JP3791091B2 - System controller for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a system control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on a network capable of transferring image information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, networking within companies and organizations has been progressing. For example, remote offices such as the head office, branch offices, factories, etc. are connected to each other via a communication network, or many devices in the same building or site are connected via a propagation path to streamline, automate, and restructure the business. For the purpose, it has been introduced in an easy manner. Networking is also progressing in the field of image formation, and multiple devices such as scanners, personal computers, printers, digital copiers, etc. are connected to the network, and image information is exchanged via the network to streamline image formation. I am trying.
[0003]
One of the merits of networking devices is the shared use of hardware. For example, the sharing of a single printer with a plurality of personal computers connected to a network is currently performed in many offices. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-72994 discloses a plurality of image input / output from a single computer connected to the network by providing a connection means for connecting to the network and a control means for controlling the image input / output device. Techniques for operating the apparatus have been proposed.
[0004]
Another advantage of networking is that the system can be easily expanded and reduced. For example, if one of a plurality of personal computers connected to the network fails, even if the personal computer is removed from the network, it is unlikely that a major business problem will occur. In addition, it is easy to improve business efficiency by newly connecting a printer having a higher function to the network. From the user's point of view, the minimum necessary devices can be sequentially introduced in accordance with changes in the contents and amount of work, which is extremely advantageous economically.
[0005]
Another advantage of networking is load smoothing. For example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-98638 has been proposed that smoothes the load on each apparatus in a plurality of networked apparatuses. In other words, in a network to which a plurality of printers are connected, if the printer that has received the image information is printing and takes a long time to print, the image information is transferred to another printer to shorten the print waiting time. Technology has been proposed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technology has a problem that it is difficult to comprehensively use the functions of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network.
[0007]
For example, image forming apparatuses A, B, C, and D (hereinafter simply referred to as apparatuses A, B, C, and D) are connected to a network, and apparatus A is a scanner having a function for reading both sides of a document. Is a copier having a format composition function, device C is a copier having an image rotation function, device D is a copier having a stapling function, and each device has the functions of other devices. Shall not.
[0008]
In order for a user to format, rotate, and staple a double-sided document image, the user first knows which of the devices A, B, C, and D has what function. Then, both sides of the original are read by the apparatus A, the read image information is transferred to the apparatus B, the format process is performed by the apparatus B, the copied recording sheet is output, and the output recording sheet is output. When the recording paper is carried to apparatus C and the recording paper is copied in apparatus C, a rotation process is performed, the copied recording paper is output, the output recording paper is carried to apparatus D, the recording paper is copied in apparatus D, and copied. Staple processing is performed when outputting the recorded paper.
[0009]
Such an operation is very troublesome because the user must move to the transfer destination image forming apparatus and give the next instruction every time the image information is transferred. In addition, as the scale of the system increases, it becomes difficult for the user to fully understand what functions are connected to the network. In addition, as described above, since it is easy to expand and reduce the scale, function, and capacity of the system by adding and deleting devices, it is a big feature of networking, so all the devices connected to the network It is even more difficult to keep track of the function of the device. That is, it can be said that it is difficult for the user to perform processing that can be realized as the entire system by combining the functions of the respective devices.
[0010]
When processing is difficult in this way, in the above example, the user is forced to introduce a device having all the functions of the double-sided reading function, the formatting function, the rotation function, and the staple processing function. Expenses are required. This significantly defeats the merit of networking that suppresses unnecessary expenses by sequentially introducing the minimum necessary devices in accordance with changes in the contents and amount of work.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to recognize a user who uses one of the devices in an image forming system including a plurality of devices connected on a network. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of performing processing that integrates the functions of the individual devices without having to do so.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, there is provided a system control apparatus for controlling an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network capable of transferring image information. A unique information storage unit that is provided in the forming apparatus and stores unique information including function information indicating a function executable by itself and identification information for distinguishing from other image forming apparatuses; What kind of processing can be executed depending on the combination of the collection means for collecting the information stored in the unique information storage unit of the image forming apparatus and the job and order of each image forming apparatus based on the collected unique information Display means for displaying the executable process to the user, and when the user selects the executable process, which one of the image forming apparatuses Job instruction means for determining which job is to be performed and in what order, and adding job instruction information indicating them to the image information in the order in which the job is performed; and image information with the job instruction information added to the job instruction information In accordance with the transfer means for sequentially transferring to each image forming apparatus, the job instruction information addressed to itself after the end of the job addressed to itself, and the job instruction information and image information addressed to itself when the own job is the final job And an erasing means for erasing.
[0013]
The unique information storage unit may store capability information indicating the capability of the function that can be executed in addition to the function information and the identification information as the unique information. Here, the function information indicates functions that can be executed by each device. For example, it indicates the presence / absence of an image reading function, the presence / absence of a formatting function, the presence / absence of a stapling function, and the like. The identification information identifies itself and other devices. For example, if the upper 3 bits of a specific address are assigned to identification information, eight types of devices from “000” to “111” can be identified. The capability information indicates the capability of each function that can be executed by each device. For example, the information indicates that the speed of image formation on the recording paper is 60 sheets per minute.
[0014]
It is possible to prevent the function information from being rewritten once stored, but it is preferable that the function information be rewritten according to changes in the status of each device. For example, the staple function can be used due to a failure or the like. If not, it is preferable to rewrite the function information if the function information of the apparatus does not have a stapling function because the entire use of the image forming system can be achieved in accordance with the actual situation.
[0015]
The capability information can also be rewritten after it is temporarily stored, but can be rewritten according to changes in the state of each device. For example, even in a printer having a function of forming an image of 60 sheets per minute, since other jobs are being processed, if the capacity is reduced to 30 sheets per minute, such capability information Is more preferable because it is possible to use the apparatus system more appropriately as a whole.
[0016]
The collecting means collects information stored in the unique information storage unit of each device. When the function information and the identification information are stored in the unique information storage unit, the two types of information are collected. When function information, capability information and identification information are stored in the unique information storage unit, these three types of information are collected.
[0017]
For example, the device A is a scanner having a duplex reading function, the device B is a digital copying machine having a formatting function, the device C is a printer having a rotation function, and the device D is a printer having a stapling function. B, C, and D are all connected to a network capable of transferring image information. When the function information and identification information are stored in the unique information storage unit of the system controller of each device, the identification information of each device and the functions such as the double-sided reading function, formatting function, rotation function, stapling function, etc. The presence or absence is collected by the collecting means.
[0018]
The display means displays to the user what processing can be executed depending on the combination of the job performed by each device and its order based on the collected function information and identification information. In the above example, it is displayed to the user through the UI that the original double-sided reading function, the format composition function, the staple function, etc. can be executed. Here, it is desirable to display to the user processing that can be executed by combining the respective functions. For example, even if the printer can staple only vertical recording paper and cannot staple horizontal recording paper, if a device with a rotation function is connected to the network, rotate the horizontal document to a vertical document. After the image is formed on the recording paper, the stapling process can be performed. In this case, it is displayed that “the stapling process of the vertical recording paper” is also possible.
[0019]
When the user selects a process that can be executed according to the combination of the job performed by each device and the order of the job, the job instruction means determines which one of the devices performs what job, and indicates the job instruction indicating them. It is added to the image information to which information is transferred in the order of job execution. In this way, according to the present invention, all transfer destinations and transfer orders are first determined and transferred. On the other hand, it is also conceivable that each device sequentially determines and transfers the next transfer destination. However, in the case of the method of sequentially determining the next transfer destination, it is necessary to collect the unique information of all the devices connected to the network for each transfer and determine the next transfer destination. The processing for that takes time, and the amount of data flowing through the network increases accordingly. On the other hand, there is no such disadvantage in the method of determining all transfer destinations and transfer orders first as in the present invention. In addition, since the transfer destination and transfer order can be displayed first on the user interface device of the image forming apparatus, the user is informed in advance of which apparatus will eventually output the image-formed recording paper. It comes out. Further, by adding job instruction information for displaying the transfer status on the user interface device of the image forming apparatus to the image information, the user can be informed of how far the process has progressed. This not only suppresses the frustration of the user who waits for the completion of the process, but also makes it easy to know to what stage the process has progressed when some trouble occurs and the transfer stops. There is also a merit.
[0020]
When performing the executable processing determined by the display means, if the combination of the job to be executed by each device and its order are determined in a single way, the job is instructed as such. However, when there are a plurality of combinations of jobs performed by each device and their order, it is preferable to instruct the job as efficiently as possible. For example, it is preferable to instruct a job to reduce the number of times of transferring image information. This is to eliminate a loss of transfer time of image information, to end desired processing quickly, and to reduce the load of data flowing through the network as much as possible.
[0021]
Further, in the case where capability information indicating the capability of each function is stored in addition to the function information and identification information in the unique information storage unit, it is possible to instruct the job more efficiently based on the capability information. it can. For example, when multiple devices with the same function and different capabilities are connected to the network, when performing a job that uses that function, use one device with the highest capability or Accordingly, by sharing the job among a plurality of apparatuses, the job can be performed more efficiently, and the entire processing can be performed quickly.
[0022]
The transfer unit transfers the image information to which the job instruction information is added to another image forming apparatus.
[0023]
The erasing means erases the job instruction information addressed to itself after the job addressed to itself, or the job instruction information and image information addressed to itself when the job is the final job.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.
[0025]
Example 1
FIG. 1 shows an overall view of an image forming system in which a plurality of devices 1 each having a system control device according to the present invention are connected through a network 2. The apparatus A is a scanner having a double-sided reading function, the apparatus B is a digital copying machine having a format composition function, the apparatus C is a printer having a rotation function, and the apparatus D is a printer having a stapling function. Are not included in other devices (for example, device B does not have a double-sided reading function). These devices A, B, C, and D are all connected to a network 2 that can transfer image information.
[0026]
2 and 3 show each device in more detail. Since the device A (see FIG. 2A) is a scanner having a double-sided reading function, its configuration is roughly divided into a scanner device 20 that reads images on both sides and converts them into electrical signals, and stores the read image information. The image memory 30a, the device displays various types of information to the user, and receives user instructions in response thereto, and the user interface device 40a (hereinafter referred to as “UI device”), a communication protocol on the network The network control device 50a adapted to transmit and receive data is composed of an image input device, an image storage device, a user interface device, and a system control device 10a for controlling the network control device.
[0027]
A system control apparatus according to the present invention is a central processing unit 11a (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) that performs various operations such as interpreting the contents of a job transmitted via a network, and is a rewritable storage device. It comprises an access memory (not shown, hereinafter referred to as “RAM”), a read only memory 13a (hereinafter referred to as “ROM”) which is a storage device that can only be read, and in addition to various information, It has a unique information storage unit 12a that stores, as unique information, function information 121a that indicates functions that can be executed by itself and identification information 122a that identifies itself and other devices. The ROM 13a stores control means for controlling the image storage device, UI device, and the like of this device as a program (not shown), as well as function information that is unique information of each device in the entire system. Collecting means 131a for collecting information, display means 132a for displaying functions executable as the entire system to the user based on the collected function information and identification information, and functions executable by the user as the entire system When selected, the job performed by each device and its order are determined based on the function information and identification information, which are the collected unique information, and which device of each device performs what job for the image information to be transferred. Job instruction means 135a for adding job instruction information indicating the above, and transferring the destination information and the image information to which the job information is added to another apparatus. Transfer means 134a, erasing unit 133a for erasing the job instruction information and the like addressed to the job after the end self addressed to is stored as a program to be.
[0028]
The devices B, C, and D will be described focusing on differences from the device A. The device B (see FIG. 2B) is a digital copying machine having a formatting function, and includes a scanner device 21 (but not having a double-side reading function), an image memory 30b, a UI 40b, a system control device 10b, a reading device. An image processing apparatus 60 that corrects, converts, and edits the obtained image, and an image forming apparatus 70b that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and forms an image using xerography based on an electrostatic latent image. Yes. The image processing apparatus has a format composition function, but does not have a rotation function.
[0029]
The apparatus C (see FIG. 3A) is a printer having a rotation function, and includes an image memory 30c, a UI 40c, an image processing apparatus 61, a system control apparatus 10c, and an image forming apparatus 70c. The image processing apparatus has a rotation function but does not have a format composition function.
[0030]
The apparatus D (see FIG. 3B) is a printer having a stapling function, and includes an image memory 30d, a UI 40d, a system control apparatus 10d, an image forming apparatus 70d, and a stapling apparatus 80d that staples output recording paper. It has become.
[0031]
Hereinafter, in the apparatus A, the user uses the entire image forming system to copy a copy of A4 portrait, 20 images formed on one side, and stapled 10 copies of A3 portrait documents with images formed on both sides. The procedure up to the creation of five copies will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0032]
First, in the device A, a process selection screen for copying, filing, etc. is displayed to the user by the UI 40a. The user instructs the device A to perform a copy process. Then, in S1, the collection unit 131a of the device A includes the unique information stored in the unique information storage units 12a to 12d of the system control devices 10a to 10d in all the devices 1a to d connected to the network including itself. The function information 121a to 121d and the identification information 122a to 122d are collected and stored in the RAM of the system control apparatus 10a. In S2, based on the stored function information 121a to 121d and identification information 122a to 122d, it is determined what processing can be executed by combining the functions of each device, and it is determined to be executable. The process is displayed on the UI 40a so that the user can select it by the display means 132a. In S3, subsequent processing differs depending on whether or not the user selects processing that can be executed by combining the functions of the devices. If the user selects a process that can be executed only by apparatus A, the process is performed in S4, and the process ends. When the user selects a process that can be executed by combining the functions of the devices 1a to 1d, the image information input by the device A and stored in the image memory 30a in S5 is stored in the image information. Job instruction information indicating what kind of job the device will perform is added in the order in which the job is performed, and each device performs its function based on the job instruction information, completes the entire process, and performs the job. Then finish.
[0033]
Further details will be described for each step.
[0034]
In S1, identification information 122a-d and function information 121a-d, which are unique information of each device A, B, C, D, are collected by the collecting means 131a of the device A. This is because the device A transmits an information collection signal to the devices 1a to 1d via the network, and each device that has received the information collection signal provides the device A with identification information that is its own unique information. And return function information via the network. The device A transmits all of the devices connected to the network from the returned identification information 122b to c and function information 121b to d, and identification information 122a and function information 121a as its own unique information. The identification information 122a-d and the function information 121a-d, which are unique information, can be collected. FIG. 5 shows a summary of the functions of the devices collected by the collecting unit 131a. A circle indicates that the function is present, and a cross indicates that the function is not present.
[0035]
In S2, based on the stored function information 121a to 121d and identification information 122a to 122d, it is determined what processing can be executed by combining the functions of each device, and it is determined to be executable. The function is displayed on the UI 40a so that the user can select the function by the display means 132a. Here, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the entire image forming system can use a single-sided / double-sided reading function, a format processing function, a rotation processing function, an image forming function, and a stapling function. It can be seen that is feasible. Accordingly, these processes are displayed on the UI 40a of the apparatus A so that the user can select them.
[0036]
In this way, the user can use the entire image forming system without knowing what functions the devices 1a to 1d connected to the network have. For example, the user who operates the apparatus A can instruct the function (for example, image formation on a recording sheet) that the apparatus A as a scanner does not have from the UI 40a of the apparatus A.
[0037]
In S3, when the user instructs a process that can be executed by the device A alone, the process is performed in S4 and the process ends. If the user instructs processing that can be executed by the entire image forming system, the process proceeds to S5. Here, it is assumed that the user selects a single-sided copy and format type for 10 A3 double-sided originals, selects the upper left single stapling process, and selects the recording paper size of A4 and automatic magnification.
[0038]
In this way, when a user actually gives an instruction for processing, a determination as to which device of each device performs what job in which order will be described with reference to FIG. In S1 of FIG. 6, a combination that can perform the process instructed by the user is searched. Next, in S2, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of devices having a function necessary for processing in the combination. If there are a plurality of images, an apparatus that reduces the number of times image data is transferred is selected in S4. That is, the job is performed in the same apparatus as much as possible. If there are not a plurality of items in S2, the single device having the function performs the job in S3.
[0039]
In the processing selected by the user, it is necessary to perform jobs in the order of apparatuses A, B, C, and D because of the contents and limitations of the functions of the entire system, and jobs are performed in the other order. I can't think of that. That is, there are not a plurality of apparatuses having functions necessary for processing. Therefore, the apparatus A which is a scanner having a double-sided reading function reads 10 A3 double-sided originals with a reduction of 70% and temporarily stores them in the image memory 30a of the apparatus A. Next, the obtained image information is subjected to format processing by apparatus B, which is a digital copying machine having a formatting function, and converted into image information as 20 single-sided originals in A4. Further, the image information is rotated by the apparatus C, which is a printer having a rotation function, and converted into image information as A4 20 single-sided originals. Finally, the job instructing unit 135a determines that the image information is formed in units of 10 by the apparatus D, which is a printer having a stapling function, and is output after stapling.
[0040]
First, the apparatus A reads 10 A3 double-sided originals with a reduction of 70%, and stores the image information in the image memory 30a. The job instruction information is added by the job instruction unit 135a of the system control apparatus 10a of the apparatus A. In order for each device to perform the processing as described above, the destination “device B” and the job content “format processing” are added as job instruction information for device B. Similarly, the destination “device C” and the job content “rotation processing” as the job instruction information for the device C, and the destination “device D” and the job content “image formation and stapling processing” as the job instruction information for the device D. Is added. Further, since the process performed by the apparatus D is the last, in order to notify the user of the end of the process, “display the end of the process on the UI of the apparatus A” is also set as the job content, and the job instruction information is added.
[0041]
In this way, the image information added with job instruction information is hereinafter referred to as a “package”. The state of the package is shown in FIG. Also, FIG. 8 shows how the processing performed by the user is performed as the entire image forming system by performing a job based on this package.
[0042]
This package is transferred to the device B via the network 2 by the transfer means 134a of the system control device 10a of the device A.
[0043]
Secondly, in the device B, the transferred image information is temporarily stored in the image memory 30b of the device B, the format process is performed according to the job instruction information addressed to itself, and the image information after the format process is used as the image information of the device B. After being stored in the memory 30b, the job instruction information for itself is erased from the package by the erasing unit 133b, and the package is transferred to the apparatus C that performs the next processing via the network 2 by the transfer unit 134b together with the formatted image information. To do.
[0044]
Thirdly, the device C temporarily stores the transferred image information in the image memory 30c of the device C, performs rotation processing according to the job instruction information addressed to itself, and uses the image information after the rotation processing as the image of the device C. After being stored in the memory 30c, the job instruction information for itself is erased from the package by the erasing unit 133c, and the package is transferred to the apparatus D that performs the next processing via the network 2 by the transfer unit 134c together with the rotated image information. To do.
[0045]
Fourth, in the device D, the transferred image information is temporarily stored in the image memory 30d of the device D, image formation is performed according to the self-addressed job instruction information, stapling is performed, and the UI 40a of the device A is After displaying “end of processing” via the network, the erasing unit 133d erases the job instruction information for itself from the package. Since no other job instruction information is added, it is understood that the job is the final job, and the image information is also deleted without being transferred.
[0046]
Here, the relationship between the rotation process and the stapling process will be described with reference to FIG. There are actually three positions where the device D can perform the stapling process: “upper right single”, “right dual”, and “lower right single” with the output image surface facing upward (see FIG. 9A). Therefore, stapling processing such as “upper left single” cannot be performed only by the device D, for example. However, by using the rotation function of the device C, the image rotation process is performed before the stapling process, so that the “upper left single”, the “left dual”, the “lower left single”, the “upper dual”, and the “lower dual” Staple processing can be performed (see FIG. 9B). In FIG. 9, S represents “single” and D represents “dual”.
[0047]
In this embodiment, the user has instructed to staple 20 A4 originals with “upper left single”. However, the apparatus D cannot perform the stapling process with “upper left single”. In apparatus C, the transferred image information is subjected to a 180 ° rotation process, and the new image information is transferred to apparatus D. In apparatus D, an image is printed on a recording sheet based on the image information subjected to the rotation process. By performing the formation and performing the “lower right single” stapling process, the “upper left single” stapling process can be realized as a result (see FIG. 9C). In addition to the processing method as described above, although not shown, the “upper left single” stapling process can also be realized by performing a 270 ° rotation process and performing the “upper right single” stapling process. Can do.
[0048]
In this way, the processing instructed by the user can be performed as the entire image forming system.
[0049]
Example 2
The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the capability information indicating the capability of each function is stored in addition to the function information and the identification information as the unique information in the unique information storage unit, and more efficient based on the capability information. The point is to give a good job instruction. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
[0050]
FIG. 10 shows the overall configuration of the apparatus system. The apparatus A is a scanner having a document double-side reading function, the apparatus B is a digital copying machine having a formatting function, and the apparatuses D and D ′ are both printers having a stapling function. However, the apparatus D can form an image on a recording sheet at a speed twice as fast as the apparatus D ′, and can perform a stapling process. Hereinafter, using this apparatus system, it is assumed that 10 copies of double-sided A3 (horizontal) originals are formatted to single-sided A4 (horizontal) and then 30 copies are stapled.
[0051]
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the apparatus A in more detail. The difference from the device A described in the first embodiment is that the unique information storage unit 12a of the system control device 10a stores the capability information 123a indicating the capability of each function in addition to the function information 121a and the identification information 122a. This is different from that of the first embodiment in the method of determining which device among the devices performs what job in which order by the job instruction means 135a.
[0052]
The collection unit 131a collects information stored in the unique information storage units 12a to d ′ of the devices 1a to d ′ of the entire system. Therefore, in the present embodiment, each of the devices 1a to d ′ is collected. In addition to the function information 121a to d 'and the identification information 122a to d', capability information 123a to d 'indicating the capability of each function is collected. FIG. 12 summarizes the identification information 122a to d ′, the function information 121a to d ′, and the capability information 123a to d ′, which are unique information collected from the devices A, B, D, and D ′. How the job instruction unit 135a makes the determination will be described with reference to FIG.
[0053]
The determination procedure of the job instruction unit 135a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S <b> 1, a combination of devices that can be processed by the user is searched based on the function of each device as in the first embodiment. Next, a case is classified according to whether or not a plurality of combinations exist in S2, and when a plurality of combinations do not exist, a device having the function performs the job in S3. If there are a plurality of combinations, the process is further divided according to whether or not the sharing process is possible in S4. If the sharing process is possible, the job is shared in S6 according to the capability of each function. If the sharing process is impossible, in S5, the device having the highest capability is assigned to the job.
[0054]
Here, whether or not the process can be shared can be determined based on the difficulty of the process. For example, although it is logically possible to share image input between apparatus A and apparatus B, in that case, the user must carry the document to two apparatuses and input the image, and Since which page is input from which device is stored and finally a 20-page copy is output, the subsequent processing becomes complicated. In such a case, the sharing process may be impossible.
[0055]
There are two types of combinations of devices capable of the above processing: a combination of devices A, B, and D, and a combination of devices A, B, and D ′. In addition, the creation of 30 copies can be performed by dividing the number of copies, so that the jobs are shared according to the image forming and stapling function capabilities of the devices D and D ′.
[0056]
Explain how to share jobs according to ability. First, considering the capabilities of the image forming and stapling functions of both devices, device D can form 40 images per minute. Since the number of copies to be made is 20, two copies can be made every minute. The stapling function can staple 10 copies per minute. Thus, device D can make two copies of stapled copies per minute. On the other hand, the apparatus D ′ can form 20 images per minute. Since 20 copies are made, one copy can be made every minute. The stapling function can staple 10 copies per minute. Thus, device D ′ can make one copy of the stapled copy per minute. That is, regarding the capabilities of the image forming and stapling functions, the device D has twice the capability of the device D ′. Accordingly, the job instruction means adds job instruction information so that apparatus D creates 20 copies and apparatus D ′ creates 10 copies out of 30 copies.
[0057]
For example, when only one copy is made, since the sharing process cannot be performed by the apparatus D and the apparatus D ′, in this case, from the examination result of the capability of the image forming and stapling function, A device D having a high capability performs the job.
[0058]
FIG. 14 shows a package in which job instruction information is added to image information. As described above, since the image forming and stapling processes are performed by the apparatuses D and D ′, “job sharing” is added as the contents of the job to the apparatus B that performs the preceding process. .
[0059]
How the processing proceeds as the entire image forming system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0060]
First, apparatus A reads 10 A3 (horizontal) double-sided originals and stores the image information in image memory 30a. The job instruction unit 135a of the system control apparatus 10a of apparatus A adds job instruction information as shown in FIG. 13 to create a package including job instruction information and image information. This package is transferred to the device B via the network 2 by the transfer means 134a of the device A.
[0061]
Secondly, the apparatus B temporarily stores the transferred image information in the image memory 30b, performs format processing according to the job instruction information addressed to itself, stores the image information in the image memory 30b, and then performs sharing processing. That is, since the next transfer destination is the device D and the device D ′, two packages are created by adding the respective job instruction information to the image information subjected to the formatting process. Thereafter, the job instruction information for itself is erased by the erasing unit 133b, and the respective packages are transferred to the devices D and D ′ via the network 2 by the transfer unit 134b.
[0062]
Thirdly, the devices D and D ′ that have received the respective packages addressed to themselves temporarily store the transferred image information in their own image memories 30d and 30d ′, respectively, according to the job instruction information addressed to themselves. D performs image formation, creates 20 copies of 20 copies of which are stapled, displays “end of 20 copies processing” on the UI 40a of the apparatus A via the network 2, and then deletes them. The job instruction information and image information for itself are deleted from the package by means 133d. In addition, the apparatus D ′ forms an image, creates 10 copies of 20 copies that are stapled, and then displays “end of processing of 10 copies” via the network 2 on the UI 40a of the apparatus A. Thereafter, the job instruction information and the image information for itself are erased from the package by the erasing means 133d ′.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network, one of them is not conscious of a user who uses the apparatus, and the network is connected to the network. Regardless of the increase or decrease in the number of connected devices, it is possible to perform processing in which functions having the individual devices are integrated.
[0064]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, even when a final image is formed and output from a device other than the device used by the user, The user can easily know the end of the designated process.
[0065]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the capability of the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network is more efficiently achieved. This makes it possible to form images quickly.
[0066]
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, the capability of the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network. Can be used more efficiently to enable rapid image formation and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates an entire image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 illustrates an image forming apparatus that constitutes the image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates an image forming apparatus that constitutes the image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a follow chart showing the overall flow of processing in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a summary of identification information and function information of each image forming apparatus collected by the collecting unit according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of determination by a job instruction unit which device of each device performs what job in which order in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 illustrates image information to which job instruction information according to the first exemplary embodiment is added.
FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which processing proceeds by the entire image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between rotation processing and stapling processing;
FIG. 10 illustrates an entire image forming system according to a second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates an image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a summary of identification information, function information, and capability information of each image forming apparatus collected by the collection unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of determination by a job instruction unit which device of each device performs what job in which order in the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 illustrates image information to which job instruction information according to the second embodiment is added.
FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which processing proceeds by the entire image forming system according to the second exemplary embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Network, 10 ... System control apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Specific information storage part, 121 ... Functional information, 122 ... Identification information, 123 ... Capability information, 13 ... ROM, 131 ... Collection Means 132 ... Display means 133 ... Erasing means 134 ... Transfer means 135 ... Job instruction means 20 ... Double-sided scanner device 21 ... Scanner device 30 ... Image memory 40 ... User interface 50 ... Network control device , 60 ... Image processing apparatus (with formatting function), 61 ... Image processing apparatus (with rotation function), 70 ... Image forming apparatus, 80 ... Staple processing apparatus

Claims (4)

  A system control device for controlling an image forming system composed of a plurality of image forming devices connected to a network capable of transferring image information. A unique information storage unit for storing unique information composed of functional information indicating identification information and identification information for distinguishing from other image forming apparatuses, and a collecting unit for collecting unique information of each image forming apparatus in the entire system , Based on the collected unique information, determine what processing can be executed by a combination of jobs performed by each image forming apparatus and their order, display means for displaying the executable processing to the user, and user execution When an available process is selected, it is determined which image forming apparatus of each image forming apparatus performs what job in which order, and job instruction information indicating them Job instruction means for adding to the image information in the order of job execution, transfer means for sequentially transferring the image information to which the job instruction information has been added to each image forming apparatus in accordance with the job instruction information, A system control apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: job instruction information addressed to the image forming apparatus; and an erasing unit for erasing the job instruction information addressed to the job information and the image information when the own job is a final job.   The system control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job instruction unit adds job instruction information that notifies a user of the end of processing. Function information indicating the function that can be executed by the unique information storage unit as unique information, ability information indicating the ability that is the execution speed of the function, and identification information for distinguishing other image forming apparatuses The job instruction means selects an image forming apparatus having the highest capability of performing the job based on the capability information when there are a plurality of image forming devices capable of executing a specific job. A system control apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2. The unique information storage unit stores, as unique information, functional information indicating a function that can be executed by itself, capability information indicating capability that is an execution speed of the function, and identification information for distinguishing other image forming apparatuses. The job instructing unit, when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of executing a specific job, shares jobs according to the capabilities of the image forming apparatuses based on the capability information. A system control apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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