts the printing apparatus 1 positioned along the direction toward the destination from the position of the own seat as a starting point (step S104). For example, in the layout shown in FIG. 4, if the seat is at the position of PCa and the destination is at the door Da, the CPU 31 uses the position of the PCa as a starting point to place the MFPa, MFPc and MFPd on the door Da side in the living room as a printing device. Extract as a candidate.

  The CPU 31 generates a printing device candidate list based on the printing device candidates extracted in step S103 or step S104 (step S105).

  Next, the collection route creation process in step S11 shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for creating a collection route, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the shortest route is calculated, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a collection route for printed matter. The process shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the CPU 31 of the print job dividing apparatus 3 reading a program.

  The CPU 31 reads from the hard disk 34 a distance table (see FIG. 6) including the printing device 1 selected from the printing device candidates in the user terminal 2 and the selected destination (step S201).

  Based on the read distance table, the CPU 31 calculates the shortest route to the destination via the plurality of printing apparatuses 1 selected by the user (step S202). For example, referring to FIG. 12, when the destination is PCa and MFPa, c, d is selected by the user, the distance between the devices is the distance table for all combinations of PCa and MFPa, c, d. Is remembered. Therefore, the CPU 31 forms a path so that the total distance between the devices is the shortest. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, the shortest route including routes R1, R2, and R3 indicated by double arrows is calculated. Even when the distance table is not prepared in advance, the CPU 31 can also calculate the shortest path based on the position and path information of each device.

  The CPU 31 sets the printing device closest to the destination in the calculated route at the end of the collection order (step S203). In the example shown in FIG. 12, since the MFPd is closest to the destination PCa, the collection order of the MFPd is set last.

  In the calculated path, the CPU 31 sets the printing apparatus 1 located at the end opposite to the printing apparatus 1 set last in the collection order to the first collection order (step S204). In the example shown in FIG. 12, the collection order of MFPa is set to the first.

  For the remaining printing apparatuses 1 for which no collection order has been set, the collection order is set to 2, 3,... In order from the printing apparatus 1 with the first collection order toward the destination. S205). The collection order is set for all the printing apparatuses 1 on the calculated path. In FIG. 12, the collection order of MFPc is set to No. 3. In this way, a collection path including the collection order is generated. The generated collection route is transmitted to the user terminal 2 and is displayed together with a print collection instruction on a screen as shown in FIG. The numbers in circles in the figure represent the order of collection.

  As described above, according to the distributed printing system and the print job dividing device 3 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of units are arranged so as to finally reach the destination based on the destination and the position information of the plurality of printing devices 1. The distribution of the print job to each printing apparatus 1 is determined while determining the route connecting the printing apparatuses 1. Since the route and the distribution of the print job are determined in consideration of the destination, if the user collects the printed matter from the printing device 1 along the route determined by the print job dividing device 3, the user approaches the destination. The printed matter can be collected efficiently. When all the printed materials have been collected, since the printer 1 is located closest to the destination in the printing apparatus 1 that has performed distributed printing, the time to reach the destination after collection is short.

  The print job dividing device 3 determines the collection order in the order of the printing device 1 that is the closest to the destination in the determined route, from the printing device 1 that is the farthest to the destination. Therefore, the user can collect the printed material while being finally guided to the destination.

  The print job dividing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the position of the user terminal 2 that generates a print job related to distributed printing (the position of the user's seat) matches the position of the destination, and the printing apparatus 1 to be extracted as a printing apparatus candidate. The set has changed. When the position of the person's seat is the same as the position of the destination, since all the printing apparatuses 1 in the room where the person's seat is located are extracted, the user can freely select the printing apparatus 1 to be printed in the room. The user can collect the printed material on the way back to the seat. On the other hand, when the position of the own seat is different from the position of the destination, the user may go to a destination different from the usual seat, so the printing device 1 arranged along the direction of the destination is extracted. . Therefore, the user can collect the printed material on the way to the destination.

  Further, the print job dividing device 3 creates a sub print job so that pages are arranged in order when the user collects printed materials based on the sub print job along the route, and transmits the sub print job to the printing device 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to rearrange the collected printed matter, and the workability is excellent.

  Further, the print job dividing device 3 increases in processing amount in the order of the printing device 1 that is far from the destination and the printing device 1 that is far from the destination. If the user reaches the printing device 1 in order along the route, printing is completed when the user arrives. As described above, the distribution of print jobs to be assigned to each printing apparatus 1 is determined. Accordingly, the closer to the end of collection in the path, the longer the printing process is executed. Since the user arrives later in the path, the time is not wasted while the user is moving to collect the printed matter, and the printing apparatus 1 on the rear side of the path is allowed to execute printing. Can do. As a result, the processing efficiency can be improved, and the total time from when the user transmits the print job until reaching the destination can be optimized.

  In the first embodiment, the path is first formed in step S11, and then the distribution of the print job to each printing apparatus 1 is determined in step S14. However, it is not limited to this. The print job may determine the print job distribution along with the route. In this case, the print job dividing device 3 determines the time until the user reaches the destination based on the moving speed information about the moving speed of the user, the processing speed information about the processing speed of the printing apparatus 1 and the position information of the printing apparatus 1. Determines the route and the distribution of the print job so as to be the shortest.

  In the first embodiment, the user selects an arbitrary printing apparatus 1 from the printing apparatus candidate list. However, it is not limited to this. Even if the selection of the printing device 1 by the user is not accepted, the print job dividing device 3 may automatically select all or a part of the printing devices 1 from the printing device candidate list.

(Collection path example 1)
Next, another example of the recovery route in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 1.

  In the route shown in FIG. 14, MFPa that is one of the selected printing apparatuses 1 is displayed as the starting point of the route. In the first embodiment, since it is assumed that the person who collects printed materials is the user of the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed print request, the route may be generated starting from the user terminal 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the print job dividing apparatus 3 may generate a route that starts from PCa, passes through MFPa, MFPc, and MFPd, and returns to PCa again.

(Collection path example 2)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example 2 of a collection path for printed matter.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the MFPs a, c, and d are selected from the layout shown in FIG. 4 by the user is exemplified. In the collection path example 2, the case where the MFPe is further selected and the PCa is the starting point of the collection path as in the collection path example 1 will be described.

  First, the print job dividing apparatus 3 calculates the shortest route from the PCa through the MFPs a, c, d, and e to the destination PCa. Since the route starts from PCa and returns to PCa, the circular route may be the shortest as shown in FIG. Since it is annular, the length of the path is the same whether clockwise or counterclockwise. In this case, the print job dividing device 3 determines the route so that the MFPd that is the printing device 1 closer to the destination PCa is the last in the collection order on the circular route. That is, in FIG. 15, a clockwise route is selected.

  Since the distance between the destination (PCa) and the last printing device 1 (MFPd) in the route is shorter than that in the counterclockwise route, the user walks from the start point to the last printing device 1 in the route. The time to do becomes longer. The time that the last printing device 1 can process while the user is walking before reaching the last printing device 1 also becomes longer. On the other hand, since the distance between the starting point (PCa) and the first printing device 1 (MFPe) in the route is longer than that in the case of the counterclockwise route, the user is required to reach the first printing device 1 in the route. The time to walk also becomes longer. The time that the first printing apparatus 1 can process while the user is walking before reaching the first printing apparatus 1 also becomes longer. Therefore, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 1 to execute printing without wasting time while the user is moving to collect printed matter. As a result, the processing efficiency can be improved, and the total time from when the user transmits the print job until reaching the destination can be optimized.

  Further, since the distance between the last printing apparatus 1 and the destination is short, the time from when all printed materials are collected until the user reaches the destination is shortened. The time to walk with all printed materials is reduced, reducing the burden on the user.

  Note that, in the collection path example 2, when the starting point of the collection path is not set to PCa, a collection path starting from the MFPe is generated.

(Collection path example 3)
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 3.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the PCa that is the user terminal 2 is selected as the destination has been described. In the collection path example 3, it is assumed that the door Da is selected as the destination and the MFPs a, c, and d are selected as the printing apparatus 1 for distributed printing in the layout of FIG.

  In this case, the print job dividing apparatus 3 generates the shortest path that reaches the door Da via the MFPs a, c, and d. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the print job dividing apparatus 3 sets the collection path in the order of MFPd, MFPc, and MPFa farthest from the door Da. As indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 16, a route may be generated starting from PCa.

(Collection path example 4)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 4.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the destination and the printing apparatus 1 are selected in the same room (area) as the PCa that is the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed printing request has been described. The destination may be set to a terminal or the like in a different room from the user terminal 2 that transmitted the distributed printing request.

  In the collection route example 4, a case will be described in which the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed print request is the PCa and the PCc of the user terminal 2 that is placed in a different room at the destination. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, in the hard disk 34, not only the room Aa in which the PCa is arranged, but also the layout of the room Ab in which the PCc is arranged, and the layout information indicating the hallway connecting the room Aa and the room Ab. Is remembered.

  The print job dividing device 3 extracts the printing device 1 in the direction of the destination PCc as viewed from the PCa. Here, the printing apparatus 1 along the passage or the like is extracted in consideration of a passage or a corridor through which the user can pass. For example, MFPa, MFPc, MFPd, MFPh, and MFPi are extracted. Here, it is assumed that the user selects MFPd, MFPh, or MFPi. As shown in FIG. 17, the print job dividing device 3 generates a shortest path to reach the PCc via the MFPd, MFPh, and MFPi in consideration of the hallway, and from the MFPd farthest from the PCc to the MFPi and MFPh. The collection route is used in order. As indicated by a dotted line in the figure, a route may be generated starting from PCa.

  As described above, even when the destination is in a different area from the user terminal that transmitted the distributed print request, the print job dividing apparatus 3 can form a collection path.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the collection path is generated on the assumption that the user of the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed print request collects the printed matter. However, the user of the user terminal 2 other than the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the distributed printing request may collect the printed matter. In the second embodiment, a case where the user terminal 2 related to collection of printed matter can be designated will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence chart showing a processing flow of the distributed printing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 18, processes similar to those in the sequence chart shown in FIG.

  The user terminal 2 receives an instruction for distributed printing from the user and an instruction from a person who collects printed matter (step S31). Acceptance of an instruction for distributed printing is performed at an arbitrary user terminal 2. This reception is executed, for example, by selecting a distributed printing instruction button displayed on the display 25 of the user terminal 2 using the input device 26 such as a keyboard or a mouse. In addition, the user can instruct a user who collects printed matter by selecting an arbitrary user terminal 2 or a user name associated with the user terminal 2 at the user terminal 2 at his / her desk where the distributed printing is instructed. Here, a list of user terminals 2 and a list of user names are prepared in advance and stored in the ROM 22, the hard disk 24, or the like. Note that the user may select himself / herself as a collector, or may select another person.

  When there is an instruction from the distributed printing and the collecting person, the user terminal 2 transmits the designation of the collecting person together with the distributed printing request to the print job dividing device 3 (step S32). Then, the process of step S3-step S6 is performed.

  When receiving the destination selection information such as the name of the destination from the user terminal 2, the print job dividing apparatus 3 selects a plurality of candidates for the printing apparatus 1 suitable for printing and generates them as a list (step S33). . The detailed flow of list generation will be described later.

  When the list of printing device candidates is generated, the processes in steps S8 to S18 are executed. For the printing device 1 (P1) farthest from the destination in the collection path, if the remaining number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the predetermined number (step S18: YES), the print job dividing apparatus 3 sends the collection path and the user terminal 2 An instruction to start collection is transmitted (step S34). Here, the transmission destination of the collection start instruction is the user terminal 2 of the collection person designated in step S31. The user terminal 2 of the collectr is not necessarily the same as the user terminal 2 that has instructed distributed printing. Therefore, the user who has instructed distributed printing can notify the timing of print collection to himself / herself or another person designated in step S31 as a collection person.

  The user terminal 2 that has received the recovery start instruction displays a recovery path and a recovery start message on the display 25 (step S20).

  Next, the printing device list generation processing in step S33 shown in FIG. 18 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating a printing apparatus list according to the second embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 19 is executed by the CPU 31 of the print job dividing apparatus 3 reading a program.

  In generating a list of a plurality of printing device candidates, the CPU 31 identifies the user terminal 2 that transmitted the distributed printing request in step S32 as its own seat, and reads the position of the user terminal 2 from the hard disk 34 (step S301). The CPU 31 specifies the user terminal 2 of the recovery person designated in step S31 as a recovery person seat, and reads the position of the user terminal 2 from the hard disk 34 (step S302).

  The CPU 31 determines whether or not the position of the own seat that transmitted the distributed printing request is the same as the position of the designated collector's seat (step S303). The case where the user's seat is the same as the collection person's seat is, for example, a case where the position of the user terminal 2 of the user's seat shown in the table shown in FIG.

  When the self-seat and the recoverer's seat are the same (step S303: YES), the CPU 31 determines that the user of the recoverer's seat is the same as the user of the self-seat, that is, the user of the self-seat is the recoverer, and proceeds to the process of step S304. . In the first embodiment, since it is assumed that the user at his / her seat is a collectr who collects printed materials, the processes in steps S304 to S306 are the same as those in steps S102 to S104 in FIG. Therefore, the description of the processing in steps S304 to S306 is omitted.

  When the own seat and the collecting seat are different (step S303: NO), the CPU 31 determines that the user of the collecting seat is different from the user of the own seat, that is, the user of the own seat requests another user to collect, The process proceeds to step S307. The CPU 31 determines whether the position of the collecting person seat is the same as the destination transmitted in step S7 in FIG. 18 (step S307). The case where the destination is a recovery person seat is, for example, a case where the position of the user terminal 2 which is the recovery person seat shown in the table shown in FIG. 5 and the position of the destination have the same coordinates.

  When the destination is the collecting person seat (step S307: YES), the CPU 31 extracts the printing apparatus 1 located in the area where the collecting person seat exists as a printing apparatus candidate (step S308). For example, in the layout shown in FIG. 4, when the collectible seat is at the position of PCb and the destination is at the position of PCb, the CPU 31 extracts all of MFPa to MFPe existing in the same room as printing device candidates.

  When the destination is not the collector seat (step S307: NO), the CPU 31 extracts the printing device 1 positioned along the direction toward the destination from the location of the collector seat as a starting point (step S307). S309). For example, in the layout shown in FIG. 4, when the recovery person's seat is the position of PCb and the destination is the position of PCa, the CPU 31 uses the position of the PCb as a starting point to print the MFPc and MFPd on the PCa side in the room. Extract as a candidate.

  The CPU 31 generates a printing device candidate list from the printing device candidates extracted in step S305, step S306, step S308, or step S309 (step S310).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to specify a collection person, and the print job dividing apparatus 3 is a printing apparatus 1 for distributed printing based on the positions of the collection person seat and the destination. Extract candidates. Since the position of the collecting person is also taken into consideration, only the printing apparatus 1 that can efficiently collect the printed matter for the collecting person can be put on the printing apparatus candidate list.

  Also in the second embodiment, a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 are selected from the generated printing apparatus candidate list, and a collection path from the collection person's seat to the destination is created. The basic procedure for creating a collection path is the same as in the first embodiment. An example of the collection path is shown below.

(Collection path example 5)
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 5 according to the second embodiment.

  In the collection path example 5, in the arrangement layout shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that PCb is designated as the collection person's seat, PCa is designated as the destination, and MFPc and MFPd are selected as the printing apparatuses 1 for distributed printing.

  In this case, the print job dividing apparatus 3 generates the shortest route to reach the destination PCa via the MFPc and MFPd. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the print job dividing apparatus 3 sets the collection path in the order from MFPc to MFPd farthest from PCa. As indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 20, a route may be generated starting from PCb.

(Collection path example 6)
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 6 according to the second embodiment.

  The collection path example 6 is in an area (room) where the collection person's seat and the destination are different, and among the printing device candidates MFPa, MFPc, MFPd, MFPh, MFPi between the collection person's seat and the destination, MFPd, This is a route when MFPh and MFPi are selected. The print job dividing apparatus 3 generates the shortest path to reach the destination PCa via MFPh, MFPi, and MFPd. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the print job dividing apparatus 3 sets the collection path in the order of MFPh, MFPi, and MFPd, which are the furthest from PCa. As indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 21, a route may be generated starting from PCc.

(Example 7 of recovery route)
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a printed material collection path example 7 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 22, even when there are different living rooms, when the PCc of one living room Ab is a recovery person's seat and a destination, a recovery route is generated in the living room Ab.

  The processing by the print job dividing apparatus 3 and the distributed printing system according to the present invention is realized by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing each of the above-described procedures, or by executing a program describing each of the above-described procedures by the CPU. can do. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the program for operating the print job dividing apparatus and the distributed printing system may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, It 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 and stored in a ROM, a hard disk or the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as one function of the print job dividing apparatus and the distributed printing system.

1 printing device,
2 user terminals,
3 print job dividing device,
31 CPU,
32 ROM,
34 Hard disk,
35 display,
36 input devices,
37 network interface,
38 Bus.

Claims (24)

A print job dividing device that divides a print job in order to distribute the print job by a plurality of printing devices.
A storage unit that stores position information related to a plurality of printing device candidates and the position of the destination;
A selection unit for selecting a plurality of printing devices to be distributed from a plurality of printing device candidates;
Based on the plurality of printing devices selected by the selection unit and the location information of the destination, a route connecting the plurality of printing devices so as to finally go to the destination, and distributed to the plurality of printing devices A determination unit for determining the distribution of the print job to be performed;
A print job dividing apparatus.   The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the route in order of the printing apparatuses that are closest to the destination and that are closest to the destination. The storage unit stores location information related to the location of the terminal used by the user,
The selection unit includes:
Compare the location information of the terminal with the location information of the destination,
When the position of the terminal and the position of the destination are different, the printing device located on the destination side is extracted from the position of the terminal as a starting point, the extracted printing device is set as the printing device candidate,
When the specified position of the terminal and the position of the destination coincide with each other, the printing apparatus located in an area where the terminal exists is extracted, and the extracted printing apparatus is set as the printing apparatus candidate. Item 3. The print job dividing apparatus according to Item 2. The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user,
The print job division according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit specifies a terminal that generates the print job among a plurality of the terminal candidates, and compares the specified position information of the terminal and the position information of the destination. apparatus. The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user,
The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit receives designation of one terminal from the plurality of terminal candidates, and compares the received position information of the terminal with position information of the destination. .   The said determination part distributes the said print job so that the page of a printed matter may be arranged in order, if a user collects printed matter from the printing apparatus on the said path | route according to a path | route, and it piles up in order of collection | recovery. A print job dividing device according to claim 1. The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to the movement speed of the user and processing speed information related to the processing speed of the printing apparatus,
The determination unit, based on the moving speed information and the distance between the printing devices, in the printing device after the first printing device located in the determined path, printing is completed when the user arrives, The print job is distributed according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the print job is distributed so that the processing amount increases in the order of the printing device that is closest to the destination in the determined route and that is closer to the printing device. Print job split device. The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to the movement speed of the user and processing speed information related to the processing speed of the printing apparatus,
Based on the moving speed information, the processing speed information, and the position information of the printing apparatus, the determining unit determines the route and the print job so that the time until the user reaches the destination is the shortest. The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution is determined.   The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the route.   10. The print job dividing device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies an instruction to collect a printed matter based on a completion time of distributed processing by the printing device on the path.   The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the destination is set in a terminal of a user who has generated the print job. The storage unit stores position information regarding positions of a plurality of destination candidates,
The print job dividing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives designation of a destination from among a plurality of destination candidates. A distributed printing system comprising a plurality of printing devices capable of printing and a print job dividing device for dividing the print job in order to distribute one print job by the plurality of printing devices,
The print job dividing device includes:
A storage unit that stores position information related to a plurality of printing device candidates and the position of the destination;
A selection unit for selecting a plurality of printing devices to be distributed from a plurality of printing device candidates;
Based on the plurality of printing devices selected by the selection unit and the location information of the destination, a route connecting the plurality of printing devices so as to finally go to the destination, and distributed to the plurality of printing devices A determination unit for determining the distribution of the print job to be performed;
Have
The plurality of printing apparatuses selected by the selection unit is a distributed printing system that forms a printed material based on the distribution of the print job.   The distributed printing system according to claim 13, wherein the determination unit determines the route in order of the printing device that is closer to the destination and closer to the printing device. The storage unit stores location information related to the location of the terminal used by the user,
The selection unit includes:
Compare the location information of the terminal with the location information of the destination,
When the position of the terminal and the position of the destination are different, the printing device located on the destination side is extracted from the position of the terminal as a starting point, the extracted printing device is set as the printing device candidate,
14. If the position of the specified terminal matches the position of the destination, the printing apparatus located in the area where the terminal exists is extracted, and the extracted printing apparatus is set as the printing apparatus candidate. Item 15. A distributed printing system according to Item 14. The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user,
The distributed printing system according to claim 15, wherein the selection unit identifies a terminal that generates the print job from among the plurality of terminal candidates, and compares the identified position information of the terminal and the position information of the destination. . The storage unit stores position information of a plurality of terminal candidates that can be used by a user,
The distributed printing system according to claim 15, wherein the selection unit receives designation of one terminal from the plurality of terminal candidates, and compares the received position information of the terminal with position information of the destination.   The said determination part distributes the said print job so that the page of a printed matter may be arranged in order if a user collects printed matter from the printing apparatus on the said path | route according to a path | route, and it piles up in collection order. The distributed printing system described in 1. The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to the movement speed of the user and processing speed information related to the processing speed of the printing apparatus,
The determination unit, based on the moving speed information and the distance between the printing devices, in the printing device after the first printing device located in the determined path, printing is completed when the user arrives, 19. The print job according to claim 13, wherein the print job is distributed so that the processing amount is increased in the order of the printing apparatus that is closest to the destination in the determined route and that is closer to the printing apparatus. Distributed printing system. The storage unit further stores movement speed information related to the movement speed of the user and processing speed information related to the processing speed of the printing apparatus,
Based on the moving speed information, the processing speed information, and the position information of the printing apparatus, the determining unit determines the route and the print job so that the time until the user reaches the destination is the shortest. The distributed printing system according to claim 13, wherein the distribution is determined.   The distributed printing system according to claim 13, further comprising a display unit that displays the route.   The distributed printing system according to any one of claims 13 to 21, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a print collection instruction based on a completion time of distributed processing by the printing device on the path.   The distributed printing system according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the destination is set in a terminal of a user who has generated the print job. The storage unit stores position information regarding positions of a plurality of destination candidates,
The distributed printing system according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the reception unit receives designation of a destination from a plurality of destination candidates.

Images