JP2015194841A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and client device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To indicate information that allows a user to understand the number of client devices that are to order an image forming apparatus to execute a print job.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 communicates via a network 5 with a specific client device among a plurality of client devices 10, which displays a print screen for setting a print job and is a client device that is before ordering a print job, to generate print schedule information containing information on the number of specific client devices. The image forming apparatus 1 can notify the specific client device of the print schedule information via the network 5. The specific client device displays the print schedule information on a display part 13 when the print schedule information is notified.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a plurality of client apparatuses are connected via a network, an image forming apparatus applied to the system, and a client apparatus.

  By connecting an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction machine) and a plurality of client apparatuses (for example, a personal computer) via a network, users of the plurality of client apparatuses can share the image forming apparatus.

  If the image forming apparatus is shared, a plurality of print job commands may be generated one after another. In order to make it possible to grasp the status of each print job, a technique for displaying the estimated start time and the estimated end time of each print job has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-157174 (paragraphs 0078 to 0081, FIG. 9)

  According to the above prior art, it is possible to know the status of each print job after a plurality of print jobs are instructed to the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, it would be convenient if the number of client devices scheduled to instruct a print job to the image forming apparatus can be grasped. For example, if there are a large number of client devices scheduled to instruct a print job, it is predicted that the number of print jobs to be executed by the image forming apparatus is large. Therefore, if the operation for instructing a print job is slow, the print waiting time may be long. Therefore, if the user can grasp that the number of client devices to be instructed for a print job is large, the user does not perform an operation for instructing the print job at that time, but performs an operation for instructing the print job at a time when the number is small. You can choose. Thereby, the waiting time for printing can be eliminated or reduced.

  The present invention provides an image forming system capable of showing information capable of grasping the number of client devices scheduled to instruct a print job to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus applied to the system, and a client device. The purpose is to do.

  An image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object is connected to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a print job, and the image forming apparatus via a network, and sends the print job to the image forming apparatus. An image forming system comprising: a plurality of client devices capable of commanding, wherein the image forming device displays a print screen for setting the print job among the plurality of client devices; Also, print schedule information generation for generating print schedule information including information on the number of the specific client devices by communicating with the specific client device, which is a client device prior to instructing the print job, using the network And the print schedule information generated by the print schedule information generation unit using the network, A print schedule information notification unit capable of notifying the specific client device, and the plurality of client devices are notified of the print schedule information from the print schedule information notification unit using the network. A printing schedule information receiving unit that receives the printing schedule information, a display unit, and a display control unit that displays the printing schedule information received by the printing schedule information receiving unit on the display unit.

  Of the plurality of client devices connected to the network, a client device that displays a print screen for setting a print job and commands a print job is a specific client device. Such a specific client device can be regarded as a client device scheduled to instruct a print job to the image forming apparatus. According to the image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus communicates with the specific client apparatus using the network, and generates print schedule information including information on the number of specific client apparatuses. The specific client device causes the display unit to display the print schedule information when the print schedule information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, according to the image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention, information indicating the number of client devices that are scheduled to instruct the image forming device to perform a print job is shown to the user of the specific client device. it can.

  As a mode of displaying the print schedule information on the display unit of the specific client device, for example, a mode in which the print schedule information is automatically included in the print screen, or a user of the specific client device performs an operation to display the print schedule information and prints There is a mode in which the schedule information is displayed on the display unit.

  In the above configuration, the print schedule information generation unit is configured to set color printing on the print screen in a specific client device other than the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information among the plurality of client devices. Information on whether or not, information on the number of prints set on the print screen, information on the number of prints which is the value of the number of prints set on the print screen × the number of pages in the print range, set on the print screen Generating the print schedule information including at least one of the information on the paper size being processed and the name of the name of the application software that generated the data to be the target of the print job, and the print schedule information notification unit The print schedule information is notified to the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus. That.

  In this configuration, in addition to the number of specific client devices, the setting contents of items included in the print screen of other specific client devices (for example, information on whether or not color printing is set) are included in the print schedule information. ing. Therefore, the user of the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information can know what print settings are set on the print screen of the other specific client device. It can be determined whether or not to perform the operation.

  If color printing is set on the print screen, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  If the number of print copies set on the print screen is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  If the number of prints set on the print screen is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long. The number of printed sheets × the number of pages in the printing range is the number of printed sheets.

  If the paper size set on the print screen is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  If the application software that generated the print job target data is, for example, image application software, it can be predicted that the print job will take longer than the document application software. By indicating the name of the application software, it is possible to determine whether the application software is an image.

  In the above configuration, the print schedule information generation unit starts displaying the print screen in a specific client device other than the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information among the plurality of client devices. The print schedule information including information on the elapsed time is generated, and the print schedule information notification unit notifies the print schedule information to the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus. .

  In this configuration, in addition to the number of specific client devices, information on the time that has elapsed since the display of the print screen is started in other specific client devices is included in the print schedule information. If the time elapsed since the display of the print screen started is long, there is a possibility that complicated print settings have been made. In the case of complicated print settings, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long. Therefore, the user of the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information can determine whether or not to perform an operation for instructing the print job with reference to the request.

  In the above configuration, when the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the network and the plurality of client apparatuses are notified of the print schedule information from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the print schedule information is displayed. A print schedule information combining unit to be combined is provided, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen including the combined print schedule information.

  According to this configuration, the user of the specific client device can select an image forming apparatus that instructs a print job with reference to print schedule information of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  In the above configuration, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen including the combined print schedule information and a button that can select any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the plurality of client apparatuses Includes an input receiving unit that receives an input to select an image forming apparatus that commands the print job from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses when the button is operated.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to select an image forming apparatus that instructs a print job on a screen including combined print schedule information.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is connectable to a plurality of client apparatuses via a network, and executes image forming when a print job is commanded from each of the plurality of client apparatuses. A specific client device that displays a print screen for setting the print job and is a client device before instructing the print job among the plurality of client devices, and the network The print schedule information generating unit that generates print schedule information including information on the number of the specific client devices through communication using the network, and the print schedule information generated by the print schedule information generating unit A print schedule information notifying unit capable of notifying the specific client device using .

  The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus applied to the image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  A client device according to a third aspect of the present invention is one client device of a plurality of client devices that can be connected to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a print job via a network, and the print device among the plurality of client devices. The image formation is performed using a network for print schedule information that displays a print screen for setting a job and includes information on the number of specific client devices that are client devices before commanding the print job. A printing schedule information receiving unit that receives the printing schedule information, a display unit, and a display control unit that displays the printing schedule information received by the printing schedule information receiving unit on the display unit when notified from the apparatus; .

  A client device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a client device applied to the image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to indicate information that can grasp the number of client devices that are scheduled to instruct a print job to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an internal structure of an image forming apparatus applied to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming system according to a first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a printing screen. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a client device that is a specific client device among a plurality of client devices in the image forming system. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen containing printing schedule information. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen containing the detailed information of the printing schedule information of a specific client apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment (part 1). 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment (part 2). 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment (No. 3). It is a schematic diagram which shows the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen containing the combined printing schedule information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention include a first embodiment and a second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an internal structure of an image forming apparatus 1 applied to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 can be applied to, for example, a digital multifunction machine having functions of a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 is disposed on the apparatus main body 100, an original reading unit 200 disposed on the apparatus main body 100, an original feeding unit 300 disposed on the original reading unit 200, and an upper front surface of the apparatus main body 100. An operation unit 400 is provided.

  The document feeding unit 300 functions as an automatic document feeding device, and can feed a plurality of documents placed on the document placing unit 301 so that the document reading unit 200 can read them continuously.

  The document reading unit 200 includes a carriage 201 on which an exposure lamp or the like is mounted, a document table 203 made of a transparent member such as glass, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor (not shown), and a document reading slit 205. When reading a document placed on the document table 203, the document is read by the CCD sensor while moving the carriage 201 in the longitudinal direction of the document table 203. On the other hand, when reading a document fed from the document feeding unit 300, the carriage 201 is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 205, and the document fed from the document feeding unit 300 is scanned. Reading is performed by the CCD sensor through the reading slit 205. The CCD sensor outputs the read original as image data.

  The apparatus main body 100 includes a sheet storage unit 101, an image forming unit 103, and a fixing unit 105. The sheet storage unit 101 is disposed at the lowermost part of the apparatus main body 100 and includes a sheet tray 107 that can store a bundle of sheets. In the bundle of sheets stored in the sheet tray 107, the uppermost sheet is sent out toward the sheet conveyance path 111 by driving the pickup roller 109. The sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit 103 through the sheet conveyance path 111.

  The image forming unit 103 forms a toner image on the conveyed paper. The image forming unit 103 includes a photosensitive drum 113, an exposure unit 115, a developing unit 117, and a transfer unit 119. The exposure unit 115 generates light modulated in accordance with image data (image data output from the document reading unit 200, image data transmitted from a personal computer, image data received by facsimile, etc.), and is uniformly charged. Irradiate to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 113. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 113. In this state, toner is supplied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 113 from the developing unit 117, so that a toner image corresponding to the image data is formed on the peripheral surface. This toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 119 to the sheet conveyed from the sheet storage unit 101 described above.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing unit 105. In the fixing unit 105, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image and the paper, and the toner image is fixed to the paper. The paper is discharged to the stack tray 121 or the paper discharge tray 123.

  The operation unit 400 includes an operation key unit 401 and a display unit 403. The display unit 403 has a touch panel function, and displays a screen including soft keys. The user operates the soft key while viewing the screen to make settings necessary for executing functions such as copying.

  The operation key unit 401 is provided with operation keys including hard keys. Specifically, a start key 405, a numeric keypad 407, a stop key 409, a reset key 411, a function switching key 413 for switching between copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile are provided.

  A start key 405 is a key for starting operations such as copying and facsimile transmission. A numeric keypad 407 is a key for inputting numbers such as the number of copies and a facsimile number. A stop key 409 is a key for stopping a copy operation or the like halfway. The reset key 411 is a key for returning the set contents to the initial setting state.

  The function switching key 413 includes a copy key, a transmission key, and the like, and is a key for switching between a copy function, a transmission function, and the like. When the copy key is operated, an initial copy screen is displayed on the display unit 403. When the transmission key is operated, an initial screen for facsimile transmission and mail transmission is displayed on the display unit 403.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration in which an apparatus main body 100, a document reading unit 200, a document feeding unit 300, an operation unit 400, a control unit 500, and a communication unit 600 are connected to each other by a bus. Since the apparatus main body 100, the document reading unit 200, the document feeding unit 300, and the operation unit 400 have already been described, description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an image memory, and the like. The CPU executes control necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 1 for the above-described components of the image forming apparatus 1 such as the apparatus main body 100. The ROM stores software necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The RAM is used for temporary storage of data generated during execution of software, storage of application software, and the like. The image memory temporarily stores image data (image data output from the document reading unit 200, image data transmitted from a personal computer, image data received by facsimile, etc.).

  The communication unit 600 includes a facsimile communication unit 601 and a network I / F unit 603. The facsimile communication unit 601 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile and a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates / demodulates a signal for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 601 is connected to the telephone line 605.

  The network I / F unit 603 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 607. A network I / F unit 603 is a communication interface circuit for executing communication with a client device (such as a personal computer) connected to the LAN 607.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming system 3 according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 3 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 capable of executing a print job, the image forming apparatus 1 and the network 5 (for example, the LAN 607 shown in FIG. 2), and instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the print job. A plurality of client apparatuses 10A to 10F capable of performing

  In FIG. 3, six client devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F connected to the network 5 are shown. When it is not necessary to distinguish between these client devices, they are referred to as client devices 10. The number of client apparatuses 10 is not limited to six, and may be plural. The client device 10 is, for example, a terminal device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal.

  A user name registered as a user in the client apparatus 10A is assumed to be a user A. Similarly, user names registered as users in the client apparatuses 10B to 10F are users B to F, respectively.

  The client devices 10A to 10F have the same configuration, and the configuration of the client device 10 will be described using the client device 10A.

  The client device 10 includes an input device 11, an input reception unit 12, a display unit 13, a display control unit 14, a print schedule information reception unit 15, a user information notification unit 16, a user information registration unit 17, a device information reception unit 18, and a print setting. A content notification unit 19, a print setting unit 20, a print job command notification unit 21, and a request notification unit 22 are provided.

  The input device 11 is a device for a user to input for operating the client device 10. The input device 11 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse.

  The input receiving unit 12 receives an input from the input device 11.

  The display control unit 14 controls the display unit 13 to display a screen. For example, when document creation application software is activated in the client device 10, the display control unit 14 causes the display unit 13 to display the screen of the application software. When the user operates the input device 11 and an input for selecting printing is received by the input receiving unit 12 while the screen of the application software is displayed on the display unit 13, the display control unit 14 The print screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 13.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the print screen 40. The print screen 40 is a screen for setting a print job. The print screen 40 includes, as setting items, a printer selection item 41, a print range item 42, a number-of-prints item 43, a paper size item 44, and a color / monochrome selection item 45.

  The printer selection item 41 is an item for setting an image forming apparatus 1 that executes a print job when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are connected to the network 5.

  The print range item 42 is an item for setting a print range, and can be set to print all pages or set to specify pages to be printed.

  The print copy number item 43 is an item for setting the number of copies to be printed (for example, two copies).

  The paper size item 44 is an item for setting the size (for example, A3) of the paper to be printed.

  The color / monochrome selection item 45 is an item for setting a color print job or a monochrome print job as a print job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1.

  The print screen 40 includes buttons 46 and 47. The button 46 is a button for instructing a print job. When the button 46 is clicked, the input receiving unit 12 in FIG. 3 receives an input for instructing a print job. The client device 10 transmits a print job command and print job target data to the image forming device 1 using the network 5.

  The button 47 is a button for instructing display of print schedule information. When the button 47 is clicked, the input receiving unit 12 receives an input for instructing display of the print schedule information. As a result, the display control unit 14 in FIG. 3 causes the display unit 13 to display a screen including the print schedule information. The print schedule information will be described later.

  Referring to FIG. 3, print schedule information reception unit 15, user information notification unit 16, user information registration unit 17, device information reception unit 18, print setting content notification unit 19, print setting unit 20, print job command notification unit 21. The request notification unit 22 will be described later.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a print schedule information generation unit 31, a print schedule information notification unit 32, a user information reception unit 33, a device information notification unit 34, a print setting content reception unit 35, a print job command reception unit 36, and a request reception. The unit 37 is provided.

  The print schedule information generation unit 31 communicates with specific client devices using the network 5 and generates print schedule information including information on the number of specific client devices. For example, the print schedule information generation unit 31 generates print schedule information using a data table.

  The print schedule information notifying unit 32 can notify the specific client device of the print schedule information generated by the print schedule information generating unit 31 using the network 5.

  First, the specific client device and the print schedule information will be described from the specific client device. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the client device 10 that is a specific client device among the plurality of client devices 10 in the image forming system 3.

  The specific client device is the client device 10 that displays the print screen 40 (FIG. 4) for setting a print job among a plurality of client devices 10 and before instructing the print job. That is, the client device 10 that is displaying the print screen 40 on the display unit 13 is a specific client device. In FIG. 5, among the client devices 10A to 10F, the client devices 10A, 10C, 10D, and 10E are specific client devices.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the print schedule information receiving unit 15 of the specific client device prints the print schedule information when the print schedule information is notified from the print schedule information notification unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 1 using the network 5. Accept and store information. The display control unit 14 of the specific client device causes the display unit 13 to display the print schedule information received by the print schedule information receiving unit 15.

  The print schedule information will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen 50 including print schedule information. The specific client device that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus 1 (that is, the specific client device in which the print schedule information button 47 shown in FIG. 4 is clicked) is defined as a client device 10A. A screen 50 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10A.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the user of the specific client device performs an operation of displaying the print schedule information to display the print schedule information on the display unit 13. The present invention is not limited to this, and print schedule information may be automatically included in the print screen 40 (FIG. 4), as will be described in a later modification.

  The print schedule information included in the screen 50 includes information 51 on the number of specific client devices and information 52 on the user name of the client device 10 that is the specific client device.

  As shown in FIG. 5, other specific client devices other than the specific client device (client device 10A) that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus 1 are client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E. The number “3” of other specific client devices is shown as information 51 on the number of specific client devices. It is also possible to include the specific client device that has requested print schedule information from the image forming apparatus 1 in the number of specific client devices. In the case of this aspect, the information 51 on the number of specific client devices is “4”.

  As the user name information 52 of the specific client device, the user C who is the user name of the client device 10C, the user D who is the user name of the client device 10D, and the user E who is the user name of the client device 10E are shown.

  The screen 50 includes a button 53. When the button 53 is clicked, the input receiving unit 12 of the client device 10A illustrated in FIG. 3 receives an input of a command for returning to the previous screen. Thereby, the display control unit 14 of the client device 10A causes the display unit 13 to display the print screen 40 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, screen 50 includes buttons 54 corresponding to the user names of specific client devices. These buttons 54 are buttons for instructing display of details of print schedule information of the corresponding client device of the corresponding user. The print schedule information receiving unit 15 of the client apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 3 stores print schedule information including detailed information of the print schedule information of the client apparatuses 10C, 10D, and 10E notified from the image forming apparatus 1. Yes. An example of the button 54 assigned to the user C will be described. When the button 54 is clicked, the input receiving unit 12 of the client device 10A receives an input of a command for displaying details of the print schedule information of the client device 10C. Thereby, the display control unit 14 of the client apparatus 10A reads the detailed information of the print schedule information of the client apparatus 10C stored in the print schedule information receiving unit 15, and includes this detailed information as shown in FIG. The screen 60 is displayed on the display unit 13.

  The detailed information includes registered user name information 61, print screen display time information 62, color printing information 63, number of copies information 64, number of copies information 65, paper size information 66, and application software name information 67. Is included.

  The registered user name information 61 is a user name registered in the specific client device. Here, a user C registered in the client device 10C is shown.

  The print screen display time information 62 is the time elapsed since the display of the print screen 40 was started on the display unit 13 of the specific client device. Here, the time elapsed since the display of the print screen 40 was started on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C is shown.

  The color printing information 63 is information indicating whether or not color printing is set on the printing screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the specific client device. Here, it is shown that color printing is set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C.

  The number-of-prints information 64 is the number of copies set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the specific client device. Here, the number of print copies set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C is shown.

  The number of prints, which is the value of the number of copies × the number of pages in the print range, set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the specific client device is set as the information 65 of the number of prints. Here, the number of printed sheets, which is the value of the number of printed pages × the number of pages in the printing range, set on the printing screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C is shown.

  The paper size information 66 is a paper size set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the specific client device. Here, the paper size set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C is shown.

  The application software name information 67 is the name of the application software that has generated the data to be the target of the print job set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the specific client device. Here, the name of the application software that generated the data to be the target of the print job set on the print screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client device 10C is shown.

  For the color printing information 63, the number of copies information 64, and the paper size information 66, default setting change information 68, which is information indicating whether or not the default setting has been changed, is shown. The print schedule information generating unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with the specific client device using the network 5 to generate default setting change information 68 and include it in the print schedule information.

  The screen 60 includes a button 69. When the button 69 is clicked, the input receiving unit 12 of the client device 10A receives an input of a command for returning to the previous screen. Accordingly, the display control unit 14 of the client device 10A causes the display unit 13 to display the screen 50 illustrated in FIG.

  The operation of the image forming system 3 according to the first embodiment will be described using the relationship between the image forming apparatus 1 and the client apparatus 10A as an example, mainly using FIG. 3 and FIGS. 8 to 10 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming system 3 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the input device 11, the input reception unit 12, the display unit 13, the display control unit 14, the print schedule information reception unit 15, the user information notification unit 16, the user information registration unit 17, the device information reception unit 18, and the printing illustrated in FIG. The setting content notification unit 19, the print job command notification unit 21, and the request notification unit 22 mean those of the client device 10A among the client devices 10A to 10F.

  Application software is activated in the client device 10A (step S1). The display control unit 14 causes the display unit 13 to display the screen of the application software.

  When the user A operates the input device 11 and inputs to select printing in a state where the screen of the application software is displayed on the display unit 13, the input is received by the input receiving unit 12 (step S2). . Thereby, the display control unit 14 displays the print screen 40 (FIG. 4) on the display unit 13, and the user information notification unit 16 displays the user information of the client device 10 </ b> A registered in the user information registration unit 17. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 is notified using the network 5 (step S3). The user information is a user name registered in the client device 10, and here, the user A is the user information.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the user information receiving unit 33 receives user information (step S4), the print schedule information generating unit 31 creates a user file for storing the contents of the print settings set by the user A, And the timer allocated to the user A is started (step S5). This timer measures the time elapsed since the display of the print screen 40 on the display unit 13 of the client device 10A. If the client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E are already specific client devices, a user file is created for each of the client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E, and a timer is started.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the user information receiving unit 33 receives user information (step S4), the device information notifying unit 34 notifies the client device 10A of the device information using the network 5 (step S5). ). The device information is information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the cover of the image forming apparatus 1 is open, the information is device information. When no paper is set on the paper tray 107 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1, the information is device information. When a jam has occurred in the sheet conveyance path 111 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1, the information is device information. When the image forming apparatus 1 has a document box function, information on the amount of data that can be stored in the document box is device information.

  In the client device 10A, when the device information receiving unit 18 receives the device information (step S6), the display control unit 14 displays the print screen 40 reflecting the device information on the display unit 13 (step S7). For example, when the cover of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened, the print screen 40 including the information is displayed on the display unit 13.

  In the client device 10A, when the device information receiving unit 18 receives the device information (step S6), the print setting content notifying unit 19 uses the network 5 to set the print settings set in the print setting unit 20. Is notified to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S7). The contents of the print settings are the contents of the default settings related to the print setting items included in the print screen 40 (FIG. 4) displayed on the display unit 13 in the client device 10A (for example, the number of print copies is 1 and the paper size is A4. , Monochrome printing is selected), and the name of application software for data (documents, images, etc.) to be printed.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the print setting content receiving unit 35 receives the content of the print setting (step S8), the print schedule information generating unit 31 stores the print setting content in the user A's user created in step S5. Store in a file (step S9).

  In the client device 10A, the print setting content notification unit 19 inputs the print setting (for example, print range) to the print screen 40 (FIG. 4) while the print screen 40 in the default setting state is displayed on the display unit 13. Then, it is determined whether or not it has been received by the input receiving unit 12 (step S10).

  When the print setting content notification unit 19 determines that the input of the print setting has been received by the input reception unit 12 (Yes in step S10), the print setting content notification unit 19 uses the network 5 to change the print setting. The contents are notified to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S11).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the print setting content receiving unit 35 receives the notification (step S12), the print schedule information generating unit 31 updates the content of the print setting stored in the user A's user file ( Step S13).

  In the client device 10A, when the print setting content notification unit 19 determines that the input of the print setting has not been received by the input reception unit 12 (No in step S10), or after step S11, the print job command notification unit 21 determines whether or not an input of a print job command has been received by the input receiving unit 12 when the button 46 (FIG. 4) on the print screen 40 is clicked (step S14).

  When the print job command notifying unit 21 determines that the input receiving unit 12 has not received an input of a print job command (No in step S14), the process returns to step S10.

  When the print job command notifying unit 21 determines that the input of the print job command has been received by the input receiving unit 12 (Yes in step S14), the print job command notifying unit 21 uses the network 5 to print the print job. Is sent to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the command (step S15). In the client device 10A, the display control unit 14 performs control to erase the display of the print screen 40 from the display unit 13 (step S16).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the print job command receiving unit 36 receives a print job command and data to be printed (step S17), the following processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 (step S18).

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes a print job. When the client device 10A commands a print job, the print screen 40 disappears from the display unit 13 of the client device 10A (step S16), so the client device 10A is no longer a specific client device. Accordingly, the print schedule information generation unit 31 discards the user file of user A created in step S5. The print schedule information generation unit 31 stops the timer assigned to the user A started in step S5.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when the client apparatus 10A is in the state of the specific client apparatus, that is, when the print schedule information button 47 (FIG. 4) is clicked while the print screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 13, the print schedule information is displayed. Is received by the input receiving unit 12 (step T1). Thereby, the request notification unit 22 of the client apparatus 10A notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of the request for the print schedule information using the network 5 (step T2).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the request reception unit 37 receives a request for print schedule information (step T3), the print schedule information generation unit 31 displays a user file (here, the users of the client devices 10A, 10C, 10D, and 10E). File). This value is information 51 on the number of specific client devices. Then, the print schedule information generation unit 31 reads the contents of the print settings from the user file of another specific client device, that is, the client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E, and prints including this and information 51 of the number of specific client devices Schedule information is generated (step T4).

  For each of the client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E, the print schedule information generation unit 31 displays the print screen 40 display time information 62, the color print information 63, the print number information 64, the print number information 65, and the like shown in FIG. Print schedule information including all the paper size information 66 and application software name information 67 is generated. The print schedule information generation unit 31 generates print schedule information including at least one of the information (for example, color printing information 63 and the number of printed sheets 65) for each of the client devices 10C, 10D, and 10E. May be.

  In this way, the print schedule information generation unit 31 determines whether color printing is set on the print screen 40 in a specific client device other than the specific client device that requested the print schedule information among the plurality of client devices 10. Information on the number of copies set on the print screen 40, information on the number of copies set as the number of copies set on the print screen 40 × the number of pages in the print range, and information set on the print screen 40 Print schedule information including at least one of the information on the size of the existing paper and the name of the application software that generated the data to be the target of the print job is generated.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the print schedule information notification unit 32 notifies the client apparatus 10A of the print schedule information using the network 5 (step T5).

  In the client device 10A, when the print schedule information receiving unit 15 receives the print schedule information (step T6), the display control unit 14 causes the display unit 13 to display the screen 50 (FIG. 6) including the print schedule information (step S6). T7).

  The main effects of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a print screen 40 (FIG. 4) for setting a print job is displayed among a plurality of client devices 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> F connected to the network 5, and the print job is commanded. The client device 10 before the processing is a specific client device. The time before commanding a print job is before the button 46 (FIG. 4) is clicked. Such a specific client device can be regarded as the client device 10 that is scheduled to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a print job.

  The image forming apparatus 1 communicates with the specific client device using the network 5 and generates print schedule information including information 51 (FIG. 6) on the number of specific client devices (step T4 in FIG. 10). When the print schedule information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1, the specific client device displays the print schedule information on the display unit 13 (FIG. 6). Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to show information that allows the user of a specific client device to know the number of client devices 10 that are scheduled to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a print job.

  In the first embodiment, in addition to the number of specific client devices, setting contents of items included in the print screen 40 of other specific client devices (whether or not color printing is set, etc.) are included in the print schedule information. (FIGS. 6 and 7). Accordingly, the user of the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information can know what print settings are set on the print screen 40 of the other specific client device. It is possible to determine whether or not to perform an instruction operation.

  By looking at the color printing information 63, it can be determined whether or not color printing is set on the printing screen 40. If color printing is set on the print screen 40, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  By looking at the number-of-prints information 64, the number of prints set on the print screen 40 can be determined. If the number of copies set on the print screen 40 is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  By looking at the number-of-prints information 65, the number of prints set on the print screen 40 can be known. If the number of prints set on the print screen 40 is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long. The number of printed sheets × the number of pages in the printing range is the number of printed sheets.

  By looking at the paper size information 66, the paper size set on the print screen 40 can be known. If the paper size set on the print screen 40 is large, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long.

  By looking at the information 67 of the application software name, the name of the application software that generated the data that is the target of the print job can be known. If the application software that generated the print job target data is, for example, image application software, it can be predicted that the print job will take longer than the document application software. By indicating the name of the application software, it is possible to determine whether the application software is an image.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in addition to the number of specific client devices, information on the time elapsed since the start of display of the print screen 40 in other specific client devices (print screen display time Information 62) is included (FIGS. 6 and 7). If the time elapsed since the display of the print screen 40 started is long, there is a possibility that complicated print settings have been made. In the case of complicated print settings, it can be predicted that the time until the print job is completed is long. Therefore, the user of the specific client device can determine whether or not to perform an operation to instruct a print job with reference to the user.

  An image forming system 7 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the image forming system 3 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system 7 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are connected to the network 5. In FIG. 11, two image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B connected to the network 5 are shown. When it is not necessary to distinguish between these image forming apparatuses, they are referred to as an image forming apparatus 1. The number of image forming apparatuses 1 is not limited to two, and may be plural.

  Each client device 10 further includes a print schedule information combining unit 23. The request notification unit 22 notifies the request for print schedule information to the image forming apparatuses 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B using the network 5.

  The print schedule information combining unit 23 combines the print schedule information notified from the image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the display control unit 14 causes the display unit 13 to display a screen 70 including the combined print schedule information. In the constituent elements of the screen 70, the same constituent elements as those of the screen 50 shown in FIG.

  The screen 70 includes print schedule information of the image forming apparatus 1A (name of the image forming apparatus: OO) and print schedule information of the image forming apparatus 1B (name of the image forming apparatus: ΔΔ). Further, the screen 70 includes a button 55 indicating the name of the image forming apparatus 1A and a button 56 indicating the name of the image forming apparatus 1B.

  When the button 55 is clicked, an input for selecting the image forming apparatus 1A is received by the input receiving unit 12, and the image forming apparatus 1A serves as the print setting unit 20 (FIG. 11) as the image forming apparatus 1 that issues a print job command. Set to

  When the button 56 is clicked, an input for selecting the image forming apparatus 1B is received by the input receiving unit 12, and the image forming apparatus 1B is set in the print setting unit 20 as the image forming apparatus 1 that issues a print job command. .

  The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the user of the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information refers to the print schedule information of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1A and 1B, and print job Can be selected.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, buttons 55 and 56 for selecting the image forming apparatus 1 are included in the screen 70 including the combined print schedule information. Accordingly, it is possible to select the image forming apparatus 1 that instructs a print job on the screen 70 including the combined print schedule information.

  Modifications of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings of the first embodiment. In the modification, the display control unit 14 (FIG. 3) displays the print screen 40 (FIG. 4) including information 51 (FIG. 6) of the number of specific client devices as the print schedule information on the display unit 13 (FIG. 3). To control. In the modification, it is not necessary to request print schedule information from the specific client device to the image forming apparatus 1, the specific client device and the image forming apparatus 1 communicate using the network 5, and the specific client device Print schedule information is acquired from the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the display control unit 14 (FIG. 3) performs control to automatically include information 51 (FIG. 6) on the number of specific client devices in the print screen 40 (FIG. 4).

1, 1A, 1B Image forming apparatus 3 Image forming system 5 Network 7 Image forming system 10, 10A to 10F Client device 12 Input receiving unit 13 Display unit 14 Display control unit 15 Print plan information receiving unit 23 Print plan information combining unit 31 Printing Schedule information generation unit 32 Print schedule information notification unit 40 Print screen

Claims (7)

An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus capable of executing a print job; and a plurality of client apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus via a network and instructing the print job to the image forming apparatus. ,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Among the plurality of client devices, a print screen for setting the print job is displayed, and communication is performed using the network with a specific client device that is a client device before instructing the print job. A print schedule information generation unit for generating print schedule information including information on the number of the specific client devices;
A printing schedule information notifying unit capable of notifying the specific client device of the printing schedule information generated by the printing schedule information generating unit using the network;
The plurality of client devices are:
A print schedule information receiving unit that receives the print schedule information when the print schedule information is notified from the print schedule information notification unit using the network;
A display unit;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit configured to display the print schedule information received by the print schedule information reception unit on the display unit. The print schedule information generation unit determines whether color printing is set on the print screen in a specific client device other than the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information among the plurality of client devices. Information, information on the number of copies set on the print screen, information on the number of prints which is the value of the number of copies set on the print screen × the number of pages in the print range, and the paper set on the print screen Generating the print schedule information including at least one of size information and name information of application software that generated data to be a target of the print job;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print schedule information notification unit notifies the print schedule information to the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus. The print schedule information generation unit is configured to determine a time elapsed since the display of the print screen was started in a specific client device other than the specific client device that requested the print schedule information among the plurality of client devices. Generating the print schedule information including information,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print schedule information notification unit notifies the print schedule information to the specific client device that has requested the print schedule information from the image forming apparatus. A plurality of the image forming apparatuses are connected to the network;
The plurality of client devices are:
A printing schedule information combining unit that combines the printing schedule information when the printing schedule information is notified from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a screen including the combined print schedule information on the display unit. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen including a button for selecting the combined print schedule information and any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
The plurality of client devices include an input receiving unit that receives an input to select an image forming device that instructs the print job among the plurality of image forming devices when the button is operated. Image forming system. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of client devices via a network, and that executes the print job when a print job is commanded from each of the plurality of client devices,
Among the plurality of client devices, a print screen for setting the print job is displayed, and communication is performed using the network with a specific client device that is a client device before instructing the print job. A print schedule information generation unit for generating print schedule information including information on the number of the specific client devices;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print schedule information notifying unit capable of notifying the specific client device of the print schedule information generated by the print schedule information generating unit using the network. A client device that is one of a plurality of client devices that can be connected to an image forming apparatus that can execute a print job via a network,
Print schedule information that displays a print screen for setting the print job among the plurality of client devices and includes information on the number of specific client devices that are client devices prior to instructing the print job A printing schedule information receiving unit that receives the printing schedule information when notified from the image forming apparatus using a network;
A display unit;
A client device comprising: a display control unit configured to display the print schedule information received by the print schedule information reception unit on the display unit.

Images