JP2020140367A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow the reduction of time which an operator requires to collect all of prints when the prints are generated by a plurality of image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises a host device, a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a portable terminal, and the host device and each of the image forming apparatuses are connected by a first communication network, and each of the image forming apparatuses and the portable terminal are connected by a second communication network. The system has a printing unit Pr2 for performing parallel printing by prescribed image forming apparatuses out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a parallel printing management unit Pr3 which calculates a movement time in which an operator moves across the prescribed image forming apparatuses, to determine allocation of the number of prints to each of the prescribed image forming apparatuses on the basis of the movement time. The operator can early start collection of prints and does not need to wait for printing of the last print in each of the prescribed image forming apparatuses, so that the time required for collection of all of the prints can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system.

Conventionally, after connecting a plurality of image forming devices such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a compound machine, for example, a copier and a printer via a network, and starting the production of a plurality of copies of a printed matter for one document by the copier. , An image forming system is provided in which an operator holds a mobile terminal over a printer so that the copier and the printer share the creation of printed matter in units of copies of the document and perform parallel printing (). For example, see Patent Document 1.).

In this case, the distribution of the number of copies to the copying machine and the printer is determined based on the processing capacity of the copying machine and the printer, for example, the number of clocks of the CPU of each control unit.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-173761

However, in the conventional image forming system, when the copier and the printer finish producing the printed matter at almost the same time, or the copier finishes creating the printed matter earlier than the printer creates the printed matter, the operator When the printed matter is collected in the order of the printer and the copying machine, the copying machine is left idle until the operator collects the printed matter of the copying machine.

In that case, the time required to collect all the printed matter produced by the copier and the printer becomes long.

The present invention solves the problem of the conventional image forming system, and when creating printed matter by a plurality of image forming apparatus, it is possible to shorten the time required for an operator to collect all printed matter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a capable image forming system.

Therefore, in the image forming system of the present invention, the upper device, the plurality of image forming devices, and the mobile terminal are composed of the upper device and each image forming device by the first communication network, and each image forming device and the mobile terminal are the first. It is connected by two communication networks.

Then, the printing unit that performs parallel printing by a predetermined image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices and the moving time for the operator to move between the predetermined image forming devices are calculated, and each predetermined moving time is calculated based on the moving time. It has a parallel print management unit that determines the distribution of the number of print copies of the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, in the image forming system, the upper device, a plurality of image forming devices, and a mobile terminal are composed of the upper device and each image forming device by the first communication network, and each image forming device and the mobile terminal are the first. It is connected by two communication networks.

Then, the printing unit that performs parallel printing by a predetermined image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices and the moving time for the operator to move between the predetermined image forming devices are calculated, and each predetermined moving time is calculated based on the moving time. It has a parallel print management unit that determines the distribution of the number of print copies of the image forming apparatus.

In this case, when the printing unit performs parallel printing with the predetermined image forming apparatus, the moving time for the operator to move between the predetermined image forming apparatus is calculated, and the printing of each predetermined image forming apparatus is performed based on the moving time. The distribution of the number of copies is decided.

Therefore, the operator can start collecting the printed matter early, and it is not necessary to wait for the final portion to be printed in each predetermined image forming apparatus, so that the time required for collecting all the printed matter is required. Can be shortened.

It is a control block diagram of the printer in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image formation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the job table in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the job table in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the sharing destination table in embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the printer in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the job reception processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the print processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the own printer when the operator holds the mobile terminal over the own printer in the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the job information notification processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the other printer when the operator holds the mobile terminal over the other printer in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the parallel print participation processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the own machine printer when the parallel print request is received from the other machine printer in the embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the sharing part number update reception part of the sharing destination printer in embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the operation of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the operation of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the menu screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st parallel printing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd parallel printing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 3rd parallel printing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 4th parallel printing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 5th parallel printing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st sequence diagram which shows the operation of the image formation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd sequence diagram which shows the operation of the image formation system in embodiment of this invention. This is a third sequence showing the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 4th sequence diagram which shows the operation of the image formation system in embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an image forming system formed by connecting a host computer as a host computer as a host device and a plurality of printers as an image forming device via a network will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is a host computer (personal computer) as a host device, Pti (i = 1, 2, 3) is a printer, and Nt1 is a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The host computer 11 and each printer. Ph, which is a network as a first communication network for connecting Pti, is a mobile terminal composed of a smartphone, and an image forming system Sy is formed by a host computer 11, a printer Pti, a network Mt, a mobile terminal Ph, and the like. In the present embodiment, 3 [units] of printers Pti are arranged, but 4 [units] or more can be arranged.

The printer Pti and the mobile terminal Ph are connected by, for example, a short-range wireless communication network Nt2 as a second communication network such as NFC (Near Field Communication). Therefore, the printer Pti is provided with the NFC interface Si (i = 1, 2, 3), which is an interface for short-range wireless communication, and the mobile terminal Ph is provided with the NFC interface Sn, which is an interface for short-range wireless communication. .. In order to perform short-range wireless communication between the printer Pti and the mobile terminal Ph, the operator needs to bring the NFC interface Sn of the mobile terminal Ph closer to the number [cm] of the NFC interface Si of the printer Pti. .. In the present embodiment, the approaching operation is expressed by the term "holding the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pti".

In the present embodiment, the LAN is used as the network Nt1, but the Internet or the like can be used instead of the LAN. Further, in the present embodiment, a smartphone is used as the mobile terminal Ph, but a smart device such as a tablet terminal can be used instead of the smartphone. Further, in the present embodiment, the printer Pti is used as the image forming apparatus, but a copier, a facsimile, a multifunction device, or the like can be used instead of the printer Pti.

The host computer 11 transmits a print request of a document recorded as a document file in a storage unit (not shown) of the host computer 11 to the printer Pti as a job (print job) including print data, the number of copies to be printed, and the like. When the printer Pti receives the job, it prints the required number of copies based on the print data.

Next, each printer Pti will be described.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, Pti is a printer, 21 is a control unit as a device control unit, 23 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a first device storage unit, and 24 is a second device storage unit composed of a non-volatile memory. Flash memory, 25 is a printer engine as a printing unit, 28 is an operation panel as an operation / display unit, 29 is a buzzer as a notification device, 31 is a NIC (Network Interface Card) as a first network connection unit, and Si is. The NFC interface, 33, is a Wi-Fi® interface as a second network connection. The control unit 21 is connected to the RAM 23, the printer engine 25, the operation panel 28 and the buzzer 29 via the system bus Bs1, and the flash memory 24, NIC31, NFC interface Si and Wi-Fi (via the system bus Bs2). Registered trademark) Connected to interface 33.

Further, the control unit 21 includes a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a third device storage unit, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) as a timing member, and the CPU is currently from the RTC. By acquiring the time and executing the program recorded in the ROM, the job receiving unit Pr1, the printing unit Pr2, the parallel printing management unit Pr3, the NFC communication unit Pr4 as the short-range wireless communication unit, the job information notification unit Pr5, Each process such as the parallel printing participating unit Pr6 and the shared number update reception unit Pr7 is performed.

The printer engine 25 forms an image on a paper (not shown) as a medium and prints the image based on the print data of the job transmitted from the host computer 11.

The operation panel 28 includes a display unit (not shown) including an LED screen or the like for displaying the status of the printer Pti, and an operation unit (not shown) including switches, keys, or the like for the operator to input an instruction to the printer Pti. Be prepared. When the operation panel 28 is formed by a touch panel, the display unit also functions as an operation unit.

The buzzer 29 gives a predetermined notification to the operator by outputting a notification sound.

The RAM 23 functions as a work area and a buffer when the control unit 21 executes each program, and temporarily records work data, image data, and the like. Further, the RAM 23 includes a job table Tb1, a sharing destination table Tb2, a job information notification time storage unit Me1 and the like.

The NIC 31 connects the printer Pti to the LAN cable when a wired LAN is used as the network Nt1.

The Wi-Fi® interface 33 connects the printer Pti to the Wi-Fi® when a wireless LAN, for example, Wi-Fi® is used as the network Nt1, and is IEEE. Wireless LAN communication is performed based on the standard (802.11 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.).

Further, in the control unit 21, the job receiving unit Pr1 receives a job from the host computer 11 via the NIC 31 and the network Nt1.

The printing unit Pr2 operates the printer engine 25 to perform printing. Further, the printing unit Pr2 performs parallel printing with a predetermined printer among the printers Pti, and in the present embodiment, the printers Pt1 to Pt3. For example, when the printer Pt1 is the own printer and the printers Pt2 and Pr3 are other printers, the own printer is a specific image forming device, that is, a specific image forming device, and receives a job from the host computer 11. The other printer is an image forming apparatus designated by the operator, that is, a designated image forming apparatus, and parallel printing is performed by the own printer and the other printer.

The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines the distribution of the number of copies to be printed in each printer Pt1 to Pt3 when parallel printing is performed by the own printer and another printer.

The NFC communication unit Pr4 performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal Ph via the NFC interfaces Si and Sn.

The job information notification unit Pr5 transmits the information of the own printer and the information about the job received by the printer from the host computer 11 to the mobile terminal Ph.

The parallel printing participation unit Pr6 performs parallel printing together with the printer of the other machine for the job received by the printer of the other machine from the host computer 11.

The shared copy number update reception unit Pr7 accepts a change in the number of printed copies shared by the own printer when the other printer performs parallel printing with the other printer for the job received from the host computer 11.

Further, in the RAM 23, information about a job received from the host computer 11 is recorded in the job table Tb1.

Then, in the sharing destination table Tb2, the number of copies to be shared by the sharing destination printer, which is the other machine printer, is recorded in the situation where the job is printed in parallel with the other machine printer.

Further, the job information notification time storage unit Me1 records the time when the information about the job is transmitted to the mobile terminal Ph by the job information notification unit Pr5.

The flash memory 24 includes a host name storage unit Me2, and a name for identifying each printer Pti on the network Nt1, that is, a host name is recorded in the host name storage unit Me2. The host name can be created with an arbitrary character string by the operator operating the operation panel 28. In the present embodiment, the host name of the printer Pt1 is set to "printer101", the host name of the printer Pt2 is set to "printer102", and the host name of the printer Pt3 is set to "printer103" in advance.

Next, the job table Tb1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of a job table according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of a job table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, Tb1 is a job table, and the owner host name is the host name of the printer that received the job from the host computer 11 (FIG. 2). For example, when the printer Pt1 receives a job from the host computer 11, "printer101" is recorded in the owner host name.

The job ID is an identification number (ID) for identifying the job, and when a job is received from the host computer 11, each printer Pti independently assigns and assigns a job ID. Although a job can be identified by a job ID in one printer, a job may not be identified by a job ID among a plurality of printers. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the owner host name. And the job ID are combined to identify the job.

The job name is the name of the job, and the job is transmitted from the host computer 11 to the printer Pti with the job name attached.

The print data of the job is recorded in the print data address.

The print time required Tp is the time required to print one [part] job.

The number of copies remaining Qs shared by the own machine is the number of remaining copies shared by the own printer when each printer Pti performs parallel printing with another printer.

Each job is recorded in each job table Tb1 as a one-line record.

In the present embodiment, the printer that receives the job from the host computer 11 is the owner printer of the job.

In the example of the job table Tb1 of FIG. 3, the job when the printer Pt1 receives from the host computer 11 and prints independently is recorded, and in the example of the job table Tb1 of FIG. 4, the printer Pt1 is the host. A job received from the computer 11 and performing parallel printing with the printer Pt2 is recorded.

Next, the sharing destination table Tb2 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sharing destination table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the sharing destination table Tb2, the job ID is an identification number for identifying the job.

The sharing destination host name is the host name of the sharing destination printer when performing parallel printing.

The moving time Tm is the time required for the operator to move between the own printer and the sharing destination printer when performing parallel printing.

The number of remaining copies of the sharing destination Qt is the number of remaining copies of the sharing destination printer when parallel printing is performed for the job.

In the sharing destination table Tb, the jobs of each sharing destination printer are recorded as one line of records.

In the sharing destination table Tb2 in the figure, each job when the printer Pt1 (FIG. 2) receives from the host computer 11 and performs parallel printing with the printers Pt2 and Pr3 is recorded.

The sharing destination table Tb2 is used only when the own printer is performing parallel printing as the owner printer, and in other situations, for example, when the own printer is printing independently, the own printer is used. Is not used when parallel printing is performed as a shared printer.

Next, the mobile terminal Ph will be described.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, Ph is a mobile terminal, 41 is a CPU as a terminal control unit, 43 is a RAM as a first terminal storage unit, 44 is a flash memory as a second terminal storage unit composed of a non-volatile memory, and 48 is. A touch panel as an operation / display unit, Sn is an NFC interface, and 53 is a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) interface as a network connection unit.

The CPU 41 is connected to the RAM 43 and the touch panel 48 via the system bus Bs3, and is connected to the flash memory 44, the NFC interface Sn, and the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) interface 53 via the system bus Bs4.

Further, the CPU 41 performs various processes by executing the program recorded in the flash memory 44.

The touch panel 48 functions as a display unit for displaying the state of the mobile terminal Ph (FIG. 2) and also functions as an operation unit for the operator to input an instruction to the mobile terminal Ph.

The RAM 43 functions as a work area and a buffer when the CPU 41 executes each program, and temporarily records work data and the like. Further, the RAM 43 includes a target job ID storage unit Me11 and a job owner host name storage unit Me12.

In the flash memory 44, in addition to recording a program executed by the CPU 41, an operating system OS, a printing application Ap, and the like are recorded.

The Wi-Fi (registered trademark) interface 53 connects a mobile terminal Ph to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) when a wireless LAN, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used as the network Nt1. Wireless LAN communication is performed based on the IEEE standard 802.11.

In the RAM 43, the job ID of the job to be parallel printed is recorded in the target job ID storage unit Me11, and the owner host name of the owner printer of the job to be parallel printed is recorded in the job owner host name storage unit Me12. To.

Further, in the flash memory 44, the operating system OS controls each hardware such as the RAM 43 of the mobile terminal Ph, and provides the print application Ap with access to the hardware.

The print application Ap is a program that provides an operator with means for using the printer Pti by the mobile terminal Ph, and includes a parallel print instruction unit Pr11 that is a program that instructs the printer Pti to perform parallel printing.

Next, the operation of the printer Pti will be described. In this case, the operation of the printer Pt1 when a job is received from the host computer 11 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a subroutine of job reception processing according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a subroutine of printing processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows.

When the power of the printer Pt1 (FIG. 2) is turned on, the control unit 21 (FIG. 1) has the job receiving unit Pr1, the printing unit Pr2, the parallel printing management unit Pr3, the NFC communication unit Pr4, and the job information notification unit Pr5. Start the parallel printing participation unit Pr6, the shared number update reception unit Pr7, and the like.

Then, the job receiving unit Pr1 performs a job receiving process.

In the job reception process, the job reception unit Pr1 waits for the job to be received, and when the job is transmitted, the job is spooled to the RAM 23.

Subsequently, the job receiving unit Pr1 calculates the printing required time Tp. In the present embodiment, the printing performance of the printer Pt1 is set to 20 [ppm] (pages per minute), and the result of simply dividing the number of job pages by the printing performance is defined as the printing required time Tp. For example, when the number of pages of a job is 20 [pages], the printing time required Tp is
Tp = 20/20
= 60 [seconds]
become.

Next, the job receiving unit Pr1 records information about the job in the job table Tb1. That is, the job receiving unit Pr1 records the host name “printer101” of the printer Pt1 as the owner host name, assigns and records the job ID, and records the calculated print time required Tp. When the job is received from the host computer 11, the printer Pt1 prints the entire number of copies because it is not instructed to perform parallel printing. Therefore, the number of printed copies of the job received from the host computer 11 is recorded as it is as the remaining number of copies Qs shared by the own machine.

When the information of another job is already recorded in the job table Tb1, the job receiving unit Pr1 adds the new job information to the end of the job table Tb1 and records it.

Next, the printing unit Pr2 performs a printing process, and prints the jobs whose information is recorded in the job table Tb1 in order from the beginning.

Therefore, the printing unit Pr2 waits for one or more jobs to be recorded in the job table Tb1, and when the job is recorded in the job table Tb1, the number of remaining copies of the first job in the job table Tb1 is shared by the machine. Decrement Qs.

Subsequently, the printing unit Pr2 determines whether or not the own printer is the owner printer of the job based on whether or not the owner host name of the first job and the host name of the own printer match. When the owner host name of the first job and the host name of the own printer match and the own printer is the owner printer of the job, the printing unit Pr2 describes the print data recorded in the print data address (not shown) of the RAM 23. 1 [Part] is printed.

If the owner host name of the first job and the host name of the own printer do not match and the own printer is not the owner printer of the job, the printing unit Pr2 sends a print start notification to the owner printer to print. Notify the start. The print start notification includes the job ID of the job.

Next, the printing unit Pr2 determines whether or not the number of remaining copies Qs shared by the own machine is 0 [parts], and if the number of remaining copies Qs shared by the own machine is not 0 [parts], repeats the printing operation and the remaining number of copies shared by the own machine. When the number of copies Qs is 0 [parts], the job is deleted from the job table Tb1. If there is a job in the second row of the job table Tb1, the job is advanced to the beginning, and the jobs in the third and subsequent rows are also advanced in the same manner.

Then, the printing unit Pr2 notifies the operator of the end of printing by displaying a printing end message on the display unit of the operation panel 28 or generating a predetermined notification sound by the buzzer 29.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described.
Step S1 The job receiving unit Pr1 performs the job receiving process.
Step S2 The printing unit Pr2 performs a printing process and ends the process.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 8 will be described.
Step S1-1 The job receiving unit Pr1 waits for the job to be received, and if the job is received, the process proceeds to step S1-2.
Step S1-2 The job receiving unit Pr1 spools the job to the RAM 23.
Step S1-3 The job receiving unit Pr1 calculates the print required time Tp.
Step S1-4 The job receiving unit Pr1 records the information about the job in the job table Tb1 and returns.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 9 will be described.
Step S2-1 The printing unit Pr2 waits for the job to be recorded, and if the job is recorded, proceeds to step S2-2.
Step S2-2 The printing unit Pr2 decrements the remaining number of copies Qs of the first job in the job table Tb1.
Step S2-3 The printing unit Pr2 determines whether or not the own printer is the owner printer. If the own printer is the owner printer, the process proceeds to step S2-5. If the own printer is not the owner printer, the process proceeds to step S2-4.
Step S2-4 The printing unit Pr2 notifies the owner printer of the start of printing.
Step S2-5 The printing unit Pr2 prints the print data.
Step S2-6 The printing unit Pr2 determines whether or not the number of remaining copies Qs shared by the own machine is 0 [parts]. If the number of remaining copies Qs shared by the own machine is 0 [parts], the process proceeds to step S2-7, and if the number of remaining copies Qs shared by the own machine is not 0 [parts], the process returns to step S2-2.
Step S2-7 The printing unit Pr2 deletes the job from the job table Tb1.
Step S2-8 The printing unit Pr2 notifies the end of printing and returns.

Next, the operation of the printer Pt1 when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1 which is the own printer while the printing process by the printing unit Pr2 is being performed will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the own printer when the operator holds the mobile terminal over the own printer in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a subroutine of job information notification processing in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows.

When the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph (FIG. 2) over the printer Pt1, the NFC communication unit Pr4 starts short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal Ph.

Then, the NFC communication unit Pr4 waits for receiving the job information request from the mobile terminal Ph.

When the job information request is received from the mobile terminal Ph, the job information notification unit Pr5 performs the job information notification process.

In the job information notification process, the job information notification unit Pr5 refers to the job table Tb1 and determines whether or not there is a job in the job table Tb1 in which the printer Pt1 is the owner printer.

When there is a job in the job table Tb1 in which the printer Pt1 is the owner printer, the job information notification unit Pr5 transmits the job ID and job name of the job and the host name of the printer Pt1 to the mobile terminal Ph as job information.

Further, the job information notification unit Pr5 records the time when the job information is transmitted to the mobile terminal Ph, that is, the job information notification time in the job information notification time storage unit Me1 of the RAM 23.

On the other hand, when there is no job in the job table Tb1 in which the printer Pt1 is the owner printer, the job information notification unit Pr5 sends a rejection response to the mobile terminal Ph and does not send job information.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described.
Step S11 The operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer.
Step S12 The NFC communication unit Pr4 waits for the job information request to be received, and if the job information request is received, the process proceeds to step S13.
Step S13 The job information notification unit Pr5 performs job information notification processing and ends the processing.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 11 will be described.
Step S13-1 The job information notification unit Pr5 determines whether or not there is a job whose own printer is the owner printer. If there is a job in which the own printer is the owner printer, the process proceeds to step S13-2. If there is no job in which the own printer is the owner printer, the process proceeds to step S13-4.
Step S13-2 The job information notification unit Pr5 transmits the job information to the mobile terminal Ph.
Step S13-3 The job information notification unit Pr5 records the job information notification time in the job information notification time storage unit Me1 and returns.
Step S13-4 The job information notification unit Pr5 transmits a rejection response to the mobile terminal Ph and returns.

By the way, in the present embodiment, when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printers Pt2 and Pr3 of other machines, parallel printing can be performed by the printers Pt1 and the printers Pt2 and Pr3.

Next, the operation of the printers Pt2 and Pr3 when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printers Pt2 and Pr3 which are other printers will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the other machine printer when the operator holds the mobile terminal over the other machine printer in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a subroutine of parallel printing participation processing in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows.

When the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printers Pt2 and Pr3, the NFC communication unit Pr4 of each printer Pt2 and Pr3 starts short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal Ph.

Then, the NFC communication unit Pr4 waits for receiving the parallel print participation instruction from the mobile terminal Ph.

When the NFC communication unit Pr4 receives the parallel print participation instruction from the mobile terminal Ph, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 of the printers Pt2 and Pr3 performs the parallel print participation process.

In the parallel print participation process, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 determines whether or not the print process by the print unit Pr2 is performed on the printers Pt2 and Pr3.

In this case, the parallel print participating unit Pr6 refers to the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23, and determines whether or not the printing process by the printing unit Pr2 is being performed depending on whether or not there is a job.

When the printing process by the printing unit Pr2 is being performed, the parallel printing participating unit Pr6 transmits a refusal response to the mobile terminal Ph to the effect that it does not participate in the parallel printing with the printer Pt1.

Further, when the printing process by the printing unit Pr2 is not performed, the parallel printing participating unit Pr6 transmits an acknowledgment to the printer Pt1 which is the owner printer via the network Nt1 in order to perform parallel printing.

Subsequently, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 determines whether or not a job has been received from the printer Pt1.

When the job is received from the printer Pt1, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 spools the job to the RAM 23.

Then, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 records the print data included in the job in the RAM 23, and records the information about the job in the job table Tb1. That is, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 records the host name “printer101” of the printer Pt1 as the owner host name in the job table Tb1, and records the job ID assigned by the printer Pt1 without assigning a job ID. , The job name of the received job is recorded, and the number of shared prints included in the received job is recorded as the number of copies Qs shared by the printers Pt2 and Pr3.

Next, the parallel printing participation unit Pr6 transmits an affirmative response to the mobile terminal Ph to perform parallel printing together with the printer Pt1.

On the other hand, when the job is not received from the printer Pt1, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 waits for receiving a refusal response from the printer Pt1 to the effect that the participation in the parallel print is rejected. Upon receiving the rejection response from the printer Pt1, the parallel print participation unit Pr6 transmits a rejection response to the mobile terminal Ph to the effect that it does not participate in the parallel printing with the printer Pt1.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 12 will be described.
Step S21 The operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the other printers Pt2 and Pt3.
Step S22 The NFC communication unit Pr4 waits for receiving the parallel print participation instruction, and if it receives the parallel print participation instruction, proceeds to step S23.
Step S23 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 performs the parallel print participation process and ends the process.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 13 will be described.
Step S23-1 The parallel printing participating unit Pr6 determines whether or not the printing process by the printer Pt2 is being performed. If the printing process by the printer Pt2 is performed, the process proceeds to step S23-2, and if the printing process by the printer Pt2 is not performed, the process proceeds to step S23-3.
Step S23-2 The parallel printing participating unit Pr6 transmits a rejection response to the mobile terminal Ph and returns.
Step S23-3 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 transmits an acknowledgment to the owner printer Pt1.
Step S23-4 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 determines whether or not the job has been received. If the job is received, the process proceeds to step S23-5, and if the job is not received, the process proceeds to step S23-8.
Step S23-5 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 spools the job to the RAM 23.
Step S23-6 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 records information about the job in the job table Tb1.
Step S23-7 The parallel printing participating unit Pr6 transmits an affirmative response to the mobile terminal Ph and returns.
Step S23-8 The parallel print participation unit Pr6 waits for the rejection response to be received from the printer Pt1, and if the rejection response is received from the printer Pt1, the process proceeds to step S23-9.
Step S23-9 The parallel printing participating unit Pr6 transmits a rejection response to the mobile terminal Ph and returns.

Next, the operation of the printer Pt1 when the parallel printing participating unit Pr6 of the printer Pt2, which is another printer, sends an affirmative response to the printer Pt1 while the printer Pt1 is printing independently will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the own printer when a parallel print request is received from another printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the printer Pt1, the parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not an acknowledgment has been received from another printer (printer Pt2).

When a positive response is received from the printer Pt2, the parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not the job corresponding to the job ID included in the positive response is in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23.

When the job corresponding to the job ID is in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23, the parallel print management unit Pr3 requires a movement time for the operator to move between the printer Pt1 and the new printer (printer Pt2). Calculate Tm.

In this case, the travel time Tm represents the time from when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1 to when it is held over the printer Pt2. Then, in the travel time Tm, the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1, and after the job information request is transmitted from the mobile terminal Ph to the printer Pt1, the mobile terminal Ph is held over the printer (printer Pt2) of another device. As a result, the job information notification time calculated when the parallel printing participation instruction is transmitted from the mobile terminal Ph to the printer (printer Pt2) of another device and recorded by the job information notification unit Pr5 in the job information notification time storage unit Me1 is τ1. Assuming that the time when the printer Pt1 receives a positive response from another printer (printer Pt2) is τ2, the travel time Tm is approximately.
Tm ≒ τ2-τ1 [seconds]
become.

Subsequently, the parallel print management unit Pr3 determines the distribution of the number of print copies of each of the printer Pt1 and the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2).

By the way, when printing is being performed on the printer Pt1, parallel printing is performed on the printers Pt1 and Pr2 in addition to the case where the parallel printing participating unit Pr6 of another printer (printer Pt2) sends a positive response to the printer Pt1. At the same time, the parallel print participating unit Pr6 of another printer (printer Pt3) may newly send a positive response to the printer Pt1.

Therefore, for convenience, when the own printer is set to P ₁ and the shared destination printers, which are other printers, are set to P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _n-1 , and P _n , the current shared destination is the own printer P _1. When parallel printing is being performed with a total of n [units] of printers P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _n-1 , and P _n combined, another printer is newly transferred to the own printer P ₁ . A method of allocating the number of copies to be printed when an affirmative response is transmitted, the sharing destination printer P _{n + 1} is added, and parallel printing is performed by a total of n + 1 [units] of printers will be described.

In this case, the total number of printed copies remaining when the shared destination printer P _{n + 1} is added, that is, the total number of remaining copies ΣQ is the own printer P ₁ and the shared destination printers P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _{n-. As} shared by ₁ , P _n , P _{n + 1} , and the operator is responsible for the printer P ₁ and the printer P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _n-1 , P _n , P _{n + 1.} In collecting the printed matter, the number of copies to be printed is distributed so that printing can be performed by a predetermined printer while moving between the printers.

Here, the movement time for the operator to move between the own printer P ₁ and the shared destination printer P _{n + 1} is Tm _{1 / n + 1,} and the operator himself _/ herself while the movement time Tm _{1 / n + 1} elapses. Assuming that the number of copies printed by the machine printer P ₁ and the sharing destination printers P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _n-1 , and P _n is Q _{1 / n + 1} , the number of copies Q _{1 / n + 1} is
Q _{1 / n + 1} = (Tm _{1 / n + 1} / Tp) × n
Therefore, Qt _{n + 1} determines the number of printed copies shared by the shared destination printer P _{n + 1} , that is, the number of shared copies remaining.
Qt _{n + 1} = (ΣQ−Q _{1 / n + 1} ) / (n + 1)
= (ΣQ- (Tm _{1 / n + 1} / Tp) × n) / (n + 1)
become.

Then, at this time, the remaining number of shared destination printers P _n is set to Qt _n , and the operator sets the movement time Tm _{n / n + 1} for the operator to move between the shared destination printers P _n and P _{n + 1.} Assuming that the number of copies printed by the printer P ₁ and the sharing destination printers P ₂ , P ₃ , ..., P _n-1 is Q _{n / n + 1} , the number of copies Q _{n / n + 1} is
Q _{n / n + 1} = (Tm _{n / n + 1} / Tp) × n
Therefore, the number of print copies shared by the share destination printer P _n , that is, the number of copies remaining in the share destination Qt _n is
Qt _n = Qt _{n + 1} + Q _{n / n + 1}
= Qt _{n + 1} + (Tm _{n / n + 1} / Tp) x n
become.

Then, the number of copies printed by the sharing destination printer P ₂ is set to Q _2, and the own printer P ₁ and the sharing destination printer P are set to the travel time Tm _2/3 in which the operator moves between the sharing destination printers P ₂ and P _3. Assuming that the number of printed copies printed by ₂ is Q _2/3 , the number of printed copies Q _2/3 is
Q _2/3 = (Tm _2/3 / Tp) × (3-1)
= (Tm _2/3 / Tp) x 2
Therefore, the number of print copies shared by the share destination printer P ₂ , that is, the number of copies remaining in the share destination Qt ₂ is
Qt ₂ = Qt ₃ + Q _2/3
= Qt ₃ + (Tm _2/3 / Tp)
become.

In addition, the number of remaining copies of the own printer shared by the own printer P ₁ is set to Qt _1, and the own printer P is set to the travel time Tm _1/2 when the operator moves between the own printer P ₁ and the shared destination printer P _2. Assuming that the number of copies printed by ₁ and the printer P ₂ of the sharing destination is Q _1/2 , the number of copies Q _1/2 is
Q _1/2 = (Tm _1/2 / Tp) x (2-1)
= (Tm _1/2 / Tp)
Therefore, the remaining number of copies Qt ₁ of the own machine shared by the own printer P ₁ is
Qt ₁ = Qt ₂ + Q ₁
become.

For example, when printing is being performed on the printer Pt1, when an affirmative response of another printer (printer Pt2) is transmitted to the printer Pt1 and parallel printing is performed by the printer Pt1 and the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2), sharing is performed. The remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the destination printer (printer Pt2) is
Qt ₂ = (ΣQ-Q _1/2 ) / 2
And the number of remaining copies of the aircraft Qt ₁ is
Qt ₁ = Qt ₂ + Q ₁
become.

In this case, in the parallel print management unit Pr3, when the other machine printer (printer Pt2) joins the parallel printing, the remaining number of copies Qt _{2 of} the other machine printer (printer Pt2) added is the number of remaining copies Qt _{1 of the} printer Pt1. Allocate the number of copies to be printed so as to be less. That is, the time when the printing of the remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the sharing destination ends in the printer (printer Pt2) is earlier than the time when the printing of the remaining number of copies Qt ₁ of the own machine ends in the printer Pt1 by the movement time Tm. , The number of printed copies is distributed.

Therefore, since printing is completed early in the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2), the operator can start collecting the printed matter of the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2) early. Further, when the operator moves to the printer Pt1 after collecting the printed matter of the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2), the printing is completed in the printer Pt1, so that it is not necessary to wait for the printing to be completed.

Subsequently, the parallel print management unit Pr3 updates the remaining number of copies Qt _{1 of the} own machine as the remaining number of copies Qs shared by the own machine and records it in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23.

Further, the parallel print management unit Pr3 updates the remaining number of shared copies Qt ₂ of the shared destination printer (printer Pt2) as the remaining number of shared destinations Qt, and records it in the shared destination table Tb2 of the RAM 23.

Then, the parallel print management unit Pr3 transmits a notification that the remaining number of shared copies Qt has been updated to the shared destination printer (printer Pt2), that is, a notification of updating the shared number of copies. The shared copy update notification includes the job ID of the job to be printed in parallel and the shared copy remaining number Qt of the shared destination printer (printer Pt2).

Subsequently, the parallel print management unit Pr3 records a new sharing destination printer (printer Pt2) in the sharing destination table Tb2 of the RAM 23.

Then, the parallel print management unit Pr3 transmits the job to the new sharing destination printer (printer Pt2).

On the other hand, when an acknowledgment is received from another printer (printer Pt2) and the job corresponding to the job ID included in the acknowledgment is not in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23, the parallel print management unit Pr3 is parallel to the printer Pt2. Send a rejection response to the effect that printing will not be performed.

If no positive response is received from the printer (printer Pt2) of another machine, the parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not the print start notification has been received from the shared destination printer that has already performed parallel printing.

In this case, since printing is performed independently by the printer Pt1, the printing start notification is not received from the sharing destination printer that has already performed parallel printing. However, for example, parallel printing is performed by the printers Pt1 and Pr2. If an affirmative response is newly sent from another printer (printer Pt3) to printer Pt1 during this period, 1 [part] is printed on the shared destination printer (printer Pt2) that is already performing parallel printing. A print start notification is transmitted from the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2) each time the printing is performed.

When the printing start notification is received from the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2), the parallel print management unit Pr3 decrements the remaining number of sharing destinations Qt ₂ of the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2).

Then, when the remaining number of shared copies Qt _{2 of} the shared destination printer (printer Pt2) becomes 0, the parallel print management unit Pr3 performs parallel printing by the printer Pt1 and the shared destination printer (printer Pt2) in the shared destination table Tb2 of the RAM 23. Delete the information of the job that is being printed, that is, the assignee information.

Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S31 The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not a positive response has been received from the printer Pt2 of another machine. If an acknowledgment is received from the other printer Pt2, the process proceeds to step S32, and if no acknowledgment is received from the other printer Pt2, the process proceeds to step S41.
Step S32 The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not the corresponding job is in the job table Tb1. If the corresponding job is in the job table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S33, and if the corresponding job is not in the job table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S40.
Step S33 The parallel print management unit Pr3 calculates the travel time Tm.
Step S34 The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines the distribution of the number of print copies of each of the printers Pt1 and Pt2.
Step S35 The parallel print management unit Pr3 updates the remaining number of copies Qs shared by the own machine.
Step S36 The parallel print management unit Pr3 updates the remaining number of copies Qt.
Step S37 The parallel print management unit Pr3 transmits a shared copy number update notification to the shared printer Pt2.
Step S38 The parallel print management unit Pr3 records the new sharing destination printer Pt2 in the sharing destination table Tb2.
Step S39 The parallel print management unit Pr3 transmits a job to the new assignee printer Pt2, and ends the process.
Step S40 The parallel print management unit Pr3 sends a rejection response to the sharing destination printer Pt2, and ends the process.
Step S41 The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not the print start notification has been received. If the print start notification is received, the process proceeds to step S42, and if the print start notification is not received, the process returns to step S31.
Step S42 The parallel print management unit Pr3 decrements the remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the share destination printer Pt2.
Step S43 The parallel print management unit Pr3 determines whether or not the number of remaining copies Qt ₂ of the sharing destination printer Pt2 is 0. If allocation destination remainder number Qt ₂ of sharing destination printer Pt2 is 0, the process proceeds to step S44, if the allocation destination remainder number Qt ₂ of sharing destination printers Pt2 is not 0, the process returns to step S31.
Step S44 The parallel print management unit Pr3 deletes the assignee information and ends the process.

Next, the operation of the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2) when the parallel print management unit Pr3 transmits the sharing number copy update notification to the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2) will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the shared number update reception unit of the shared destination printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the sharing destination printer (printer Pt2), the sharing number update reception unit Pr7 waits for receiving the sharing number update notification from the printer Pt1.

Upon receiving the shared number update notification, the shared number update reception unit Pr7 determines whether or not the job corresponding to the owner printer and the job ID included in the shared number update notification is in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23. When the job corresponding to the owner printer and the job ID is not in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23, the shared number update reception unit Pr7 waits for recording in the job table Tb1.

When the job corresponding to the owner printer and the job ID is in the job table Tb1 of the RAM 23, the remaining number of shared copies Qt included in the shared number of copies update notification is recorded in the job table Tb1 and the remaining number of shared copies Qs of the job is updated. ..

Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S51 The shared number of copies update reception unit Pr7 waits for receiving the shared number of copies update notification from the printer Pt1, and if the shared number of copies update notification is received, the process proceeds to step S52.
Step S52 The shared number of copies update reception unit Pr7 determines whether or not there is a job corresponding to the job table Tb1. If there is a corresponding job, the process proceeds to step S53, and if there is no corresponding job, the job waits for the job to be recorded in the job table Tb1.
Step S53 The shared copy number update reception unit Pr7 updates the shared remaining copy number Qs of the own machine, and ends the process.

Next, the operation of the mobile terminal Ph when the printer Pt1 and the printer Pt2 perform parallel printing will be described.

16 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is the second flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is the embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of a menu screen in the embodiment, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a first parallel printing screen in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is an example of a second parallel printing screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a third parallel printing screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth parallel printing screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 23. Is a diagram showing an example of a fifth parallel printing screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When the power of the mobile terminal Ph is turned on, the CPU 41 starts the operating system OS. Then, when the operator performs a predetermined operation on the touch panel 48, the operating system OS starts the printing application Ap.

Subsequently, the print application Ap forms the menu screen (main menu) ds1 shown in FIG. 18 on the touch panel 48, and on the menu screen ds1, the menu r1 of "print the file in the terminal" and "in the printer". Display the menu r2 of "Printing jobs in parallel".

When the operator selects the menu r1 of "Print the file in the terminal", the image file recorded in the RAM 43 of the mobile terminal Ph is specified via the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) interface 53 (FIG. 6) and the network Nt1. It is transmitted to the printer Pti of the above, and printing is performed by the printer Pti.

Further, when the operator selects the menu r2 of "Print jobs in the printer in parallel", the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 of the print application Ap forms the first parallel print screen ds2 shown in FIG. 19 on the touch panel 48. , A message m1 such as "Please hold the terminal over the NFC mark of the sharing source printer" is displayed on the first parallel printing screen ds2, and the printer Pt1 which is the owner printer of the job to be parallel printed is displayed. Encourage the operator to hold the mobile terminal Ph over.

When the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 waits for short-range wireless communication between the printer Pt1 and the mobile terminal Ph, and when the short-range wireless communication is performed, , A job information request is transmitted to the printer Pt1, a second parallel print screen ds3 shown in FIG. 20 is formed on the touch panel 48, and "job information is acquired" on the second parallel print screen ds3. Etc. message m2 is displayed.

Subsequently, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not job information has been received from the printer Pt1, and when the job information is not received from the printer Pt1 and a rejection response is received, an error screen (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 48. It is formed, and the error screen indicates that a job capable of parallel printing has not been found.

On the other hand, when the job information is received from the printer Pt1, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms the third parallel print screen ds4 shown in FIG. 21 on the touch panel 48, and the third parallel print screen ds4 is displayed on the third parallel print screen ds4. "Regular report material.doc" is printed in parallel. If you like, hold the terminal over the NFC mark of the printer you are sharing. A message m3 such as "" is displayed, and the operator is urged to hold the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt2 to participate in parallel printing.

When the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt2, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 waits for short-range wireless communication to be performed between the printer Pt2 and the mobile terminal Ph, and when the short-range wireless communication is performed. , The parallel printing participation instruction is transmitted to the printer Pt2, the fourth parallel printing screen ds5 shown in FIG. 22 is formed on the touch panel 48, and the fourth parallel printing screen ds5 is instructed to perform parallel printing. Message m4 is displayed.

Next, the parallel printing instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not an affirmative response has been received from the printer Pt2, and if the affirmative response is not received from the printer Pt2 and a rejection response is received, an error screen (not shown) is formed on the touch panel 48. Then, the error screen indicates that parallel printing was not possible.

Then, when an affirmative response is received from the printer Pt2, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms the fifth parallel print screen ds6 shown in FIG. 23 on the touch panel 48, and the fifth parallel print screen ds6 is displayed as " Parallel printing has started. If you want other printers to print, continue to hold the terminal over the NFC mark of the target printer. ”, Etc. is displayed, and another printer, for example, printer Pt3 If you want to participate in parallel printing, urge the operator to hold the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt3. Further, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 displays the "end" button bt1 on the fifth parallel print screen ds6.

When the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt3, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not short-range wireless communication has been performed between the printer Pt3 and the mobile terminal Ph, and the short-range wireless communication is performed. If this happens, a parallel print participation instruction is transmitted to the printer Pt3.

When the operator does not hold the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt3 and short-range wireless communication is not performed, the parallel print instruction unit Pr11 causes the operator to press the "end" button bt1 on the fifth parallel print screen ds6. When the operator presses the "Exit" button bt1 while waiting for the above, the operating system OS terminates the print application App.

Next, the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 will be described.
Step S61 The print application Ap forms the menu screen ds1 on the touch panel 48.
Step S62 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 waits for short-range wireless communication to be performed, and if short-range wireless communication is performed, proceeds to step S63.
Step S63 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 transmits a job information request.
Step S64 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not the job information has been received. If the job information is received, the process proceeds to step S66, and if the job information is not received, the process proceeds to step S65.
Step S65 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms an error screen on the touch panel 48, and ends the process.
Step S66 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms a third parallel print screen ds4 on the touch panel 48.
Step S67 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 waits for short-range wireless communication to be performed, and if short-range wireless communication is performed, proceeds to step S68.
Step S68 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 transmits the parallel print participation instruction to the printer Pt2.
Step S69 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not an acknowledgment has been received from the printer Pt2. If an acknowledgment is received from the printer Pt2, the process proceeds to step S71, and if no acknowledgment is received from the printer Pt2, the process proceeds to step S70.
Step S70 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms an error screen on the touch panel 48, and ends the process.
Step S71 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 forms a fifth parallel print screen ds6 on the touch panel 48.
Step S72 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 determines whether or not short-range wireless communication has been performed. If short-range wireless communication is performed, the process returns to step S68, and if short-range wireless communication is not performed, the process proceeds to step S73.
Step S73 The parallel print instruction unit Pr11 waits for the operator to press the "end" button bt1, and ends the process when the operator presses the "end" button bt1.

Next, the operation of the image forming system Sy when the job received by the printer Pt1 from the host computer 11 is shared by the printers Pt1 to Pt3 and parallel printing is performed will be described.

FIG. 24 is a first sequence diagram showing the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 25 is a second sequence diagram showing the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A third sequence showing the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a fourth sequence diagram showing the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the first sequence diagram, the use case in which the printer Pt1 prints the job received from the host computer 11 and the operator select the parallel printing menu on the mobile terminal Ph and hold the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1. The second sequence diagram shows the use case when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph2 over the printer Pt2, and the third sequence diagram shows the use case when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph2 over the printer Pt3. The use case when holding it up is shown, and the fourth sequence diagram shows the use case when the operator collects the printed matter.

When the operator selects a predetermined file from the files recorded in the memory or the like on the host computer 11 and performs an operation to start printing, the host computer 11 transmits a job to the printer Pt1. At this time, the job includes the number of pages and the number of prints of the job, and the number of pages is 20 [pages] and the number of prints is 31 [copies].

Upon receiving the job, the printer Pt1 calculates the print required time Tp, assigns the job ID, and sets it to "1001". Assuming that the printing performance of the printer Pt1 is 20 [ppm], the number of pages of the job is 20 [pages], so the required printing time Tp is 60 [seconds]. Subsequently, the printer Pt1 starts printing one by one.

On the other hand, the operator starts the printing application Ap on the mobile terminal Ph, selects the menu r2 of "Print jobs in the printer in parallel" on the menu screen ds1 (FIG. 18), and holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1. Then, the mobile terminal Ph transmits the job information request to the printer Pt1.

Then, upon receiving the job information request, the printer Pt1 transmits the job information of the host name (“printer101”), the job ID (“1001”), and the job name (“regular report material.doc”) to the mobile terminal Ph. It is transmitted and the job information notification time is recorded in the job information notification time storage unit Me1.

Subsequently, when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt2 after 60 [seconds] have elapsed after holding the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1, the mobile terminal Ph transmits a parallel print participation instruction to the printer Pt2. .. The parallel print participation instruction includes the owner host name of the job (“printer101”) and the job ID of the job (“1001”).

Upon receiving the parallel print participation instruction, the printer Pt2 sends an acknowledgment to the printer Pt1. The acknowledgment includes the job ID (“1001”) of the job.

Upon receiving the acknowledgment, the printer Pt1 calculates the travel time Tm with and from the printer Pt2, which is the source of the acknowledgment. In this case, the travel time Tm is the time from when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt1 until the mobile terminal Ph is held over the printer Pt2.
Tm = 60 [seconds]
become.

Subsequently, the printer Pt1 determines the distribution of the number of copies to be printed. At this point, 2 [parts] have already been printed, the total remaining number of copies ΣQ is 29 [parts], and the movement time Tm for the operator to move from the printer Pt1 to the printer Pt2 is
Tm = 60 [seconds]
The printing time Tp of the printer Pr1 is
Tp = 60 [seconds]
Therefore, while the operator moves from the printer Pr1 to the printer Pt2, a total of 1 [unit] of printers Pr1 prints 1 [part]. Then, if the number of print copies printed by the printer Pr1 is Q _1/2 while the operator moves from the printer Pr1 to the printer Pt2, the number of print copies Q1 _{/ 2} becomes 1 [copies].

Therefore, the remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the printer Pt2 is
Qt ₂ = (ΣQ-Q _1/2 ) / 2
= (29-1) / 2
= 14 [Part]
Therefore, the remaining number of copies Qt ₁ of the printer Pt1 is
Qt ₁ = Qt ₂ + Q _1/2
= 14 + 1
= 15 [Part]
become.

Next, the printer Pt1 updates the remaining number Qt ₁ of its own machine as the remaining number of copies Qs shared by its own machine and records it in the job table Tb1. Further, an area corresponding to the printer Pt2 is added to the sharing destination table Tb2, and the remaining number of sharing destinations Qt ₂ is recorded. Further, the job is transmitted to the printer Pt2.

Subsequently, the printer Pt1 prints 1 [copy] at a time, the printer Pt2 receives the job and prints 1 [copy] at a time, and each time the printer Pt1 prints 1 [copy], the printer Pt1 sends a print start notification. Send to.

Then, when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt3 after another 60 [seconds] have elapsed after holding the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt2, the mobile terminal Ph transmits a parallel print participation instruction to the printer Pt3. .. The parallel print participation instruction includes the owner host name of the job (“printer101”) and the job ID of the job (“1001”).

Upon receiving the parallel print participation instruction, the printer Pt3 transmits an acknowledgment to the printer Pt1. The acknowledgment includes the job ID (“1001”) of the job.

Then, upon receiving the acknowledgment, the printer Pt1 calculates the travel time Tm with and from the printer Pt3, which is the source of the acknowledgment. The travel time Tm is the time from when the operator holds the mobile terminal Ph over the printer Pt2 until the mobile terminal Ph is held over the printer Pt3.
Tm = 60 [seconds]
become.

Subsequently, the printer Pt1 determines the distribution of the number of copies to be printed. At this point, 4 [parts] have already been printed, the total number of remaining copies ΣQ is 27 [parts], and parallel printing is being performed with a total of 2 [units] of printers, so a total of 3 [units] When parallel printing is performed by the printer, the remaining number of copies Qt ₃ of the printer Pt3 becomes
Qt ₃ = (ΣQ-Q _1/3 ) / 3
= (27-3) / 3
= 8 [Part]
The number of copies Qt ₂ of the printer Pt2 is
Qt ₂ = Qt ₃ + Q _2/3
= 8 + 1
= 9 [Part]
Therefore, the remaining number of copies Qt ₁ of the printer Pt1 is
Qt ₁ = Qt ₂ + Q _1/2
= 9 + 1
= 10 [Part]
become.

Next, the printer Pt1 updates the remaining number Qt ₁ of its own machine as the remaining number of copies Qs shared by its own machine and records it in the job table Tb1. Further, an area corresponding to the printer Pt3 is added to the sharing destination table Tb2, and the remaining number of sharing destinations Qt ₃ is recorded. Further, the shared number of copies update notification is transmitted to the printer Pt2, and the job is transmitted to the printer Pt3.

Subsequently, the printer Pt1 prints one [copies] at a time, the printer Pt2 prints one [copies] at a time, and each time one [parts] is printed, a print start notification is transmitted to the printer Pt1. Further, the printer Pt3 receives the job and prints one [copy] at a time, and sends a print start notification to the printer Pt1 every time one [copy] is printed.

In this way, parallel printing is performed by the printers Pt1 to Pt3, and when printing of all the number of copies is completed, the operator collects the printed matter by the printers Pt1 to Pt3.

In this case, the distribution of the number of printed copies is determined so that the remaining number of copies Qt _{1 of} the printer Pt1 is the largest and the remaining number of copies Qt ₃ of the printer Pt3 is the smallest. Printing is performed, and the operator is notified that printing of all the remaining copies of Qt ₃ has been completed.

The operator moves to the printer Pt2 after collecting the printed matter in the printer Pt3. The travel time Tm at that time is 60 [seconds], and the remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the printer Pt2 is 1 [parts] more than the number of copies Qt ₃ of the printer Pt3, so that the operator arrives at the printer Pt2. Around this time, the printer Pt2 prints the final portion, and the operator is notified that the printing of all the remaining copies of Qt ₂ has been completed.

Therefore, the operator can collect the printed matter from the printer Pt2 as soon as it arrives at the printer Pt2.

Similarly, the operator moves to the printer Pt1 after collecting the printed matter in the printer Pt2. The travel time Tm at that time is 60 [seconds], and the remaining number of copies Qt ₁ of the printer Pt1 is 1 [parts] larger than the remaining number of copies Qt ₂ of the printer Pt2, so that the operator can use the printer Pt1. By the time of arrival, the printer Pt1 prints the final portion, and the operator is notified that the printing of all the remaining copies of the own machine Qt ₁ has been completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the printers Pt1 to Pt3 perform parallel printing, the movement time Tm for the operator to move between the printers Pt1 to Pt3 is calculated, and each printer Pt1 is calculated based on the movement time Tm. ~ The distribution of the number of printed copies of Pt3 is determined.

Therefore, the operator can start collecting the printed matter early, and it is not necessary to wait for the final part to be printed in each of the printers Pt1 to Pt3, so that the time required for collecting all the printed matter can be increased. Can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, the printer Pti is used as the image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system Sy, but the present invention uses an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction device. It can be applied to the image forming system Sy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

11 Host computer Nt1 Network Nt2 Short-range wireless communication network Ph Mobile terminal Pr2 Printing unit Pr3 Parallel printing management unit Pti Printer Sy Image formation system Tm Travel time

Claims (7)

In an image forming system composed of a higher-level device, a plurality of image forming devices, and a mobile terminal, the upper-level device and each image forming device are connected by a first communication network, and each image forming device and a mobile terminal are connected by a second communication network. ,
(A) A printing unit that performs parallel printing by a predetermined image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatus, and a printing unit.
(B) Having a parallel print management unit that calculates the movement time for the operator to move between predetermined image forming devices and determines the distribution of the number of printed copies of each predetermined image forming device based on the moving time. A featured image formation system. (A) The second communication network is a short-range wireless communication network.
(B) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein short-range wireless communication is performed by an operator holding a mobile terminal over an image forming device. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the parallel print management unit calculates the movement time when the operator holds the mobile terminal over the specific image forming device and then holds it over another designated image forming device. According to claim 3, the parallel print management unit determines the distribution so that when the designated image forming apparatus joins parallel printing, the number of printed copies of the added designated image forming apparatus is smaller than the number of printed copies of the other image forming apparatus. The image forming system described. (A) The host device sends a job to the specific image forming device,
(B) The image forming system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the specific image forming apparatus transmits a job to the designated image forming apparatus. (A) The parallel printing instruction unit of the mobile terminal sends a job information request to the specific image forming apparatus, and then
(B) The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the job information notification unit of the specific image forming apparatus transmits job information related to a job received from a higher-level device to a mobile terminal. (A) The parallel printing instruction unit of the mobile terminal transmits a parallel printing participation instruction to the designated image forming apparatus to participate in the parallel printing.
(B) The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parallel printing participating unit of the designated image forming apparatus transmits an affirmative response to the specific image forming apparatus.

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