JP2018128809A - Information processing system, information processing device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an execution delay of a processing instruction of a party concerned, when multiple processing instructions are input to an information processing device and adjustment to determine an information processing device that executes the multiple processing instructions, and when the party concerned who input the multiple processing instructions moves the processing instruction to the other information processing device, due to a processing instruction of a third party to be input to the other information processing device.SOLUTION: An adjustment processing unit 30 of an image processing system A executes adjustment processing when multiple jobs or a reservation job from multiple users (parties concerned) accepted by a job reception unit 26 indicate concurrent processing of the processing. A device state control unit 32 performs control to make the other image processing system that is a candidate to which the multiple jobs or the reservation job of the party concerned will be moved a priority use state that is a state in which the multiple jobs or the reservation job of the party concerned related to the adjustment processing are prioritized before the job or the reservation job of a third party that is a user other than the party concerned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing system that includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses and that receives a processing command from a user and executes processing is known. As an information processing system, for example, an image processing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses is known. In such an information processing system, it is general that a user can input a processing command to an arbitrary information processing apparatus. A plurality of processing instructions from the user can be input.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a case where another user uses the image forming apparatus in a state where a reservation is made for a job in an image forming apparatus. When the other user inputs the desired use time in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the desired use time is notified to the reservation person. An image forming system that allows a user to use the image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a printing system including a plurality of printers that distributes print jobs from one printer to another when the print jobs are concentrated on one printer.

JP 2012-194618 A JP 2006-309625 A

  In the information processing system as described above, a plurality of users from a plurality of users (hereinafter, a plurality of users who input processing instructions to the information processing apparatus are referred to as “parties”) for a certain information processing apparatus. When a plurality of processing instructions are input, the plurality of processing instructions input to the information processing apparatus perform processing in parallel (that is, the information processing apparatus executes processing related to the plurality of processing instructions simultaneously. Adjustment to determine which information processing device among a plurality of information processing devices included in the information processing system executes each processing instruction is performed. May be.

  As a result of the adjustment, it is conceivable that at least one of the parties causes another information processing apparatus to perform processing related to his processing instruction. However, if a third party who is a user other than the party inputs a processing instruction to the other information processing apparatus during the adjustment, at least one of the parties inputs his processing instruction to the other information processing apparatus. When the process is transferred to the apparatus, the execution of the process related to the process instruction of the party transferred to the other information processing apparatus is delayed by the process instruction of the third party.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses, and an adjustment for determining an information processing apparatus that inputs a plurality of processing instructions to a certain information processing apparatus and executes the plurality of processing instructions. When the party who has input the plurality of processing instructions moves the processing instruction to another information processing apparatus, the party's processing instruction of the third party input to the other information processing apparatus The purpose is to prevent execution delay of processing instructions.

  The present invention is an information processing system including a plurality of information processing devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of information processing devices is a plurality of information processing devices from a plurality of parties who are users. A processing command receiving unit that receives a processing command for the first information processing apparatus, and a plurality of processing commands from the plurality of parties are a parallel processing command group in which processing related to each processing command is performed in parallel In some cases, before the information processing device that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is determined, each of the plurality of information processing devices is included in the parallel processing instruction group. And a state control unit that controls the second information processing apparatus, which is a transfer destination candidate of the processing instruction, to be in a preferential use state of the party.

  Preferably, the preferential use state means that the processing instruction accepting unit receives the parallel processing instruction group and inputs the second information processing apparatus to a processing instruction of a third party other than the party. This is a state in which the processing instruction of the party is prioritized.

  Preferably, the state control unit selects the second information processing apparatus from the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a function of the information processing apparatus requested by each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group. .

  Preferably, the state control unit selects an information processing device within a predetermined distance from the first information processing device as the second information processing device from the plurality of information processing devices.

  Preferably, when at least one of the plurality of information processing devices receives a processing instruction for the second information processing device in the preferential use state from a third party other than the parties, In contrast, the information processing apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies that the second information processing apparatus is in the preferential use state.

  Preferably, the notification unit further notifies the third party of processing reservation statuses in the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  Preferably, the state control unit cancels the preferential use state of the second information processing apparatus after an information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is determined.

  Preferably, the state control unit releases the preferential use state of the second information processing device triggered by an operation on the second information processing device by a party who has transferred a processing instruction to the second information processing device. .

  In addition, the present invention provides a processing command receiving unit that receives a processing command for its own device from each of a plurality of parties who are users, and a plurality of processing commands from the plurality of parties in parallel. The parallel processing instruction group, the parallel processing instruction group is another information processing apparatus before the information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is determined. And a state control unit that controls the second information processing apparatus, which is a transfer destination candidate of each processing instruction, to be the preferential use state of the party.

  In addition, the present invention provides a processing command receiving unit that receives a processing command for its own device from each of a plurality of parties who are users, and a plurality of processing commands from the plurality of parties are related to each processing command. Is a parallel processing instruction group that is executed in parallel, before the information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is determined, An information processing program that causes a second information processing apparatus that is a transfer destination candidate of each processing instruction included in a group to function as a state control unit that performs control to set the priority use state of the party.

  According to the first, second, ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, in an information processing system including a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a plurality of processing instructions are input to a certain information processing apparatus and the plurality of processing instructions are executed. Input to the other information processing apparatus when the party who has input the plurality of processing instructions moves the processing instruction to the other information processing apparatus. It is possible to prevent the execution delay of the processing instruction of the party due to the processing instruction of the third party.

  According to the invention of claim 3, selecting the second information processing device to be preferentially used according to the function of the information processing device requested by the processing instruction input by the party to the first information processing device. Can do.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus within a predetermined distance from the first information processing apparatus can be put in a preferential use state.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a third party who has input a processing command to the second information processing apparatus in the preferential use state can grasp that the second information processing apparatus is currently in the preferential use state. .

  According to the invention of claim 6, a third party can grasp the processing reservation status in another information processing apparatus.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, after the adjustment between the parties is completed, the third party can use the second information processing apparatus that has been in the preferential use state.

  According to the invention of claim 8, after the adjustment between the parties is completed and before one of the parties moves to the second information processing device, the third party becomes the second information processing device. It is possible to prevent a processing instruction from being input.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing until adjustment processing is started in the image processing apparatus A. It is a figure which shows the example of local job information input. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on an image processing apparatus during an adjustment process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image processing system which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal C. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 10 as an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The image processing system 10 includes a user terminal group 12 used by a plurality of users (users) and an image processing apparatus group 14 as a plurality of information processing apparatuses. The user terminal group 12 and the image processing apparatus group 14 are communicably connected via a communication line 16 constituted by the Internet or a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network).

  In the image processing system 10, the user terminal group 12 is used as a remote UI (User Interface). Specifically, each image processing apparatus included in the image processing apparatus group 14 has a function as a web server, and an HTTP (HyperText Transfer) is executed from a web browser operating on each user terminal included in the user terminal group 12. Protocol) can log in and access the image processing apparatus. Thereby, the job reservation screen is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the user terminal. The user inputs job reservation information according to a job reservation screen displayed on the display unit of the user terminal. The job reservation information includes settings related to the job, reservation start time, reservation end time, and the like. The input job reservation information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus by HTTP. Thereby, the job from the user is reserved in the image processing apparatus. After the job is reserved, the user moves to the front of the image processing apparatus, and inputs an instruction to execute the reserved job through a user terminal or an operation unit (described later) of the image processing apparatus. As a result, processing related to the reserved job is executed. In this specification, a user who makes a job reservation using a user terminal (remote UI) is called a remote user.

  Of course, the user can input a job as a processing command to the image processing apparatus by directly performing an operation on the image processing apparatus regardless of the user terminal. Further, a job reservation as a processing command may be made by directly operating the image processing apparatus. The “processing instruction” in the present specification is a concept including a reserved job as well as a job to be executed immediately.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the user terminal will be described. Since the configuration of each user terminal included in the user terminal group 12 is the same, the user terminal A used by the user A will be described here as a representative. The user terminal A functions as a remote UI as described above, and is a terminal that can be carried by the user, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The user terminal A may be a stationary personal computer.

  The storage unit 12a includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 12a stores a program for operating each unit of the user terminal A, a processing result of a process executed on the user terminal A, and the like.

  The display unit 12b is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various screens.

  The operation unit 12c is configured to include, for example, a touch panel or buttons, and is used for inputting an instruction of the user A or job reservation information to the user terminal A.

  The communication unit 12 d is configured by, for example, a wired or wireless LAN module, a mobile phone line communication module, or the like, and communicates with the communication line 16. The user terminal A transmits / receives various information (data) to / from the image processing apparatus group 14 via the communication unit 12d by HTTP as described above.

  The control part 12e is comprised, for example from a microcomputer etc., and controls each part of the user terminal A according to the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 12a.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the image processing apparatus will be described. Note that the image processing apparatuses included in the image processing apparatus group 14 may have the same configuration, and therefore the image processing apparatus A will be described as a representative here. The image processing apparatus A may be an image forming apparatus. For example, the image processing apparatus A may be a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, or a fax function. In addition, an apparatus (for example, a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax transmitter) having a part of the above may be used. Further, in the image processing device group 14, a multi-function device, a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax transmitter, and the like may be mixed.

  The storage unit 14a is composed of, for example, a ROM, a RAM, or a hard disk. The storage unit 14a stores a program for operating each unit of the image processing apparatus A.

  The storage unit 14a stores a reservation list 20 that is a list of jobs reserved in the image processing apparatus A (reserved jobs). When job reservation information is transmitted from the user terminal group 12 to the image processing apparatus A, a record indicating a reservation job related to the job reservation information is added to the reservation list 20. In the record indicating the reserved job, the user ID for identifying the user who has reserved the reserved job, the user terminal ID for identifying the user terminal to which the job reservation information related to the reserved job is transmitted, and job setting information indicating the content of the job , Reservation start time information, reservation end time information, and the like. Note that the job reservation mode may be various. For example, the job reservation information does not include job setting information, and only the reservation period (reservation start time to reservation end time) is designated. It is also possible to make a reservation. When the process related to the reservation job is executed, the record indicating the reservation job is deleted from the reservation list 20.

  In addition, an adjusting flag register 22 is defined in the storage unit 14a. The in-adjustment flag register 22 is a register that can have an on / off (“1” / “0”) value. In the adjustment flag register 22, “1” is written while adjustment processing (described later) between a plurality of jobs or reserved jobs is executed in the image processing apparatus A, and “0” is displayed when the adjustment processing is completed. "Is written.

  Further, the storage unit 14 a stores an other device list 24 that is a list of image processing devices included in the image processing device group 14. The other device list 24 includes information regarding each image processing device in the image processing device group 14. For example, a device ID that uniquely identifies the device, a MAC address or an IP address of each image processing device, and the like are included. The other device list 24 may be created in advance by an administrator of the image processing system 10 and stored in the storage unit 14a.

  The storage unit 14a also stores web page data including HTML files or image files. The web page data is transmitted to the user terminal group 12 when the image processing apparatus A functions as a web server.

  The communication unit 14 b is configured by, for example, a wireless LAN or a wired LAN module, and communicates with the communication line 16. The image processing apparatus A transmits and receives various information (data) to and from the user terminal group 12 via the communication unit 14b. Further, the image processing apparatus A can be connected to a public line by the communication unit 14b. Thereby, the fax transmission function is exhibited in the image processing apparatus A.

  The display unit 14c is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. Various screens related to processing executed in the image processing apparatus A are displayed on the display unit 14c. As such a screen, for example, a job input screen for a user (local user) who inputs a job (or reservation job) directly to the image processing apparatus A to input a job (or reservation job), or an image 4 is a screen showing a list of reserved jobs reserved in the processing apparatus A.

  The operation unit 14d receives an operation input from a local user or a remote user, and includes, for example, a touch panel or a button. The operation unit 14d is for inputting an instruction from a local user or a remote user to the image processing apparatus A.

  The authentication unit 14e includes, for example, a card reader and is used when a user logs in to the image processing apparatus A. For example, the authentication unit 14e reads the user ID of the user from an ID card possessed by the user, and stores the read user ID in the storage unit 14a or a server (not shown) connected to be communicable from the image processing apparatus A. User login processing is performed by collating with the database. Alternatively, as an authentication method by the authentication unit 14e, the user may be requested to input a user ID and a password.

  The image forming unit 14f is a RIP processing unit that performs processing for developing image data designated in a print job that requires a print function into raster data, and the raster data that has been developed and an image read by an image reading unit 14g described later. An output unit that executes print processing for reproducing data on a print medium such as paper is configured. That is, a print function or a copy function is realized by the image forming unit 14f.

  The image reading unit 14g is configured by an image reading device or the like, and reads an image on a print medium such as paper and acquires it as image data. The image reading unit 14g implements a scan function or a copy function.

  The control unit 14h includes a microcomputer or a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit of the image processing apparatus A according to a program stored in the storage unit 14a. The control unit 14h includes a job reception unit 26 as a processing command reception unit, a reservation management unit 28, an adjustment processing unit 30, an apparatus state control unit 32 as a state control unit, and a notification control unit 34 as a notification unit. Also works. Hereinafter, these functions realized by the control unit 14h will be described.

  The job reception unit 26 receives a job or a reservation job from the user. More specifically, the job receiving unit 26 receives a plurality of jobs or job reservations for executing processing in the image processing apparatus A from a plurality of users. As described above, the job or job reservation may be transmitted from the user terminal (remote UI) or may be directly input by the operation unit 14d. If the received job can be executed, the job reception unit 26 performs control for executing the job. Further, when the job reception unit 26 receives a job reservation (job reservation information), the job reception unit 26 passes the job reservation information to the reservation management unit 28.

  When a job reservation is received from the user, that is, when job reservation information is received from the user, the reservation management unit 28 performs a process of adding a record to the reservation list 20 based on the job reservation information. In addition, when the process related to the reservation job is executed, the reservation management unit 28 performs a process of deleting the record indicating the reservation job from the reservation list 20. In the present embodiment, when a job is reserved in the image processing apparatus A, in principle, during the reservation period designated by the reserved job, the image processing apparatus by a user other than the user who reserved the job. Use of A is prohibited. In addition, it is also prohibited to reserve a new job by specifying a period that overlaps the reservation period specified by the reservation job as the reservation period. However, if the user who reserved the job permits the processing of the adjustment processing unit 30 described later, the use of the image processing apparatus A or the job reservation by another user during the reservation period is permitted.

  The adjustment processing unit 30 instructs the plurality of jobs or reservation jobs received by the job receiving unit 26 to perform the processes related to them in parallel, that is, the processes related to the image processing apparatus A Are executed at the same time, adjustment processing for determining an image processing apparatus that executes the plurality of jobs or reserved jobs as the parallel processing instruction group is executed.

  As a situation in which the adjustment process is executed, for example, in the image processing apparatus A, when a reserved user specifies a reservation period and reserves a job, another user specifies a period overlapping with the reservation period. There is a case where a use request for the image processing apparatus A is input. In the image processing apparatus A, when a record exists in the reservation list 20, that is, when a job is reserved in the image processing apparatus A, when a user other than the reserved user tries to log in to the image processing apparatus A, The adjustment processing unit 30 prompts the other user to input the expected processing time. Then, based on the input expected processing time, the current time, and the reservation period of the reserved job, the adjustment process is executed when the expected processing time of another user's job overlaps with the reservation period of the reserved job.

  In addition, as another situation in which the adjustment process is executed, for example, in the image processing apparatus A, when a reserved user specifies a reservation period and reserves a job, another user overlaps the reservation period. There is a case where a new job is reserved by specifying.

  Further, as another situation in which the adjustment process is executed, for example, while a certain user is using the image processing apparatus A, a reservation start time is set by another user from the remote UI to the image processing apparatus A. There is a case where a reservation job which is the latest (several tens of seconds or several minutes later) is input.

  Since the situation described above is merely an example, the present invention is not limited to the situation described above, and when a plurality of jobs or reserved jobs received by the job reception unit 26 are instructed to perform processing related to them in parallel. Adjustment processing is executed. The adjustment process is not limited to being performed between two users, and may be performed between three or more users. When it is determined that the adjustment process is to be executed, the adjustment processing unit 30 sets the value of the adjustment flag register 22 to “1”.

  As a specific content of the adjustment process, the adjustment processing unit 30 compares the user (previous user) who previously input the job or the reservation job to the image processing apparatus A (the user who input the job or the reservation job later) ( An inquiry is made as to whether or not the process relating to the subsequent user is permitted (that is, whether or not the process of the subsequent user may be performed before the process of the preceding user). For example, when the preceding user is a user who made a job reservation from a remote UI, the adjustment processing unit 30 displays inquiry information for displaying a screen including the above-described inquiry on the display unit 12b of the user terminal used by the user. Is transmitted to the user terminal. Based on the preceding user's answer to the inquiry returned from the user terminal, the adjustment processing unit 30 sets the job processing order or the reservation period of the reservation job in the image processing apparatus A. For example, if the preceding user rejects, the subsequent user's job is executed after the preceding user's reservation period, or the subsequent user's job is reserved, and the subsequent user's reservation job's reservation period is set as the preceding user's reservation job. Set after the reservation period. On the other hand, if the preceding user permits, the subsequent user's job is executed, or the reservation period of the subsequent user's reservation job is set before the reservation period of the preceding user's reservation job.

  Further, the adjustment processing unit 30 may set an adjustment processing time limit prior to the adjustment processing. The adjustment process deadline is a reply deadline for determining whether or not the preceding user allows the process of the subsequent user. The adjustment processing time limit may be determined in advance by an administrator of the image processing system 10 or may be determined by a party.

  Depending on the result of the adjustment process, at least one of the preceding user and the succeeding user may select to move his job or reserved job to another image processing apparatus included in the image processing apparatus group 14 and execute it.

  The adjustment process is completed when the result of the inquiry is input by the preceding user. When the adjustment process is completed, the adjustment processing unit 30 sets the value of the adjusting flag register 22 to “0”.

  When the adjustment processing is started by the adjustment processing unit 30, that is, when the value of the adjustment-in-progress flag register 22 is set to “1”, the device state control unit 32 includes other image processing devices included in the image processing device group 14. Is controlled to be used preferentially. The other image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus that is a transfer destination candidate for a job related to adjustment processing or a reserved job. Specifically, the device state control unit 32 transmits to the other image processing device a preferential use state signal for putting the other image processing device into a preferential use state. The control unit 14h of the other image processing apparatus sets its own apparatus in a preferential use state based on the received preferential use state signal.

  Here, the preferential use state refers to a job or a reservation job of a party that is a plurality of users who input a plurality of jobs or reservation jobs related to the adjustment process to a certain image processing apparatus, and a third person who is a user other than the party. This means a state in which priority is given over a job or a reservation job of a user (excluding a user who has already input a reservation job to another image processing apparatus when the priority use state is reached).

  Various variations are conceivable as the operation of the image processing apparatus in the preferential use state. In the image processing apparatus A as the first information processing apparatus, adjustment processing is performed between the reserved job of the user A and the job of the user B, and the second information processing apparatus is controlled by the apparatus state control unit 32 of the image processing apparatus A. The preferential use state will be described by taking as an example a case where the image processing apparatus B is set to the preferential use state. Here, the parties are user A and user B, and user D is a third party.

  The image processing apparatus B in the preferential use state may not accept any input of a job or a reservation job from the user D. Note that “input” of a job or reservation job from the user D is not only input of a job or reservation job by directly operating the image processing apparatus B, but also a job or reservation from the user terminal to the image processing apparatus B. This includes entering a job. In this case, only the user A or the user B can enter a new job or a reserved job for the image processing apparatus B in the preferential use state.

  In addition, although the job input from the user D is not accepted for the image processing apparatus B in the preferential use state, the job reservation may be accepted. In this case, the reservation period of the reservation job of the user D is set after completion of the execution of the job of the party or after the reservation period of the job reservation of the party. Note that the execution completion time of the job of the party can be grasped from the expected processing time input by the party in the adjustment process. In this case, information indicating the expected processing time of the party's job or the reservation period of the reservation job of the party is transmitted from the image processing apparatus A to the image processing apparatus B together with the priority use state signal.

  In any case, in the preferential use state, the job or reservation job of user A and user B is given priority over the job or reservation job of user D input to the image processing apparatus B. Specifically, the party job is set to run prior to the third party job or reservation job reservation period, and the party reservation job reservation period is set to It is set before the execution or reservation job reservation period.

  As a result, even if at least one of the parties moves his or her processing to another image processing apparatus as a result of the adjustment process, a third party can send a job or a reservation job to the other image processing apparatus during the adjustment process. , Or even if a job or reservation job is input, the party's job or reservation job is given priority. Therefore, a delay in processing related to the job of the party or the reservation job transferred to the other image processing apparatus due to the input of the job or reservation job from the third party is prevented.

  Note that a third party does not include a user (for example, user E) who has already entered a job reservation in the image processing apparatus B before the image processing apparatus B enters the preferential use state. Even in the usage state, the user E can use the image processing apparatus B as reserved.

  Further, the timing at which the apparatus state control unit 32 transmits the preferential use state signal to another image processing apparatus is the timing at which the value of the in-adjustment flag register 22 becomes “1” as in the present embodiment. Although it is desirable, the transmission timing of the preferential use state signal is determined by the image processing apparatus that executes the job related to the adjustment process or the reserved job after the value of the adjustment in progress flag register 22 becomes “1”. It may be until the adjustment process between the parties is completed (that is, until the value of the adjusting flag register 22 returns to “0”).

  As described above, when the adjustment processing is started by the adjustment processing unit 30, the device state control unit 32 puts another image processing device in a preferential use state. Of course, the apparatus state control unit 32 may put all of the image processing apparatuses other than the own apparatus included in the image processing apparatus group 14 into a preferential use state. That is, the priority use state signal may be transmitted to all the image processing devices included in the other device list 24. However, in an image processing apparatus in a preferential use state, the use of a third party is restricted. Therefore, when a large number of image processing apparatuses are put in a preferential use state, smooth use of the third party's image processing system 10 is hindered. There is a case.

  Therefore, the device state control unit 32 may place some image processing devices in the image processing device group 14 into a preferential use state.

  For example, the device state control unit 32 selects an image processing device to be set to the preferential use state from the image processing device group 14 based on the function of the image processing device requested by the job of the party involved in the adjustment processing or the reservation job. You may do it.

  In the image processing apparatus A, when the adjustment process is performed between three users, user A, user B, and user C, the apparatus state control unit 32 displays the jobs of the users A, user B, and user C who are parties. Alternatively, an image processing apparatus that can execute all of the reserved jobs may be selected from the image processing apparatus group 14, and the selected image processing apparatus may be put in a preferential use state. For example, the reserved job of user A is a copy job requesting duplex copying, the reserved job of user B is a copy job requesting duplex copying and stapling, and the job of user C is a scan job requesting scanning processing. In some cases, an image processing apparatus capable of double-sided copying, stapling, and scan processing may be set in a preferential use state. Note that the information indicating the function of each image processing device included in the image processing device group 14 may be included in the other device list 24, or other information from the image processing device A at the timing when the adjustment processing is started. Inquiries regarding whether or not a plurality of jobs or reservation jobs related to adjustment processing can be executed may be broadcast to the image processing apparatus and acquired.

  When only the image processing apparatuses that can execute all the functions requested by the job of the party or the reservation job are set in the priority use state, the number of image processing apparatuses that can be put in the priority use state in the image processing apparatus group 14 may be reduced. Conceivable. This can be particularly noticeable when a party's job requires a large number of functions or when the number of parties increases. On the other hand, some of the parties requested post-processing such as stapling or punching for a job or reserved job, but such post-processing is required to advance the processing start time by performing adjustment processing. There is a case where there is a person who wants to execute only other processing (print processing, copy processing, etc.) in another image processing apparatus because he / she performs the processing by himself / herself. Therefore, the apparatus state control unit 32 may exclude the post-processing included in the party job or the reservation job and place the image processing apparatus that can execute the remaining processing in the preferential use state.

  Alternatively, the apparatus state control unit 32 selects, from the image processing apparatus group 14, an image processing apparatus that can execute a common function required by the jobs or reservation jobs of the users A, B, and C who are parties. The selected image processing apparatus may be placed in a preferential use state. For example, the reserved job of user A is a copy job requesting double-sided copying, the reserved job of user B is a copy job requesting single-sided copying, and the job of user C is a copy job requesting copying and stapling. In this case, an image processing apparatus that can execute a copy process common to the three jobs and the reserved job may be set to the preferential use state.

  Alternatively, the device state control unit 32 selects, from the image processing device group 14, an image processing device that can execute the main function requested by the jobs or reservation jobs of the users A, B, and C who are parties. The selected image processing apparatus may be placed in a preferential use state. For example, the reserved job of user A is a copy job requesting duplex copying, the reserved job of user B is a copy job requesting duplex copying and stapling, and the job of user C is a scan job requesting scanning processing. In some cases, an image processing apparatus that can execute a copy process, which is a main function requested by the reserved jobs of the users A and B, and a scan process, which is the main function requested by the job of the user C, may be set as a priority use state.

  In addition, the device state control unit 32 selects an image processing device within a predetermined distance from the image processing device related to the adjustment process (here, the image processing device A) as an image processing device to be preferentially used. Also good. As described above, the image processing apparatus in the preferential use state is an image processing apparatus that is a candidate for a transfer destination of a party job or a reservation job. When a party transfers a job or a reservation job from the image processing apparatus A to another image processing apparatus, it is considered that the other image processing apparatus is often selected from the image processing apparatus A. Therefore, by setting the image processing apparatus within a predetermined distance from the image processing apparatus A to the preferential use state, only the image processing apparatus that is more likely to transfer a job or a reserved job to the party can be set to the preferential use state. .

  As a method for specifying an image processing device within a predetermined distance from the image processing device A, for example, the IP address of the image processing device A is compared with the IP address group included in the other device list 24, and the image processing device A Another image processing apparatus in the same network (for example, connected to the same router) may be specified as being within a predetermined distance from the image processing apparatus A. Although there is no direct relationship between the IP address and the installation position of the image processing apparatus, it is assumed that image processing apparatuses in the same network are often located at relatively close positions. Based on the IP address, an image processing device within a predetermined distance from the image processing device A can be specified. If the administrator of the image processing system 10 knows in advance that an image processing apparatus belonging to a different network from the image processing apparatus A is physically located in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus A, the management is performed. A person may manually register the image processing apparatus as being within a predetermined distance from the image processing apparatus A (that is, as a transmission destination of the preferential use state signal).

  Further, in the image processing apparatus A, a distance measuring unit that measures a distance from another image processing apparatus is provided, and an image processing apparatus that is within a predetermined distance from the image processing apparatus A based on a measurement result by the distance measuring unit. May be specified.

  As such a distance measuring means, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor provided in each image processing device included in the image processing device group 14 can be used. The image processing apparatus A acquires the position information detected by the GPS sensor together with the apparatus ID from each of the other image processing apparatuses at the timing when the value of the adjusting flag register 22 becomes “1”, and the acquired position information group And an image processing device within a predetermined distance from the image processing device A can be identified based on the comparison between the position information detected by the GPS sensor of the image processing device A.

  The apparatus state control unit 32 sets the other image processing apparatus to the preferential use state, determines the image processing apparatus that executes the job related to the adjustment process or the reservation job, and completes the adjustment process between the parties (that is, the adjustment process). After the value of the middle flag register becomes “0”), the preferential use state of the image processing apparatus set to the preferential use state is canceled. Specifically, the apparatus state control unit 32 transmits a priority use state release signal for releasing the priority use state to the other image processing apparatus that has transmitted the priority use state change signal. The control unit 14h of the other image processing device cancels the priority usage state of the own device based on the received priority usage state cancellation signal.

  When one of the parties decides to transfer his job or reserved job to another image processing apparatus (here, image processing apparatus B), immediately after the adjustment process is completed, If the preferential use state is canceled, a third party may input a job to the image processing apparatus B before the party moves to the image processing apparatus B. In such a case, the execution of the party job or the reservation job transferred to the image processing apparatus B may be delayed. Therefore, in order to prevent a third party from inputting a job to the image processing apparatus B before the party moves to the image processing apparatus B, the apparatus state control unit 32 of the image processing apparatus A has completed the adjustment process. In this case, the user ID of one of the parties is transmitted to the image processing apparatus B without transmitting the preferential use state release signal to the image processing apparatus B to which the job of the party or the reservation job is transferred. May be. Thereafter, in the image processing apparatus B, based on the received user ID, the priority use state may be canceled when one of the parties operates (for example, logs in) the image processing apparatus B as a trigger. Even in this case, the apparatus state control unit 32 of the image processing apparatus A does not transfer the job of the party or the reservation job to other image processing apparatuses at the timing when the adjustment process is completed. A priority use state cancellation signal may be transmitted. Information indicating the image processing apparatus to which the job of the party or the reservation job is transferred may be input to the image processing apparatus A by the party after the adjustment process.

  When the priority use state is canceled by using one of the parties operating the image processing apparatus B as a trigger, the time during which the image processing apparatus B is in the preferential use state becomes longer than the other image processing apparatuses. This has the advantage that the third party can eliminate the use of the third party, but the third party has a demerit that the time when the use of the image processing apparatus B can start can be delayed. Therefore, in this case, a process for further speeding up the processes of the parties in the image processing apparatus B may be performed. For example, a reserved print job input by the party to the image processing apparatus A is a print process that is executed after waiting for the party to input a processing start instruction to the image processing apparatus A after the reservation. However, when the reserved print job is transferred to the image processing apparatus B, the print processing may be performed as it is without waiting for the processing start instruction of the party concerned to the image processing apparatus B. If the security level of the reserved print job is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, or if there is a sheet in the output tray of the image processing apparatus B, the processing of the party of the reserved print job transferred to the image processing apparatus B is performed. Printing processing without waiting for a start instruction may be prohibited.

  When the adjustment processing time limit is provided by the adjustment processing unit 30, the device state control unit 32 transmits a priority use state release signal to another image processing device triggered by the arrival of the adjustment processing time limit. You may do it.

  When the image processing apparatus A is in the preferential use state, the notification control unit 34 notifies the third party of the image processing apparatus when a job or a reservation job is input from the third party to the image processing apparatus A. A notifies that A is currently in a preferential use state. If the third party is a remote user, the notification control unit 34 transmits a notification signal for displaying a notification screen to the user terminal used by the third party. If the third party is a local user, a notification screen is displayed on the display unit 14c of the image processing apparatus A. By receiving the notification, the third party can grasp that the image processing apparatus A is currently in the preferential use state, and based on this, for example, the third party job can be transferred to another image processing apparatus. Judgment can be made.

  In addition to the above notification, the notification control unit 34 may notify a third party of the job reservation status as the processing reservation status in another image processing apparatus. Reservation status in other image processing devices is obtained by sending a job reservation status inquiry to other image processing devices when a job or reservation job is received from a third party in the preferential use state. You can do it. A third party who is notified of the job reservation status in another image processing apparatus can reliably transfer his / her job to an image processing apparatus with fewer reservations.

  The outline of the configuration of the image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment is as described above. In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus A has the job reception unit 26, the reservation management unit 28, the adjustment processing unit 30, the device state control unit 32, and the notification control unit 34. The processing system 10 may include a server, and the server may include the above-described units. In this aspect, the user of the image processing system 10 inputs a job or a reservation job after specifying an execution destination image processing apparatus from the user terminal to the server. In addition, when a job is directly input to each image processing apparatus, the job reception unit of the server receives information on the job from each image processing apparatus. When the job reception unit of the server receives a plurality of jobs or reservation jobs that instruct a certain image processing apparatus (here, image processing apparatus A) to perform processing in parallel, As a result, the preferential use state signal is transmitted from the apparatus state control unit 32 of the server to another image processing apparatus other than the image processing apparatus A.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing of the image processing system 10 in the present embodiment will be described according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 as appropriate. Here, in the image processing apparatus A, an adjustment process is performed between the reserved jobs input by the users A and B who are parties, and the image processing apparatus B is set in the priority use state, and the priority use state is set. A flow of processing when a third party user D tries to reserve a job for the image processing apparatus B will be described.

  First, the flow of processing until the adjustment processing is started in the image processing apparatus A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the user A has already input a reservation job to the image processing apparatus A at the start time.

  In step S10, the user B who is a local user performs a login operation to the image processing apparatus A. Here, the user B entrusts the authentication unit 14e with an ID card storing his / her user ID. The authentication unit 14e reads the user ID stored in the ID card and recognizes that the operation from the user B has been started. However, at this time, the authentication unit 14e does not perform the login process for the user B.

  In step S12, the reservation management unit 28 determines whether or not a reservation job is registered in the image processing apparatus A. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a record in the reservation list 20. If there is no record in the reservation list 20, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the authentication unit 14e performs a login process for the user B based on the user ID of the user B read in step S10. Thereafter, the normal operation screen is displayed in step S16, and the user B inputs and executes his / her job by operating the normal operation screen.

  As described above, since the reservation job from the user A is registered in the reservation list 20 in the present embodiment, it is determined in step S12 that there is a reservation job, and the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the control unit 14h displays a job information input screen on the display unit 14c. The job information input screen is a screen for inputting information related to the user B and an expected processing time expected to be processed for the job of the user B.

  FIG. 3 shows a job information input screen 40 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, on the job information input screen 40, in addition to the current time and the contents of the reservation list 20 (that is, the reserved job list), an expected process for inputting the expected processing time of the user B's job. A time input box 42, a user ID input box 44 for inputting the user ID of the user B, and a determination button 46 for determining input information are included.

  In the user ID input box 44, the user ID read in step S10 may be automatically input. In addition, a screen for inputting user B job settings may be displayed in a form that can be switched from the job information input screen 40, and the user B may be allowed to input job settings. The job settings include the functions required by the job (print, copy, scan, fax, etc.) and detailed job settings (magnification, paper size, color / monochrome settings, etc. if the copy function is requested). It may be.

  When the decision button 46 is pressed by the user B, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S <b> 20, the reservation management unit 28 determines whether or not the job of the user B affects the reservation job based on the estimated job processing time input in step S <b> 18. For example, as shown in the job information input screen 40 of FIG. 3, the current time is 14:50, the estimated processing time of the user B job is 60 minutes, and the reservation period of the reserved job of the user A is 15:00. In the case of ˜15: 08, the processing time of the job of the user B and the reservation period of the reserved job of the user A interfere (overlap). In such a case, it is determined that the job of user B affects the reserved job.

  Returning to FIG. 2, if it is determined in step S20 that the job of user B does not affect the reserved job, the process proceeds to step S14, and the processes in and after step S14 are performed. If it is determined that the job of the user B affects the reserved job, the process proceeds to step S22. The adjustment processing by the adjustment processing unit 30 is started from step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the adjustment processing unit 30 refers to the reservation list 20 and identifies the user terminal that has input the reservation job determined to affect the job of the user B in step S <b> 20. Here, the user terminal A used by the user A is specified. Then, notification information for notifying the user terminal A that there is a job processing request from the user B and asking whether or not the user B's job interrupt processing is allowed is sent to the communication unit 14b. Send from. The notification information includes information indicating the user ID of user B and the expected processing time of the job of user B, which are input in step S18. Alternatively, when the user B job setting input is performed in step S18, the notification information may include the user B job setting information.

  The user terminal A that has received the notification information causes the display unit 12b to display a notification information screen. On the notification information screen, various information included in the notification information is displayed, and a button for inputting an instruction of the user A as to whether or not to allow the user B to process the job is displayed. For example, “allow” and “not allow” buttons are provided. Furthermore, a “reservation cancel” button for inputting an instruction to cancel the reservation job of user A is provided.

  At the same time, the control unit 14h of the image processing apparatus A causes the display unit 14c to display a screen indicating that the user A is currently notified about the job of the user B. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a message such as “Checking with reservation” is displayed on the display unit 14c. At the same time, a cancel button 48 for canceling the job processing request of the user B may be displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 2, immediately after the notification information is transmitted to the user terminal A in step S <b> 22, in step S <b> 24, the adjustment processing unit 30 sets the value of the adjusting flag register 22 to “1”.

  Adjustment processing is started in the image processing apparatus A in the above-described processing flow. Next, the flow of processing of the image processing system 10 after the adjustment processing is started in the image processing apparatus A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S30, as described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment processing unit 30 of the image processing apparatus A sets the value of the adjusting flag register 22 to “1”.

  In step S <b> 32, the device state control unit 32 of the image processing device A selects a preferential use state changing device that is an image processing device to be preferentially used from among the other image processing devices included in the image processing device group 14. . As described above, the priority use state changing device may be selected based on the contents of the job of the party or the reservation job, or an image processing device within a predetermined distance from the image processing device A may be selected. You may choose as Of course, all the image processing devices included in the image processing device group 14 may be selected as the priority use state changing device. Here, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus B is selected as the priority use state changing apparatus.

  In step S34, the apparatus state control unit 32 transmits a priority use state signal to the image processing apparatus B which is the preferential use state apparatus selected in step S32.

  In step S36, the control unit 14h of the image processing apparatus B that has received the preferential use state signal sets the image processing apparatus B to the preferential use state based on the preferential use state signal.

  In step S <b> 38, the user D who is a third party transmits a job reservation from the user terminal D to the image processing apparatus B.

  In step S40, the control unit 14h of the image processing apparatus B that has received the job reservation from the user D determines whether or not the own apparatus is in a preferential use state. If the image processing apparatus B is not in the preferential use state, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the job reception unit 26 of the image processing apparatus B receives a job reservation from the user D as usual, and the image processing apparatus B The reservation management unit 28 adds a record related to the reservation job of the user D to the reservation list 20 of the image processing apparatus B. Here, since the image processing apparatus B is in the preferential use state, the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the notification control unit 34 of the image processing apparatus B indicates the job reservation status (that is, the contents of the reservation list 20 of each image processing apparatus) to other image processing apparatuses included in the image processing apparatus group 14. The inquiry is broadcast and the job reservation status in another image processing apparatus is acquired.

  In step S46, the notification control unit 34 of the image processing apparatus B displays notification information for displaying a notification screen for notifying that the image processing apparatus B is currently in a preferential use state and the job reservation status of another image processing apparatus. Is transmitted to the user terminal D used by the user D.

  In step S48, the control unit 12e of the user terminal D that has received the notification information from the image processing apparatus B causes the display unit 12b to display a notification screen based on the notification information. FIG. 6 shows an example of a notification screen. The notification screen indicates that the image processing apparatus B is currently in the preferential use state, that the reservation time of the reservation job of the user D may be delayed, and the reservation status of jobs of other image processing apparatuses Has been.

  In addition, an OK button 50 and a reservation cancel button 52 are provided on the notification screen. When the user D determines that the process related to his / her reservation job may be later than the process of the party's job or the reservation job, the user D presses the OK button 50. Then, the image processing apparatus B is notified that the user D has pressed the OK button 50, and the reservation job for the user D is reserved in the image processing apparatus B. The reservation period is after the estimated execution time of the party job, or when the reservation period of the user D reservation job overlaps with the reservation period of the party reservation job, the reservation period of the user D reservation job is It is corrected to be after the reservation period of the reservation job.

  On the other hand, when the user D determines that the image processing apparatus other than the image processing apparatus B is to perform processing related to his / her reservation job, the user D presses the cancel button 54. Then, the image processing apparatus B is notified that the user D has pressed the cancel button 54, and the job reservation of the user D is canceled in the image processing apparatus B.

  Returning to FIG. 2, in step S50, the adjustment processing unit 30 of the image processing apparatus A determines whether or not the image processing apparatus that executes the reservation job of the user A who is a party and the job of the user B is determined. It is determined whether or not the adjustment process is completed. The adjustment processing unit 30 waits until the adjustment process is completed, and proceeds to step S52 when the adjustment process is completed.

  In step S52, the adjustment processing unit 30 of the image processing apparatus A sets the value of the adjusting flag register 22 to “0”.

  In step S <b> 54, the apparatus state control unit 32 transmits a priority use state release signal to the image processing apparatus B.

  In step S56, the control unit 14h of the image processing apparatus B that has received the priority usage state cancellation signal cancels the priority usage state of the image processing apparatus B based on the priority usage state cancellation signal.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  10 image processing system, 12 user terminal group, 14 image processing device group, 16 communication line, 20 reservation list, 22 adjusting flag register, 24 other device list, 26 job reception unit, 28 reservation management unit, 30 adjustment processing unit, 32 Device state control unit, 34 Notification control unit.

Claims (10)

An information processing system including a plurality of information processing devices,
At least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses is
A processing command receiving unit that receives a processing command for the first information processing device that is one of the plurality of information processing devices from each of the parties that are a plurality of users;
When the plurality of processing instructions from the plurality of parties is a parallel processing instruction group in which processing related to each processing instruction is performed in parallel, an information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group Before the determination, the second information processing apparatus that is one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses and is a transfer destination candidate for each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is set as the priority usage state of the party. A state control unit for performing control, and
An information processing system comprising: The preferential use state is a process of the party rather than a process instruction of a third party other than the party input to the second information processing apparatus after the processing instruction receiving unit receives the parallel processing instruction group. It is a state that gives priority to instructions.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The state control unit selects the second information processing apparatus from the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a function of the information processing apparatus requested by each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group;
The information processing system according to claim 1. The state control unit selects, as the second information processing device, an information processing device within a predetermined distance from the first information processing device among the plurality of information processing devices.
The information processing system according to claim 3. At least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses is
When a processing instruction for the second information processing apparatus in the preferential use state is received from a third party other than the party, the second information processing apparatus is in the preferential use state for the third party. A notification unit for notification,
The information processing system according to claim 1. The notification unit further notifies the third party of the processing reservation status in the plurality of information processing devices.
The information processing system according to claim 5. The state control unit releases the preferential use state of the second information processing device after an information processing device that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group is determined.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The state control unit releases the preferential use state of the second information processing apparatus, triggered by an operation on the second information processing apparatus by a party who has transferred a processing instruction to the second information processing apparatus.
The information processing system according to claim 7. A processing command receiving unit that receives processing commands for the device from each of a plurality of parties,
When the plurality of processing instructions from the plurality of parties is a parallel processing instruction group in which processing related to each processing instruction is performed in parallel, an information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group State control for controlling the second information processing apparatus, which is another information processing apparatus that is a transfer destination candidate of each processing instruction included in the group of parallel processing instructions, to be the preferential use state of the party before the determination And
An information processing apparatus comprising: Computer
A processing command receiving unit that receives processing commands for the device from each of a plurality of parties,
When the plurality of processing instructions from the plurality of parties is a parallel processing instruction group in which processing related to each processing instruction is performed in parallel, an information processing apparatus that executes each processing instruction included in the parallel processing instruction group State control for controlling the second information processing apparatus, which is another information processing apparatus that is a transfer destination candidate of each processing instruction included in the group of parallel processing instructions, to be the preferential use state of the party before the determination And
An information processing program that functions as a computer program.