JP2016063381A - Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit, to an image forming apparatus, information on image forming processing from another apparatus to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming processing, and even when the image forming apparatus of the transmission destination cannot execute the image forming processing to be executed as it is, cause the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming processing as much as possible.SOLUTION: An MFP 100 that is an image forming apparatus acquires state information indicating the current state of an MFP 200 that is a transmission destination (S15, S16), and when determining that the MFP 200 currently cannot execute image forming processing to be transmitted on the basis of the state information (S17), converts the image forming processing into one that can be currently executed by the MFP 200 and transmits the converted processing to the MFP 200 (S31, S32).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a program.

Conventionally, it is known that an image forming apparatus is instructed by another apparatus to perform image formation.
For example, in Patent Document 1, when a certain copy system is instructed by another copy system to print on a sheet, the state of the destination copy system is notified to the source copy system, and the source A network copy control system that can be presented to a copy system operator is disclosed.

  By the way, when the image forming apparatus is instructed by another apparatus to perform image formation, the instruction-destination image forming apparatus may not be able to execute image formation in accordance with the instruction due to lack of consumables or failure. is there.

According to the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, when printing according to an instruction cannot be performed in a destination copy system, an operator of the source copy system can receive presentation of information to that effect. However, in order to receive this presentation, the operator must be in front of the source device for at least a short time after instructing execution. Moreover, even if the presentation is received, it is not possible to print out by itself.
Such a point becomes a problem when the operator is busy and wants to complete the transmission process promptly.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 does not particularly mention a response when a so-called broadcast transmission is performed in which the same image is output to a plurality of different image forming apparatuses. For example, when transmitting information from a government to an evacuation center at the time of a large-scale disaster, you may want to transmit information to as many destinations as possible even if the quality of the image is slightly reduced. . In such a case, it is assumed that the operator is busy and there is no room for fine setting in consideration of the situation of each transmission destination device.

  According to the present invention, when image forming processing information is transmitted from another device to the image forming apparatus and the image forming processing is executed, the image forming apparatus that is the transmission destination performs the image forming processing to be executed. An object is to allow image forming processing to be executed within a possible range even when it cannot be executed as it is.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, a receiving unit that receives an execution request for an image forming process for an image forming apparatus in a disaster occurrence area, and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with the image forming apparatus Based on the status information, a specifying means for specifying the image forming apparatus that detected the occurrence of the disaster, a status acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, and Among the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the execution feasibility determining means for determining whether each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute the image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means, and the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means Controlling the image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit to execute the image forming process; Based on the state information acquired from the image forming apparatus determined to be unable to execute the image forming process among the identified image forming apparatuses, the image forming process is changed to the image forming process that can be executed by the image forming apparatus. And a control means for controlling the apparatus to execute it.

  According to the above configuration, when image forming processing information is transmitted from another device to the image forming apparatus and the image forming process is executed, the image forming apparatus that is the transmission destination tries to execute the image forming process. Even when the process cannot be executed as it is, the image forming process can be executed within a possible range.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system which is an embodiment of an information processing system of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of MFP 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functions related to transition to a disaster mode and broadcast printing in the disaster mode among the functions of the MFP 100 and the MFP 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the information of the subunit | mobile_unit registered by the subunit | mobile_unit management part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen for receiving the input of required information by the registration information reception part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a main operation screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a broadcast print setting screen. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main operation screen corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where a broadcast print instruction is received. It is a sequence diagram which shows the outline of operation | movement of each apparatus in the case of performing broadcast printing. It is a figure which shows the example of saving correspondence in each remaining amount of consumables. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of each apparatus when the MFP 200 cannot complete printing related to a print execution instruction transmitted from the MFP 100 to the MFP 200. It is a figure which shows the example of the concrete printing operation according to the operation | movement of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram summarizing states of MFPs at the start of broadcast printing in a specific example of how to advance broadcast printing to a plurality of MFPs. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table in a specific example of broadcast printing. FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table after 5 minutes from the state of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table after another 5 minutes from the state of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print management table after another 50 minutes from the state of FIG. 16. It is a figure which shows the example of the number of spare copies in each remaining amount of consumables. It is a figure for demonstrating the number of copies determination according to the number of evacuees. It is a figure for demonstrating the copy number determination according to the number of refuge households. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing operation corresponding to FIG. 12 in consideration of printing of a plurality of copies. 2 is a diagram for describing an operation example of an image forming system including MFP 100 and MFP 200. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention including an MFP (Digital Function Peripheral) 100 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. MFP 100 is also an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention.
An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting an MFP 100 serving as a first image forming apparatus and a plurality of MFPs 200 serving as second image forming apparatuses, respectively, via a network 300 so that they can communicate with each other. . The MFP 200 is indicated by reference numerals 200-1 to 200-4 in the figure, but the reference numeral 200 is used when it is not necessary to specify an individual.

  Among these, the MFP 100 and the MFP 200 are image forming apparatuses having various functions such as copying, printing, scanning, facsimile communication, and document storage. However, the MFP 100 has a function of a parent device (server device) that is a transmission source of image formation processing information for disaster mode broadcast printing described later, and the MFP 200 has a function of a child device that is a transmission destination thereof. Is different.

  In this embodiment, since the broadcast printing function in the disaster mode will be mainly described, the master unit and the slave unit are shown separately. However, the MFP 100 and the MFP 200 have different models and hardware. There is no need. On the other hand, among the plurality of MFPs 200, functions other than the above function as a slave unit may include various functions provided in each device. Some devices can form images by color printing, while other devices can only print in monochrome, some devices can form images up to A3 size, while other devices can up to A4 size, and so on.

  Further, as the network 300, any communication path capable of connecting the MFP 100 and the MFP 200 so that they can communicate with each other when necessary can be adopted regardless of wired wireless. It may be an open network, a closed network, or a combination thereof. Further, not all MFPs 200 need be connected to one network, and if MFP 100 can communicate with all MFPs 200, MFPs 200 do not necessarily need to communicate with each other. For example, the MFP 200-3 may be configured to be connected to the MFP 200-2 via the MFP 200-1.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of MFP 100 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, HDD (hard disk drive) 104, communication I / F (interface) 105, operation unit 106, display unit 107, engine I / F 108, and acceleration sensor 110. These are connected by a system bus 111. An engine unit 109 is connected to the engine I / F 108.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire MFP 100 by executing a program stored in the ROM 102 or the HDD 104 using the RAM 103 as a work area, and implements various functions including those described later with reference to FIG. For example, it is a function that acquires status information indicating the current status of the MFP 200 from the MFP 200 and changes an image forming process to be executed by the MFP 200 according to the status information.

The ROM 102 and the HDD 104 are non-volatile storage media (storage means) and store various programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data described later.
The communication I / F 105 is an interface for communicating with other apparatuses such as the MFP 200 via the network 300. What is necessary is just to provide the thing according to the standard of the network 300 to be used.

The operation unit 106 is an operation unit for receiving an operation from a user. In addition to various buttons and switches, a touch panel is provided, and operations on a GUI (graphical user interface) displayed on the display unit 107 can be accepted.
In addition to the GUI, display unit 107 is a presentation unit for presenting the operation state of MFP 100, setting contents, a message, and the like to the user, and includes a liquid crystal display, a lamp, and the like.
Note that when the MFP 100 does not need to directly receive an operation from the user (it is only necessary to accept an operation or present information by an external device connected via the communication I / F 105), the operation unit 106 or The display unit 107 may not be provided.

  The engine I / F 108 is an interface for connecting the engine unit 109 to the system bus 111 and enabling control from the CPU 101. The engine unit 109 also has a function including mechanical movement, such as an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data, and an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data indicating the content of the image. It is a module for realizing.

The acceleration sensor 110 is a sensor for detecting a change in acceleration applied to the MFP 100, and is mainly used for detecting the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake.
In addition, for example, a smoke detector may be provided as hardware for detecting a disaster.
The hardware configuration within the range described above includes the MFP 200 having the same concept. However, as described above, the models may be different, including differences in the configuration of the engine unit 109, the processing capability of the CPU 101, the memory capacity, and the like.

  Next, FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of functions related to transition to the disaster mode and broadcast printing in the disaster mode among the functions of the MFP 100 and the MFP 200. The functions of the units illustrated in FIG. 3 are realized by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 or the CPU of the MFP 200 controlling the operation of appropriate hardware. The MFP 100 shows a function as a master unit for broadcast printing, and the MFP 200 shows a function as a slave unit for broadcast printing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 100 includes a disaster occurrence detection unit 121, a disaster mode management unit 122, a broadcast print reception unit 123, a broadcast print management unit 124, a slave device management unit 125, a notification reception unit 126, and status information acquisition. A unit 127, an image information conversion unit 128, and a print instruction unit 129.
Of these, the disaster occurrence detection unit 121 has a function of detecting the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake. When the acceleration sensor 110 detects a change in acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the disaster occurrence detection unit 121 determines that a large-scale earthquake has occurred and notifies the disaster mode management unit 122 accordingly. In addition, for example, disaster information may be acquired (received) via a network and the disaster may be detected by determining whether the area where the MFP 100 is installed is a disaster area. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect disasters by acquiring weather information such as tsunami, heavy rain, and flood.

The disaster mode management unit 122 is a mode switching unit and has a function of shifting the MFP 100 to the disaster mode or canceling the disaster mode. As a trigger for shifting to the disaster mode, the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake is notified from the disaster occurrence detection unit 121, that any of the MFPs 200 managed by the child device management unit 125 has shifted to the disaster mode, It is conceivable that a migration instruction from the user has been detected. Conversely, the trigger for canceling the disaster mode may be that there is a cancel instruction from the user.
The disaster mode management unit 122 manages whether each MFP connected to the MFP 100 is in the disaster mode. For example, operation mode information indicating whether the disaster mode is set is obtained from each MFP connected to the MFP 100, and which MFP among the MFPs connected to the MFP 100 is specified as the disaster mode.

  Disaster mode refers to disaster broadcast printing (hereinafter simply referred to as “broadcast printing”), which is a broadcast transmission suitable for information transmission in the event of a large-scale disaster. Is a specific operation mode that can be easily performed. Although other functions may be provided in the disaster mode, only the functions relating to the disaster broadcast printing will be described here.

  In this broadcast printing, the MFP 100 automatically transmits a scanned image or an image received from another device to the device operating in the disaster mode in the MFP 200 managed by the slave device management unit 125 and prints it. Let At this time, the MFP 100 acquires status information indicating the current status of the MFP 200 from the destination MFP 200, and adjusts the image content and print settings so that the MFP 200 can output an image as much as possible based on the status information. Do. Details will be described in the following description of each part, description of sequence diagrams, and the like.

The broadcast print accepting unit 123 is a process acquisition unit, and has a function of accepting the above-described broadcast print execution instruction. In addition, it has a function of transferring the instruction to the broadcast print management unit 124 and executing the broadcast printing according to the instruction.
Broadcast printing instructions can be received from the user on the screens shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, or can be received from other devices including the MFP 200. You may enable it to receive from the apparatus outside the image forming system 1.

Although details will be described later, in the broadcast print execution instruction, as image forming process information to be executed, image data to be printed (including data indicating color and monochrome), and the image Print settings (paper size, double-sided, consolidation, etc.) used for printing. If the latter is missing, the broadcast print acceptance unit 123 may automatically add a default setting.
Further, when the broadcast print accepting unit 123 accepts the broadcast print execution instruction, the fact is notified to the disaster mode management unit 122, and when the MFP 100 is not yet in the disaster mode, it is shifted to the disaster mode. Also good.

Next, the broadcast print management unit 124 is an execution determination unit and a control unit. Based on the broadcast print execution instruction passed from the broadcast print reception unit 123, the broadcast print execution management and the slave unit A function for performing control is provided. The specific management contents will be described later with reference to a sequence diagram such as FIG.
The slave unit management unit 125 has a function of registering a slave unit for broadcast printing and managing the information. This registration can be performed in response to a registration request from the MFP 200 as a slave unit. It can also be performed according to the operation of the operation unit 106 by the user. In the latter case, a screen similar to the handset information management screen 400 of FIG. 5 described later may be displayed on the display unit 107 to accept information input.
Further, the slave unit management unit 125 performs broadcast printing using information on the device currently operating in the disaster mode as information on a target device to be printed in broadcast printing in accordance with a request from the broadcast print management unit 124. A function provided to the management unit 124 is also provided.

FIG. 4 shows information on the slave unit registered by the slave unit management unit 125.
As shown in this figure, the child device management unit 125 registers information such as ID, address, installation location, disaster mode presence / absence, shelter installation presence / absence, capacity, number of people evacuated, and number of evacuated households for each child device.
Among these items, the item “ID” is identification information as a slave unit of the registered device. It does not have to match the serial number of the device itself.

“Address” is communication destination information of the corresponding device. In the example of FIG. 4, an IP (Internet Protocol) address is registered, but a communication destination corresponding to a protocol used for communication with the corresponding device may be registered.
“Installation location” is information on a location where the apparatus is installed. This information is set according to user input and used for display.
“Disaster mode” is information indicating whether or not the corresponding device is operating in the disaster mode. This information is set by the handset management unit 125 according to the mode notification from the handset.

“Evacuation site” is information indicating whether or not the corresponding device is installed in a place operating as an evacuation site.
In addition, information on “capacity”, “number of evacuation persons”, and “number of evacuation households” is registered only for devices whose “evacuation shelter” item is “YES (installed in the evacuation shelter)”, and the capacity of each installation shelter The current number of evacuated people and the number of evacuated households are shown. These “evacuation shelter”, “capacity”, “evacuation number”, and “evacuation household number” information may all be set according to user input, for example, storage devices inside and outside the system (cloud servers, databases, etc.) ), Or may be obtained from information registered in (1). Alternatively, each of the slave units (MFP 200-1 to MFP 200-4) may store information such as an address and an installation location, and MFP 100 may obtain the information from each slave unit. These pieces of information are used for setting the number of copies to be described later.
In addition to these, information regarding the printing function (whether or not color printing is possible, printable size, presence / absence of double-sided function, etc.) of each apparatus may be collected in advance and registered in the table of FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the notification receiving unit 126 has a function of receiving notifications and requests from an external device such as the MFP 200. The notification reception unit 126 passes a registration request for information as a slave unit of the MFP 200 including new registration to the slave unit management unit 125, and broadcast notification for notification regarding the progress of printing related to broadcast printing. To part 124. Other notifications and requests are also distributed as appropriate to the functional unit that should process them.

The status information acquisition unit 127 is a status acquisition unit that requests the MFP 200 to transmit status information indicating the current status of the MFP 200 in accordance with an instruction from the broadcast print management unit 124, and is transmitted accordingly. It has a function of acquiring status information and passing it to the broadcast print management unit 124.
This status information includes information on the remaining amount of consumables (toner, ink, paper, etc.) currently in the MFP 200 and the operation status (whether a job is being executed or an error has occurred). Information on the printing function provided in the MFP 200 may be included in the status information when not registered in the slave unit management unit 125.

  In accordance with an instruction from the broadcast print management unit 124, the image information conversion unit 128 converts image data to be printed by the MFP 200 by broadcast printing into image data of another format and returns it to the broadcast print management unit 124. It has a function. This conversion can be performed, for example, by converting color image data into monochrome image data, converting the original image data into image data that can be printed with less toner or ink for consumables saving, and reducing the original image data. Then, the image data is converted into image data having a smaller number of dots. The image information conversion unit 128 also changes the print settings in the same manner. For example, the paper size is changed from A3 to A4, and an aggregation setting is added.

  In accordance with an instruction from the broadcast print management unit 124, the print instruction unit 129 transmits, to the MFP 200, image data to be printed and print settings used for printing the image as information on image forming processing to be executed. And a function for requesting execution of printing according to the information. The information on the image forming process transmitted here is the information included in the broadcast printing instruction received by the broadcast print receiving unit 123, and the broadcast print management unit 124 sends it to the image information conversion unit 128 as necessary. It is generated by processing. The print instruction unit 129 instructs the MFP 200 to execute printing individually. Of course, the information of the image forming process transmitted for each instruction destination may be different.

The print instruction unit 129 also has a function of notifying the broadcast print management unit 124 of the transmission result of the image forming process information. However, the progress management once the transmission is successful is performed by the broadcast print management unit 124 based on the notification received by the notification reception unit 126.
The above is the function of each unit included in the MFP 100.

On the other hand, the MFP 200 includes a disaster occurrence detection unit 221, a disaster mode management unit 222, a mode notification unit 223, a registration information reception unit 224, a status information transmission unit 225, a status management unit 226, a print execution unit 227, a print result notification unit 228, A broadcast print acceptance unit 229 is provided.
Among these, the function of the disaster occurrence detection unit 221 is the same as that of the disaster occurrence detection unit 121 of the MFP 100. However, the transmission destination of the occurrence of a large-scale earthquake is the disaster mode management unit 222.

  The function of the disaster mode management unit 222 is basically the same as that of the disaster mode management unit 122 of the MFP 100. However, whether the MFP 100 and other slave units are in the disaster mode does not affect the mode switching of the MFP 200 itself. Further, when the disaster mode management unit 222 shifts to the disaster mode or cancels the disaster mode, the disaster mode management unit 222 notifies the mode notification unit 223 to that effect.

The mode notification unit 223 has a function of notifying the MFP 100 whether or not the MFP 200 is currently in the disaster mode based on the mode information notified from the disaster mode management unit 222. This notification is received and processed by the notification receiving unit 126 on the MFP 100 side. Note that the address of MFP 100 that is the transmission destination of notifications and the like is registered in MFP 200 in advance.
Further, the mode notification unit 223 has a function of notifying the MFP 100 of information related to the MFP 200 (information to be registered in the table of FIG. 4) received by the registration information receiving unit 224. A registration request for newly registering the MFP 200 as a slave unit can be transmitted in the same manner.

  Registration information reception unit 224 has a function of receiving input of information of MFP 200 as a slave unit from a user. Registration information reception unit 224 passes the received information to mode notification unit 223 and causes MFP 100 to transmit the information. Information regarding the disaster mode setting is passed to the disaster mode management unit 222 and reflected in the operation mode of the MFP 200.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen for the registration information receiving unit 224 to receive input of necessary information.
This child device information management screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 107 of the MFP 200 in response to a display instruction from the user. An address input field 401, an installation location input field 402, a mode selection unit 403, a shelter setting unit 404, a maximum number of people input field 405, a current number of people input field 406, an evacuation household input field 407, and an OK button 408 are provided.

Among these, the address input column 401 is a column for inputting the address or host name of the MFP 200 to be used as a communication destination from the MFP 100.
The installation location input column 402 is a column for inputting information on the location where the MFP 200 is installed. Since this information is used by the user to identify the location, the name of the facility that the user can easily understand may be input.
A mode selection unit 403 is an operation unit for selecting whether to operate the MFP 200 in the normal mode or the disaster mode. If a mode different from the currently operating mode is selected in this field, it becomes an instruction to switch the operation mode of the MFP 200.

The shelter setting unit 404 is information indicating whether or not the MFP 200 is set as a place where the MFP 200 operates as a shelter. This setting can be performed independently of the disaster mode setting.
The maximum number of people input field 405, the current number of people input field 406, and the evacuation household input field 407 are valid only when “install in evacuation site” is selected in the evacuation site setting unit 404. Each is a column for inputting the maximum number of evacuation shelters, the current evacuation number, and the current number of evacuation households.

  An OK button 408 is an operation unit for instructing to confirm the setting content input to the slave device information management screen 400 and to transmit it to the MFP 100. The determined setting content is also stored in the MFP 200 itself, and when the slave device information management screen 400 is displayed next, the content is displayed as an initial value. However, the information in the mode selection unit 403 may be automatically changed by the disaster mode management unit 222. Further, the registration information receiving unit 224 may automatically input the address input field 401 according to the address set in the MFP 200 or the like.

Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the status information transmission unit 225 is a status transmission unit, and acquires status information of the MFP 200 from the status management unit 226 based on a request from the status information acquisition unit 127 of the MFP 100 and transmits it to the MFP 100. It has a function to do.
The state management unit 226 has a function of managing the current state of the MFP 200 and a function of generating the above-described state information based on information managed by itself in response to a request from the state information transmission unit 225. The state management unit 226 manages at least information necessary for generating the above-described state information.

  The print execution unit 227 is an image forming unit and has a function of executing printing in accordance with the transmitted image formation processing information in response to a request from the print instruction unit 129 of the MFP 100. More specifically, the print execution unit 227 forms an image according to the transmitted image data on a sheet according to the transmitted print setting. Further, the print execution unit 227 notifies the print result notification unit 228 of the print execution result.

  Furthermore, the print execution unit 227 interrupts the printing when printing cannot be continued due to a consumable out of stock or a failure during the printing in response to the request from the print instruction unit 129, and to that effect, The progress status up to that point is notified to the print result notifying unit 228, and the printing being executed is canceled. As will be described later, in the image forming system 1, in such a case, the MFP 100 requests the subsequent printing by the function of the broadcast print management unit 124, or the contents can be continued even in the situation of interruption. Request changed printing. Therefore, it is desirable to cancel the print (job) that cannot be continued at the point of interruption so that it will not be executed in duplicate with what is requested later.

The print result notifying unit 228 is a notification unit, and has a function of notifying the MFP 100 of a print execution result, an interruption status, and the like in response to a notification from the print execution unit 227. This notification is received and processed by the notification receiving unit 126 on the MFP 100 side.
The broadcast print accepting unit 229 has a function of accepting the above-mentioned broadcast print execution instruction from the user. Further, when receiving this instruction, the broadcast print accepting unit 229 transmits the instruction to the broadcast print accepting unit 123 of the MFP 100 and causes the MFP 100 to execute processing related to the broadcast print. The address of MFP 100 as the transmission destination is registered in advance in a position where broadcast print accepting unit 229 can refer. The function of the broadcast print accepting unit 229 can be provided independently of the function as a slave unit instead of the function as a slave unit for broadcast printing.
The above is the function of each unit included in the MFP 200.

Next, an operation for instructing the user to perform broadcast printing in the disaster mode and the content of the instruction will be described.
The user can instruct the MFP 100 to perform broadcast printing by operating the MFP 100 itself or an apparatus that is preset to execute broadcast printing via the MFP 100. Such an instruction receiving function can be provided in any apparatus including MFPs 100 and 200. At this time, the terminal operated by the user does not need to be operating in the disaster mode, and need not be operable in the disaster mode.

Here, a user interface when the MFP 200 receives a broadcast printing instruction will be described in association with the description of the broadcast print reception unit 229.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a main operation screen displayed on the MFP 200. FIG. 7 shows an example of a broadcast print setting screen. FIG. 8 shows an example of a main operation screen corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where a broadcast printing instruction is accepted.

  A main operation screen 500 shown in FIG. 6 is a top screen that is first displayed on the display unit when the MFP 200 is selected to use the copy function. The main operation screen 500 is provided with a broadcast print button 501 that is an operation unit for opening the broadcast print setting screen 600. When the user operates this button, the MFP 200 displays the broadcast print shown in FIG. A setting screen 600 is displayed as a pop-up. Similarly, a broadcast print button 501 may be provided on the top screen related to other functions.

A broadcast print setting screen 600 shown in FIG. 7 is a screen for accepting settings related to broadcast printing. A broadcast print selection unit 601, a print unit selection unit 602, a management screen display button 603, and an OK button 604 are provided.
Of these, the broadcast print selection unit 601 is an operation unit for selecting whether or not the MFP 200 is in a state of accepting a broadcast print instruction.

  A printing unit selection unit 602 is an operation unit for selecting a criterion for determining the number of copies when performing broadcast printing. Among the options shown in FIG. 7, “for each evacuation center” indicates one copy for each target image forming apparatus (not limited to those installed in the refuge), and “for each evacuation household” indicates the target The number of copies for each household evacuated to the evacuation center where the image forming apparatus is installed, “for each refugee” means the number of copies for the number of people evacuated to the evacuation site. However, as will be described later, the actual number of copies to be printed is determined in consideration of spares and the like.

  The management screen display button 603 is an operation unit for displaying the child device information management screen 400 shown in FIG. When this button is operated, the MFP 200 pops up the slave device information management screen 400 and accepts a user operation. Thereafter, when the OK button 408 is operated or a cancel operation is performed on the slave device information management screen 400, the broadcast print setting screen 600 is displayed again.

An OK button 604 is a button for confirming the setting on the broadcast print setting screen 600 and returning to the original screen.
When the OK button 604 is operated with the broadcast print selection unit 601 set to perform broadcast printing, the MFP 200 shifts to a state in which an instruction for broadcast printing is received. This transition is performed independently of whether or not the disaster mode. Then, in a state where the broadcast printing instruction is accepted, the top screen is displayed as shown in FIG. That is, the display 502 for accepting the broadcast printing is performed conspicuously.

In this accepting state, when the user places an original on the reading table as in copying and presses the start button in the same manner as the start of copying, the MFP 200 receives the operation as an instruction to execute broadcast printing. . Then, an image placed on the reading table is read, and an execution instruction for performing broadcast printing on the image is transmitted to MFP 100 serving as the master unit.
In the MFP 100, the broadcast print accepting unit 123 accepts this execution instruction, and causes the broadcast print management unit 124 to execute broadcast printing.

In the MFP 200, the main operation screen 500 or a screen that can be changed from the main operation screen 500 can be changed from the paper size, scaling, monochrome / color, etc., even in the state of accepting the broadcast printing instruction, as in the case of the copy function. Can be set. The MFP 200 reflects the setting made here in an instruction to read an image or execute broadcast printing.
As described above, in the state in which the broadcast printing is set to “Yes”, the user can perform the broadcast printing without setting the transmission destination or the broadcast printing itself for each transmission. is there. In order to perform normal copying, it is only necessary to change the broadcast printing once to the “no” setting. In this case, the main operation screen 500 returns to the state shown in FIG.

Although the copy function screen is taken as an example here, the same correspondence can be applied to a function that involves reading a document, such as scanning or facsimile transmission. Further, in a function for handling already stored documents such as a document box, it is conceivable that broadcast printing can be instructed for the stored documents.
Similarly, the MFP 100 itself can receive an instruction for broadcast printing. The received instruction is also acquired by the broadcast print receiving unit 123 and transferred to the broadcast print management unit 124 to execute broadcast printing according to the instruction.

Next, the operation of each apparatus when performing broadcast printing will be described in more detail.
First, a case where “every shelter” is selected as a printing unit on the screen of FIG. 7 and each MFP 200 should be instructed to print one copy at a time will be described.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the operation of each apparatus when executing broadcast printing.
In the case of broadcast printing, as described above, when the user instructs one of the apparatuses (in this case, the MFP 200-4) to execute broadcast printing (print execution request to the MFP in the disaster occurrence area) (S11). To begin. Upon receiving the instruction, the MFP 200-4 acquires an image to be transmitted (printed out) to the disaster mode apparatus (S12). This acquisition is performed by reading a document or reading a stored document. Thereafter, the MFP 200-4 transmits the image data of the image acquired in step S12 to the MFP 100 together with the broadcast printing instruction (S13). This instruction includes information on print settings to be used when printing an image.

On the other hand, in the MFP 100, the broadcast print accepting unit 123 shown in FIG. 3 detects this broadcast print instruction and passes it to the broadcast print management unit 124. In response to the instruction, the broadcast print management unit 124 makes a necessary request to each unit illustrated in FIG. 3, and performs the operation of the MFP 100 illustrated in FIG.
When the MFP 100 detects the broadcast printing instruction, the MFP 100 first identifies the MFP 200 operating in the disaster mode as the broadcast printing transmission destination based on the slave information shown in FIG. 4 (S14). This operation is based on the function of the handset management unit 125.

Next, the MFP 200 identified in step S14 is inquired about the printing capability and the current status (S15), and status information is acquired as a response (S16). This operation is based on the function of the state information acquisition unit 127.
Receiving the inquiry, each MFP 200 generates status information by the functions of the status information transmission unit 225 and the status management unit 226 and returns the status information to the MFP 100.

  Next, based on the status information acquired from each MFP 200 and the print content related to the broadcast printing instruction detected in step S13, the MFP 100 determines whether or not each MFP 200 can execute printing according to the instruction. In addition, it is determined whether or not it is possible to execute (S17). It should be noted that the MFP 200 that cannot acquire the status information may be handled as not being powered on.

  The determination result may be “executable”, “executable if the contents are changed”, and “unexecutable” from the viewpoint of whether or not it can be executed. “Executable” is a case where the capability of the MFP 200 is sufficient to execute printing. “Performable if the contents are changed” is a case where the capability of the MFP 200 is not sufficient, but can be within the range of the capability by changing images and settings. For example, if the image to be printed is color and the MFP 200 can print only monochrome, the image can be printed by changing the image from color to monochrome. If the image to be printed is A3 size and the MFP 200 can print only A4 size or there is only A4 size paper, the image can be printed by reducing the image to A4 size. “Unexecutable” is a case where printing cannot be executed at all due to a trouble with the MFP 200, a consumable item has run out, or the power is not turned on.

  Further, from the viewpoint of whether or not the printing can be performed, “can be performed as it is” and “and consumables should be saved” can be considered. “Can be executed as it is” is a case where the MFP 200 has sufficient consumables. “Consumables should be saved” is a case where the MFP 200 has few remaining consumables such as toner and paper. In such a case, it is desirable to save the consumables in order to prevent the situation where the consumables run out and printing cannot be performed.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the remaining amount of each consumable and the saving correspondence in that case.
FIG. 10 shows how to save for each consumable of A4 paper, A3 paper, black toner, and color toner when the corresponding consumable is the remaining amount.
“Do not save” indicates that no special saving is required. That is, in this case, printing is “can be performed as it is”. The other cases are “consumables should be saved”.

  “Aggregation” indicates that an aggregation print setting for printing an image of a plurality of pages on one side at the time of printing should be added to reduce the number of output sheets (and toner consumption). “Toner save” indicates that the amount of toner consumption should be reduced by converting an image into a toner save image that can be formed with a small amount of toner and printing. These can be applied simultaneously.

  A format generally used for image information is A4 size paper in Japan and Europe. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, when A4 size paper is running out (when the remaining amount at the start of printing becomes 10% or less), it is set to consolidate the paper. . Normally, in the case of an MFP capable of A3 size printing such as installed in an office, about 500 sheets can be set in one sheet tray. Therefore, it is an image to start saving when the remaining number is about 50 or less. On the other hand, since A3 paper can be reduced to A4 paper and printed instead, it is set not to save until the paper runs out.

  Further, it is assumed that the MFP 200 is a model in which printing cannot be performed at all when black toner runs out. Corresponding to this, in the example of FIG. 10, when the remaining amount of black toner becomes 10% or less, the toner can be saved by performing toner save to prevent the black toner from being lost and printing. Is set. However, when the A4 sheets are reduced and aggregation is performed, the toner can be saved by the aggregation, and thus toner saving is not performed. That is, when either aggregation or toner save is performed according to other conditions, the other is not performed. However, when the remaining amount becomes 5% or less, both toner save and aggregation are performed to further reduce the consumption of black toner.

As for the color toner, if the printing result is slightly colored, it is meaningful as a color document, so even if saved, the adverse effect on the output is low. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, it is set to perform toner save when the remaining amount becomes 25% or less at an earlier timing than black toner. Even if the color toner runs out, it is only necessary to print in black and white, so no saving is made by aggregation. That is, in FIG. 10, there is no setting for performing aggregation for color toners.
Of course, the criteria listed here are merely examples, and the remaining amount threshold value may be changed, and whether or not to save may be changed. The setting may be changed by the user.

Returning to the description of FIG. 9, after the determination in step S <b> 17, the MFP 100 issues a print execution instruction (or standby) according to the determination result for each MFP 200 specified in step S <b> 14.
First, for MFP 200 (in this case, MFP 200-1) that can directly execute printing in accordance with the instruction detected in step S13, a print execution instruction including the print setting and image data according to the instruction is transmitted to execute printing. (S21). This operation is based on the function of the print instruction unit 129.

  On the other hand, the MFP 200 that has received this instruction executes printing in accordance with the instruction (S22), and returns the result to the instructing MFP 100 (S23). This operation is based on the functions of the print execution unit 227 and the print result notification unit 228. On MFP 100 side, notification receiving unit 126 receives this notification. The MFP 200 transmits an error notification to the MFP 100 when printing cannot be completed as instructed. This point will be described later.

Next, for MFP 200 (in this case, MFP 200-2) that has insufficient capability to execute printing in accordance with the instruction detected in step S 13 as it is or to save consumables, MFP 100 first performs the instruction. The print settings and / or the image data according to the above are converted into those that can be printed by the MFP 200 (S31). This operation is based on the function of the image information conversion unit 128. The above conversion is performed while retaining the original image data and print settings.
Subsequent operations (S32 to S34) are the same as steps S21 to S23 except that the print execution instruction to be transmitted includes the print settings and image data after the change in step S31.

  Next, for the MFP 200 that cannot print at all due to running out of consumables or abnormality (MFP 200-3 in this case), the MFP 100 stores retry information indicating that printing should be retried later (S41). And after waiting for a predetermined time (S42), the operation | movement after step S15 is repeated again (S43-). This operation is based on the function of the broadcast print management unit 124. The reason why the state information is acquired again is that there is a possibility that the state of the MFP 200 has changed over time. Further, if the situation is not improved even after retrying, after a predetermined number of retries, it is preferable to transmit information on the destination that could not be transmitted as an error notification to the MFP 200-4 that is the broadcast printing instruction source.

  With the above operation, the MFP 100 changes not only the MFP 200 that can execute the instructed broadcast printing but also the MFP 200 that cannot be executed as it is, into a format that can be executed in view of the current state, and then performs the broadcast printing. Can be executed. For the MFP 200 that should save consumables, broadcast printing can be executed after taking necessary saving measures in view of the current state of the MFP 200.

When it is important that information can be transmitted quickly even in a format that is slightly different from the intended one, such as when a large-scale disaster occurs, it depends on the function of the device that executes printing and the current status. It is useful to adjust the contents of printing to be performed. In such a case, the user instructing the transmission may not have room for setting according to the status and function of each destination device, and the device that performs broadcast printing automatically It is desirable to be able to make adjustments.
In addition, since the information cannot be transmitted when the consumables are exhausted, it is useful that the same adjustment can be performed from the viewpoint of preventing the consumables from running out.

Next, the operation of each apparatus when the MFP 200 cannot complete printing according to the print execution instruction transmitted from the MFP 100 to the MFP 200 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of each device in this case.
In FIG. 11, steps S51 and S52 are operations corresponding to steps S21 and S22 or S32 and S33 of FIG. Here, it is conceivable that an error such as out of consumables or occurrence of a jam occurs during execution of printing in the MFP 200 (S53).

  In this case, the MFP 200 notifies the MFP 100 that an error has occurred and printing cannot be completed, and also notifies to which part (up to what page, etc.) the instructed printing has been completed (S54). ). This operation is based on the function of the print result notification unit 228. Thereafter, the MFP 200 cancels the printing related to the print execution instruction detected in step S51 (S55). That is, even if the error is resolved, the continuation is not executed.

  This is because in the case of broadcast printing, a new job for continuation is transmitted from the MFP 100 in response to the notification in step S54, and this processing is unique to broadcast printing. In order to perform this control, the print execution instruction transmitted in step S51 preferably includes information indicating that the instruction relates to broadcast printing.

  On the other hand, when receiving the notification in step S54, the MFP 100 obtains status information again from the notification source MFP 200 in the same manner as in steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 9 (S56, S57). Then, based on the status information, it is determined whether there is a possibility that each image forming apparatus can continue printing in accordance with the instruction (S58). This determination can be made based on the same criteria as in step S17 of FIG. For example, when a color image cannot be printed because the color toner is exhausted, if monochrome toner remains, it is determined that printing can be performed if the image is converted to monochrome. On the other hand, if printing cannot be executed at all due to the occurrence of a jam or the like, it is determined that printing cannot be executed.

  If there is a possibility of continuation in step S58 (Yes), as in the case of step S31 in FIG. 9, the MFP 100 displays the print setting and / or image data related to the instruction detected in step S13 as the notification source. The MFP 200 converts it into something that can be currently printed (S59). However, in this case, since it is not necessary to print a portion that has already been printed, only the continuation of the image data is converted.

  After that, the MFP 100 transmits to the MFP 200 a print execution instruction including the print settings and image data after the conversion in step S58 (S60). On the other hand, the MFP 200 that has received this instruction executes printing in accordance with the instruction (S61), and returns the result to the instructing MFP 100 (S62). This operation has the same meaning as steps S32 to S34 in FIG. 9, but the image data transmitted by the MFP 100 is only the image data following the portion where printing has been executed. Therefore, the image printed by the MFP 200 is only a continuation of the portion where printing has been executed. Accordingly, in combination with the execution result in step S52, the MFP 200 can output the entire document related to broadcast printing, although the format is changed in the middle.

On the other hand, if there is no possibility of continuation in step S58 (No), the MFP 100 stores retry information indicating that printing should be retried later (S62), as in the case of step S41 and subsequent steps in FIG. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation after step S56 is retried (S63).
In the operations after step S56, the broadcast print management unit 124 functions as a restart control unit and performs overall control.

  According to the above operation, when the MFP 100 receives a notification that printing cannot be completed from the MFP 200 that has once instructed printing related to broadcast printing, the MFP 100 based on the state information indicating the current state of the MFP 200 that is the notification source. It is possible to instruct the MFP 200 to execute printing that follows the executed portion. Therefore, even when a problem occurs during printing in the MFP 200, information can be quickly transmitted to the user of the MFP 200 even if the format is somewhat different from the intention.

  If the MFP 200 cannot print, the MFP 100 retries after a predetermined time. Therefore, if the user of the MFP 200 corrects the abnormality by supplying consumables, repairing jams, etc., the subsequent printing of the executed portion is continued. be able to. The reason why the job is deleted without being in a standby state until the abnormality is solved is to enable re-execution by changing the above-described conditions. Another reason for this is that the user may be confused if the continuation of the broadcast printing job is executed despite the supply of consumables for another job executed by the MFP 200.

Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of a specific printing operation according to the operation of FIG.
The example of FIG. 12 is an operation example when the color toner runs out in the middle of printing a color image by the MFP 200 and then the paper also runs out.
In the example of FIG. 12, the MFP 100 first transmits a color image print execution instruction to the MFP 200 by the processing corresponding to step S21 of FIG. 9 (S71). Receiving this, the MFP 200 starts printing a color image (S72), but detects color toner out when printing is completed up to the third page in the middle (S73).

At this time, the MFP 200 transmits an error notification for notifying that the color toner has run out and the portion where printing has been performed (up to the third page) to the MFP 100 that has issued the print execution instruction (S74). Further, the printing started in step S72 is canceled (S75).
Upon receiving the notification in step S74, the MFP 100 inquires of the MFP 200 about the printing capability and the current state (S76). In response to this inquiry, the MFP 200 returns status information indicating that there is no color toner, black toner, and paper (S77). Note that description of the remaining amount is omitted here.

Next, based on the returned status information, the MFP 100 determines that printing of a monochrome image is possible because the MFP 200 has black toner and paper (S78). In view of this, the MFP 100 converts, from the color image to the monochrome image, the images on and after the fourth page of the interrupted portion of the image instructed to be printed (S79). Then, a print execution instruction for instructing the MFP 200 to print monochrome image data for the fourth and subsequent pages is transmitted (S80). Since the image data to be transmitted is only the fourth page and after, there is no need to specify the print start page in the print execution instruction.
Receiving the request in step S80, the MFP 200 starts printing a monochrome image (S81). However, this time, when the printing is completed up to the sixth page (the third page in this printing) in the middle, the out of paper is detected (S82).

At this time, the MFP 200 transmits an error notification for notifying that the paper has run out and the portion where printing has been executed (up to the sixth page) to the MFP 100 that has issued the print execution instruction (S83). Further, the printing started in step S81 is canceled (S84).
Upon receiving the notification in step S83, the MFP 100 inquires the MFP 200 about the printing capability and the current state again (S85). In response to this inquiry, the MFP 200 returns status information indicating that there is no color toner, black toner, and no paper (S86).

Next, based on the returned status information, the MFP 100 determines that printing cannot be performed because the MFP 200 has no paper (S87). Therefore, the MFP 100 stores retry information indicating that it is necessary to retry printing of the seventh page and thereafter for the MFP 200 (S88), and retry after a predetermined time (S89).
It should be noted that, when this retry is performed, the conditions under which printing can be executed are determined by obtaining the status information again. Accordingly, if there is color toner at that time, MFP 100 transmits color image data before being converted to monochrome to MFP 200 to instruct color printing.

Next, a specific example of how to advance broadcast printing to a plurality of MFPs 200 according to the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 will be described using another example from FIG.
Here, in the state shown in FIG. An example in which a color image of 8 pages in A3 size is broadcast-printed to 1 to 5 MFPs 200 (indicated here by using the codes of MFPs 200-1 to 200-5) is used. The information shown in FIG. 13 is a list of status information collected from each transmission destination identified by MFP 100 in step S14 in FIG. The “destination address” is an address of each MFP, and the “printing capability” indicates the capability of the image forming unit included in each MFP. “OK” of “remaining toner amount” and “remaining paper amount” indicates that there is a remaining amount that can be printed and does not need to be saved. “No.” is a reference number assigned for convenience of explanation.

  When executing the above-described broadcast printing, the MFP 100 first determines whether printing is possible for each destination based on the status information acquired from the destination MFPs 200-1 to 200-5, and under what conditions To decide. In addition, a retry time is determined for a transmission destination that is not currently in a printable state. Then, a print management table summarizing the results is created.

FIG. 14 shows an example of this print management table.
14, “No.” and “destination address” are the same as those in FIG. The “print completion page” is information indicating how many pages have been printed. “Image to be printed” is information indicating under what conditions printing is to be performed at the corresponding transmission destination. “Print time” is information indicating when a print execution instruction is transmitted to the corresponding transmission destination.
Among these, “image to be printed” and “print time” information are set based on the contents of broadcast printing to be executed by the MFP 100 and the status information acquired from each transmission destination.

  “Print time” is an item for setting a timing at which a print execution instruction should be transmitted. In this item, “immediate” is set if a print execution instruction is to be transmitted immediately, and a time until the retry is set when retrying later. If there is no need to newly send a print execution instruction, “none” is set. This is the case after printing is completed or when a print execution instruction has been sent and the result is waiting.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the MFP 100 can print an A3 size color image and sufficient consumables for the MFP 200-1, and therefore determines that the original image can be printed and sets that fact. The MFP 200-2 can print a color image of A3 size, but since the remaining amount of color toner is small, it is determined that toner save is necessary, and printing of the toner save image is set. Since only the monochrome image can be printed for the MFP 200-3, it is determined that the image needs to be converted into monochrome, and printing of the monochrome image is set. Since only the A4 size can be printed for the MFP 200-4, it is determined that the image needs to be reduced, and the A4 reduced (color) image is set to be printed.

As for the MFP 200-5, since there is no sheet, it is determined that printing cannot be executed at present, and for example, 60 minutes later is set as the retry time. As for printing, the original image is set to be printed in the figure, but since it is determined again whether or not printing is possible at the time of retry, the setting at this stage has no particular meaning.
Then, the MFPs 200-1 to 200-4 transmit a print execution instruction and image data to the MFPs 200-1 to 200-4 according to the above settings, and execute printing.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the print management table after 5 minutes from the time of FIG.
Up to this point, the MFP 100 has received a print completion notification from the MFP 200-1, and correspondingly, “8” of the last page has already been registered in the “print completion page” of the print management table.

  Similarly to the example of FIG. 12, the MFP 200-2 has received an error notification that printing has been completed up to the third page but no color toner has been used. “3” has already been registered. In addition, MFP 100 determines that monochrome conversion of the image is necessary because there is only monochrome toner based on the status information acquired from MFP 200-2 again upon receiving the error notification, and has already set to print a monochrome image for MFP 200-2 It is. The “print time” is also “immediate” indicating that a print execution instruction will be issued from now on.

The MFP 200-3 and the MFP 200-4 are still executing printing, and there is no notification of the result. For this reason, the “print time” is “none”, and the “print completion page” remains the initial value “0”.
For the MFP 200-5, the retry time set in “print time” is “55 minutes later” in response to the elapse of 5 minutes.

Next, FIG. 16 shows an example of the print management table after another 5 minutes from the time of FIG.
Up to this point, the MFP 100 has received an error notification from the MFP 200-2 indicating that printing has been completed up to the sixth page but the paper has run out, as in the example of FIG. “6” has already been registered in “completion page”. In addition, since there is no paper and printing cannot be performed for the time being, the MFP 100 determines to retry the MFP 200-2 later, and “60 minutes later” is set as the retry time in the “print time”.

In addition, the MFP 100 has received a print completion notification from the MFPs 200-3 and 200-4, and in response to this, the last page “8” has been registered in the “print completion page” of the print management table. .
For the MFP 200-5, the retry time is “50 minutes later” corresponding to the fact that 5 minutes have passed.

Next, FIG. 17 shows an example of a print management table immediately before retrying the MFP 200-5 after another 50 minutes from the time point of FIG.
Since the retry time for the MFP 200-5 has arrived, the MFP 100 sets “immediate” as the “print time” and acquires status information from the MFP 200-5. Then, based on the status information, it is determined whether printing is possible and under what conditions printing is performed. As a result, for example, if it is determined that printing is possible but the remaining amount of paper is small, it is determined that printing is performed using a 2-in-1 aggregation function that arranges two originals on one sheet, and the item “image to be printed” is determined. sign up. If it is determined that printing cannot be performed at this time, the retry time is set again in the item “print time”. The number of retries or the time limit may be infinite, and an upper limit may be determined, for example, 10 times or 24 hours. The upper limit may be changed by the user.

For the MFP 200-2, the retry time is “10 minutes later” corresponding to the fact that 50 minutes have passed.
After 10 minutes have elapsed, the MFP 100 retries the MFP 200-2 as in the case of the MFP 200-5. However, in the retry, printing is instructed from the seventh page next to the print completion page.
As described above, according to the image forming system described above, in particular, the MFP 100, according to the situation of each MFP 200, even when printing instructed as broadcast printing cannot be executed as it is, it is flexibly executed within the range possible for each MFP 200. Can be made.

Next, the operation of each apparatus when “every evacuation household” or “every refugee” is selected as the unit of printing on the screen of FIG. 7 and a plurality of copies should be instructed to each MFP 200 will be described. .
Also in this case, the operation of each device is basically the same as that shown in FIG. However, in step S17, the MFP 100 determines the number of copies to be printed by each MFP 200 based on the status information acquired from each MFP 200 and the information registered in the table of FIG.

Basically, when “every evacuation household” is selected, when “every refugee” is selected for the number of evacuation households registered for the MFP 200 of the transmission destination, the refugee is similarly Print only a few copies.
However, the number of evacuated households and the number of refugees may increase over time after being registered once. Therefore, if there is a surplus in the consumables, the number of copies considering a certain spare is set, and the relationship between the remaining amount of consumables and the spare amount is previously set in the MFP 100 in the same manner as the table of FIG. Registered.

FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the remaining amount of consumables and the reserve amount.
FIG. 18 shows the number of spare copies to be printed for each consumable of A4 paper, A3 paper, black toner, and color toner when the corresponding consumable is each remaining amount.
“+ 10%” indicates that printing is performed by 10% more than the required number of copies determined according to the number of evacuated households and the number of refugees. “Necessary amount only” indicates that only the necessary number of copies are printed.

  In the example of FIG. 18, when the remaining amount of A4 paper and black toner is low among the consumables of the MFP 200, it is registered that only the necessary number of copies are printed without performing preliminary printing. For A3 paper and color toner, for the same reason as described with reference to FIG. 10, the need for saving is low, so that even if the remaining amount is small, preliminary printing is performed.

Next, a specific example of determining the number of copies based on the above will be described.
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the number of copies according to the number of evacuees. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the number of copies according to the number of evacuated households.
First, it is assumed that a certain handset has 60 evacuees, 35 evacuated households, and a maximum capacity of 100 people registered in the table of FIG. Then, it is assumed that MFP 100 determines to print + 10% copies based on the status information about the corresponding slave unit.

In this case, the number of copies according to the number of evacuees is 66, which is an increase of 10% of the number of evacuees as shown in FIG. 19A.
On the other hand, if the number of evacuees is 95, as shown in FIG. 19 (b), if the increase in the number of evacuees is considered, it will exceed the maximum capacity. In this case, 100 copies corresponding to the maximum capacity are printed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the number of printed copies according to the number of households is 39, which is an increase of 10% of the 35 evacuated households. In addition, the upper limit of the number of households in this case is predicted to be an average of 60/35 people per household based on the ratio of the number of evacuees and the number of evacuated households, and this is multiplied by the maximum capacity to predict 58 households. . Then, when the number of households considering the reserve exceeds this upper limit, the number of copies corresponding to the upper limit is printed as in the case of FIG.

Next, FIG. 21 shows an example of a printing operation corresponding to FIG. 12 in consideration of printing of a plurality of copies.
The example of FIG. 21 is an operation example when the color toner runs out during printing of 66 color images by the MFP 200.
In the example of FIG. 21, the MFP 100 first determines the number of copies to be 66 based on the number of evacuees (S101), and transmits 66 color image print execution instructions to the MFP 200 by the processing corresponding to step S21 of FIG. (S102). Receiving this, the MFP 200 starts printing a color image (S103), but detects color toner out when printing is completed up to the second page of the 21st copy in the middle (S104).

At this time, the MFP 200 transmits an error notification for notifying that the color toner has run out and the portion where printing has been executed (up to the second page of the 21st copy) to the MFP 100 that issued the print execution instruction (S105). Further, the printing started in step S103 is canceled (S106).
Upon receiving the notification in step S105, the MFP 100 inquires the MFP 200 to acquire status information, and determines that monochrome image printing is possible (S107 to S109), as in steps S76 to S78 of FIG.

  Therefore, the MFP 100 converts the image of the third and subsequent pages at the interrupted portion from the image instructed for broadcast printing from a color image to a monochrome image (S110). Then, a print execution instruction for instructing the MFP 200 to print only one copy of the monochrome image data for the third and subsequent pages is transmitted (S111).

Receiving the request in step S111, the MFP 200 prints a monochrome image (S112), and returns the print result to the MFP 100 (S113). Thus, the interrupted printing of the 21st copy is completed. The output is in color up to the second page and monochrome in the third and subsequent pages.
On the other hand, upon receiving the print result of step S113, the MFP 200 converts the entire image instructed for broadcast printing from a color image to a monochrome image in order to cause the MFP 200 to print the 22nd and subsequent copies (S114). . Then, a print execution instruction for instructing the MFP 200 to print 66-21 = 45 copies of monochrome image data is transmitted (S115).

  Receiving the request in step S115, the MFP 200 prints a monochrome image (S116), and returns the print result to the MFP 100 (S117). This completes the printing of all 66 copies. The output up to the 20th copy is all color, the 21st copy is a mixture of color and monochrome, and the 22nd and subsequent copies are all monochrome.

  According to the above procedure, even when a situation in which printing cannot be continued in the MFP 200 during printing of a plurality of copies, it is possible to cause the MFP 200 to perform output related to broadcast printing without causing duplication. . Even when printing cannot be continued due to a cause other than toner exhaustion or when retrying is necessary, the same measures can be taken.

Next, an operation example of the image forming system including the MFP 100 and the MFP 200 will be described.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram thereof.
Here, an image forming system including five MFPs A to E is considered. Of these, A is the MFP 100 that is the parent device, and the rest is the MFP 200 that is the child device. In addition, five of A to E are arranged in a certain local government. Further, F is a device external to the image forming system according to A to E, which is disposed in an organization such as a prefecture or country that is far from the F.

In this state, it is assumed that a large-scale disaster has occurred in the areas where A to D are arranged. In this case, if the disaster is an earthquake, in A to D, the acceleration sensor 110 detects a large change in acceleration, and is automatically performed by the functions of the disaster occurrence detection unit 121 (221) and the disaster mode management unit 122 (222). To disaster mode.
In the case of a disaster that does not accompany acceleration changes such as a flood, the user manually shifts to the disaster mode using the screen of FIG. If even one slave unit shifts to the disaster mode, the master unit A also shifts to the disaster mode.

  Or you may enable it to instruct | indicate transfer to disaster mode by accessing A from arbitrary apparatuses including F outside a system. Instructing the base unit A to perform broadcast printing at the time of disaster (performing the operation of the MFP 200-4 in FIG. 9) is an apparatus that has the corresponding function and the information of the base unit A is registered. Any device can be implemented, whether inside or outside.

  Accordingly, if the master unit A has a function of shifting to the disaster mode when it detects a minor disaster broadcast printing instruction, the disaster broadcast printing from the devices E and F in FIG. By instructing, the parent device A can be shifted to the disaster mode. If there is no device operating in the disaster mode, there is no destination to which the document related to disaster broadcast printing should be sent. In this case, the broadcast printing instruction can be used as an instruction to shift to the disaster mode. it can. Also, once the mode is changed to the disaster mode, the setting of the disaster mode does not change according to the broadcast printing instruction.

  In addition, after A to D shift to the disaster mode, even if any of the devices A to F instructs the disaster broadcast printing, the A to D (master unit A) operating in the disaster mode will be the same. The image according to the instruction can be printed out. Therefore, information can be transmitted only within the disaster occurrence area with a simple operation. In this case, the transmission source may be within the disaster occurrence area or may be other than that. For example, this function can be used when distributing information from a prefecture or country to a local government where a large-scale disaster has occurred or a shelter within the local government.

In this case, if “every evacuated household” or “every refugee” is selected as a printing unit, the necessary number of copies can be easily created for each evacuation site for each household or individual.
In addition, when the disaster occurrence area decreases and the evacuation shelter is closed, the device can be switched from the disaster mode to the normal mode from the device arranged at the corresponding location or the master unit A by the screen of FIG. it can. On the other hand, the side instructing the simultaneous broadcast printing at the time of disaster does not need to be aware of this switching, and can transmit information to the device that is in the disaster mode at the time of the instruction.
Therefore, even if the disaster occurrence area changes every moment, it can be said that information can be transmitted only within the disaster occurrence area with a simple operation.

This is the end of the description of the embodiment. In this invention, the specific configuration of the device, the specific processing procedure, the number of devices, the data configuration, the type of operation mode, the type of consumables, etc. It is not restricted to what was demonstrated with the form.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which “disaster mode” is used as a specific mode related to broadcast printing has been described, but it is needless to say that this may be a mode of another name or application. There may be a “broadcast printing mode” that is irrelevant to a disaster for performing broadcast printing similar to the disaster broadcast printing described above. Also, the transition to the broadcast printing mode may be performed simply in accordance with the user's instruction operation regardless of the disaster. Further, it may be performed based on another trigger.

Further, it is not essential to provide an acceleration sensor in MFP 100 and MFP 200.
In addition, the information transmitted from the parent device to the child device in steps S21 and S32 in FIG. 9 does not have a special “instruction” element, and simply transmits data defining the content of the image forming process to be executed. There may be a configuration to do so. In this case, when receiving the contents of the image forming process on the side of the slave unit, a function of executing image formation according to the contents is provided.

In addition, the function as a master unit for broadcast printing, such as the broadcast print management unit 124 described as the function of the MFP 100 in the above-described embodiment, is provided in an information processing apparatus such as a server apparatus that does not have an image forming function. You can also. In this case, the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus serving as the slave unit of the information processing apparatus constitute an image forming system.
In addition, when providing the function as a master unit for broadcast printing in an image forming apparatus or in an information processing apparatus, a part of that function may be provided in an external device, etc. Is also possible. In this case, the plurality of apparatuses constitute an image forming system or an information processing system corresponding to the image forming apparatus described above.
In addition, it is not impeded to provide both the functions of the master unit and the slave unit for broadcast printing in one apparatus.

  The embodiment of the program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to control required hardware to realize the functions of MFP 100 or MFP 200 (particularly those shown in FIG. 3) in the above-described embodiment.

  Such a program may be stored in a ROM or other nonvolatile storage medium (flash memory, EEPROM, etc.) provided in the computer from the beginning. However, it can also be provided by being recorded on an arbitrary nonvolatile recording medium such as a memory card, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. Each procedure described above can be executed by installing the program recorded in the recording medium in a computer and executing the program.

Furthermore, it is also possible to download from an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in a storage unit, and install and execute the program on a computer.
In addition, it goes without saying that the configurations of the embodiments, operation examples, and modifications described above can be arbitrarily combined and implemented as long as they do not contradict each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Image forming system, 100: MFP (parent machine), 101: CPU, 102: ROM, 103: RAM, 104: HDD, 105: Communication I / F, 106: Operation part, 107: Display part, 108: Engine I / F, 109: engine unit, 110: acceleration sensor, 121, 221: disaster occurrence detection unit, 122, 222: disaster mode management unit, 123: broadcast print reception unit, 124: broadcast print management unit, 125: Slave unit management unit, 126: notification reception unit, 127: status information acquisition unit, 128: image information conversion unit, 129: print instruction unit, 200-1 to 4: MFP (slave unit), 223: mode notification unit, 224 : Registration information reception unit, 225: status information transmission unit, 226: status management unit, 227: print execution unit, 228: print result notification unit, 229: broadcast print reception unit, 300: network, 40 : Slave unit information management screen, 401: Address input field, 402: Installation location input field, 403: Mode selection unit, 404: Shelter setting unit, 405: Maximum number of people input field, 406: Current number of people input field, 407: Evacuation Household input field, 408, 604: OK button, 500: Main operation screen, 501: Broadcast print button, 600: Broadcast print setting screen, 601: Broadcast print selection section, 602: Print unit selection section, 603: Management Screen display button

Japanese Patent No. 3593915

Claims (19)

An image forming apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving an image forming process execution request for an image forming apparatus in a disaster occurrence area;
A specifying means for specifying an image forming apparatus that has detected a disaster out of image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the image forming apparatus;
Status acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means;
Executability determination means for determining whether each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute an image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means based on the status information;
Of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit is controlled to execute the image forming process, and the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means Control to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming process changed to the image forming process that can be executed by the image forming apparatus based on the state information acquired from the image forming apparatus that has been determined that the image forming process cannot be executed. Control means for
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A saving determination unit that determines whether or not each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying unit should save consumables based on the status information;
The control means performs image forming processing for causing the image forming apparatus determined to be saved by the saving determining means among the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means to perform the image forming process with less consumption of the consumables. The image forming apparatus is controlled to cause the image forming apparatus determined to be saved by the saving determination unit to execute the changed image forming process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit is an image forming apparatus operating in a state where a disaster is detected among image forming apparatuses registered in advance in the image forming apparatus. . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit determines that the image to be formed by the image forming process cannot be formed based on the state information, the control unit determines the format of the image formed by the image forming process. The image forming apparatus that is determined to be unable to form the image is converted into an image format that can be formed, and the image forming apparatus is controlled to execute an image forming process for forming the image having the converted format. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The control means periodically applies to an image forming apparatus determined to have an error that the image forming process cannot be executed among the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means based on the state information. An image forming apparatus that controls to execute the image forming process by transmitting the image forming process instruction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the control unit controls the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit to execute the image forming process, the image forming process cannot be completed from one of the image forming apparatuses. A receiving means for receiving notifications;
An image that can be executed by the one image forming apparatus when the image forming process is controlled to be executed based on the status information indicating the status of the one image forming apparatus when the notification that the completion cannot be performed is received. Change to the forming process, and change by sending an instruction to the one image forming apparatus to execute the changed image forming process from the part of the image forming process that is controlled to be executed. An image forming apparatus comprising: restart control means for controlling to execute the image forming process performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
For each image forming apparatus registered in advance, whether the image forming apparatus is in a state of detecting a disaster, whether the image forming apparatus is set as an evacuation site, and installed in the evacuation site In this case, it has a registration means for registering the maximum capacity of the shelter, the current number of evacuees and the current number of evacuated households,
The control means is based on the information on each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means registered in the registration means and the information on the remaining amount of consumables included in the status information of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that determines the number of copies of an image to be formed in an image forming process to be executed by each of the image forming apparatuses specified in (1). An information processing apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving an image forming process execution request for an image forming apparatus in a disaster occurrence area;
Identifying means for identifying an image forming apparatus that has detected a disaster out of image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the information processing apparatus;
Status acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means;
Executability determination means for determining whether each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute an image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means based on the status information;
Of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit is controlled to execute the image forming process, and the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means Control to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming process changed to the image forming process that can be executed by the image forming apparatus based on the state information acquired from the image forming apparatus that has been determined that the image forming process cannot be executed. Control means to
An information processing apparatus comprising: An image forming system comprising a first image forming apparatus and a plurality of second image forming apparatuses,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving an execution request for image forming processing for the second image forming apparatus in the disaster occurrence area;
Identifying means for identifying a second image forming apparatus that has detected a disaster out of the second image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the first image forming apparatus;
State acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the state of the second image forming apparatus from each of the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means;
Execution feasibility determining means for determining whether each of the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute an image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means based on the status information;
Of the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the second image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit is controlled to execute the image forming process, and is specified by the specifying means. An image forming process that has been changed to an image forming process that can be executed by the second image forming apparatus based on state information acquired from the second image forming apparatus that is determined to be unable to execute the image forming process. Control means for controlling the second image forming apparatus to execute
Each of the second image forming apparatuses is
Status transmitting means for transmitting the status information to the first image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to control by the control unit included in the first image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 9,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
A saving determination unit that determines whether or not each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying unit should save consumables based on the status information;
The control unit of the first image forming apparatus performs an image forming process to be executed by the second image forming apparatus determined to be saved by the saving determination unit among the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying unit. The image forming process is changed to an image forming process that consumes less consumables, and the changed image forming process is controlled to be executed by the second image forming apparatus determined to be saved by the saving determination unit. Image forming system. The image forming system according to claim 9 or 10,
The second image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit is a second image forming apparatus that operates in a state where a disaster is detected, among the second image forming apparatuses registered in advance in the first image forming apparatus. An image forming system. The image forming system according to claim 11,
Each of the second image forming apparatuses is
An acceleration sensor;
An image forming system comprising: determining that a disaster has been detected when the acceleration sensor detects a change in acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and notifying the first image forming apparatus to that effect. The image forming system according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
When the control unit of the first image forming apparatus determines that the second image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit cannot form an image to be formed by the image forming process based on the state information, the image The format of the image formed by the forming process is converted to an image format that can be formed by the second image forming apparatus that is determined to be unable to form the image, and the converted image is formed on the second image forming apparatus. An image forming system that controls to execute an image forming process. The image forming system according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
The control unit of the first image forming apparatus determines that an error that cannot execute the image forming process has occurred in the second image forming apparatus specified by the specifying unit based on the state information. 2. An image forming system that controls to execute an image forming process by periodically transmitting an instruction of the image forming process to an image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
When the control means is controlling the second image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means so as to execute the image forming process, the image forming process is performed from one second image forming apparatus among the second image forming apparatuses. An accepting means for accepting notification that processing cannot be completed;
The first image forming apparatus is configured to execute the image forming process that is controlled to be executed based on status information indicating a status of the one second image forming apparatus when a notification that the completion cannot be performed is received. The second image forming apparatus gives an instruction to execute the changed image forming process from the continuation of the already executed part of the image forming process that is controlled to be executed. Resumption control means for controlling to execute the image forming process changed by transmitting to
Each of the second image forming apparatuses is
When the image forming process being executed cannot be completed in accordance with the control by the control unit included in the first image forming apparatus, the fact and the extent to which the image forming process has been executed are indicated. An image forming system comprising a notification means for notifying to the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
When the control means is controlling the second image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means so as to execute the image forming process, the image forming process is performed from one second image forming apparatus among the second image forming apparatuses. A receiving means for receiving a notification that processing cannot be executed;
Instructing the second image forming apparatus to execute the image forming process from the part of the image forming process that has been executed periodically when the notification indicating that the execution cannot be performed is received. Resumption control means for controlling to execute the image forming process by transmitting
Each of the second image forming apparatuses is
When image formation cannot be executed during image formation processing according to control by the control means provided in the first image forming apparatus, the fact that the image formation processing has been executed and to what extent the image formation processing has been executed are described. An image forming system comprising notification means for notifying a forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 11 or 12,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
For each second image forming apparatus registered in advance, whether or not the second image forming apparatus is in a state of detecting a disaster, whether or not the second image forming apparatus is set as an evacuation site, and evacuation A registration means for registering the maximum number of people in the shelter, the current number of evacuees and the current number of evacuated households,
The control means of the first image forming apparatus includes information on each of the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means registered in the registration means and consumables included in the status information of the second image forming apparatus. An image forming system that determines the number of copies of an image to be formed in an image forming process to be executed by each of the second image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying unit, based on the remaining amount information. An image forming system comprising an information processing device and a plurality of image forming devices,
The information processing apparatus is
Receiving means for receiving an image forming process execution request for an image forming apparatus in a disaster occurrence area;
Identifying means for identifying an image forming apparatus that has detected a disaster out of image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the information processing apparatus;
Status acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means;
Executability determination means for determining whether each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute an image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means based on the status information;
Of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit is controlled to execute the image forming process, and the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means The image forming process is changed to an image forming process that can be executed by the image forming apparatus based on the state information acquired from the second image forming apparatus that is determined to be unable to execute the image forming process. And control means for controlling
Each of the image forming apparatuses is
Status transmitting means for transmitting the status information to the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to control by the control unit included in the information processing apparatus. Computer
Receiving means for receiving an image forming process execution request for an image forming apparatus in a disaster occurrence area;
Identifying means for identifying an image forming apparatus that has detected a disaster out of image forming apparatuses capable of communicating with the computer;
Status acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means;
Executability determination means for determining whether each of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means can execute an image forming process based on the execution request received by the receiving means based on the status information;
Of the image forming apparatuses specified by the specifying means, the image forming apparatus determined to be executable by the execution determination unit is controlled to execute the image forming process, and the image forming apparatus specified by the specifying means Control to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming process changed to the image forming process that can be executed by the image forming apparatus based on the state information acquired from the image forming apparatus that has been determined that the image forming process cannot be executed. A program for functioning as a control means.