JP2018051777A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent reduction in generation performance of preview image data even when a generation request of the preview image data conflicts with a printing request.SOLUTION: A provision unit 28 provides information on document data of an acquisition object to another image formation apparatus 10 when receiving an acquisition request of the document data from the other image formation apparatus 10. A preview image generation unit 26 generates preview image data of the document data. A control unit 24, in a case of receiving an acquisition request of the preview image data of the document data from the other image formation apparatus 10, executes any of first processing of generating preview image data by a preview image generation unit 26 to provide the preview image data to the other image formation apparatus 10 and second processing of providing the document data corresponding to the preview image data of the acquisition object to the other image formation apparatus 10 by the provision unit 28 in accordance with the load state of the other image formation apparatus 10 and the load state of the own apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  There are cases where printing is performed in cooperation with a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In this case, an image forming apparatus that performs printing acquires document data to be printed from another image forming apparatus and performs printing.

  In Patent Document 1, when data to be printed is stored in the own apparatus, the data is output to the printing unit. When the data is not stored in the own apparatus, the data is stored in an external image forming apparatus. An apparatus requesting acquisition is disclosed.

JP 2014-141058 A

  Incidentally, there are cases where preview image data of document data to be printed is generated before actual printing. In general, since the resources of an apparatus are limited, when a request for generating preview image data and a print request compete with each other in the same apparatus, the processing capacity of the apparatus (for example, the ability to generate preview image data) decreases. There is. For example, image processing for printing (for example, processing including drawing processing for converting document data into printing data) is preferentially executed, and the generation capability of preview image data may be reduced accordingly.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent a decrease in the ability to generate preview image data even when a request for generating preview image data and a print request conflict.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a storage unit that receives and stores document data, and a providing unit that provides information about document data to be acquired to the external device when a document data acquisition request is received from the external device; When the generation unit that generates the preview image data of the document data and the acquisition request of the preview image data of the document data are received from the external device, the acquisition target is determined according to the load status of the external device and the load status of the own device. A first process for generating the preview image data by the generating unit and providing the preview image data to the external apparatus, or a second process for providing the document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired to the external apparatus by the providing unit; And an information processing apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the load situation is an image processing situation including a preview image data generation process and a process of converting document data into print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein either the first process or the second process is executed in accordance with a processing state and an image processing state in the own apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit executes the first process when the load of the own device is smaller than the load of the external device, and the load of the own device is larger than the load of the external device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second process is executed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the generation unit receives document data, the generation unit generates preview image data of a specific page included in the document data, and the control unit receives the document data from the external device. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an acquisition request for preview image data is received, the preview image data of the specific page is provided to the external apparatus. 5. It is.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the specific page is a first page of document data.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition means for acquiring information related to document data to be acquired from an external device in which the document data to be acquired is stored in response to an instruction to acquire the document data, and preview image data of the document data When receiving an instruction to obtain preview image data of document data, a preview image data to be obtained is obtained from the external device according to the load status of the own device and the load status of the external device. Control means for executing either of the first processing to perform or the second processing to acquire document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired from the external device, and the second processing is executed. In this case, the generation unit generates preview image data based on the document data acquired by executing the second process. It is a processing apparatus.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the load situation is an image processing situation including a generation process of preview image data and a process of converting document data into print data, and the control means performs image processing in the own apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein either the first process or the second process is executed in accordance with the status of the image processing and the status of the image processing in the external device.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means executes the first process when the load on the external device is smaller than the load on the own device, and the load on the external device is greater than the load on the own device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second process is executed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the computer receives a document data acquisition request from an external device, the computer controls the storage device to receive the document data and store it in the storage unit. Providing means for providing, generating means for generating preview image data of document data, and when receiving an acquisition request for preview image data of document data from the external device, depending on the load status of the external device and the load status of the own device The first processing for generating the preview image data to be acquired by the generation unit and providing the preview image data to the external device, or the document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired is provided to the external device by the providing unit. It is a program that functions as a control unit that executes any one of the second processes.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition unit for acquiring information relating to document data to be acquired from an external device in which the document data to be acquired is stored in response to an instruction to acquire the document data, and a preview of the document data When receiving an acquisition instruction of preview image data of document data, a generation unit that generates image data, obtains preview image data to be acquired from the external device according to the load status of the own device and the load status of the external device. The second process is executed by functioning as a control unit that executes either a first process to be acquired or a second process to acquire document data corresponding to preview image data to be acquired from the external device. The generating unit generates preview image data based on the document data acquired by executing the second process. It is a program characterized by.

  According to the first, second, sixth, seventh, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the ability to generate preview image data even when a request for generating preview image data and a print request conflict. It becomes possible.

  According to the third and eighth aspects of the invention, preview image data is generated by an apparatus with a smaller load.

  According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention, preview image data that is assumed to be requested for acquisition is provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a terminal device. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process by the image forming system which concerns on this embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming system as an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses (for example, image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N) and a terminal device 12. If there is no need to distinguish between the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N, these are referred to as “image forming apparatus 10”. The plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and the terminal apparatus 12 have a function of communicating with each other via a communication path N. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, one terminal device 12 is included in the image forming system, but a plurality of terminal devices 12 may be included in the image forming system. Of course, other devices may be included in the image forming system.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having an electrophotographic printing function, for example. Of course, the image forming apparatus 10 may be an apparatus having a printing function of a system other than the electrophotographic system. The image forming apparatus 10 may include at least one of a scan function, a copy function, and a facsimile function in addition to the print function. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other apparatuses. The image forming apparatus 10 has a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication and a wired communication function, and a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Yes. Of course, the image forming apparatus 10 may have a short-range wireless communication function such as NFC (Near field radio communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The terminal device 12 is a device such as a PC (personal computer), a tablet PC, a smartphone, or a mobile phone, and has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other devices. The terminal device 12 has, for example, a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication and a wired communication function, and a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the image forming apparatus 10 may have a short-range wireless communication function such as NFC or Bluetooth.

  The communication path N is a communication path realized by a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 12 may communicate with each other by the short-range wireless communication function.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, print data (for example, print job information) is transmitted from the terminal device 12 to any one of the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,. Print data is stored in the destination image forming apparatus 10.

  The print data includes document data to be printed, related information, and print instruction identification information (for example, a print job ID) for identifying the print data. The document data is, for example, text data including a character string, data including a character string and an image, image data, and the like. The document data is, for example, PDL data described in a page description language. When printing document data, image processing including decomposing processing is applied to PDL data as document data, whereby, for example, bitmap format data is generated, and printing is performed according to the bitmap format data.

  The related information includes, for example, image identification information (for example, document name and document ID) for identifying document data, information indicating the generation date and time of document data, and a user who has instructed storage of document data in the image forming apparatus 10. User identification information for identification (for example, user ID and name), printing condition information, and the like are included. In addition, information indicating the volume of document data, information indicating a data format, and the like may be included in the related information. The print condition information is information indicating the print condition of the document data. The printing condition information includes, for example, paper information, color printing information, layout information, and the like.

  When the user gives a print instruction at any one of the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N, the image forming apparatus 10 displays information related to the print data to be printed. Obtained from the forming apparatus 10 itself or from another image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 may acquire print data itself or document data to be printed as information related to the print data, or acquire related information included in the print data as information related to the print data. Also good.

  Further, in any of the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N, when the user gives an instruction to obtain preview image data of document data, the image forming apparatus 10 Image data is acquired from the image forming apparatus 10 itself or from another image forming apparatus 10.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The communication unit 14 is a communication interface, and has a function of transmitting data to another device and a function of receiving data from another device. The communication unit 14 has, for example, a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication and a wired communication function, and a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the communication unit 14 may have a short-range wireless communication function.

  The image forming unit 16 has a print function, and a document based on document data (the document is a document composed of a character string, a document including a character string and an image, an image, or the like) on a recording medium such as paper. Print on. Thereby, document data is formed on the recording medium. At the time of printing the document data, the image forming unit 16 converts the document data into print data, and performs printing according to the print data. For example, the image forming unit 16 generates bitmap format data as print data by applying image processing including decomposing processing to PDL data as document data as the conversion processing. Print according to map format data. The image forming unit 16 may include at least one of a scan function, a copy function, and a facsimile function in addition to the print function. By executing the scan function, the document is read and document data (scan data) is generated. By executing the copy function, the document is read and printed on the recording medium. By executing the facsimile function, the image data is transmitted or received by facsimile. A composite function combining a plurality of functions may be executed. For example, a scan transfer function that combines a scan function and a transmission function (transfer function) may be executed. By executing this scan transfer function, the original is read to generate print data, and the print data is transmitted to the transmission destination. Of course, this combination function is only an example, and another combination function may be executed.

  The storage unit 18 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory, and stores, for example, print data (for example, print job information), various control data, various programs, various data, and the like. Of course, they may be stored in different storage devices, or may be stored in the same storage device.

  A device list 20 is stored in the storage unit 18. The device list 20 is information indicating the group of image forming apparatuses 10 included in the image forming system. In the device list 20, for example, for each image forming apparatus 10, device identification information (for example, a device ID or device name) for identifying the image forming apparatus 10 and address information (for example, an IP address) of the image forming apparatus 10. Are associated with each other. Each image forming apparatus 10 updates the device list 20 by communicating with each other periodically or at an arbitrary timing, for example. For example, when a new image forming apparatus 10 is registered in the image forming system, another image forming apparatus 10 acquires device identification information and address information from the new image forming apparatus 10 and adds them to the device list 20. . The new image forming apparatus 10 acquires device identification information and address information from another image forming apparatus 10 and creates a device list 20. When the image forming apparatus 10 is excluded from the image forming system, the other image forming apparatuses 10 delete the device identification information and address information of the image forming apparatus 10 from the device list 20. Of course, the administrator or the like may update the device list 20 stored in each image forming apparatus 10 by manual operation. The device list 20 may be stored in a device such as a server. In this case, the device list 20 may not be stored in the image forming apparatus 10.

  The UI unit 22 is a user interface unit and includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. Of course, the UI unit 22 may be a user interface having both functions of a display unit and an operation unit (for example, a display as a touch panel, a display that electronically displays a keyboard, or the like).

  The control unit 24 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, when print data is transmitted from the terminal device 12, the control unit 24 stores the print data in the storage unit 18. The control unit 24 includes a preview image generation unit 26, a provision unit 28, an acquisition unit 30, and a display control unit 32.

  The preview image generation unit 26 has a function of generating preview image data representing a state before the document data included in the print data is printed. The preview image data is image data such as JPEG format.

  The providing unit 28 provides (sends) information related to print data (eg, related information or the print data itself) to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request in response to an acquisition request for information related to the print data. It has. The providing unit 28 also has a function of providing (transmitting) preview image data to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source in response to a request for acquiring preview image data.

  The acquisition unit 30 requests each image forming apparatus 10 registered in the device list 20 to acquire information related to print data stored in each image forming apparatus 10. It has a function to acquire information related to print data. For example, the acquisition unit 30 acquires related information included in each print data stored in each image forming apparatus 10 from each image forming apparatus 10. For example, when the user inputs user identification information using the operation unit of the UI unit 22, the acquisition unit 30 acquires related information including the user identification information from each image forming apparatus 10. The display control unit 32 causes the UI unit 22 to display a list of related information acquired by the acquisition unit 30. For example, document IDs and document names included in the related information are listed and displayed on the UI unit 22. When a user selects a specific document from the list (list), the acquisition unit 30 displays print data associated with the document ID selected by the user as an image in which the print data is stored. Obtained from the forming apparatus 10. The image forming unit 16 prints a document based on the document data included in the acquired print data on a sheet. When the print data associated with the document ID selected by the user is stored in its own image forming apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 30 acquires the print data from its own image forming apparatus 10.

  The acquisition unit 30 may acquire the print data itself as information related to the print data. For example, when the user inputs user identification information using the operation unit of the UI unit 22, the acquisition unit 30 forms print data associated with the user identification information and image formation in which the print data is stored. You may acquire from the apparatus 10. FIG. In this case, the display control unit 32 causes the UI unit 22 to display a list of document IDs and document names associated with the print data acquired by the acquisition unit 30. When a user selects a specific document from the list and gives a print instruction, the image forming unit 16 creates a document based on the document data included in the print data associated with the document ID selected by the user. On the paper.

  Further, the acquisition unit 30 requests the image forming apparatus 10 in which document data corresponding to the preview image data is stored in response to an instruction to acquire the preview image data to acquire the preview image data. A function of acquiring preview image data from the apparatus 10 is provided. For example, when a specific document is selected by a user from a list of document IDs or document names and an instruction to acquire preview image data is given by the user, the acquisition unit 30 receives the document ID selected by the user. Preview image data of the associated document data is acquired from the image forming apparatus 10 in which the document data is stored. The display control unit 32 causes the UI unit 22 to display the preview image data acquired by the acquisition unit 30. When the document data associated with the document ID selected by the user is stored in its own image forming apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 30 has its own image forming apparatus 10 (that is, its own image forming apparatus 10). The preview image data is acquired from the preview image generator 26) included in the image.

  When requesting the acquisition of preview image data to another image forming apparatus 10 as an external apparatus, the acquisition unit 30 includes the information indicating the acquisition request in its own apparatus (its own image forming apparatus) at the time of the acquisition request of the preview image data. The information indicating the acquisition request including the information indicating the load status (usage status) of 10) is transmitted to another image forming apparatus 10 in which document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired is stored.

  The information indicating the load status is, for example, information indicating the load on image processing (drawing processing) such as preview image data generation processing or decompression processing, that is, the usage status of the preview image generation unit 26 and the image forming unit 16. Includes information indicating the usage status of the part that performs the decomposing process. The load for the decomposing process includes a waiting state of a print job that requires the decomposing process, that is, a load for the decomposing process that is scheduled to be executed for the waiting print job. When the image processing is executed by a processor such as a CPU, the information indicating the load status includes information indicating the usage rate (load factor) of the processor.

  The display control unit 32 displays various information on the UI unit 22. As described above, the display control unit 32 causes the UI unit 22 to display a list of related information acquired by the acquisition unit 30 and a preview image.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, the load status of the image forming apparatus 10 that has requested acquisition of preview image data (the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source) and the image formation that has received the acquisition request for preview image data. The first process or the second process is executed depending on the load status of the apparatus 10 (the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination). In the first process, preview image data is generated by the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination, and the preview image data is provided to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source. In the second process, document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired is provided from the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, and based on the document data, Preview image data is generated by the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the following, processing when the apparatus is the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination (image forming apparatus 10 that has received the acquisition request for preview image data) will be described.

  When the control unit 24 of the acquisition request destination image forming apparatus 10 receives a preview image data acquisition request from another image forming apparatus 10 (acquisition request source image forming apparatus 10) as an external apparatus, the load of the own apparatus The first process or the second process is executed according to the situation and the load situation of the other image forming apparatus 10. In the first process, the control unit 24 causes the preview image generation unit 26 to generate preview image data, and causes the providing unit 28 to provide the preview image data to the other image forming apparatus 10. In the second process, the control unit 24 causes the providing unit 28 to provide the print data to the other image forming apparatus 10. In this case, preview image data is generated by the other image forming apparatus 10.

  As described above, the information indicating the acquisition request for preview image data includes information indicating the load status of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source. The control unit 24 performs the first process or the first processing or the load status of the acquisition request source image forming apparatus 10 indicated by the information and the load status of the own apparatus (the acquisition request destination image forming apparatus 10). The second process is executed.

  For example, when the load of the own apparatus (image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination) is smaller than the load of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source of the preview image data, the control unit 24 executes the first process and acquires the acquisition request. When the load on the apparatus is larger than the load on the original image forming apparatus 10, the second process is executed. The load is a load for image processing (rendering processing) such as preview image data generation processing and decompression processing. For example, when the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in its own apparatus is smaller than the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the first process. On the other hand, when the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in the own apparatus is larger than the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the second process.

  For example, when an acquisition request for preview image data is made, image processing (for example, preview image data generation processing or decompression processing) is executed in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, and image processing is executed in the own apparatus. If not, the control unit 24 executes the first process. In other words, the control unit 24 generates preview image data by using the preview image generation unit 26 included in the apparatus, and provides the preview image data to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source by the providing unit 28.

  On the other hand, when the preview image data acquisition request is made, if the image processing is not executed in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source and the image processing is executed in the own apparatus, the control unit 24 performs the second process. Execute. That is, the control unit 24 provides the print data to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source by the providing unit 28.

  When image processing is being executed in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source and the image processing is being executed in the own apparatus at the time of requesting acquisition of the preview image data, the control unit 24 performs image processing by each apparatus. The first process or the second process is executed according to the load (for example, the usage rate of the processor). For example, when the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in its own apparatus is lower than the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the first process. On the other hand, when the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in its own apparatus is higher than the usage rate of the processor that performs image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the second process.

  As another example, the control unit 24 may execute the first process or the second process according to the time (waiting time) required for the end of image processing by each device. The time required for the completion of the image processing is, for example, the time required for the completion of the preview image data generation process being executed, the time required for the completion of the decomposing process being executed, and the scheduled print job. And the total time required for the completion of the decomposing process. For example, when the time required for the end of the image tail process in the own apparatus is shorter than the time required for the end of the image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the first process. On the other hand, when the time required for the end of the image processing in the own apparatus is longer than the time required for the end of the image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the second process.

  As another example, the control unit 24 may execute the first process or the second process according to the volume of document data to be subjected to image processing by each device. The amount of document data to be subjected to image processing is, for example, the amount of document data to be subjected to preview image data generation processing being executed, and the amount of document data to be subject to decompression processing being executed. The total capacity of the document data to be subjected to the decomposing process scheduled to be executed for the waiting print job. For example, when the capacity of the document data subject to image processing in the own apparatus is smaller than the capacity of the document data subject to image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 The first process is executed. On the other hand, when the capacity of the document data subject to image processing in the own apparatus is larger than the capacity of the document data subject to image processing in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 The second process is executed.

  As another example, the control unit 24 executes the first process or the second process according to the number of times of image processing scheduled in each device (for example, the number of document data to be subjected to image processing). Also good. For example, when the number of image processes scheduled in the own apparatus is less than the number of image processes scheduled in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the first process. On the other hand, when the number of times of image processing scheduled in the self apparatus is larger than the number of times of image processing scheduled in the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the control unit 24 executes the second process.

  In the following, a process in the case where the own apparatus is the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source (an apparatus that has made an acquisition request for preview image data) will be described.

  When the control unit 24 of the acquisition request source image forming apparatus 10 requests the other image forming apparatus 10 (the acquisition request destination image forming apparatus 10) as an external apparatus to acquire the preview image data, A process corresponding to the first process or a process corresponding to the second process is executed according to the load condition and the load condition of the other image forming apparatus 10. In the first process, since the preview image data is generated by the other image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination, the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source acquires the preview image data from the other image forming apparatus 10. Get target preview image data. In the second process, the print data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired is provided from the other image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination. Therefore, the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source The preview image generation unit 26 generates preview image data based on the document data included in the print data.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the terminal device 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the terminal device 12.

  The communication unit 34 is a communication interface and has a function of transmitting data to other devices and a function of receiving data from other devices. The communication unit 34 has, for example, a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication and a wired communication function, and a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the communication unit 34 may have a short-range wireless communication function.

  The storage unit 36 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory, and stores, for example, various programs such as a printer driver, various data, and the like. Of course, they may be stored in different storage devices, or may be stored in the same storage device. The printer driver is a program having a function of controlling the image forming apparatus 10.

  The UI unit 40 and the user interface unit include a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. Of course, the UI unit 40 may be a user interface (for example, a display as a touch panel, a display that electronically displays a keyboard or the like) having both functions of a display unit and an operation unit.

  The control unit 42 controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 12. For example, the control unit 42 causes the UI unit 40 to display a list of the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N included in the image forming system.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of acquiring and printing document data stored in another image forming apparatus 10. Thereby, even if the document data is not stored in the image forming apparatus 10 that actually executes printing, the document data is printed by the image forming apparatus 10 used by the user. If document data is stored in any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 included in the image forming system, printing can be realized by any one of the image forming apparatuses 10.

  Hereinafter, the processing by the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the user uses the terminal device 12 to specify the document data to be printed and the printing conditions, and specifies the image forming apparatus 10 as the storage destination of the document data. For example, the UI unit 40 of the terminal device 12 displays a list of image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N included in the image forming system, and the user forms an image as a storage destination from the list. Specify the device 10. As an example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10B is designated as the storage destination. When the operation by the user is completed, the terminal device 12 transmits print data (for example, print job information) including document data to be printed and related information to the image forming apparatus 10B designated as the storage destination (S01).

  The image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B receives the print data transmitted from the terminal device 12. The print data is stored (stored) in the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10B (S02).

  In the image forming apparatus 10B, when the print data is stored in the storage unit 18, the preview image generation unit 26 generates preview image data for a specific page in the document data included in the print data (S03). . The preview image data is stored in the storage unit 18 in association with the print data. The specific page is, for example, the first page (one page) of the document data. By generating preview image data in advance, when a preview instruction is given, the preview image is displayed on the UI unit 22 more quickly than when preview image data is not generated in advance. In previewing, it is assumed that the preview image of the first page is confirmed by the user. In order to cope with this, preview image data for the first page is generated. Of course, the preview image generation unit 26 may generate preview image data for pages other than the first page without generating preview image data for the first page, or preview images for the first page and other pages. Data may be generated. As another example, when storing print data, the preview image generation unit 26 does not have to generate preview image data. For example, when image processing (for example, decompression processing) is performed on another document data by the image forming apparatus 10B when storing print data, the preview image generation unit 26 does not generate preview image data. Good. After the image processing for the other print data is completed, the preview image generation unit 26 may generate preview image data for a specific page.

  After giving the print data storage instruction, the user instructs printing using any of the image forming apparatuses 10A, 10B,..., 10N. For example, the user may use the image forming apparatus 10 that the user normally uses, may use the image forming apparatus 10 that is installed at a position closest to the user, or other images. The forming apparatus 10 may be used. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10A is used.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A, when the user instructs acquisition of a document list using the UI unit 22, the acquisition unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A sends a document list to each image forming apparatus 10 included in the device list 20. Information indicating the acquisition request is transmitted (S04). Each image forming apparatus 10 transmits a document list of print data stored in itself to the image forming apparatus 10A (S05). Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10A acquires the document list. The control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10A displays the document list on the UI unit 22 (S06). When print data is stored in the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A, the control unit 24 causes the UI unit 22 to display a document list of print data stored in the self-device.

  Note that the acquisition unit 30 may include information indicating the load status (usage status) of the own apparatus in the information indicating the acquisition request of the document list and transmitting the information indicating the acquisition request to each image forming apparatus 10. Good.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A, when the user inputs a user ID using the UI unit 22, the acquisition unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A accesses each image forming apparatus 10 included in the device list 20, and the user The related information including the ID is acquired from the image forming apparatus 10 that is the access destination. The control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10A causes the UI unit 22 to display a list of acquired related information as a document list. As a result, a document list for the document data stored by the user is displayed. For example, document IDs and the like of each document data are listed and displayed.

  When the user designates specific document data from the document list and gives a preview instruction using the UI unit 22 (S07), the acquisition unit 30 displays the image forming apparatus in which the specific document data is stored. 10, information indicating an acquisition request for preview image data of the specific document data is transmitted (S08). The information indicating the acquisition request includes the document ID of the specific document data. At this time, the acquisition unit 30 includes the information indicating the load request (usage status) of the own apparatus in the information indicating the acquisition request of the preview image data, and the specific document data stores the information indicating the acquisition request. Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. For example, when specific document data stored in the image forming apparatus 10B is designated and a preview is instructed, the acquisition unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10A issues a request for obtaining preview image data for the specific document data. The information shown is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10B.

  Note that the acquisition unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives device identification information indicating the image forming apparatus 10 that is the storage destination of each print data registered in the document list at the time of a document list acquisition request. Obtained from the forming apparatus 10. Thereby, in the image forming apparatus 10A, the image forming apparatus 10 as the storage destination of the document data is identified. When printing data is stored in the image forming apparatus 10, device identification information indicating the storage destination image forming apparatus 10 may be associated with the print data in the storage destination image forming apparatus 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 10B that has received the information indicating the acquisition request for the preview image data, the control unit 24 responds to the load status of the image forming apparatus 10A that is the acquisition request source and the load status of the image forming apparatus 10B that is the own apparatus. The process is executed (S09).

  When the load of the image forming apparatus 10B, which is its own apparatus, is smaller than the load of the image forming apparatus 10A from which the preview image data is requested, the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10B executes the first process. In the first process, the preview image generation unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 10B generates preview image data of specific document data designated by the user. At this time, the preview image generation unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 10B may generate preview image data of a specific page (for example, the first page), may generate preview image data of all pages, You may generate the preview image data of the page designated by the user. The page is specified, for example, when a preview image data acquisition request operation is performed. When the preview image data is generated, the providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the generated preview image data to the image forming apparatus 10A (S10). In the image forming apparatus 10A, the control unit 24 displays the preview image data generated by the image forming apparatus 10B on the UI unit 22 (S12).

  In step S03, when preview image data of a specific page (for example, the first page) is generated in advance by the image forming apparatus 10B, acquisition of preview image data for the specific page is requested. The providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the preview image data to the image forming apparatus 10A.

  On the other hand, when the load of the image forming apparatus 10B that is the self apparatus is larger than the load of the image forming apparatus 10A that is the request source of the preview image data, the control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10B executes the second process. In the second process, the providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits specific document data (for example, PDL data) designated by the user to the image forming apparatus 10A (S10). In the image forming apparatus 10A, the preview image generating unit 26 generates preview image data of the document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10B, and the control unit 24 displays the preview image data on the UI unit 22 (S11). ). The preview image generation unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 10A may generate preview image data for a specific page (for example, the first page), may generate preview image data for all pages, or may be designated by the user. Preview image data of the page that has been processed may be generated.

  In the image forming apparatus 10A, when the user designates a specific document from the document list and gives a print instruction using the UI unit 22, the acquisition unit 30 prints the print data designated by the user. Acquired from the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, the image forming apparatus 10B) in which data is stored. The image forming unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10A prints the document data after applying the decomposing process to the document data included in the print data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the preview image data is generated by the image forming apparatus 10 with a smaller load, so that a decrease in the generation capability of the preview image data is prevented. As a result, when the preview image data generation request and the print request conflict, the preview image data generation is performed as compared with the case where the preview image data generation process and the drawing process are executed by the same image forming apparatus 10. Time is shortened.

  In the above example, when only the preview image data of a specific page (for example, the first page) is generated by the image forming apparatus 10B and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10A, the user of the image forming apparatus 10A uses the UI. When the preview image data of a page other than a specific page (for example, the second and subsequent pages) is requested using the unit 22, the providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B generates a document for generating the preview image data. Data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10A. In this case, the preview image generation unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 10A generates preview image data for pages other than the specific page (for example, pages after the second page). Also in this case, the first process or the second process may be executed according to the load state of the image forming apparatus 10A as the acquisition request source and the load state of the image forming apparatus 10B as the request destination.

  In the present embodiment, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 request the same image forming apparatus 10 to acquire preview image data, the same process as described above is performed. In this case, for each image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source, the first process or the first process is performed according to the comparison result between the load state of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request destination and the load state of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request source. One of the two processes is executed. Thereby, the entire resources of the image forming system are effectively used.

  An image forming apparatus 10 (for example, the image forming apparatus 10N) other than the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, the image forming apparatus 10A) that is the acquisition request source of the preview image data and the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, the image forming apparatus 10B) that is the acquisition request destination. Preview image data may be generated. For example, when the acquisition request destination image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B receives an acquisition request for preview image data, the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B acquires information indicating the load status of the other image forming apparatus 10 from the other image forming apparatus 10. Of course, each image forming apparatus 10 may acquire information indicating the load status of the other image forming apparatus 10 from the other image forming apparatus 10 periodically or at an arbitrary time. When the load status of the image forming apparatus 10A as the acquisition request source is equal to or greater than the threshold (for example, the usage rate of the processor is equal to or greater than the threshold) and the load status of the image forming apparatus 10B as the acquisition request destination is also equal to or greater than the threshold. The providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the document data to the other image forming apparatus 10 and causes the other image forming apparatus 10 to generate preview image data. For example, when the load status of the image forming apparatus 10N is less than a threshold (for example, the usage rate of the processor is less than the threshold), the providing unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 10B that is the acquisition request destination transmits the document data to the image forming apparatus 10N. Then, information (for example, device identification information and address information) related to the image forming apparatus 10A as the acquisition request source is transmitted. In image forming apparatus 10N, preview image generation unit 26 generates preview image data of the document data, and transmits the preview image data to image forming apparatus 10A that is the acquisition request source.

  Each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 12 is realized by cooperation of hardware and software as an example. Specifically, each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal device 12 includes one or more processors such as a CPU (not shown). The function of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal device 12 is realized by the one or more processors reading and executing a program stored in a storage device (not shown). The program is stored in the storage device via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 12 may be realized by hardware resources such as a processor and an electronic circuit. In the realization, a device such as a memory may be used. As another example, each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 12 may be realized by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

  10A, 10B, 10N Image forming device, 12 terminal device, 20 device list, 24 control unit, 26 preview image generating unit, 28 providing unit, 30 acquiring unit, 32 display control unit.

Claims (10)

Storage means for receiving and storing document data;
Providing means for providing information related to document data to be acquired to the external device when a document data acquisition request is received from the external device;
Generating means for generating preview image data of document data;
When receiving an acquisition request for document image preview image data from the external device, the generation unit generates the preview image data to be acquired according to the load status of the external device and the load status of the own device, and Control means for executing either a first process to be provided to an external device or a second process to provide document data corresponding to preview image data to be acquired to the external device by the providing means;
An information processing apparatus. The load status is a status of image processing including preview image data generation processing and processing of converting document data into print data,
The control means executes either the first process or the second process according to the status of image processing in the external device and the status of image processing in the own device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The control means executes the first process when the load of the own apparatus is smaller than the load of the external apparatus, and executes the second process when the load of the own apparatus is larger than the load of the external apparatus. ,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The generation unit generates preview image data of a specific page included in the document data when the document data is received,
The control means, when receiving an acquisition request for preview image data of document data from the external device, provides preview image data of the specific page to the external device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The specific page is the first page of document data.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. An acquisition means for acquiring information related to the document data to be acquired from an external device in which the document data to be acquired is stored in response to an instruction to acquire the document data;
Generating means for generating preview image data of document data;
When receiving an instruction to acquire preview image data of document data, a first process of acquiring preview image data to be acquired from the external device according to a load status of the own device and a load status of the external device, or Control means for executing one of second processes for acquiring document data corresponding to preview image data to be acquired from the external device;
Have
When the second process is executed, the generation unit generates preview image data based on the document data acquired by the execution of the second process.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The load status is a status of image processing including preview image data generation processing and processing of converting document data into print data,
The control means executes either the first process or the second process according to the state of image processing in the own device and the state of image processing in the external device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. The control means executes the first process when the load of the external apparatus is smaller than the load of the own apparatus, and executes the second process when the load of the external apparatus is larger than the load of the own apparatus. ,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: Computer
Storage control means for receiving document data and storing it in the storage means;
Providing means for providing information related to document data to be acquired to the external device when a document data acquisition request is received from the external device;
Generating means for generating preview image data of document data;
When receiving an acquisition request for document image preview image data from the external device, the generation unit generates the preview image data to be acquired according to the load status of the external device and the load status of the own device, and Control means for executing either a first process provided to an external device or a second process of providing document data corresponding to preview image data to be acquired to the external device by the providing means;
Program to function as. Computer
An acquisition means for acquiring information related to the document data to be acquired from an external device in which the document data to be acquired is stored in response to an instruction to acquire the document data;
Generating means for generating preview image data of document data;
When receiving an instruction to acquire preview image data of document data, a first process of acquiring preview image data to be acquired from the external device according to a load status of the own device and a load status of the external device, or Control means for executing one of second processes for acquiring document data corresponding to the preview image data to be acquired from the external device;
Function as
When the second process is executed, the generation unit generates preview image data based on the document data acquired by the execution of the second process.
A program characterized by that.

Images