JP2014146230A - Print data management device, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print data management device which reduces queuing time for a print job in forming an image in an image forming apparatus selected by a user from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and to provide an image forming system and program.SOLUTION: A print server includes: a print job receiving unit 40 which receives print data; a prediction unit 48 which predicts an image forming apparatus which forms an image based on print data received by the print job receiving unit 40, from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses; and an advance transmission unit 50 which transmits the print data received by the print job receiving unit 40 to the image forming apparatus predicted by the prediction unit 48 from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 discloses print data receiving means for receiving print data via communication means, print data received by the print data receiving means, and print data stored in association with authentication information added to the print data A storage unit; a printing unit that prints the print data on a print medium; an information reception unit that receives information; and a verification that performs verification between the information received by the information reception unit and authentication information added to the print data Means for retrieving print data that can be processed based on the first information collated by the collating means from the print data storage means, and presenting means for presenting a list of print data retrieved by the retrieving means And when the list of print data is presented by the presenting means, the reception means instructs the print data to be printed on the print medium and the second information. If the designated print data is included in the print data that can be processed based on the second information collated by the collating means, the printing of the designated print data onto the print medium is performed. An image forming apparatus including a permitting unit for permitting is disclosed.

JP 2009-006591 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a print data management apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming system capable of reducing waiting time when an image is formed on an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses for a print job. Is to provide a program.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving unit that receives print data, and a prediction unit that predicts an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on print data received by the receiving unit among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A print data management apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit print data received by the reception unit to an image formation device predicted by the prediction unit among the plurality of image formation devices.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided: a receiving unit that receives print data; and a prediction unit that predicts an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the print data received by the receiving unit among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A print data management apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits identification information of the print data received by the reception unit to the image formation device predicted by the prediction unit among the plurality of image formation devices.

  The present invention according to claim 3 further includes list creation means for creating a list of print data identification information for the print data accepted by the acceptance means, and the transmission means is created by the list creation means. The print data management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the list is transmitted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print data management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the prediction means predicts an image forming apparatus on which image formation is performed based on processing history information for each user. It is.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print data management according to the fourth aspect, the predicting unit predicts an image forming apparatus in which image formation is performed based on a use day or a use time zone and the history information. Device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print data management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the predicting unit predicts an image forming apparatus on which image formation is performed based on an arrangement of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a receiving unit that receives print data, and an image in which image formation is performed based on the print data received by the receiving unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Print data management comprising: a prediction unit that predicts a forming apparatus; and a transmission unit that transmits print data received by the receiving unit to an image forming apparatus predicted by the prediction unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. And an image forming system.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a receiving unit that receives print data, and an image in which image formation is performed based on the print data received by the receiving unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A predicting unit that predicts the forming apparatus; and a transmitting unit that transmits identification information of the print data received by the receiving unit to the image forming apparatus predicted by the predicting unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming system including a print data management apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accepting step of accepting print data, a predicting step of predicting an image forming device that performs image formation based on the accepted print data among the plurality of image forming devices, and the plural A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting received print data to a predicted image forming apparatus among the image forming apparatuses.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accepting step of accepting print data, a predicting step of predicting an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the accepted print data among the plural image forming apparatuses, and the plural A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting identification information of received print data to a predicted image forming apparatus among the image forming apparatuses.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide a print data management apparatus that can shorten the waiting time.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide a print data management apparatus that can shorten the waiting time.

  According to the present invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to claim 2, the waiting time until the list is displayed can be shortened as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide a print data management apparatus that can be used.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the frequency of use for each image forming apparatus is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. It is possible to provide a print data management apparatus that can improve prediction accuracy by prediction.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the fourth aspect, even when the user uses an image forming apparatus that differs depending on the day or time zone, the present configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide a print data management apparatus capable of improving the prediction accuracy compared to the above.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the present configuration is provided even when the frequency of use of each image forming apparatus by the user is unknown. Therefore, it is possible to provide a print data management apparatus capable of improving the prediction accuracy as compared with the case where it is not.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. Thus, an image forming system capable of shortening the waiting time can be provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. Thus, an image forming system capable of shortening the waiting time can be provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. A program that can shorten the waiting time can be provided.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus selected by a user among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print job is compared with a case where the present configuration is not provided. A program that can shorten the waiting time can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a print server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print server 10 realized by executing a control program. 6 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment is correct. 6 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the first embodiment is wrong. 10 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment is correct. 12 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the third embodiment is correct.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 2 includes terminal devices 6-A1 to 6-A4, 6-B1 to 6-B4, and image forming apparatuses connected to each other via a network 4 such as a LAN, a WAN, and the Internet. 8-A1, 8-A2, 8-B1, 8-B2 and the print server 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the terminal devices 6-A1 to 6-A4 and the image forming apparatuses 8-A1 and 8-A2 are installed in the space A, and the terminal devices 6-B1 to 6-B4 and The image forming apparatuses 8-B1 and 8-B2 are installed in the space B and are installed in different spaces. The different spaces may be, for example, different floors in a building or different stores that are geographically separated. The print server 10 may be provided in either the space A or B, or may be provided in a space different from the space A or B.

  Hereinafter, in a case where any one of a plurality of constituent parts such as “terminal devices 6-A1 to 6-A4, 6-B1 to 6-B4” is indicated without being specified, simply “terminal device 6” or the like is indicated. Sometimes abbreviated.

  In FIG. 1, each device is provided in two spaces A and B. However, each device may be provided in one space, and each device may be provided in three or more spaces. . Further, the number of image forming apparatuses 8 may be plural, and is not limited to the number shown in FIG. Furthermore, when the print server 10 accepts a print job other than a print job transmitted from the terminal device 6, for example, when a print job stored in a portable recording medium is directly transferred to the print server 10. The terminal device 6 may not be included in the image forming system 2.

  Further, in FIG. 1, the devices within the range surrounded by the broken lines in each space indicate that the arrangement is managed by the print server 10 as the device having the closest relationship. For example, there is an image forming apparatus 8-A1 as an image forming apparatus arranged closest to the terminal device 6-A1 or 6-A2.

  The terminal device 6 is a computer device operated by a user (user), for example, and is connected to the network 4. The terminal device 6 generates a print request (print job) in response to a user operation, and transmits the generated print job to the print server 10. Here, the print job is print data for instructing the image forming apparatus 8 to perform image forming processing. The print data includes user identification information, print data identification information, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 8 receives a print job transmitted from the print server 10 via the network 4 and performs a process of forming an image corresponding to the print job on a recording medium such as paper. The image forming apparatus 8 has a computer function and includes an input / output device 28 as shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 8 transmits the user identification information acquired via the input / output device 28 to the print server 10 via the network 4. Note that the input / output device 28 may read a recording medium such as an IC card to acquire user identification information stored in the recording medium, or may acquire identification information by a user input operation. In addition to the identification information, a password or the like may be acquired.

  The image forming apparatus 8 is a so-called multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a printing (printing) function, a scanning function, a copying (copying) function, a facsimile function, or an apparatus having only a printing function. May be.

  The print server 10 is an example of a print data management apparatus, and is a server apparatus that manages received print jobs. The print server 10 is connected to the network 4 and holds a print job transmitted from the terminal device 6. The print server 10 transmits the held print job to any of the image forming apparatuses 8 via the network 4.

  Based on each of the above devices, the image forming system 2 allows the user who desires to perform image forming processing on the print job held in the print server 10 to select any image forming device 8 among the image forming devices 8. When the user's identification information is input, the image forming apparatus 8 performs image forming processing of a print job associated with the user, and an image is formed on a recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the print server 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the print server 10 transmits and receives data to and from an external device and the like via the CPU 20, the memory 22, a storage device 24 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and the network 4. An interface (IF) 26 and an input / output device 28 are included. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 30.

  The CPU 20 controls the operation of the print server 10 by executing processing based on a control program stored in the memory 22 or the storage device 24.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 20 has been described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 22 or the storage device 24, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 20. It is also possible to provide.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the print server 10 realized by executing the control program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print server 10 includes a print job reception unit 40, a print job list creation unit 42, a print job / job list storage unit 44, a history information storage unit 46, a prediction unit 48, The transmission unit 50 includes an identification information reception unit 52, a prediction determination unit 54, a print job designation reception unit 56, and a post-transmission unit 58. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the advance transmission unit 50 transmits the print job list to the image forming apparatus 8 based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 48.

  The print job reception unit 40 receives a print job for each user. In the present embodiment, the print job transmitted from the terminal device 6 is accepted together with the user identification information. For example, the print job transmitted from another device may be received via the communication IF 26 and accepted. A print job stored in a recording medium connected to the server 10 may be read to accept the print job.

  The print job list creation unit 42 creates a job list (list) in which print jobs are compiled for each user based on the print job received by the print job reception unit 40. The list manages print job identification information, reception date and time, print data size, and the like. Whether the print job list creation unit 42 has already created a print job list for the user based on the identification information of the user associated with the print job, for example, every time the print job reception unit 40 receives a print job. If it has been created, the print job information is added to the list. If not, the user list is created and the print job information is added.

  The print job / job list storage unit 44 stores the print job accepted by the print job acceptance unit 40 and the job list created by the print job list creation unit 42.

  The history information storage unit 46 stores history information of image formation processing for each user. Note that the history information of the image forming process is information indicating which image forming apparatus 8 the user has used in the image forming process based on the print job, and includes information on date and time when the image forming process was performed.

  The prediction unit 48 predicts which of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 8 is an image forming apparatus on which image formation based on a print job is performed. In the present embodiment, the prediction unit 48 uses the image forming apparatus 8 to form an image of the print job by the user associated with the print job received by the print job reception unit 40. Is predicted based on the history information stored in the history information storage unit 46.

  For example, the prediction unit 48 predicts the image forming apparatus 8 that is most frequently used by the user associated with the print job as an output destination. In addition, you may estimate based on the utilization frequency for every day and time slot | zone. For example, when the image forming apparatus 8 having the highest usage frequency differs depending on the day of the week or the time zone, the image forming apparatus 8 corresponding to the usage frequency may be predicted as the output destination according to the day of the week or the time zone.

  In addition, the prediction unit 48 may perform prediction other than prediction based on history information. For example, the prediction unit 48 may perform prediction based on the arrangement of the image forming apparatus 8. Specifically, the print server 10 associates the image forming apparatus 8 arranged nearest to each terminal device 6 (see the broken line area in FIG. 1), and the print job from the terminal device 6 is associated with the terminal. The nearest image forming apparatus 8 associated with the apparatus 6 may be predicted as an output destination.

  Note that the prediction unit 48 may perform prediction by combining a plurality of prediction methods. For example, when the image forming apparatus 8 of the prediction result based on the history information is out of order or under maintenance, prediction based on the arrangement of the image forming apparatus 8 may be used together.

  The advance transmission unit 50 transmits information related to the print job in advance. Here, transmission in advance refers to transmission in advance based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 48 before the user identification information from the image forming apparatus 8 is received by the print server 10. Note that the transmission in advance includes a case where transmission of information regarding the print job is not completed when the user identification information from the image forming apparatus 8 is received. In the present embodiment, the advance transmission unit 50 transmits the job list created by the print job list creation unit 42 to the image forming apparatus 8 predicted by the prediction unit 48 in advance.

  The identification information receiving unit 52 receives the user identification information input from the image forming apparatus 8 and transmitted from the image forming apparatus 8. When the identification information receiving unit 52 receives the identification information, information such as the transmission source image forming apparatus 8 and information such as the reception date and time are stored in the history information storage unit 46 as history information.

  The prediction determination unit 54 determines whether the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is correct. Specifically, the prediction determination unit 54 compares the prediction result of the prediction unit 48 with the transmission source of the identification information received by the identification information reception unit 52, and determines whether the prediction result of the prediction unit 48 is correct.

  The print job designation receiving unit 56 receives designation of a print job input from the user to the image forming apparatus 8 and transmitted from the image forming apparatus 8. Note that the user designates, from the job list, a print job to be printed in the image forming apparatus 8 among the print jobs associated with the user.

  The post-transmission unit 58 transmits information on the print job after the fact. Here, the post-transmission means transmission to the image forming apparatus 8 that is the transmission source of the user identification information received by the identification information receiving unit 52. In this embodiment, the post-transmission unit 58 uses the job list created by the print job list creation unit 42 as the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the user identification information when the prediction judgment unit 54 determines that the prediction has been lost. 8 to send. Further, when the print job designation receiving unit 56 receives a print job designation, the post transmission unit 58 sends the designated print job data to the image forming apparatus 8 that is the transmission source of the user identification information.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of the operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the present embodiment is correct. Here, an example in which the prediction unit 48 predicts the image forming apparatus 8-A1 as an output destination will be described.

  When the user performs a print job generation operation (S100) on the terminal device 6-A1, the terminal device 6-A1 transmits the print job to the print server 10 (S102). On the other hand, the user starts moving to an arbitrary image forming apparatus (here, image forming apparatus 8-A1) (S104).

  In the print server 10, the print job reception unit 40 receives the print job, and the print job is stored in the print job / job list storage unit 44 (S106). At this time, user identification information associated with the print job is analyzed. The prediction unit 48 predicts the output destination (S108), and the print job list creation unit 42 creates a job list (S110). Then, the advance transmission unit 50 transmits the job list to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 predicted by the prediction unit 48 (S112).

  When the user finishes moving to the image forming apparatus 8-A1, the user inputs his / her identification information to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 (S114). The image forming apparatus 8-A1 transmits the input user identification information to the print server 10 (S116). In addition, you may comprise so that an authentication process may be further performed based on the input identification information.

  In the print server 10, the identification information receiving unit 52 receives the user identification information, and the prediction determination unit 54 determines whether the prediction is correct based on the transmission source of the identification information (S118). In this example, the prediction is determined to be correct.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 8-A1 displays the job list transmitted in advance in S112 on the input / output device 28 (S120). On the other hand, the user performs an operation of selecting and specifying a desired print job from the displayed job list and an operation of instructing printing (S122).

  The image forming apparatus 8-A1 requests the print server 10 to transmit the data of the designated print job (S124). In the print server 10, the print job designation receiving unit 56 receives the designation of the print job, The post transmission unit 58 transmits the designated print job data to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 (S126), and image formation (printing) is performed by the image forming apparatus 8-A1 (S128).

  As described above, when the prediction is correct, transmission of the job list is started before the user arrives at the image forming apparatus 8-A1, and the user creates a job list after arriving at the image forming apparatus 8-A1. Compared with the case where the user transmits the job list after arriving at the image forming apparatus 8-A1, the time required for displaying the job list is shortened.

Next, the operation when the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is lost will be described.
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of the operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the present embodiment is wrong. Here, although the prediction unit 48 predicts the image forming apparatus 8-A1 as an output destination, a case where the user uses the image forming apparatus 8-B1 will be described as an example. However, the steps from S100 to S112 are the same as those in FIG.

  When the user finishes moving to the image forming apparatus 8-B1, the user inputs his / her identification information to the image forming apparatus 8-B1 (S140). The image forming apparatus 8-B1 transmits the input user identification information to the print server 10 (S142).

  In the print server 10, as in S118, the identification information receiving unit 52 receives the user identification information, and the prediction determination unit 54 determines whether or not the prediction is correct based on the transmission source of the identification information (S144). In this example, it is determined that the prediction is incorrect, and the post-transmission unit 58 transmits the job list associated with this user to the image forming apparatus 8-B1 (S146). If the prediction is incorrect, the print server 10 may notify the image forming apparatus 8-A1 to discard the pre-transmitted job list.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 8-B1 displays the job list transmitted in S146 on the input / output device 28 (S148). On the other hand, the user performs an operation of selecting and specifying a desired print job from the displayed job list and an operation of instructing printing (S150).

  The image forming apparatus 8-B1 requests the print server 10 to transmit the data of the designated print job (S152). In the print server 10, the print job designation receiving unit 56 receives the designation of the print job, The post-transmission unit 58 transmits the specified print job data to the image forming apparatus 8-B1 (S154), and image formation (printing) is performed by the image forming apparatus 8-B1 (S156).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, the pre-transmission unit 50 transmits the print job list to the image forming apparatus 8 based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 48, but the pre-transmission unit 50 in the second embodiment includes the prediction unit 48. The difference is that job data of a print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 8 based on the prediction result.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment is correct. Here, an example in which the prediction unit 48 predicts the image forming apparatus 8-A1 as an output destination will be described. However, the steps from S100 to S110 are the same as those in FIG.

  The pre-transmission unit 50 sends the print job data associated with the user (the print job data listed in the list created in step 110) to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 predicted by the prediction unit 48. ) Is transmitted (S200). Note that the pre-transmission unit 50 may sequentially transmit data of all print jobs associated with the user or may transmit a part of print jobs.

  When the user finishes moving to the image forming apparatus 8-A1, the user inputs his / her identification information to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 (S202). The image forming apparatus 8-A1 transmits the input user identification information to the print server 10 (S204). In addition, you may comprise so that an authentication process may be further performed based on the input identification information.

  In the print server 10, the identification information receiving unit 52 receives the user identification information, and the prediction determination unit 54 determines whether or not the prediction is correct based on the transmission source of the identification information (S206). In this example, the prediction is determined to be correct. The post-transmission unit 58 transmits a job list for the user (S208).

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 8-A1 displays the job list transmitted in S208 on the input / output device 28 (S210). On the other hand, the user performs an operation of selecting and specifying a desired print job from the displayed job list and an operation of instructing printing (S212).

  The image forming apparatus 8-A1 performs image formation (printing) on the designated print job among the print job data transmitted in advance in S200 (S214).

  As described above, when the prediction is correct, transmission of print job data is started before the user arrives at the image forming apparatus 8-A1, and transmission of job data is started after the user arrives at the image forming apparatus 8-A1. Compared to the case, the time required for image formation is shortened.

  The operation example of the image forming system 2 in the second embodiment when the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is correct has been described above. The case where the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is out of operation is the same as that shown in FIG. Note that if the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is lost, the print server 10 may be configured to notify the image forming apparatus 8 of the prediction result so as to discard the pre-transmitted job data.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the third embodiment, the pre-transmission unit 50 pre-transmits both the print job list and the print job data to the image forming apparatus 8 based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 48. Different from the embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart for explaining an example of an operation when the prediction of the image forming system 2 according to the third embodiment is correct. Here, an example in which the prediction unit 48 predicts the image forming apparatus 8-A1 as an output destination will be described. However, the steps from S100 to S110 are the same as those in FIG.

  The pre-transmission unit 50 transmits a job list to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 predicted by the prediction unit 48 (S300), and further print job data associated with the user (created in step 110). (Print job data listed) is transmitted (S302). Note that the pre-transmission unit 50 may sequentially transmit data of all print jobs associated with the user or may transmit a part of print jobs.

  When the user finishes moving to the image forming apparatus 8-A1, the user inputs his / her identification information to the image forming apparatus 8-A1 (S304). The image forming apparatus 8-A1 transmits the input user identification information to the print server 10 (S306). In addition, you may comprise so that an authentication process may be further performed based on the input identification information.

  In the print server 10, the identification information receiving unit 52 receives the user identification information, and the prediction determination unit 54 determines whether the prediction is correct based on the transmission source of the identification information (S308). In this example, the prediction is determined to be correct.

  In the image forming apparatus 8-A1, the job list transmitted in advance in S300 is displayed on the input / output device 28 (S310). On the other hand, the user performs an operation of selecting and specifying a desired print job from the displayed job list and an operation of instructing printing (S312).

  The image forming apparatus 8-A1 performs image formation (printing) for the designated print job among the print job data transmitted in advance in S302 (S314).

  The operation example of the image forming system 2 in the third embodiment when the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is correct has been described above. The case where the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is out of operation is the same as that shown in FIG. Note that when the prediction by the prediction unit 48 is lost, the print server 10 may be configured to notify the image forming apparatus 8 of the prediction result to discard the job list and job data transmitted in advance.

2 Image forming system 4 Network 6 Terminal device 8 Image forming device 10 Print server 20 CPU
22 Memory 24 Storage device 26 Communication interface 28 Input / output device 30 Control bus 40 Print job reception unit 42 Print job list creation unit 44 Print job / job list storage unit 46 History information storage unit 48 Prediction unit 50 Pre-transmission unit 52 Identification information reception Unit 54 prediction determination unit 56 print job designation reception unit 58 post-transmission unit

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving print data;
Predicting means for predicting an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on print data received by the receiving means among a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A print data management apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit print data received by the receiving unit to an image forming apparatus predicted by the prediction unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Receiving means for receiving print data;
Predicting means for predicting an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on print data received by the receiving means among a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A print data management apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the identification information of the print data received by the reception unit to the image formation apparatus predicted by the prediction unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A list creation means for creating a list of print data identification information for the print data received by the reception means;
The print data management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits the list created by the list creation unit. The print data management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the prediction unit predicts an image forming apparatus on which image formation is performed based on processing history information for each user. The print data management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predicting unit predicts an image forming apparatus on which image formation is performed based on a use day or a use time zone and the history information. 4. The print data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit predicts an image forming apparatus on which image formation is performed based on an arrangement of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A receiving unit that accepts print data; a prediction unit that predicts an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the print data received by the receiving unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses; and a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming system comprising: a print data management device having a transmission unit that transmits the print data received by the receiving unit to the image forming device predicted by the prediction unit. A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A receiving unit that accepts print data; a prediction unit that predicts an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the print data received by the receiving unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses; and a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming system comprising: a print data management apparatus having a transmission unit that transmits identification information of the print data received by the reception unit to the image forming apparatus predicted by the prediction unit. A reception step for receiving print data;
A predicting step of predicting an image forming apparatus on which image formation based on received print data is performed among a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting received print data to a predicted image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A reception step for receiving print data;
A predicting step of predicting an image forming apparatus on which image formation based on received print data is performed among a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting identification information of received print data to a predicted image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

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