JP2014233890A - Image forming apparatus, control program for the apparatus, image forming management device, image forming management program, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable image forming by an efficient alternative apparatus in an image forming system that includes plural image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: An image forming system that includes plural image forming apparatuses connected to a network includes: means for counting the number of other image forming apparatuses capable of forming images through the network; and means for changing an operation state related to management of image-forming data of an individual image forming apparatus in accordance with the counting result.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control program, an image forming management apparatus, an image forming management program, and an image forming system. For example, the printing system includes a plurality of printers and can distribute print jobs. Applicable to.

  Conventionally, in a printing system having a plurality of printers, a print job from a host (client) can be distributed to any printer. There is also a system that can perform processing (hereinafter referred to as “alternative printing processing”) that distributes a print job distributed to a printer to another printer when a failure occurs in any printer. . As a conventional technique capable of performing an alternative printing process, for example, there is a printing system described in Patent Document 1.

  In the conventional printing system, when the alternative printing process is performed, if none of the alternative candidate printers can print, a new printer is searched for or until the situation changes (for example, the alternative candidate printer is in a printable state). The process of waiting etc. was performed.

JP 2000-172463 A

  In the conventional printing system, if priority printing or exclusive printing is set for some printers in the network, it will be excluded from the replacement target, so the number of replacement printers in the network cannot be secured sufficiently, and time for replacement printing For example, there is a problem that efficient substitute printing is not performed.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit connected to a network and performing image forming processing based on image forming data transmitted from the network. (1) Performing image forming processing on the network. Counting means for counting the number of other image forming apparatuses that can be executed; and (2) a changing means for changing an operation state related to management of image forming data of the apparatus according to a counting result of the counting means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a computer mounted on an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit connected to a network and performing image forming processing based on image forming data transmitted from the network; (1) counting means for counting the number of other image forming apparatuses capable of executing image forming processing on the network; and (2) management of image forming data of the own apparatus according to the counting result of the counting means. It is made to function as a change means which changes the operation state concerning.

  The image forming management apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is (1) transmitting image forming data to any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, and the image forming apparatus as a transmission destination cannot perform image forming processing. In this case, an alternative printing control unit that transmits the image forming data to another image forming apparatus, (2) a counting unit that counts the number of image forming apparatuses that can perform image forming processing based on the image forming data; 3) A change means for changing an operation state related to management of image formation data of each image forming apparatus according to the count of the coefficient means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image formation management program that transmits (1) image formation data to any one of a plurality of image formation apparatuses connected to a network, An alternative printing control means for transmitting the image forming data to another image forming apparatus when the forming process is impossible; and (2) a counting means for counting the number of image forming apparatuses capable of image forming processing based on the image forming data. And (3) functioning as a changing unit that changes an operation state related to management of image forming data of each image forming apparatus in accordance with the count of the coefficient unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, wherein the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is applied as the image forming apparatus. .

  An image forming system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network; and an image forming management apparatus that supplies image forming data to any one of the image forming apparatuses. The image formation management apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is applied as the image formation management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, it is possible to realize image formation by an efficient substitute apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the data structure in the memory of the printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an entire printing operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a substitution request necessity confirmation process in the printer according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printing process in the apparatus of the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an alternative print request process in the printer according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a periodic determination process in the printer according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of status collection processing in the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a service availability setting process in the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of status collection reply processing in the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of print data reception processing in the printer according to the first embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the whole structure of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the hardware constitutions of the host concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the data structure in the memory of the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the data structure in the buffer (memory) of the printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the operation | movement in the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of print data selection processing in the server according to the second embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of the request destination selection process in the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of the regular determination process in the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer status collection process in a server according to the second embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about operation | movement of the service availability setting process in the server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of print data reception processing in a server according to a second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of print data reception processing in the printer according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printing process in a printer according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of status collection reply processing in the printer according to the second embodiment.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control program, and an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention are applied to a printer and a printing system will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system 10000 according to the first embodiment.

  The printing system 10000 of the first embodiment includes a host 3000 as a transmission source of print data (image formation data), and a printer 2000 (image forming apparatus that prints based on the print data supplied from the host 3000). 2000-1 to 2000-3) are arranged. Each device arranged in the printing system 10000 is connected to the network 1000 and can communicate with each other. Note that the number of printers 2000 and hosts 3000 in the printing system 10000 is not limited.

  Next, the internal configuration of the printer 2000 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the printers 2000-1 to 2000-3 are all assumed to have the same configuration for the sake of simplicity.

  The printer 2000 includes an interface 1, a memory 2, a printing unit 3, an occupation setting unit 4, a transmission source ranking setting unit 5, a data classification ranking setting unit 6, an interrupt printing setting unit 7, a condition comparison unit 8, and a counter 9. , Setting change unit 10, condition change unit 11, timer 12, status collection unit 13, substitution determination unit 14, substitution request unit 15, status answer unit 16, selection condition setting unit 17, and printing condition change unit 18. Yes.

  Here, for example, the printer 2000 has a program (an implementation configuration of a program configured by a processor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like) installed in a network-connectable printer. It may be realized by installing). Even in this case, the functional configuration of the printer 2000 including the above-described program can be illustrated as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, print data 100, print data 101, status data 102, condition match 103, number 104, rewrite 105, 106, 107, 108, occupancy 109, transmission source priority 110, data priority 111 , Interrupt enable / disable 112, state 113, state request output 114, state reply input 115, state data 116, substitute instruction 117, substitute request 118, setting 119, end 120, state request input 121, state reply output 122, rewrite 123, The selection condition 124 and the rewrite 125 represent signals or data transmitted / received by the components in the printer 2000, respectively.

  The timer 12 functions as a time measuring means. The timer 12 measures the time according to the input setting 119 (setting contents including the time to be timed), and outputs the end 120 (a signal indicating that the time measurement is finished) when the time measurement for the time is finished. .

  The state collection unit 13 functions as a communication unit. The state collection unit 13 inputs the setting 119 to the timer 12. In addition, the status collection unit 13 transmits a status request output 114 to another printer 2000 in response to the end 120 output from the timer 12 (sent via the interface 1), and from the other printer 2000 as a response thereto. The status reply input 115 is received (received via the interface 1). Further, the state collection unit 13 stores the state of each printer 2000 based on the state answer input 115 as the state data 116 in the memory 2.

  The memory 2 functions as a storage unit. The memory 2 stores print data 100 input from the interface 1 and status data 116 input from the status collection unit 13.

  The printing unit 3 functions as an image forming unit. The printing unit 3 reads the print data 101 stored in the memory 2 and prints an image based on the print data 101 on a medium (image forming process).

  The condition comparison unit 8 functions as a condition comparison unit. The condition comparison unit 8 compares whether or not the state data 102 read from the memory 2 matches a specific condition, and outputs a condition match 103 as a comparison result if it matches.

  The counter 9 functions as counting means. The counter 9 counts the number of condition matches 103 and outputs the count result as the number 104.

  The setting changing unit 10 functions as a changing unit. The setting changing unit 10, as a signal for rewriting the setting, with respect to the occupation setting unit 4, the transmission source ranking setting unit 5, the data ranking setting unit 6, and the interrupt printing setting unit 7 according to the number 104. Rewrite 105, rewrite 106, rewrite 107, and rewrite 108 are input, respectively. That is, the setting change unit 10 generates the rewrite 105, the rewrite 106, the rewrite 107, and the rewrite 108 according to the number 104. Then, the occupancy setting unit 4, the transmission source ranking setting unit 5, the data ranking setting unit 6, and the interrupt print setting unit 7 respectively correspond to the rewrite 105, the rewrite 106, the rewrite 107, and the rewrite 108. Rewrite your settings.

  The occupation setting unit 4 functions as a first instruction means. The occupancy setting unit 4 validates the process (hereinafter also referred to as “occupied process”) for rejecting a print request from a host or user belonging to a specific group to the own apparatus (own printer 2000) according to the rewriting 105. Whether or not the setting is rewritten, and the rewritten setting content is output to the printing unit 3 as an instruction signal. In FIG. 1, the setting content of the occupancy setting unit 4 is shown as occupancy 109. In the printer 2000 of the first embodiment, it is assumed that the network address of one or more hosts is registered as a group related to occupation processing.

  The transmission source ranking setting unit 5 functions as a second instruction means. The transmission source ranking setting unit 5 changes the print processing order in accordance with the priority (weight) given to the transmission source of the print data in the own apparatus (own printer 2000) in accordance with the rewriting 106. The setting as to whether or not to perform processing (hereinafter referred to as “sender ranking processing”) is rewritten, and the rewritten setting content is output to the printing unit 3 as an instruction signal. In FIG. 1, the setting contents of the transmission source ranking setting unit 5 are illustrated as transmission source ranking availability 110.

  The data ranking setting unit 6 functions as third instruction means. The data ordering setting unit 6 sets whether or not to perform processing for changing the print processing order according to the print data assignment information according to the rewrite 107 (hereinafter referred to as “data ordering processing”). The rewritten and rewritten setting contents are output to the printing unit 3 as an instruction signal. In FIG. 1, the setting content of the data ranking setting unit 6 is illustrated as data ranking 111.

  The interrupt print setting unit 7 functions as a fourth instruction unit. In response to the rewrite 108, the interrupt print setting unit 7 interrupts the print processing of other print data during the print processing of one print data by the own device (own printer 2000) (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt print”). The setting of whether or not to perform processing is rewritten, and the rewritten setting content is output to the printing unit 3 as an instruction signal. In FIG. 1, the setting contents of the interrupt print setting unit 7 are illustrated as interrupt enable / disable 112.

  The selection condition setting unit 17 functions as a fifth instruction unit. Based on the rewriting 125 and the rewriting 123, the selection condition setting unit 17 rewrites the selection condition setting of the printer 2000 that requests alternative printing, and outputs the rewritten setting content to the condition comparison unit 8 as an instruction signal. In FIG. 1, the setting content of the selection condition setting unit 17 is illustrated as a selection condition 124.

  The condition changing unit 11 functions as a second changing unit. The condition changing unit 11 generates a rewrite 123 corresponding to the input number 104 and outputs it to the selection condition setting unit 17.

  The print condition changing unit 18 generates a rewrite 125 according to the print data 101 read from the memory 2 and outputs the rewrite 125 to the selection condition setting unit 17.

  The substitution determination unit 14 determines whether or not to request another printer 2000 to perform a substitution printing process according to the state 113 and the condition match 103 of the printing unit 3, and sends a substitution instruction 117 indicating the determination result to the substitution request unit 15. Output to.

  The substitution request unit 15 reads the print data 101 from the memory 2 in response to the substitution instruction 117 and transmits it to the other printer 2000 as a substitution request 118 (sent via the interface 1).

  When the status answering unit 16 receives (receives via the interface 1) a status request input 121 indicating an information request relating to the status of the own device (own printer 2000) from another printer 2000, the status answering unit 16 enters the status 113 of the printing unit 3. Based on this, a status reply output 122 indicating information related to the status of the own apparatus (own printer 2000) is generated and transmitted (transmitted via the interface 1).

  Next, an internal configuration example of the memory 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the memory 2 shows a state in which an alternative candidate list B1, a print data management table B2, and a print data body B3 are stored.

  The substitution candidate list B1 includes state data records R01, R02, R03, and R04, and the number of these records increases or decreases according to the state answer input 115. The status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 indicate information of other printers 2000 that are alternative candidates for the own device (own printer 2000), respectively.

  The status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a management number F01 that is given in the order in which the status answer inputs 115 are received. Further, the status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a network address F02 that indicates the transmission source network address of the status reply input 115. Further, the status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a main body status F03 indicating the status of the transmission source printer included in the status response input 115. Furthermore, the status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a waiting job number F04 indicating the number of waiting jobs waiting for printing included in the status answer input 115. In addition, the status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a medium size F05 that indicates a list of selectable medium sizes included in the status answer input 115. Further, the status data records R01, R02, R03, and R04 include a color print flag F06 that indicates whether color printing included in the status response input 115 is possible.

  The print data management table B <b> 2 includes print data records R <b> 11, R <b> 12, R <b> 13, and R <b> 14, and the number of these records increases or decreases according to the print data 100 and the print data 101. Each of the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 indicates print data management information stored in the print data body B3.

  The print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a reception order number F11 that is given in the order in which the print data 100 is received. The print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a valid flag F12 that indicates whether the corresponding print data is waiting for printing. Further, the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a data start position F13 indicating the start position (offset address) of the corresponding print data body. Furthermore, the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a data size F14 that indicates the size of the corresponding print data body. In addition, the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a network address F15 that indicates a transmission source network address of the print data 100. Further, the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a transmission source rank F16 that indicates a weighted priority for each transmission source of the corresponding print data. Furthermore, the print data records R11, R12, R13, and R14 include a data rank F17 that indicates a weighted priority order for each piece of data of the corresponding print data. The weighted priority for each print data is determined based on the additional information given to the print data when the print data is received. The additional information is whether it is trial printing, the urgency level, the sensitivity level, etc. Indicates.

  In the print data management table B2, for example, when the additional information indicates trial printing, it is assumed that quick response is required for the subsequent formal printing work, and the priority (data order) is increased. To do. Further, in the print data management table B2, when the additional information is at the confidentiality level, if print data with a high confidentiality level is generated, the print data management table B2 has an appropriate timing to reduce the chance of exposing the print result to a user other than the user who instructed printing. It is assumed that the priority order (data order) is changed so as to print.

  The print data body B3 includes data R21, R22, and R24. In this figure, it is assumed that the print data record R13 of the print data management table has been printed and is invalid and the corresponding print data body has been deleted. Each of the data R21, R22, and R24 is a print data body, and an area is defined by the data head position F13 and the data size F14 of the print data management table B2.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the printer 2000 configuring the printing system 10000 of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the entire printing operation of the printer 2000.

  First, it is assumed that the printer 2000 receives print data from the host 3000 and starts a printing operation (steps S000 and S001).

  Next, the printer 2000 checks a plurality of conditions as to whether or not a replacement request is necessary (step S002), and determines whether or not to perform a replacement request based on the confirmed contents (step S003).

  If it is determined in step S003 that a replacement request is not made, the printer 2000 performs printing with the own device (own printer 2000) (step S004), and determines whether printing has been performed normally (step S007).

  If it is determined in step S007 that printing has been normally performed, the printer 2000 notifies the print data transmission source (host 3000) that printing has been completed (step S010), and the print data management table B2 has an effective flag. It is determined whether there is a record in which F12 is valid (step S008).

  If it is determined in step S008 described above that there is a corresponding record (a record in which the valid flag F12 is valid), the printer 2000 returns to the above-described step S002 and starts processing for confirming whether an alternative request is necessary. Operate. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S008 that there is no corresponding record (a record in which the valid flag F12 is valid), the printer 2000 ends the printing operation (step S009).

  If it is determined in step S007 described above that printing has not been performed normally (when the valid flag F12 of the target print data record remains valid), the printer 2000 returns to the process in step S002 and operates. To do.

  If it is determined in step S003 described above that an alternative request is made, the printer 2000 attempts an alternative print request (step S005).

  Then, the printer 2000 determines whether or not a request to an appropriate request destination has been completed in the alternative print request processing in step S005 described above (S006). If it is determined in step S006 that the alternative print request has been completed, the printer 2000 informs the transmission source of the print data that the alternative print has been performed (step S011), and the process in step S008 described above is performed. Transition. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S006 described above that the alternative print request has failed (no appropriate request destination has been detected), the printer 2000 returns to the process in step S002 and operates.

  Next, a detailed operation when the printer 2000 performs the above-described processing of step S002 (substitution request necessity determination confirmation) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2000, when the substitution request necessity determination confirmation is started (S050), first, the substitution determination unit 14 prints the print data record in which the reception order number F11 is small from the print data management table B2 of the memory 2 and the valid flag F12 is valid. Is selected (step S051).

  Next, the substitution determination unit 14 determines whether or not the state 113 of the printing unit 3 can be printed (step S052). If the state 113 indicates that printing cannot be performed, the substitution determination unit 14 determines that a substitution is requested (step S061) and ends the processing. (Step S062).

  If it is determined in step S052 that printing is possible, the substitution determination unit 14 determines whether the data order availability 111 is valid (step S053), and only when the data is valid, the print data management table B2 To a print data record in which the data order F17 is small and the valid flag F12 is valid (step S054).

  Next, the alternative determination unit 14 determines whether or not the transmission source rank enable / disable 110 is valid (step S055). Only when it is valid, the transmission source rank F16 is small from the print data management table B2, and the validity flag F12 is valid. To the print data record (step S056). Here, the alternative determination unit 14 performs the determination after the data rank F17 and the transmission source rank F16 are determined. However, the substitution rank may be reviewed sequentially.

  Next, the substitution determining unit 14 determines whether or not the occupancy 109 is valid (step S057), determines that no substitution is requested if not valid (step S060), and ends the process (step S062).

  If it is determined in step S057 that the occupancy 109 is valid, the substitution determination unit 14 determines whether there is a registration of the occupancy group (step S058). Determination (step S060) and end (step S062).

  If it is determined in step S058 that there is an exclusive group registration, the alternative determination unit 14 determines whether the value of the network address F15 is included in the registered exclusive group (step S059). If so, it is determined that no replacement request is made (step S060), and the process ends (step S062).

  If it is determined in step S059 that the value of the network address F15 is not included in the registered occupancy group, the substitution determination unit 14 determines that a substitution is requested (step S061) and ends (step S062).

  In FIG. 5, in step S059, the determination relating to the occupation group is performed based on whether or not the network address F15 is included. However, the determination is not limited to this, and the user account and security information included in the print data are not limited thereto. May be based on

  Next, details of the printing operation of the printer 2000 in step S004 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2000, when the printing operation starts (S100), the printing unit 3 first reads the print data 101 of a specific unit from the print data body B3 of the memory 2 (step S101), and the image is printed on the medium according to the print data 101. Printing is performed (step S102).

  Then, the printing unit 3 determines whether or not the state 113 of the printing unit 3 is normal (whether printing is possible) (step S103). If it is determined that printing is not possible, the printing unit 3 determines that printing cannot be continued, The process is terminated as it is (step S107).

  If the state 113 of the printing unit 3 is normal in step S103 described above, the printing unit 3 determines whether the read print data 101 includes an end of file (EOF) indicating the end (step S104). .

  When the print data 101 includes EOF, the printing unit 3 releases the area of the print data body B3 indicated by the record of the print data 101 (step S105), and invalidates the print data record valid flag F12 ( Step S106) and the process ends (Step S107).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 described above that the print data 101 does not include EOF, the printing unit 3 determines whether the interrupt enable / disable 112 is valid (step S108). If it is determined in step S108 that the interruptability 112 is not valid, the printing unit 3 returns to the reading of the print data 101 from the memory 2 (step S101) and operates.

  If it is determined in step 108 that the interrupt availability 112 is valid, the printing unit 3 determines whether there is an unconfirmed print data record in which the valid flag F12 is valid in the print data management table B2 (step S109).

  If it is determined in step S109 that there is no corresponding print data record, the printing unit 3 returns to step S101 and operates.

  If it is determined in step S109 described above that the corresponding print data record exists, the printing unit 3 excludes the print data record being printed from the detected print data records, and the valid flag with a small reception order number F11. A print data record in which F12 is valid is selected (step S110). Here, since the condition for performing interrupt printing is such that the printable number is extremely small, the printing unit 3 selects in order of reception on the assumption that other rankings are invalid. However, for example, draft printing may be prioritized by ranking by data.

  Then, after selecting the print data record, the printing unit 3 extracts the number of printed sheets from the print data corresponding to the selected print data record (step S111), and determines whether the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than a threshold value (step S112).

  If it is determined in step S112 described above that the number of printed sheets exceeds the threshold value, the printing unit 3 operates from the process in step S109 described above.

  In the printing unit 3 of the first embodiment, when a large amount of printing is generated by interrupt printing, the above-described threshold for the number of prints is provided in order to limit the print amount allowed for interrupt printing. This is a process for suppressing the influence on the user who originally uses the own apparatus (the own printer 2000). The same control in the printing unit 3 is not limited to the control using the above-described threshold value. For example, whether or not the selected number of print data records is smaller than the planned number of data being printed, You may make it determine by the relative ratio with the data in printing.

  If it is determined in step S112 described above that the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the threshold value, the printing unit 3 stores the print settings being printed (step S113), and switches the print target data to the selected print data record (step S114). .

  Then, the printing unit 3 reads the print data 101 of a specific unit from the print data body B3 according to the new print data record for interrupt printing (step S115), and prints an image on the medium according to the print data 101 (step S116). ).

  Then, the printing unit 3 determines whether or not the state (state 113) of the printing unit 3 is normal (whether or not printing is possible) (step S117), and is determined to be abnormal (a state where printing is not possible). If so, the process ends as is (step S107).

If it is determined in step S117 described above that the state (state 113) of the printing unit 3 is normal (printable state), does the printing unit 3 include the EOF indicating the end in the read print data 101? It is determined whether or not (step S118).
If it is determined in step S118 described above that the read print data 101 does not include an end-of-file EOF, the printing unit 3 returns to the process in step S115 and operates. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S118 that the interrupt print data 101 includes EOF, the printing unit 3 determines that the interrupt print is completed, and the print data body indicated by the interrupt print data record is displayed. The area B3 is released (step S119). At this time, the printing unit 3 invalidates the valid flag F12 of the print data record for interrupt printing (step S120). Further, at this time, the printing unit 3 restores the print settings stored in step S113 (step S121), and returns to the processing in step S101 described above to operate. Here, the printing unit 3 invalidates the valid flag F12 for the print data record that has been printed, but the print data record itself may be deleted.

  Next, the alternative print request operation of the printer 2000 in step S005 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2000, when the operation of the alternative print request is started (step S150), the print condition changing unit 18 first determines whether or not the print data 101 to be subjected to alternative printing is color printing (step S151).

  If it is determined in step S151 that the print data 101 is color printing, the printing condition changing unit 18 instructs the selection condition setting unit 17 to rewrite 125 as an instruction signal for changing the color printing condition to “color”. input. Then, the selection condition setting unit 17 changes the color printing condition of the selection condition 124 to be output to “color” based on the rewriting 125 from the printing condition changing unit 18 (step S152).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S151 described above that the color printing is not related to the alternative printing, the printing condition changing unit 18 changes the color printing condition to “no designation” with respect to the selection condition setting unit 17. Enter. Then, the selection condition setting unit 17 changes the color printing condition among the selection conditions 124 to be output to “no designation” based on the rewrite 125 from the printing condition changing unit 18 (step S165).

  Next, the print condition changing unit 18 determines whether or not a medium size is specified in the print data 101 (step S153).

  When it is determined in step S153 described above that the medium size is designated in the print data 101, the print condition changing unit 18 instructs the selection condition setting unit 17 to change the medium size to the medium size of the print data 101. The rewrite 125 to be changed is input. Then, the selection condition setting unit 17 changes the medium size in the selection condition 124 to be output in accordance with the rewriting 125 from the printing condition changing unit 18 (step S154).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S153 described above that the medium size is not specified in the print data 101, the print condition changing unit 18 changes the medium size to “no specification” for the selection condition setting unit 17. The rewriting 125 to be input is input. Then, the selection condition setting unit 17 changes the medium size in the selection condition 124 to be output to “not specified” in accordance with the rewriting 125 from the printing condition changing unit 18 (step S166).

  Here, the selection conditions related to the print data 101, whether or not color printing is necessary and the medium size designation, are always valid. However, this is not limited to this, and the condition changing unit 11 invalidates these conditions according to the number of units 104. Also good.

  Next, the condition comparison unit 8 determines whether or not there is an unconfirmed state data record in the alternative candidate list B1 (step S155).

  In step S155 described above, if there is no state data record in the alternative candidate list B1 or there is no state data record that matches the condition and there is no unconfirmed state data record, the condition comparison unit 8 requests the replacement request. The process is determined as failure (step S156), and the process is terminated (step S164).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S155 described above that there is an unconfirmed state data record in the alternative candidate list B1, the condition comparison unit 8 reads one state data record as the state data 102 (step S157). Then, it is determined whether or not the selection condition 124 is satisfied for the state data 102 (whether or not they match) (step S158).

  Each condition constituting the selection condition 124 is roughly divided into, for example, one that is not related to the print data 101 and one that changes depending on the print data 101. Among the conditions constituting the selection condition 124, the conditions not related to the print data 101 are the network address that defines the range of the alternative destination and the number of print data waiting to be printed that affects the time until the start of printing (if it is large, avoid it as an alternative destination) ) And printing speed (the faster the rotation, the faster). Further, among the conditions constituting the selection condition 124, the one that changes depending on the print data 101 is whether or not color printing is required only when it is color print data, whether or not a medium size is specified, and the like. The conditions constituting the selection condition 124 are reflected in the selection condition 124 at the top of the flowchart of FIG. 7 (step S151 and the like). Note that, in the first embodiment, the combination of the conditions constituting the selection condition 124 is not limited, and the validity or invalidity of each item may be set according to a user operation or the like.

  If it is determined in step S158 described above that the state data 102 does not satisfy the selection condition 124, the condition comparison unit 8 returns to step S155 and operates.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S158 described above that the state data 102 satisfies the selection condition 124, the condition comparison unit 8 substitutes the condition match 103 as a signal indicating that the state data 102 satisfies the selection condition 124. Output to the determination unit 14. Then, the substitution determination unit 14 inputs a signal (substitution instruction 117) for instructing the content of the substitution printing to the substitution request unit 15 based on the input condition match 103. Then, based on the substitution instruction 117, the substitution request unit 15 generates a substitution request 118 with the network address F02 of the status data record with the transmission destination selected and the data body as the print data 101 (step S159), and the destination printer. It transmits to 2000 (transmits via the interface 1) (step S160).

  Then, the substitution request unit 15 deletes the print data body that has made the substitution request when the substitution request 118 is transmitted (step S161), invalidates the validity flag F12 of the print data record (step S162), and substitute request processing. Completion is determined (step S163), and the process ends (step S164).

  Next, a periodic determination operation in the printer 2000 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The printer 2000 performs the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8 at predetermined intervals. In this embodiment, the printer 2000 performs a periodic process (periodic determination process) shown in FIG. 8 with an end 120 indicating the end of time measurement by the timer 12 as a trigger.

  In the printer 2000, when the periodic determination process is started (S200), the status collection unit 13 collects the status of the alternative printer (step S201). Then, the condition comparison unit 8 and the counter 9 perform service availability setting based on the information collected by the state collection unit 13 (step S202).

  Next, the state collection unit 13 inputs a signal (setting 119) for setting a time until the next determination to the timer 12 (step S203), and ends a series of periodic processes (step S204).

  Next, details of the status collection of the alternative printer (the above-described step S201 processing) in the printer 2000 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2000, when the state collection operation is started (S250), the state collection unit 13 first clears the alternative candidate list B1 in the memory 2 (step S251). Here, the state collection unit 13 is described as generating a new list after clearing the alternative candidate list B1, but it may be replaced after another alternative candidate list is created and the state collection is completed.

  Next, the status collection unit 13 sets a response waiting time to the timer 12 as a setting 119 and broadcasts a status request output 114 for requesting the status (status) of another printer 2000 to the network 1000 (interface). 1) (step S253).

  The state collection unit 13 determines whether or not the end 120 by the timer 12 is detected after transmitting the state request output 122 (step S254).

  If the end 120 is not detected in step S254 described above, the state collection unit 13 determines whether or not the state answer input 115 has been received (step S255).

  The state collection unit 13 adds a new state data record to the alternative candidate list B1 only when the reception of the state reply input 115 is detected in step S255 described above, and further writes the contents of the state reply input 115 (step S256), the operation returns to the process of step S254 described above.

  When the end 120 is detected in the process of step S254 described above, the condition comparison unit 8 initializes (sets to 0) the counter 9 (S257).

  Next, the condition comparison unit 8 determines whether or not an unconfirmed state data record exists in the alternative candidate list B1 (step S258), and when no state answer input 115 is detected during the response waiting time. If it is determined that all the status data records have been confirmed, the process is terminated (step S266).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S258 described above that an unconfirmed state data record exists, the condition comparison unit 8 reads one of the unconfirmed state data records from the alternative candidate list B1 as the state data 102 (step S259).

  Then, the condition comparison unit 8 determines whether or not the main body state F03 of the read state data 102 is printable (step S260), and if not printable, returns to the process of step S258 described above and operates.

  Here, “printable” indicates a state waiting for print data, and indicates that a failure such as a jam has occurred cannot be printed. The state of the power saving operation such as sleep can be printed, but it may be determined that printing cannot be performed in consideration of the return time until the start of printing, or it may be determined that printing is possible with conditions.

  If it is determined in step S260 described above that the main body state F03 of the state data 102 is printable, the condition comparison unit 8 determines the network address of the own device (own printer 2000) and the most significant pit indicated by the selection condition 124. An AND operation is performed on the mask value indicating the address comparison range in which the bits from 1 to the effective range are set to 1 and the other bits are set to 0 to obtain an address masked outside the address comparison range by the mask value (step S261).

  Also, the condition comparison unit 8 performs an AND operation on the network address F02 of the read state data 102 with the above-described mask value, and obtains an address masked outside the address comparison range by the mask value (S262).

  Then, the condition comparison unit 8 compares the two addresses obtained in Step S261 and Step S262 and determines whether or not they match (Step S263). Thereby, the condition comparison unit 8 determines whether or not the other party's network address is within the valid range in accordance with the match of the specific range of the own and the other party's network address.

  If it is determined in step S263 that the two addresses do not match, the condition comparison unit 8 returns to step S258 and operates.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S263 that the two addresses match, the condition comparison unit 8 determines whether the number of waiting jobs F04 in the read state data 102 is equal to or less than the number of allowable waiting jobs in the selection condition 124. (Step S264), and only when the number is equal to or less than the allowable number of waiting jobs, 1 is added to the counter 9 (Step S265), and the operation returns to the processing of Step S258 described above.

  By completing the above operation, the printer 2000 (the condition comparison unit 8, the state collection unit 13, and the counter 9) indicates that the number 104 that is the output of the counter 9 indicates the number of alternative candidate printers that match the specific condition 124. Become.

  In FIG. 9, the condition comparison unit 8 increments the counter 9 by one. However, the condition comparison unit 8 is not limited to this, and the condition comparison unit 8 weights by changing the addition value according to the network address. If it exceeds, further processing may be interrupted or calculated by subtraction from an arbitrary value. “Change the added value according to the network address” means that, for example, the condition comparison unit 8 provides a plurality of mask values indicating the address comparison range used in steps S261 to S262, and the range in which the network address matches is set. A means for increasing the added value of a wide printer (that is, a printer that is regarded as a neighborhood) and further preferentially selecting a printer having a larger added value is provided. Thereby, even if the total number of selectable printers is small, the condition comparison unit 8 can maintain a more convenient service if there is another selectable printer near the printer designated by the user. A determination can be made according to the assumed distance between printers.

  Next, the service availability setting operation of the printer 2000 in step S202 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2000, when the service availability setting operation starts (S300), the setting changing unit 10 first determines whether the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 1 (step S301). A signal for invalidating the occupancy setting unit 4 is output (step S302). If the signal is larger than the threshold 1, a signal for enabling the occupancy setting unit 4 is output as the rewrite 105 (step S303).

  Next, the setting change unit 10 determines whether or not the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 2 (step S304). If the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 2, the setting change unit 10 outputs a signal for invalidating the transmission source ranking setting unit 5 as the rewrite 106. (Step S305) If it is larger than the threshold 2, a signal for enabling the transmission source ranking setting unit 5 is output as the rewrite 106 (Step S306).

  Next, the setting change unit 10 determines whether or not the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 3 (step S307). If the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 3, the setting change unit 10 outputs a signal for invalidating the data classification setting unit 6 as rewrite 107. (Step S308), if larger than the threshold 3, a signal for enabling the data-specific ranking setting unit 6 is output as the rewrite 107 (Step S309).

  Next, the setting change unit 10 determines whether the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 4 (step S310). If the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 4, the setting change unit 10 outputs a signal for enabling the interrupt print setting unit 7 as the rewrite 108 (step S310). In S311), if it is larger than the threshold 4, a signal for invalidating the interrupt print setting unit 7 is output as the rewrite 108 (step S312).

  Next, the condition changing unit 11 determines whether or not the number 104 is less than or equal to the threshold value 5 (step S313). If the number is less than or equal to the threshold value 5, the address comparison range of the selection condition setting unit 17 is expanded as the rewrite 123 (step S314). If it is larger than the threshold value 5, the address comparison range of the selection condition 17 is narrowed by rewriting 123 (step S315).

  The address comparison range here is used in steps S261 to S263 of FIG. As a result, the address comparison range is expanded when the number 104 is reduced, and the printers that are distant from the network (for example, printers with a large number of hops to reach) are also subject to alternative print request destinations. Only the printer of this is targeted. Here, the upper limit and lower limit of the address comparison range of the selection condition 17 are determined separately. For example, when installed in a company, the upper limit is the network address range allocated to the company or the installation base.

  Next, the condition changing unit 11 determines whether or not the number 104 is equal to or less than the threshold 6 (step S316). (Step S317) If it is larger than the threshold 6, a signal for reducing the number of allowable waiting jobs of the selection condition 17 is output as the rewrite 123 (Step S318).

  As a result, when the number 104 decreases, printers with a large amount of waiting print data are also subject to alternative print request destinations, and when the number 104 increases, only empty printers are targeted. Here, the upper limit and lower limit of the number of allowable waiting jobs in the selection condition 17 are separately determined, and the maximum value of the upper limit is infinite.

  The setting change unit 10 performs the determination process as described above, and ends the process (step S319).

  Note that in the service availability setting operation of the first embodiment, the printer 2000 changes the service condition according to the number of printable items collected periodically. However, the service condition is not limited to this. It is also possible to measure the number of printable units based on the presence / absence of color printing and the print medium size when receiving data, and forcibly change the service conditions according to the number.

  Next, the operation of status collection reply in the printer 2000 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the status answering unit 16 receives a status request input 121 from another printer 2000 via the interface 1.

  When the status request input 121 is received from another printer 2000, the status response unit 16 starts an operation of status collection response (step S350). First, the status request transmission source network address (for example, the status request input 121) , The source IP address of the packet) is acquired (step S351).

  Next, the status response unit 16 generates a status response output 122 according to the status 113 of the printing unit 3 (step S352). Then, the status reply unit 16 transmits the generated status reply output 122 to the transmission source network address of the status request input 121 (step S353), and ends the processing (step S354).

  Next, the operation of receiving print data in the printer 2000 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the printer 2000 receives the print data 100 from the host 3000, or receives an alternative print request from another printer 2000, the printer 2000 performs the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data 100 received by the interface 1 is acquired by the print data processing unit 1a of the interface 1 and recorded in the memory 2.

  When the print data 100 is received, the print data processing unit 1a starts an operation of receiving the print data (step S400), and sets the valid flag F12 in the print data management table B2 in the memory 2 based on the print data 100. An invalid print data record is added (step S401).

  Next, the print data processing unit 1a determines whether or not the free capacity of the memory 2 is sufficient (step S402). If the free capacity is insufficient, the print data processing unit 1a transmits a print data transmission interruption to the print data transmission source (step S402). S403), the process returns to the above-described step S402. Here, the process is repeated until the free space of the memory 2 becomes free. However, this is not limited to this, and the fact that the print data is concentrated on the own device (the own printer 2000) that the free space of the memory 2 is insufficient. Therefore, an alternative print request may be made.

  If it is determined in step S402 described above that there is sufficient free space in the memory 2, the print data processing unit 1a holds the received print data as the print data 100 (step S404) and writes it to the print data entity B3. (Step S405).

  Next, the print data processing unit 1a determines whether or not all the print data has been received (step S406). If there is any remaining data, the process returns to the above-described step S402 to operate. Here, the print data processing unit 1a receives and processes all of the print data at once. However, if the memory 2 has a small capacity, the print data processing unit 1a sequentially advances while printing as soon as the print unit is received. You may receive it.

  If the print data processing unit 1a determines that all the print data 100 has been received in step S406, the print data processing unit 1a writes information corresponding to the print data 100 in the added print data record (step S407).

  Next, the print data processing unit 1a determines whether or not the network address F02 of the print data record is registered as a weighting target (step S408), and only when it is registered, the transmission source rank F16 of the print data management table B2. (Step S409).

  Next, the print data processing unit 1a determines whether the print data is a trial print (step S410), and reassigns the data order F17 of the print data management table B2 only when the print data is a trial print (step S411). The method by which the print data processing unit 1a determines whether or not the test printing is performed differs depending on the type of the printer. For example, when there is additional information for specifying the test print, the information is determined based on the information and printed. If it is given to the data drawing command, it may be determined by extracting from the print data itself.

  Finally, the print data processing unit 1a enables the print data record validity flag F12 (step S412), and ends the print data 100 reception process (step S413).

(A-3) Effects of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  In the printer 2000, the status collection unit 13 collects information indicating whether printing is possible from other printers 2000 connected to the network 1000, and the counter 9 counts the information. The setting change unit 10 responds accordingly to the operation status related to print data management. (For example, exclusive printing, ranking by source, ranking by data, and setting of interrupt printing) are automatically changed. As a result, in the printing system 10000, even when the number of printers 2000 that can be connected to the network 1000 decreases, the opportunity for a specific user to monopolize the printer is reduced, so that a printing opportunity is given to each user equally. In other words, in the printing system 10000, when the number of printers 2000 that can be printed is reduced, priority grant is stopped to improve printing performance for users without priority and to perform efficient printing processing. Also, the printing system 10000 can provide an effect of giving priority when the number of printers 2000 that can be printed increases, and improving user convenience.

  Further, in the printer 2000, the condition changing unit 11 changes the selection condition setting unit 17 in accordance with the count of the counter 9, so that the target range to be counted is relaxed or tightened. If not, the target can be increased, and if the printer 2000 is abundant, it can be narrowed down to more convenient printers.

  Furthermore, in the printing system 10000, since the status collection unit 13 and the status response unit 16 are arranged in the printer 2000 and the number of printers 2000 is counted between the printers 2000, it is not necessary to newly provide a device for managing the printer 2000.

(B) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control program, an image forming management apparatus, an image forming management program, and an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus, the image forming management apparatus, and the image forming system of the present invention are applied to a printer, a server, and a printing system will be described.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system 10000A according to the second embodiment.

  The printing system 10000A according to the second embodiment includes a printer 2001 (2001-1 to 2001-3) as an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, a host 3000 as an information processing apparatus, and a print management apparatus (image forming apparatus). This is different from the first embodiment in that a server 4000 as a management device is arranged. In the following, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the printer 2000 directly receives a print request (including alternative printing) from the host 3000 or another printer 20000. However, in the second embodiment, the server 4000 relays print data. The difference is that each printer 2001 is assigned. Therefore, the second embodiment is different in that each function of the printer 2000 of the first embodiment is distributed and arranged in the server 4000 and the printer 2001. In the printing system 10000A, the numbers of the printer 2001, the server 4000, and the host 3000 are not limited.

  Next, the internal configuration of the server 4000 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The server 4000 includes an interface 30, a memory 31, an occupation setting unit 32, a transmission source ranking setting unit 33, a data ranking setting unit 34, an interrupt print setting unit 35, a condition comparison unit 36, a counter 37, and a setting change unit. 38, a condition change unit 39, a timer 40, a state collection unit 41, a selection unit 42, a print instruction unit 43, a selection condition setting unit 44, a host communication unit 45, and a print condition change unit 46. Here, the server 4000 can be constructed by installing a program including the image formation management program of the embodiment in a computer such as a PC or a workstation. FIG. 14 shows a functional configuration of the server 4000 including the above-described program.

  In FIG. 14, print data 150, print data 151, status data 152, condition match 153, number of units 154, rewrites 155, 156, 157, 158, occupation availability 159, transmission source ranking availability 160, data ranking ranking 161 , Interrupt enable / disable 162, status request output 163, status request input 164, status data 165, selection address 166, print destination notification 167, print destination enable / disable 168, decision address 169, print request 170, setting 171, end 172, rewrite 173 The selection condition 174 and the rewrite 175 represent signals or data exchanged by the components in the server 4000, respectively.

  The interface 30 is an interface that connects the server 4000 to the network 1000.

  The timer 40 functions as a time measuring means, like the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The timer 40 outputs an end 172 as time elapses according to the input setting 171.

  The status collection unit 41 functions as a communication unit, like the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The state collection unit 41 outputs the setting 171 to the timer 40, and outputs a state request output 163 to the interface 30 in response to the end 172. Further, the state collection unit 41 receives an input of the state answer input 164 from the interface 30 as a response to the state request output 163.

  The memory 31 functions as a storage unit similarly to the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The memory 31 stores the print data 150 input from the interface 30 and the status data 165 input from the status collection unit 41.

  The selection means 42 outputs the printer 2001 to be requested as the selection address 166 according to the state data 152 read from the memory 31.

  The host communication unit 45 functions as a confirmation unit. The host communication unit 45 outputs a printing destination notification 167 to the interface 30 according to the selected address 166, and outputs the selected address 166 as a determined address 169 according to the printing destination availability 168 input from the interface 30.

  The print instruction unit 43 outputs to the interface 30 a print request 170 with the print data 151 as the content and the decision address 169 as the destination. The determination address 169 indicates whether or not the selection address 166 is acceptable, and is also input to the selection unit 42.

  The condition comparison unit 36 functions as a condition comparison unit similar to the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The condition comparison unit 36 compares the state data 152 read from the memory 31 with a condition of the selection condition 174 and outputs a condition match 153 when the condition data 152 is matched.

  The counter 37 functions as a counting unit as in the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The counter 37 counts the condition matches 153 and outputs them as the number 154.

  The setting changing unit 38 functions as a changing unit, like the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The setting changing unit 38 outputs the rewrite 155, the rewrite 156, the rewrite 157, or the rewrite 158 according to the number 154.

  The condition changing unit 39 functions as a second changing unit in the same manner as the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The condition changing unit 39 outputs a rewrite 173 according to the number 154.

  The occupancy setting unit 32 functions as a first instruction unit in the same manner as the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The occupancy setting unit 32 is rewritten by the rewriting 155 and outputs the occupancy permission / inhibition 159 to the selection unit 42.

  Similar to the printer 2000 in the first embodiment, the transmission source ranking setting unit 33 functions as a second instruction unit. The transmission source ranking setting unit 33 is rewritten by the rewriting 156, and outputs the transmission source ranking availability 160 to the selection unit 42.

  Similar to the printer 2000 in the first embodiment, the data ranking setting unit 34 functions as a third instruction unit. The data ranking setting unit 34 is rewritten by the rewriting 157, and outputs the data ranking 161 to the selecting unit 42.

  The interrupt print setting unit 35 functions as a fourth instruction unit in the same manner as the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The interrupt print setting unit 35 is rewritten by rewriting 158, and outputs interrupt enable / disable 162 to the print instruction unit 43.

  The print condition changing unit 46 outputs a rewrite 175 according to the print data 151 read from the memory 31.

  The selection condition setting unit 44 functions as a fifth instruction unit in the same manner as the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. The selection condition setting unit 44 is rewritten by rewriting 175 and rewriting 173, and outputs the selection condition 174 to the condition comparison unit 36.

  Next, the internal configuration of the printer 2001 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the printers 2001-1 to 2001-3 are all assumed to have the same configuration in order to simplify the description.

  The printer 2001 includes an interface 60, a buffer 61, a printing unit 62, and a status answering unit 63. In the printer 2001 of the second embodiment, the printing unit 62 and the status answering unit 63 correspond to the printing unit 3 and the status answering unit 16 constituting the printer 2000 of the first embodiment. The printer 2001 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that other components related to data processing are omitted.

  The interface 60 is an interface that connects the printer 2001 to the network 1000.

  The buffer 61 functions as a buffer (storage means) that temporarily stores the print data 200 input from the interface 60.

  The printing unit 62 functions as an image forming unit, similarly to the printer 2000 of the first embodiment. The printing unit 62 prints on a medium according to the print data 201 read from the buffer 61.

  In response to the status request input 121 from the interface 60, the status response unit 63 generates a status response output 122 based on the status 113 of the printing unit 62 and outputs the status response output 122 to the interface 60.

  Next, the internal configuration of the host 3000 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The host 3000 includes a CPU 90, a memory 91, a display 92, a keyboard 93, a mouse 94, and an interface 95. The components of the host 3000 are connected to each other via the internal bus 300.

  Next, an internal configuration example of the memory 31 of the server 4000 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 17, the memory 31 shows a state in which the alternative candidate list B1, the print data management table B4, and the print data body B5 are stored in the same manner as the printer 2000 in the first embodiment.

  Since the alternative candidate list B1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The print data management table B4 includes print data records R31, R32, R33, and R34, and the number of these records increases or decreases according to the print data 150 and the print data 151. In the print data records R31, R32, R33, and R34, as in the first embodiment, the reception order number F21, the valid flag F22, the data head position F23, the data size F24, the network address F25, the transmission source rank F26, and Data order F27 is included. The print data records R31, R32, R33, and R34 include an identifier F28 that is assigned to identify print data on the printer 2001.

  The print data body B5 includes data R41, R42, and R44.

  In FIG. 17, the print data record R33 of the print data management table B4 has been printed and is invalid, and the corresponding print data body has been deleted.

  Each of the data R41, R42, and R44 is a print data body, and an area is defined by the data head position F23 and the data size F24 of the print data management table B4.

  Next, an example of the internal configuration of the buffer 61 of the printer 2001 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The buffer 61 stores a print data management table B6 and a print data body B7.

  The print data management table B6 includes print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54, and the number of these records increases or decreases according to the print data 200 and the print data 201.

  The print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include a reception order number F31 that is given in the order in which the print data 200 is received. The print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include a valid flag F32 that indicates whether the corresponding print data is waiting for printing. Further, the print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include a data head position F33 indicating the head position of the corresponding print data body. Furthermore, the print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include a data size F34 indicating the size of the corresponding print data body. Further, the print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include a network address F35 that indicates the transmission source network address of the print data 150. Furthermore, the print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include an interrupt enable / disable F36 that indicates whether or not interrupt printing may be performed. Furthermore, the print data records R51, R52, R53, and R54 include an identifier F37 that stores the same number as the identifier F28 stored in the print data management table B4 of the server 4000.

  The print data body B7 includes data R61, R62, and R64. In FIG. 18, it is assumed that the print data record R53 of the print data management table B6 has been printed and is invalid, and the corresponding print data body has been deleted. Each of the data R61, R62, and R64 is a print data body, and an area is defined by the data head position F33 and the data size F34 of the print data management table B6.

(B-2) Operation of the Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the printing system 10000A of the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the entire print management operation of the server 4000.

  First, it is assumed that the server 4000 receives print data from the host 3000 and starts a print management operation (steps S500 and S501).

  Next, the selection unit 42 selects data to be printed (step S502), and further selects a request destination printer for printing (step S503).

  Next, the selection unit 42 determines the result of selection of the request destination printer based on whether or not the decision address 169 is an invalid value (step S504). If the determination address 169 is an invalid value, the process returns to the above-described step S503 to operate. Reselect the destination printer.

  If the determination address 169 indicates a significant network address instead of an invalid value in step S504 described above, the print instruction unit 43 receives the determination address 169 as the destination, the identifier F28 of the print data 151, and the interrupt enable / disable 162. The header of the print request 170 is generated (step S505). Then, the print instruction unit 43 generates a print request 170 having the generated header and the selected print data 151 as a data body (step S506), and transmits the print request 170 to the network 1000 via the interface 30 (step S507).

  Then, the print instruction unit 43 determines whether or not the print data related to the print request 170 transmitted in step S507 described above is a second or subsequent alternative print request (step S508), and only when it is an alternative print request. A print cancel is transmitted to the printer that has transmitted the print request to (step S509).

  Next, the selection unit 42 determines whether or not the print request 170 has been normally printed by updating the status data 152 of the transmission destination printer 2001 that has transmitted the print request 170 in step S507 (step S507). S510).

  If it is determined in step S510 described above that a failure related to continuation of printing has occurred and printing cannot be performed, the selection unit 42 returns to the processing in step S503 described above, and reselects the requested printer.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S510 described above that printing was successful, the host communication unit 45 notifies the printer that has printed to the host 3000 (step S511), and deletes the print data body indicated by the corresponding print data record. In step S512, the print data record validity flag F22 is invalidated (step S513).

  Then, the selection unit 42 determines whether or not there is a record in which the valid flag F22 is valid in the print data management table B4 (step S514). If there is a corresponding record, the process returns to the above-described step S502. If there is no corresponding print data record in step S514, the selection unit 42 once ends the process (step S515).

  Next, the print data selection operation in step S502 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the selection unit 42 starts selecting print data (S550), the selection unit 42 first selects a print data record having the smallest reception order number F21 and a valid flag F22 from the print data management table B4 (step S551).

  Next, the selection unit 42 determines whether or not the data order ranking 161 of the selected print data record is valid (step S552). Only when it is valid, the data rank F27 from the print data management table B4 is the smallest, The selection is changed to a print data record in which the valid flag F22 is valid (step S553).

  Next, the selection unit 42 determines whether or not the transmission order ranking availability 160 is valid (step S554). Only when it is valid, the transmission source rank F26 is the smallest from the print data management table B4, and the validity flag F22 is set. The selection is changed to a valid print data record (step S555).

  Next, the printing condition changing unit 46 determines whether or not the selected print data 151 is color printing (step S556). If the printing data 151 is color printing, the printing condition changing unit 46 performs color printing among the selection conditions 174 to the selection condition setting unit 44. Rewrite 175 for changing the condition to “color” is output (step S557). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S556 described above that the selected print data 151 is not color printing, the printing condition changing unit 46 instructs the selection condition setting unit 44 to specify “no designation” for the color printing condition in the selection condition 174. The rewrite 175 to be changed to "" is output (step S561).

  Next, the print condition changing unit 46 determines whether or not the print data 151 designates the medium size (step S558). If the medium size is designated, the selection condition setting unit 44 is informed of the selection condition 174. Among them, the rewriting 175 for changing the medium size to the medium size of the print data 101 is output (step S559). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S558 described above that the medium size is not specified in the selected print data 151, a rewrite 175 for changing the medium size to “no specification” in the selection condition 174 is output (step S562). ).

  As described above, in the server 4000, the print data selection process is executed and the process ends (step S560).

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of selecting a print request destination in step S503 described above, which is performed by the server 4000.

  When the selection means 42 starts selecting a request destination (step S600), it first determines whether or not an unconfirmed status data record exists in the alternative candidate list B1 (step S601).

  If there is no state data record in the alternative candidate list B1 in the above-described step S601, or there is no state data record that matches the condition and there are no unconfirmed state data records, the selection unit 42 selects the request destination. And the selection address 166 is invalidated (step S610). Then, the host communication unit 45 sets the decision address 169 to an invalid value (step S611) and ends the process (step S612).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S601 described above that there is an unconfirmed state data record, the selection unit 42 reads one state data record from the alternative candidate list B1 as the state data 152 (step S602), and the state data It is determined whether or not 152 satisfies the selection condition 174 (step S603), and if not satisfied, the process returns to the above-described processing of step S601 to operate. The selection condition 174 is defined similarly to the selection condition 124 in the first embodiment.

  If the state data 152 satisfies the selection condition 174 in step S603 described above, the selection unit 42 outputs the network address F02 of the state data 152 as the selection address 166 (step S604).

  Then, the host communication means 45 receives the selection address 166 and generates a print destination notification 167 having the network address F25 of the print data management table B4 as the destination and the selection address 166 as the content. Then, the host communication unit 45 transmits the printing destination notification 167 to the host 3000 via the interface 30 (step S605).

  In this embodiment, when the printing destination notification 167 reaches the host 3000, it is assumed that it is shown on the display 92 as a selection request as to whether or not the selection address 166 is appropriate. Then, in the host 3000, a determination is input by the user's operation of the keyboard 93 and the mouse 94, and a reply is made from the interface 95 as the print destination availability. Then, this answer is received by the server 4000 as the print destination propriety 168.

  The host communication unit 45 determines whether or not a timeout (e.g., a timeout of an arbitrary fixed time) has occurred after transmission of the printing destination notification 167 has occurred (step S606). If the timeout has occurred, the determination address 169 is invalidated. The value is set (step S611), and the process is terminated (step S612).

  On the other hand, if the print destination availability timeout has not occurred in step S606, the host communication unit 45 determines whether the print destination availability 168 has been received (step S607). The operation returns to step S606.

  If it is determined in step S607 that the print destination availability 168 has been received, the host communication unit 45 determines whether the print destination availability 168 is appropriate (step S608). It returns to the process of above-mentioned step S601, and it operate | moves.

  If the print destination availability 168 indicates appropriate in step S608 described above, the host communication unit 45 outputs the selection address 166 as the determined address 169 (step S609), and the process ends (step S612).

  Next, the periodic determination operation of the server 4000 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The server 4000 performs the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 22 at a predetermined interval. In this embodiment, the server 4000 performs the periodic process (periodic determination process) shown in FIG. 22 with the end 172 indicating the end of time measurement by the timer 40 as a trigger.

  When the timing of the regular processing is reached (step S650), the status collection unit 41 collects information on each printer 2001 (step S651), and further sets the service availability of each printer 2001 (step S652).

  Then, the state collection unit 41 sets the time until the next determination to the timer 40 by the setting 171 (step S653), and ends the process (step S654). Since these processes are operations corresponding to steps S200 to S204 in the first embodiment (FIG. 8 described above), detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of collecting the printer status performed by the server 4000 (the processing in step S651 described above) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the printer status collection operation is started, the status collection unit 41 clears the alternative candidate list (step S701) and sets a waiting time in the timer 40 (step S702). Then, the status collection unit 41 broadcasts a signal (status request output 163) requesting the status (status) of each printer 2001 to the network 1000 via the interface 30 (step S703).

  Then, the state collection unit 41 waits for the state answer input 164 until the end 172 is detected, and adds the received state answer input 164 to the alternative candidate list B1 (steps S704 to S706).

  Next, the counter 37 is set to 0 (step S707), and the status data record is read (step S709) until there is no unconfirmed record in the alternative candidate list B1 (step S708). If the network addresses match and the number of waiting jobs is less than the allowable number, 1 is added to the counter 37 (steps S710 to S715), and the process is terminated (step S716). Since the processing of step S708 to step S716 is an operation corresponding to step S258 to step S266 shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the service availability setting operation (the process in step S652 described above) performed by the server 4000 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the setting changing unit 38 starts the service availability setting operation (step S750), the setting changing unit 38 first compares the number 154 with the threshold value 1, and if the occupation setting unit 32 is equal to or less than the threshold value 1, the setting changing unit 38 is invalid. Step S751 to Step S753).

  Next, the setting change unit 38 compares the number 154 with the threshold value 2, and invalidates the transmission source ranking setting unit 33 if it is equal to or smaller than the threshold value 2, and enables it if larger (steps S754 to S756).

  Next, the setting change unit 38 compares the number 154 with the threshold 3, and invalidates the data ranking setting unit 34 if it is equal to or less than the threshold 3, and enables it if larger (steps S757 to S759).

  Next, the setting change unit 38 compares the number 154 with the threshold 4 and validates the interrupt print setting unit 35 if it is less than or equal to the threshold 4, and invalidates it if larger (steps S760 to S762).

  Next, the condition changing unit 39 compares the number 154 with the threshold 5, and widens the address range of the selection condition setting unit 44 if it is equal to or less than the threshold 5, and narrows it if larger (steps S763 to S765).

  Next, the condition changing unit 39 compares the number 154 with the threshold 6 and increases the allowable number of waiting jobs in the selection condition setting unit 44 if it is less than or equal to the threshold 6, and decreases it if it is larger (steps S766 to S768).

  In the setting change unit 38 and the condition change unit 39, after the above determination, the service availability setting operation ends (step S769). These correspond to steps S300 to S319 shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment. Since this is an operation, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, print data reception operations in the server 4000 and the printer 2001 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data received by the interface 30 is acquired by the print data processing unit 30a of the interface 30 and recorded in the memory 31.

  The server 4000 starts the print operation by detecting the print data that has arrived in the middle of the process shown in FIG. 19 or the operation shown in FIG. 19 or the operation shown in FIG. 22 (step S800). ).

  First, the print data processing unit 30a adds a print data record in which the valid flag F22 is invalidated to the print data management table B4 (step S801), and waits until there is not enough free space in the memory 31 (steps S802 to S802). In step S803), if there is free space, the same processing is repeated until all the received print data is written to the print data entity B5 (steps S804 to S806).

  Next, the print data processing unit 30a writes the management range in the print data record added in step S801 described above (step S807), and reassigns the transmission source rank F26 if the network address is weighted (step S808). Step S809).

  Next, if the print data is trial printing, the print data processing unit 30a reassigns the data order F27 (steps S810 and S811).

  Finally, the print data processing unit 30a enables the validity flag F22 of the added print data record (step S812), and ends the process (step S813).

  In addition, since the operation | movement of the above-mentioned step S800-S813 is an operation | movement corresponding to step S401-step S413 of FIG. 12 in the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the printing operation of the printer 2001 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  In the printer 2001, the interface 60 receives the print data and starts a printing operation (step S850).

  In the printer 2001, when the interface 60 acquires the received print data (step S851), the print data is printed by the printing unit 62 (step S852).

  Next, the status answering unit 63 determines whether or not printing has been completed normally based on the status 113 output from the printing unit 62 (step S853). The server 4000 is notified of the completion of printing (S855).

  For example, when print data is directly transferred from the host 3000 to the printer 2001 without using the server 4000, the print data transmission source is the host 3000. Since print data can be received without going through the server 4000, print processing can be performed even if a failure occurs in the server 4000.

  Next, the printing unit 62 deletes the print data body indicated by the print data record for which printing has been completed (step S856), and changes the validity flag F32 of the print data record to invalid (step S857).

  Next, the printing unit 62 determines whether there is a print data record in which the valid flag F32 is valid in the print data management table B6 (step S858), and checks whether there is print data waiting to be printed.

  If it is determined in step S858 that there is print data waiting to be printed, the printer 2001 returns to step S852 and operates. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S858 that there is no print data waiting to be printed, the printer 2001 ends the process (step S859).

  If it is determined in step S853 that the printing has not been completed normally, the status answering unit 63 determines whether or not a cancellation from the print data transmission source has been received (S854), and cancels the cancellation. If it has been received, the processing starts from step S856 described above. If it is determined in step S854 that the cancel is received, the printer 2001 returns to step S853 and operates.

  Here, even if a state where printing cannot be continued is detected, the state is detected at the print data transmission source and is repeated until cancelled, but it is determined whether it is a fatal state, the number of repetitions and time When the timeout is detected, the printer 2001 may cancel the determination.

  Next, the print data reception operation of the printer 2001 (the operation in step S851 in FIG. 26 described above or the print data reception operation that has arrived during the processing in FIG. 26 described above) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. explain. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data received by the interface 60 is acquired by the print data processing unit 60a of the interface 60 and recorded in the buffer 61.

  When the print data is received, the print data processing unit 60a starts the operation (S900).

  Then, the print data processing unit 60a adds a print data record in which the valid flag F32 is invalidated to the print data management table B6 (step S901), and waits until the buffer 61 has a sufficient free space (step S902, In step S903), if there is a free space, the writing of the received print data to the print data entity B7 is repeated until it is received (steps S904 to S906).

  Next, the print data processing unit 60a writes the received content in the added print data record (step S907). The operations in steps S901 to S907 described above correspond to steps S401 to S407 in FIG. 12 in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the print data processing unit 60a enables the valid flag F32 of the print data record added last (step S908), and ends the print data reception process (step S909).

  Next, the printing operation of the printer 2001 (the processing in step S852 described above) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

    When the printing unit 62 of the printer 2001 starts a printing operation (step S950), first, the printing unit 201 reads the printing data 201 of a specific unit from the printing data body B7 of the buffer 61 (step S951).

  Then, the printing unit 62 prints an image based on the print data 201 on the medium (step S952). If the state 113 does not indicate normality as a print result (step S953), the process ends (step S957).

  On the other hand, if the state 113 is normal as a print result in step S953 described above, the printing unit 62 determines whether or not EOF is included in the print data 201 (step S954). The corresponding area of B7 is released (step S955), the print data record is invalidated (step S956), and the process is terminated (step S957).

  The operations in steps S950 to S957 described above correspond to steps S101 to S107 in FIG. 6 described above in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S954 that the print data 201 does not include an EOF, the printing unit 62 determines whether or not the print data 201 can be interrupted F36 (step S958). If F36 is negative, the operation returns to step S951 described above.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S958 described above that the interrupt enable / disable F36 of the print data 201 is possible, the printing unit 62 determines whether there is an unconfirmed print data record in which the valid flag F32 is valid in the print data management table B6. (Step S959).

  If it is determined in step S959 that no valid print data record exists, or all print data records are confirmed, the printing unit 62 returns to step S951 and operates. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S959 that there is an unconfirmed print data record, the printing unit 62 excludes the print data record being printed from among them, and the validity flag F32 having a small reception number F31 is valid. A print data record is selected (step S960).

  Then, the printing unit 62 extracts the number of printed sheets from the print data corresponding to the selected print data record (step S961), determines whether the number of printed sheets is equal to or less than the threshold (step S962), and if the threshold is exceeded. Then, the operation returns to the above-described step S959.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S962 that the number of prints is equal to or less than the threshold value, the printing unit 62 saves the current print setting (step S963), and changes the print target data to the selected print data record (step S963). S964). The processing in steps S959 to S964 described above is the same as that in steps S109 to S114 in FIG. 6 described above in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the printing unit 62 reads out the print data to be interrupted for printing in a specific unit (step S965), prints it on the medium (step S966), and checks the state 113 of the printing unit 62 (step S967). Then, the process is terminated (step S957).

  On the other hand, if the state 113 of the printing unit 62 is normal in step S967 described above, the printing unit 62 determines whether EOF is included in the print data (step S968). It returns to the process and works.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S968 described above that the print data includes EOF, the printing unit 62 releases the corresponding area of the print data in order to end the interrupt printing (step S969). The record is invalidated (step S970).

  Then, the printing unit 62 restores the saved print settings (step S971), and returns to the above-described step S951 to operate.

  Note that the processing of S965 to S971 described above is an operation corresponding to Step S115 to Step S121 of FIG. 6 described above in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of status collection response in the printer 2001 (status response unit 63) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the status answering unit 63 receives the status request input 121 from the server 4000 via the interface 60.

  When receiving the status request input 121 from the server 4000, the status reply unit 63 first acquires the source network address of the status request (for example, the source IP address of the packet) from the status request input 121 (step S1001). .

  Next, the status response unit 63 generates a status response output 122 according to the status 113 of the printing unit 62 (step S1002). Then, the status reply unit 63 transmits the generated status reply output 122 to the transmission source network address of the status request input 121 (step 1003), and ends the process (step S1004).

  Since the processing of S1001 to S1004 described above is the same operation as that of Step S350 to Step S354 of FIG. 11 described above in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  According to the second example, the server 2001 is provided with the status collection unit 41, the counter 37, the setting change unit, the condition change unit, and the settings that are provided in the printer 2000 in the first embodiment. Even if the special function does not correspond to the function, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(C) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include modified embodiments as exemplified below.

(C-1) In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as an image copying apparatus and an image display apparatus. .

  10000: printing system, 3000: host, 2000, 2000-1 to 2000-3 ... printer, 1000 ... network, 1 ... interface, 1a ... print data processing unit, 2 ... memory, 3 ... printing unit, 4 ... occupancy setting unit 5 ... Ranking setting unit by transmission source, 6 ... Ranking setting unit by data, 7 ... Interrupt printing setting unit, 8 ... Condition comparison unit, 9 ... Counter, 10 ... Setting change unit, 11 ... Condition change unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Timer, 13 ... State collection part, 14 ... Substitution determination part, 15 ... Substitution request part, 16 ... State answer part, 17 ... Selection condition setting part, 18 ... Print condition change part

Claims (26)

In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit connected to a network and performing image forming processing based on image forming data transmitted from the network,
Counting means for counting the number of other image forming apparatuses capable of executing image forming processing on the network;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a changing unit that changes an operation state related to management of image forming data of the apparatus according to a counting result of the counting unit.   When the image forming unit cannot execute the image forming process, the image forming unit further includes an alternative request unit that requests another image forming apparatus connected to the network to perform an alternative image forming process for the stored image forming data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: First selection means for refusing to perform image forming processing on image forming data from a user other than a user belonging to a specific group in the image forming apparatus;
Further comprising first instruction means for instructing applicability of the first selection means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes an instruction of the first instruction unit according to a count of the counting unit.   The changing means prohibits the instruction of the first instruction means according to a decrease in the count of the counting means, or permits the instruction of the first instruction means according to an increase in the count of the counting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. A second selecting means for changing the image forming processing order in accordance with the weighting given to the transmission source of the image forming data;
Second instruction means for instructing applicability of the second selection means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes an instruction of the second instruction unit according to a count of the counting unit. The changing means prohibits the instruction of the second instruction means in response to the count decrease of the counting means, or permits the instruction of the second instruction means in response to the increase of the count of the counting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The second selection unit weights each group including one or more image forming data transmission sources, or weights according to a distance from the image forming data transmission source or a communication time. Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to Item 5 or 6. A third selecting means for changing the image forming processing order of the image forming data in accordance with the image forming data assignment information;
Further comprising third instruction means for instructing applicability of the third selection means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes an instruction of the third instruction unit according to a count of the counting unit.   The changing means prohibits the instruction of the third instruction means in response to the count decrease of the counting means, or permits the instruction of the third instruction means in response to the increase of the count of the counting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.   10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information for adding the image forming data indicates at least one of trial printing, color printing or monochrome printing, or a medium supply method. 11. A fourth selecting means for selecting image forming data to be interrupted during one image forming process and to perform the image forming process;
And a fourth instruction means for instructing whether or not the fourth selection means is applicable,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes an instruction of the fourth instruction unit in accordance with a count of the counting unit.   The changing means permits the instruction of the fourth instruction means according to the count decrease of the counting means, or prohibits the instruction of the fourth instruction means according to the count increase of the counting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fourth selecting unit selects according to the number of media related to the image forming data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fourth selection unit confirms whether or not the image forming process should be interrupted every time the image forming process for each unit is completed or every time the image forming process for each medium is completed. apparatus. Communication means for performing status data collection processing for collecting status data of other image forming apparatuses connected to the network;
A fifth selection means for selecting the status data appropriate for performing alternative printing;
And a fifth instruction means for instructing a selection condition of the fifth selection means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the counting unit counts the state data selected by the fifth selection unit. A storage means for storing the state data;
The communication means stores the collected status data in the storage means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the fifth selection unit selects state data stored in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the communication unit collects the image forming data in response to reception of the image forming data. It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring a specific time interval,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the communication unit performs a state data collection process according to a time interval measured by the time measuring unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a second changing unit that changes an instruction of the fifth instruction unit in accordance with a count of the counting unit.   The second changing means relaxes the instruction of the fifth instruction means in response to the count decrease of the counting means, or instructs the fifth instruction means in response to the increase of the count of the counting means. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image forming apparatus is strict.   21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the instruction of the fifth instruction unit is at least one of an upper limit of the number of print-waiting image formation data, whether or not color printing is possible, or an address range of the network. A computer mounted on an image forming apparatus connected to a network and having image forming means for performing image forming processing based on image forming data transmitted from the network,
Counting means for counting the number of other image forming apparatuses capable of executing image forming processing on the network;
An image forming apparatus control program that functions as a changing means for changing an operation state related to management of image forming data of the apparatus according to a counting result of the counting means. When image forming data is transmitted to one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network, and the image forming apparatus as a transmission destination cannot perform image forming processing, the image forming data is transmitted to another image forming apparatus. An alternative print control means for transmitting;
Counting means for counting the number of image forming apparatuses capable of image forming processing based on the image forming data;
An image forming management apparatus comprising: a changing unit that changes an operation state related to management of image forming data of each image forming apparatus according to the count of the coefficient unit. Computer
When image forming data is transmitted to one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network, and the image forming apparatus as a transmission destination cannot perform image forming processing, the image forming data is transmitted to another image forming apparatus. An alternative print control means for transmitting;
Counting means for counting the number of image forming apparatuses capable of image forming processing based on the image forming data;
An image forming management program that functions as a changing unit that changes an operation state of each image forming apparatus in accordance with the count of the coefficient unit.   An image forming system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, wherein the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is applied as the image forming apparatus.   24. An image forming system comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network; and an image forming management apparatus that supplies image forming data to any one of the image forming apparatuses. An image forming system to which the image forming management apparatus described above is applied.

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