JP2013254348A - Printer status monitor program and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer status monitor program and an image forming system for reducing the frequency of confirmation of whether or not sheets of the other users are mixed in the sheets of a user who has made a request for the execution of two print jobs, and for reducing frequency of bringing back the sheets of the other users by mistake.SOLUTION: A CPU 25 of a PC 2A executes a printer status monitor program 261, and when successively receiving the reception information of a print job A of the PC 2A, the reception information of a print job B of a PC 2B and the reception information of a print job C of the PC 2A from an image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 25 waits until receiving the end information of the print job A from the image forming apparatus 1. When receiving the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 displays an attention reminding screen shown in a figure 6 as one example at a display part 22. The attention reminding screen is a screen showing that there is possibility that the sheets of the other users are mixed in the sheets printed by the print job A and the print job C whose execution has been requested.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer status monitor program for displaying a message indicating the state of an image forming apparatus on a display unit, and an image forming system.

  The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus that executes a print job, and a plurality of information processing apparatuses that each request the image forming apparatus to execute the print job. In the image forming system, a printer status monitor program is installed in the information processing apparatus, and an error message indicating a shortage of remaining ink or occurrence of a jam, and a message indicating the status of the image forming apparatus such as a print job end message Is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus.

  In the image forming system, when receiving an execution request for a print job from each of a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the image forming apparatus executes the print jobs in the order in which the execution requests are received. The image forming apparatus superimposes and discharges sheets printed by each print job on a discharge tray, and transmits end information indicating that the print job is ended to the information processing apparatus. When the information processing apparatus receives the end information of the print job requested for execution from its own apparatus, the information processing apparatus displays an end message on the display unit. Even if the user who requested the execution of the print job confirms the end message, it does not know whether his or her own paper and other user's paper are mixed on the paper output tray. May be taken home by mistake.

  Therefore, in order to notify that other users' sheets are mixed, it is determined whether or not sheets printed by print jobs from a plurality of users are mixed on the discharge tray. There is an image forming apparatus that notifies that by voice (for example, see Patent Document 1). When the image forming apparatus receives a print job execution request from a user, the image forming apparatus registers the name of the user in the list, and paper is placed on the discharge tray only when a plurality of user names are registered in the list. Notify by voice that they are mixed. When there is no more paper on the paper discharge tray, all user names are deleted from the list.

JP 2004-173210 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to distinguish between the case where other user's paper is mixed below the user's paper and the case where other user's paper is mixed between the user's paper. Notify that paper is mixed. For this reason, a user who has requested execution of two print jobs must check each time whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between his / her sheets discharged onto the discharge tray.

  Further, in this image forming apparatus, since the message is notified by voice, there is a case where a user near the image forming apparatus feels the voice as noise or a user far from the image forming apparatus cannot hear the voice. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to display on the display unit of the information processing apparatus that there is a possibility that paper is mixed only when there is a possibility that paper of another user is mixed between the papers of the user. Printer status monitor program and image formation that can reduce the number of confirmations of whether other user's paper is mixed between the user's paper, and can reduce the frequency with which another user's paper can be taken home by mistake Is to provide a system.

  The printer status monitor program according to the present invention includes an information processing step in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a plurality of information processing apparatuses each requesting execution of a print job to the image forming apparatus. The apparatus is caused to execute processing for displaying a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus on the display unit of the information processing apparatus. In the alerting step, when a plurality of pieces of reception information indicating that a print job execution request has been received are continuously received from the image forming apparatus, the first reception regarding the print job of the own apparatus is included in the plurality of pieces of reception information. If there is information and second reception information, and there is reception information regarding the print job of the other device between the first reception information and the second reception information, the information is printed by the print job of the own device. A warning message indicating the possibility that sheets printed by a print job of another apparatus are mixed between the sheets is displayed on the display unit.

  When an execution request for a print job is issued from another device between two print jobs that have been requested by the information processing device, the information processing device may accept another user between the sheets printed by the two print jobs. A warning message indicating the possibility of the presence of the sheet is displayed on the display unit.

  In this configuration, the alerting step includes the second reception from the time when the first reception information is received to the time when the first completion information indicating that the print job related to the first reception information is completed is received. It is preferable to display a warning message when information is received.

  The information processing apparatus performs a print job execution request from another apparatus and a second print job execution request from its own apparatus between the time when the first print job is requested and the end of the first print job. When and are performed in order, a warning message is displayed on the display unit. The user who has requested execution of two print jobs has requested execution of the second print job before the end of the first print job. Without thinking, there is a high possibility of bringing back another user's paper with his own paper. Therefore, when there is a possibility that other users' papers may be mixed between the papers of the users who submitted the two print jobs, the two print jobs are submitted by displaying a warning message. Only when there is a possibility that another user's paper may be mixed between his / her sheets, the user only has to check whether or not another user's paper is mixed between his / her sheets. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  In the alerting step, it is preferable to display an alerting message when the second acceptance information is received within a predetermined time after the first acceptance information is received.

  When a user who has requested execution of two print jobs collects the sheets printed by the two print jobs, the user confirms whether the sheets of other users are mixed between his or her own sheets. There is a need. The user who submitted two print jobs by displaying a warning message when there is a possibility that other users' paper may be mixed between the papers of the users who submitted two print jobs. Only when there is a possibility that another user's paper may be mixed between his / her sheets, it is only necessary to check whether or not another user's paper is mixed between his / her own sheets. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  The alerting step may display a reminder message when the second reception information is received after receiving the first completion information indicating that the print job related to the first reception information has been completed. preferable.

  The information processing apparatus makes a second print job execution request after the end of the first print job from the self apparatus, and a print job execution request from another apparatus is issued between these two print job execution requests. If done, a reminder message is displayed on the display. A user who has requested execution of two print jobs does not go to take his own paper immediately after the end of the first print job but collects his own paper after the end of the second print job. Sometimes. At this time, it is necessary to check whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets. The user who submitted two print jobs by displaying a warning message when there is a possibility that other users' paper may be mixed between the papers of the users who submitted two print jobs. Only when there is a possibility that another user's paper may be mixed between his / her sheets, it is only necessary to check whether or not another user's paper is mixed between his / her own sheets. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  In the alerting step, it is preferable to enlarge and display the alerting message. The user can notice that the alert message is displayed at a glance because the alert message is enlarged.

  In the alerting step, the background color of the alerting message is preferably displayed differently from the background color of other messages. Since the background color of the alert message is different from that of other messages, the user can notice that the alert message is displayed at a glance.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of information processing apparatuses each requesting execution of a print job to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a transmission unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet based on an execution request for a print job. The transmission unit transmits reception information indicating that a print job execution request has been received and end information indicating that the print job has ended to each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses includes a receiving unit that receives reception information and end information, a storage unit that stores the above-described printer status monitor program, and a control unit that executes the printer status monitor program.

  The image forming apparatus receives, for each of a plurality of information processing apparatuses, reception information indicating that a print job execution request has been received from each of the information processing apparatuses, and end information indicating that the print job has ended. Send. Each information processing apparatus receives, from the image forming apparatus, reception information indicating that a print job execution request has been received from another apparatus between reception information indicating that two print job execution requests have been received from its own apparatus. When received, a warning message is displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, a warning message is displayed on the information processing apparatus only when a print job execution request is made from another information processing apparatus between two print job execution requests from the same information processing apparatus. By displaying in the copy, the user who has requested the execution of two print jobs can reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between his / her sheets. The frequency with which the user can take home the paper can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus that constitute an image forming system according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents when a print job is received by the CPU of the image forming apparatus. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents at the end of a print job of the CPU. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents when a print job execution request is made by the CPU of the information processing apparatus. 6 is an example of an end screen displayed when the print job ends. It is an example of a warning screen displayed at the end of the print job. It is a figure which shows the case which displays the same alert screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram of paper on a paper discharge tray at the end of the print job. 12 is another example of an end screen displayed at the end of the print job. 12 is another example of an end screen displayed at the end of the print job. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents when a print job execution request is issued by the CPU according to the second embodiment. It is an example of a warning screen displayed at the end of the print job. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents when a print job execution request is issued by the CPU according to the third embodiment. (A), (B) is a figure which shows the case which displays the said alerting screen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a plurality of information processing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as PCs) connected to the image forming apparatus 1 in a communicable manner. 2A to 2C. Note that the number of PCs connected to the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to three, and may be two or more.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a paper transport unit 14, a communication unit (including a transmission unit of the present invention) 15, a CPU 16, a ROM 17, and a RAM 18.

  The operation unit 11 includes a display panel having a touch panel function and operation keys including a numeric keypad and a start key, and accepts setting input of various image forming processing conditions and an instruction to start image forming processing.

  The image reading unit 12 has a scanner function, reads an image from a document, and generates image data.

  For example, the image forming unit 13 performs an electrophotographic image forming process. The image forming unit 13 may perform image forming processing by other methods.

  The paper transport unit 14 includes a paper storage unit that stacks and stores paper, and transports the paper stored in the paper storage unit one by one to the paper transport path. The paper transport path is formed from the paper storage unit to the paper discharge tray (see FIG. 18) 19 through the image forming unit 13.

  The communication unit 15 is connected to the communication units 24 of the plurality of PCs 2A to 2C, and transmits and receives data.

  The CPU 16 executes the control program recorded in the ROM 17 by using the RAM 18 as a working area. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 16 waits until a print job execution request is received from any of the plurality of PCs 2A to 2C (S11). Upon receiving the print job execution request, the CPU 16 transmits reception information indicating that the print job execution request has been received to each of the PCs 2A to 2C (S12), and stores the received print job in the print queue. (S13). The reception information includes device information for identifying the information processing device that is the execution requester of the print job and job information for identifying the print job.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 16 checks whether a print job is stored in the print queue (S21). When the print job is stored in the print queue, the CPU 16 sequentially extracts and executes the print jobs stored in the print queue (S22). When the print job ends, the CPU 16 transmits end information indicating that the print job is ended to each of the plurality of PCs 2A to 2C (S23). The end information includes apparatus information for identifying the information processing apparatus that is the request for execution of the print job and job information for identifying the print job.

  The PC 2A is a personal computer, and includes an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, a storage unit 23, a communication unit (including the reception unit of the present invention) 24, a CPU 25, a ROM 26, and a RAM 27. Note that each of the PCs 2B and 2C has the same configuration as the PC 2A.

  The operation unit 21 is a keyboard or a mouse, receives various operation inputs from the user, and outputs an operation signal indicating the operation input contents to the CPU 25.

  The display unit 22 is a monitor and displays various images according to instructions from the CPU 25.

  The storage unit 23 is a hard disk and stores various data.

  The communication unit 24 is connected to the communication unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits / receives data.

  The CPU 25 executes the control program and the printer status monitor program 261 recorded in the ROM 26 by using the RAM 27 as a working area. The printer status monitor program 261 is a program for displaying a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus on the display unit 22. The message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus includes an error message indicating a shortage of remaining ink or occurrence of a jam, a print job end message, and the like.

  The CPU 25 executes the control program and generates image data including document data based on the operation signal from the operation unit 21. The CPU 25 displays an image based on the image data on the display unit 22 and stores the image data in the storage unit 23. The CPU 25 transmits a print job execution request including the image data to the image forming apparatus 1 based on the operation signal of the operation unit 21.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which a print job B execution request is made from the PC 2B between two print job A and print job C execution requests from the PC 2A. In other words, the PC 2A receives the print job A reception information (corresponding to the first reception information of the present invention), the print job B reception information, and the print job C reception information (corresponds to the second reception information of the present invention). Will be described in order from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The CPU 25 of the PC 2A executes the printer status monitor program 261 and waits until reception information for the print job A of the PC 2A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 as shown in FIG. 4 (S31). When receiving the reception information from the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 25 refers to the apparatus information and job information included in the reception information and determines whether the reception information is the print job A of the own apparatus.

  When the CPU 25 receives the reception information of the print job A, the CPU 25 receives the end information (corresponding to the first end information of the present invention) of the print job A from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24. Is determined (S32). When receiving the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 displays an end screen shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 22 as an example (S33), and ends the process. The end screen is a screen indicating that the print job has ended.

  The CPU 25 determines whether or not the reception information of the print job B of the PC 2B has been received until the end information of the print job A is received (S34). When receiving the acceptance information of the print job B of the PC 2B, the CPU 25 determines whether or not the end information of the print job A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 (S35). When receiving the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 displays an end screen shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 22 as an example (S33), and ends the process.

  The CPU 25 determines whether or not reception information of the print job C of the PC 2A is received until the end information of the print job A is received (S36). When receiving the reception information of the print job C of the PC 2A, the CPU 25 waits until the end information of the print job A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 (S37). When the CPU 25 receives the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 displays, as an example, an alert screen (corresponding to an alert message of the present invention) shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 22 (S38). The attention calling screen is a screen indicating the possibility that papers of other users may be mixed between the papers printed by the two print jobs A and C that are requested to be executed from the PC 2A.

  The CPU 25 waits until the end information of the print job C is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 (S39). When receiving the end information of the print job C, the CPU 25 displays an end screen on the display unit 22 (S40).

  As described above, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A requests execution of the second print job C until the end of the first print job A, and executes the first print job A and the second print job C. When an execution request for the print job B is made from the PC 2B during the request, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22 (see FIG. 7). After the completion of the print job C, as shown in FIG. 8, on the paper discharge tray 19, the sheet printed by the print job B of the PC 2B between the print job A of the PC 2A and the sheet printed by the print job C. May be mixed.

  Since the user requested execution of the second print job C before the end of the first print job A, the sheet of the other user is between the sheets printed by these two print jobs A and C. There is a high possibility that other users' papers will be taken home with their own papers without considering that they are mixed. Therefore, when there is a possibility that other users' papers may be mixed between the papers of the users who have requested execution of the two print jobs A and C, these two prints are displayed. The user who has requested execution of job A and print job C mixes the papers of other users between his or her own papers only when there is a possibility that the papers of other users may be mixed between his or her own papers. It is sufficient to confirm whether or not to do so. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  The CPU 25 may change the background color as shown in FIG. 9 to display the alert screen. As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 25 enlarges the character size or the screen size and displays the alert screen. Also good. Further, the alert screen may be displayed by changing the background color and enlarging the character size or the screen size. The user can notice that the alerting screen is displayed at a glance because the alerting screen is displayed in a display mode different from other screens.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A displays the alert screen when receiving the end information of the print job A. However, when the reception information of the print job C or the end information of the print job C is received, An alert screen may be displayed.

  The image forming system according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment in the control flow of the CPU 25 when the printer status monitor program 261 is executed. Only the differences will be described below.

  The CPU 25 expands the timer in the RAM 27.

  The storage unit 23 stores a predetermined time T. The predetermined time T is set based on the average number of sheets printed by a print job submitted in the past. For example, when the average number of sheets is 10, it is set to 1 minute 30 seconds, which is the total value of the time required for printing 10 sheets (30 seconds) and the time required for taking paper (1 minute). When the average number of sheets is 100, it is set to 6 minutes, which is the total value of the time required for printing 100 sheets (5 minutes) and the time taken to pick up paper (1 minute).

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which a print job B execution request is made from the PC 2B between two print job A and print job C execution requests from the PC 2A. In other words, the PC 2A receives the print job A reception information (corresponding to the first reception information of the present invention), the print job B reception information, and the print job C reception information (corresponds to the second reception information of the present invention). Will be described in order from the image forming apparatus 1. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, processing when the end information of the print job A is received is omitted.

  The CPU 25 of the PC 2A executes the printer status monitor program 261 and waits until reception information for the print job A of the PC 2A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 as shown in FIG. 11 (S51). When the CPU 25 receives the reception information of the print job A, the CPU 25 starts measurement by the timer (S52). The CPU 25 determines whether or not a predetermined time T has elapsed since the start of measurement by the timer (S53). The CPU 25 ends the process when the predetermined time T has elapsed.

  The CPU 25 waits until reception information of the print job B of the PC 2B is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 until the predetermined time T has elapsed (S54). When the CPU 25 receives the reception information of the print job B before the predetermined time T has elapsed, the CPU 25 determines whether or not the predetermined time T has elapsed since the start of measurement by the timer (S55). The CPU 25 ends the process when the predetermined time T has elapsed.

  The CPU 25 waits until reception information of the print job C of the PC 2A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 until the predetermined time T has elapsed (S56). When the CPU 25 receives the reception information of the print job C before the predetermined time T elapses, the CPU 25 waits until the print job C end information (second end information) is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24. (S57). When the CPU 25 receives the end information of the print job C, the CPU 25 displays an alert screen shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit 22 as an example (S58).

  As described above, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A requests the execution of the second print job C before the predetermined time T elapses after the execution request of the first print job A, and the first print job A. When the execution request for the print job B is made from the PC 2B between the execution request for the second print job C and the second print job C, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22. After the completion of the print job C, as shown in FIG. 8, on the paper discharge tray 19, the sheet printed by the print job B of the PC 2B between the print job A of the PC 2A and the sheet printed by the print job C. May be mixed.

  When a user who has requested execution of two print jobs A and C goes to collect the sheets printed by the two print jobs A and C, the other users' It is necessary to check whether or not paper is mixed. Therefore, by displaying a warning screen on the display unit 22 when there is a possibility that other users' sheets may be mixed between the sheets of the users who have requested execution of the two print jobs A and C, A user who has requested the execution of two print jobs A and C only includes another user's sheet between his sheets only when there is a possibility that the sheets of other users may be mixed between his sheets. What is necessary is just to confirm whether paper is mixed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  The image forming system according to the third embodiment is different from the image forming system 100 according to the second embodiment in the control flow of the CPU 25 when the printer status monitor program 261 is executed. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a warning screen is displayed only when an execution request for the print job C is made after the print job A is completed. Only the differences will be described below.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which a print job B execution request is made from the PC 2B between two print job A and print job C execution requests from the PC 2A. In other words, the PC 2A receives the print job A reception information (corresponding to the first reception information of the present invention), the print job B reception information, and the print job C reception information (corresponds to the second reception information of the present invention). Will be described in order from the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A determines whether or not a predetermined time T has elapsed since the start of measurement by the timer (S53). The CPU 25 ends the process when the predetermined time T has elapsed.

  The CPU 25 determines whether or not the reception information of the print job B of the PC 2B is received from the image forming apparatus 1 through the communication unit 24 until the predetermined time T elapses (S54). Whether the CPU 25 has received the end information of the print job A (corresponding to the first end information of the present invention) from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 when the reception information of the print job B is not received. It is determined whether or not (S61). Upon receiving the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 displays an end screen shown in FIG. 5 as an example on the display unit 22 (S62), and proceeds to the process of S53. If the CPU 25 does not receive the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 proceeds to the process of S53 as it is.

  In the process of S54, when receiving the reception information of the print job B, the CPU 25 determines whether or not a predetermined time T has elapsed since the start of measurement by the timer (S55). The CPU 25 ends the process when the predetermined time T has elapsed.

  If the predetermined time T has not elapsed, the CPU 25 determines whether the end information of the print job A has already been received (S63). When the end information of the print job A has not been received, the CPU 25 waits until the end information of the print job A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24 (S64). When the CPU 25 receives the end information of the print job A, for example, the CPU 25 displays the end screen shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 22 (S65), and proceeds to the processing of S55.

  In the process of S <b> 63, when the CPU 25 has received the end information of the print job A, the CPU 25 determines whether the reception information of the print job C of the PC 2 </ b> A is received from the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24. (S56). The CPU 25 proceeds to the process of S55 when the reception information of the print job C is not received, and proceeds to the process of S57 when received.

  As described above, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A executes the second print job C after the first print job A is requested and after the predetermined time T has elapsed and after the first print job A is completed. When the execution request for the print job B is made from the PC 2B between the execution requests for the first print job A and the second print job C, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22. (See FIGS. 14A and 14B.) After the completion of the print job C, as shown in FIG. 8, on the paper discharge tray 19, the sheet printed by the print job B of the PC 2B between the print job A of the PC 2A and the sheet printed by the print job C. May be mixed.

  A user who has requested execution of two print jobs A and C does not immediately take his or her sheet after the first print job A ends, but collects them after the second print job C ends. I sometimes go get my own paper. At this time, it is necessary to check whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets. When there is a possibility that other users' papers may be mixed between the papers of the users who have requested execution of the two print jobs A and C, the warning screen is displayed on the display unit 22 to The user who has requested the execution of print job A and print job C has other users' sheets among his sheets only when there is a possibility that the sheets of other users may be mixed between his sheets. What is necessary is just to confirm whether it is mixed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times of checking whether or not other user's sheets are mixed between the own sheets, and it is possible to reduce the frequency with which other users' sheets can be taken home by mistake.

  In the second and third embodiments, the CPU 25 of the PC 2A displays the warning screen when receiving the end information of the print job C. However, when receiving the reception information of the print job C, the CPU 25A displays the warning screen. It may be displayed.

  In the second and third embodiments, the predetermined time T is set based on the average number of sheets printed by a print job requested in the past. However, the predetermined time T may be set based on the number of sheets printed by the print job each time a print job execution request is made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the execution request for the print job B of the PC 2B is performed between the two print jobs A and C requested to be executed by the PC 2A has been described as an example. However, even when a request for execution of a plurality of print jobs is issued from another device between two print jobs A and C requested to be executed from the PC 2A, a warning screen may be displayed. This is because if the number of sheets printed by the print job requested to be executed from another apparatus is small, there is a high possibility that the paper will be taken home by mistake.

  The above description of the embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 ... Image forming apparatuses 2A to 2C ... PC
22 ... Display unit 24 ... Communication unit 25 ... CPU
26 ... ROM
27 ... RAM
261: Printer status monitor program

Claims (7)

A message indicating the status of the image forming apparatus is sent to the information processing apparatus in the image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of information processing apparatuses each requesting the image forming apparatus to execute a print job. A printer status monitor program for executing processing to be displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus,
When a plurality of reception information indicating that a print job execution request has been received is continuously received from the image forming apparatus, the first reception information and the second reception information regarding the print job of the own apparatus are included in the plurality of reception information. If the reception information relating to the print job of the other device exists between the first reception information and the second reception information, the sheet printed by the print job of the own device A warning step of displaying a warning message on the display unit indicating that there is a possibility that paper printed by a print job of the other apparatus is mixed between the printer status monitor program and the printer status monitor program.   In the alerting step, the second reception is performed after the first reception information is received and the first completion information indicating that the print job related to the first reception information is completed. The printer status monitor program according to claim 1, wherein the alert message is displayed when information is received.   2. The printer status monitor according to claim 1, wherein the alerting step displays the alerting message when the second acceptance information is received within a predetermined time after receiving the first acceptance information. program.   The alerting step displays the alert message when the second acceptance information is received after receiving the first completion information indicating that the print job related to the first acceptance information is completed. The printer status monitor program according to claim 3.   The printer status monitor program according to claim 1, wherein the alerting step displays the alerting message in an enlarged manner.   6. The printer status monitor program according to claim 1, wherein the alerting step displays a background color of the alerting message different from a background color of another message. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a plurality of information processing apparatuses each requesting execution of a print job to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on an execution request for the print job, reception information indicating that the execution request for the print job has been received, and the completion of the print job. A transmission unit that transmits end information to each of the plurality of information processing devices,
Each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses includes a receiving unit that receives the reception information and the end information, a storage unit that stores a printer status monitor program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and And a control unit that executes a printer status monitor program.

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