JP5609264B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as FAX apparatuses, printer apparatuses, and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) are increasingly compatible with networks. Thereby, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the network and function as an image forming system. In such an environment, that is, in a situation where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are used as an image forming system by a network, there is a demand to effectively utilize a plurality of apparatuses, not as an image forming apparatus alone. .

  For example, if output such as document printing, document copying, and FAX transmission on a PC is concentrated on a certain image forming apparatus, it takes time to output. When viewed as an image forming system, since there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses belonging to the system, a specific image forming apparatus is actively operating, but other apparatuses are not operating at all. If this device is used, the waiting time until output can be reduced. Thus, when considered as an image forming system, it is an important issue to be able to effectively utilize resources such as a plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the system.

  In response to this problem, a device linkage function (processing distribution) that improves the output performance of the system by utilizing the resources of the image forming apparatus on the system by sharing the processing related to image formation with a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the system. ) Is already known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a print job that cannot be processed by a certain image forming apparatus in order to prevent printing interruption even when memory, paper, toner, or the like is insufficient in a certain image forming apparatus on the network. A system for assigning to other image forming apparatuses on a network is disclosed.

  However, in the conventional image forming system, if there is a print job that cannot be processed by a certain image forming apparatus on the network, the entire print job is assigned to another image forming apparatus. In a situation where only some pages of a print job consisting of the above cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus designated by the user, only the pages that cannot be printed cannot be printed by other image forming apparatuses. That is, even though most of the print job can be printed by the user-specified image forming apparatus, it cannot be printed by the user-specified image forming apparatus.

  In addition, in a conventional image forming apparatus, if an attempt is made to execute a multi-page print job including pages that cannot be printed on the own machine, an error occurs in processing on the page that cannot be printed, and the subsequent processing is stopped. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when only some pages of a print job composed of a plurality of pages cannot be printed by an image forming apparatus on the network, only the pages that cannot be printed are changed to other images. An image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image that can be effectively printed by an image forming apparatus and can effectively prevent a subsequent process from being stopped due to an error in an image forming apparatus that executes a print job. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming method and an image forming program.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network, and the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of pages. A job control unit that controls execution of the print job, and a page of a plurality of pages included in the print job when the page cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page. Depending on the data transfer means for transferring the image data to the other image forming apparatus capable of printing under the specified printing conditions together with the print instruction , and other image depending on the alternative mode set in the initial setting An alternative output condition determining unit for determining an alternative output condition that allows the page transferred to the forming apparatus to be printed by the own apparatus, and a print condition for the page transferred to another image forming apparatus It outputs a command to change the alternative output condition to said job control means, characterized in that it comprises, a job management unit for printing by transferring the said alternative output conditions the page to another image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network, and includes a job control unit that controls execution of a print job including a plurality of pages, and the print job. If some of the plurality of pages included in the page cannot be printed under the printing conditions specified for the page, the data of the page is printed together with the print instruction and printed under the specified printing conditions. A data transfer means for transferring to another image forming apparatus capable of printing, and an alternative output condition capable of printing the page transferred to the other image forming apparatus by the own machine according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting and alternative output condition determination section for determining a, an instruction to change the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output condition is output to the job control unit, the other image The page has been transferred to the forming device, characterized in that it comprises, a job management unit for printing with the alternate output conditions.

The image forming method according to the present invention is an image forming method executed in an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network, and when executing a print job consisting of a plurality of pages, If some pages of the plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, the data for the page is printed together with the print instruction and the specified print conditions And transferring to the other image forming apparatus capable of printing at the same time, and the alternative output capable of printing the page transferred to the other image forming apparatus in accordance with the alternative mode set in the initial setting. determining a condition, by changing the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output conditions, the replacement of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus Characterized in that it comprises the steps of printing a force condition, the.

The image forming program according to the present invention executes a plurality of pages included in a print job when executing a print job composed of a plurality of pages to an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network. If some of the pages cannot be printed under the printing conditions specified for the page, other images that can be printed under the specified printing conditions together with a print instruction for the data of the page A function for transferring to the forming apparatus, a function for determining an alternative output condition capable of printing the page transferred to another image forming apparatus by the self-machine according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting, and other functions by changing the printing condition of the page has been transferred to the image forming apparatus to the alternate output condition, to realize a function for printing in the alternative output conditions the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus Is an eye image formation program.

  According to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus on the network cannot print a part of a page of a print job including a plurality of pages under the designated printing condition, the data of the page that cannot be printed is printed together with the print instruction and the other data. Since it is transferred to the image forming apparatus and the printing condition of the page is changed to another printing condition that can be printed and the alternative printing is performed, only the unprintable page can be printed by the other image forming apparatus and an error occurs. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the inconvenience that subsequent processing stops.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral connected to the network. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the device capability information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the system operation information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the condition change information. FIG. 6A is a sequence diagram illustrating a series of processes executed when a multi-page document is copied in a multi-function peripheral connected to a network. FIG. 6B is a sequence diagram illustrating a series of processes executed when a multi-page document is copied in a multi-function peripheral connected to the network. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application selection screen displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a copy screen displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing for determining an alternative output condition according to an alternative mode. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the first modification. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the second modification. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to Modification 3. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing in the fourth modification.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overview of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction peripheral 100, a printer apparatus 200, and a FAX apparatus 300 are connected by a network 400, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected. The network system is configured to be able to transmit and receive data via the network 400. In addition to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, a client terminal such as a PC used by a user, a server apparatus for providing various services, and the like may be connected to the network 400.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 connected to the network 400. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a condition setting unit 101, a job management unit 102, a transfer determination unit 103, an alternative output condition determination unit 104, a job control unit 105, a data transfer unit 106, A data receiving unit 107. The MFP 100 also includes a document reading unit 108, a FAX receiving unit 109, and a document reading unit 110 as input units for inputting image data, and a FAX transmission unit 111 and a printing unit 112 as output units for outputting image data. The document storage unit 113 is provided.

  The condition setting unit 101 receives key press information from an operation unit such as an operation panel provided in its own machine, and executes a job according to the key press information while performing screen display and screen transition. Set various conditions. In addition, the condition setting unit 101 transmits information on the set conditions to the job management unit 102 and transmits a job execution control instruction.

  The job management unit 102 generates a job in accordance with the job execution control instruction transmitted from the condition setting unit 101, and manages execution of the generated job and execution order when a plurality of jobs are executed. In addition, the job management unit 102 receives image data (page data that cannot be printed by another image forming apparatus) and a print instruction from another image forming apparatus connected to the network 400 and received by the data receiving unit 107. In this case, a new job is generated in response to a print instruction from another image forming apparatus, and execution management of the job is performed. Further, the job management unit 102 is a print job in which the generated job is composed of a plurality of pages, and a part of the plurality of pages included in the print job includes a print condition ( When printing cannot be performed with a paper size, paper type, or the like), information on printing conditions designated for the page, that is, printing conditions that cannot be handled by the own machine, is transmitted to the transfer determination unit 103 and the page is also notified. An instruction to change the printing condition designated for the printing condition to another printing condition that can be printed by the own machine (substitute output condition determined by the alternative output condition determination unit 104 described later) is transmitted to the job control unit 105, The page is substituted with other printing conditions and printed.

  The transfer determination unit 103 collects device capability information indicating the capabilities of other image forming apparatuses connected to the network 400 when information about printing conditions that cannot be handled by the own device is transmitted from the job management unit 102. Based on the collected device capability information, another image forming apparatus that entrusts printing of a page that cannot be printed under the designated printing conditions is determined. The device capability information is held by each image forming apparatus as information unique to each image forming apparatus connected to the network 400, and is released on the network 400 in response to a request from another image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the device capability information of each image forming apparatus connected to the network 400 may be centrally managed by a server or the like, and the device capability information of each image forming device may be acquired collectively by accessing the server.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the device capability information. As shown in FIG. 3, the device capability information includes information indicating a device name, a name of a function that can be supported by the device, a device configuration that can provide each function, and whether the device is in a device state. The device capability information illustrated in FIG. 3 indicates that the device A can support proxy printing (a function for executing printing commissioned by another image forming apparatus). In the figure, “capability” indicates whether or not there is an ability to execute the function indicated by “function name”, and is information indicating whether or not the function can be provided as a potential of the device. . In addition, “Status” in the figure is information indicating whether the function can be used according to the configuration and status of the device. If “Capability” is “None”, “Status” is always “Unusable” However, depending on the configuration and state of the device, the “state” may be “unusable” even if the “capability presence / absence” is “present”.

  The transfer determination unit 103 collects device capability information as described above for other image forming apparatuses connected to the network 400 when information about printing conditions that cannot be handled by the own device is transmitted from the job management unit 102. To do. Then, the transfer determination unit 103 generates system operation information such as that shown in FIG. 4 using the collected device capability information, and prints a page that cannot be printed under the specified printing conditions based on the system operation information. Another image forming apparatus to be commissioned is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the system operation information generated by the transfer determination unit 103 is data including target information representing a target to be entrusted with printing to another image forming apparatus and consignment information representing a consignee image forming apparatus. It has a structure. The target information includes “target output job” and “target output page”. In the example of FIG. 4, it is shown that printing of the third page of the print job A is entrusted to another image forming apparatus. The consignment information consists of “consignee candidate” and “situation”, and is specified for other image forming devices that support printing conditions that cannot be handled by the printer itself, that is, for pages to be consigned for printing. Other image forming apparatuses capable of printing under a certain printing condition are listed together with information on the current operation status of the image forming apparatus. In the example of FIG. 4, there are devices B and C as image forming apparatuses capable of printing under the printing conditions specified for the third page of print job A, and device B is in a standby state. The device C is shown to be in a printing state. The “reference destination” in the figure indicates the name of the device that first generated the print job in response to a user operation, and is normally the device itself, but the data to be entrusted to printing is transferred from another device. In the case of the data, the device name of the transfer source is indicated as the reference destination.

  The alternative output condition determination unit 104 is designated from among a plurality of pages included in the print job based on the information on the print job composed of a plurality of pages generated by the job management unit 102 and the information on the capability of the own device. Then, an alternative output condition for printing a page that cannot be printed by the own machine under the print condition is determined, and condition change information indicating the determined alternative output condition is transmitted to the job management unit 102.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the condition change information transmitted from the alternative output condition determination unit 104 to the job management unit 102. As shown in FIG. 5, the condition change information includes information on “target output job”, “alternative mode”, “target page”, and “change condition”. “Target output job” indicates a print job including a page that cannot be printed under the specified printing conditions. “Target page” indicates a page that actually changes the printing conditions in the target output job, that is, an alternative output. The page for which the condition is determined is shown. The “change condition” indicates what alternative output condition the print condition specified for the target page is to be changed to. The “alternative mode” indicates what criterion is used for changing the printing condition of the target page. In FIG. 5, in the situation where the A3 size paper (print medium) is paper end (medium shortage), and the A3 size is designated as the paper to be output for the third page of job A, the alternative output condition The condition change information produced | generated in the determination part 104 is illustrated. In the example of FIG. 5, since the “alternative mode” is “same as the previous page”, the paper size used for printing the third page of job A is the paper specified for the second page. It will be changed to size. If the paper size specified for the second page of job A is A4, the paper size used for printing the third page, which is the target page, is changed from A3 to A4. The “alternative mode” is set in the device in advance by, for example, initial setting. A specific example of this “alternative mode” will be described later in detail.

  The job control unit 105 performs job execution control that combines input and output under the management of the job management unit 102. In particular, the job control unit 105 is a print job in which a job to be executed is composed of a plurality of pages, and a part of the plurality of pages included in the print job includes a print condition designated for the page. When printing cannot be performed with the job management unit 102, the execution of the print job is controlled so that the page is printed with the alternative output condition determined by the alternative output condition determination unit 104 according to the command transmitted from the job management unit 102. .

  The data transfer unit 106 determines that when a part of a print job composed of a plurality of pages whose execution is controlled by the job control unit 105 cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, This data is transferred together with a print instruction to another image forming apparatus on the network 400 determined as a print entrustment destination by the transfer determination unit 103. Here, the image forming apparatus determined by the transfer determination unit 103 as a printing entrustee is an image forming apparatus capable of printing under the printing conditions specified for the page to be entrusted to print. In the entrusted image forming apparatus, in response to a print instruction from the data transfer unit 106, the entrusted page is printed under the printing conditions specified for the page.

  The data receiving unit 107 receives the data and the print instruction from another image forming apparatus connected to the network 400 when the page data to be printed is transferred together with the print instruction via the network 400. Delivered to the job management unit 102. The job management unit 102 generates a new job for executing the printing of the entrusted page in response to the print instruction received by the data receiving unit 107.

  The document reading unit 108 provides an image input function for reading a document image by controlling a scanner device and generating image data that can be handled in the apparatus itself. The FAX receiving unit 109 provides an image input function for receiving FAX data input from a telephone line and generating image data that can be handled in the own apparatus. The document reading unit 110 provides an image input function for reading image data stored in a storage device inside the device.

  The FAX transmission unit 111 provides an image output function for transmitting image data from the own device to another device using a telephone line. The printing unit 112 provides an image output function for printing the image data in the own device on a sheet (print medium) by controlling the plotter device of the own device. Further, the document storage unit 113 provides an image output function for storing image data in a storage device inside the apparatus.

  The above units have been described as functional configurations included in the multifunction peripheral 100, which is one of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network 400. However, other units such as the printer apparatus 200 and the FAX apparatus 300 connected to the network 400 are described. Also in the image forming apparatus, the condition setting unit 101, the job management unit 102, the transfer determination unit 103, the alternative output condition determination unit 104, the job control unit 105, and the data transfer unit 106 are provided as a common functional configuration. . The printer apparatus 200 and the FAX apparatus 300 are different from the multi-function apparatus 100 only in the configuration of input means and output means. In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, each image forming apparatus may include at least the printing unit 112 as an output unit.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, each of the image forming apparatuses of the MFP 100, the printer apparatus 200, and the FAX apparatus 300 connected to the network 400 has the above-described functional configuration, so that a print job including a plurality of pages. If some of the pages cannot be printed under the specified printing conditions, the printing of the pages is entrusted to another image forming apparatus, and the pages are replaced with other printing conditions that can be handled by the printer itself. To print. As a result, each image forming apparatus can cause the other image forming apparatus to print only pages that cannot be printed by the own machine, and can execute a print job without stopping the process on the own machine. It becomes possible.

  Note that the above-described functions of each image forming apparatus on the network 400 are realized by executing, for example, an image forming program provided in advance in a ROM or the like in each image forming apparatus. The image forming program executed by each image forming apparatus has a module configuration including a program for realizing each functional configuration described above. As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) stores an image forming program from the ROM. Is read and executed, a program for realizing each functional configuration is loaded onto the main storage device, and the above-described functional configurations are realized.

  The image forming program executed in each image forming apparatus on the network 400 is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). ) Or the like may be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the image forming program executed by each image forming apparatus may be stored on a computer connected to the network 400 and provided by being downloaded from the computer via the network 400 by each image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming program executed by each image forming apparatus may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Next, it is executed when the user performs an operation of copying a document composed of a plurality of pages in a multifunction peripheral 100 (hereinafter referred to as “device A”), which is one of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network 400. A series of processing will be specifically described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2. In the example shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a five-page original (A3 size only for the third page) in which A4 size and A3 size originals are mixed, and A3 size paper is insufficient. This is an example in which copying is to be performed at A, and is an example in which printing conditions are designated to perform printing at the size of the document. On the network 400, there are devices B and C as image forming devices capable of printing in A3 size (image forming devices that hold A3 size paper), and device B is in a standby state. Yes, it is assumed that the device C is in a printing state. The process shown in FIG. 6B is executed following the process shown in FIG.

  When the activation of the device A is completed, as shown in FIG. 6A, the condition setting unit 101 first performs control to display an application selection screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the operation panel of the device A (step S1). . When the user presses the “Copy” button on the application selection screen, the condition setting unit 101 performs control to display a copy screen as shown in FIG. In response to a user operation input using this copy screen, a copy operation condition is generated (set) in the temporary storage memory (step S2). Here, although the operation condition generated on the temporary storage memory by the condition setting unit 101 varies depending on the selected application, in this example, since the copy application is selected, the operation condition to be generated is the reading condition and the printing condition. As the printing conditions, “Automatic Paper Selection” and “Same Size” are set by default, and unless the user changes the paper size or output magnification using the copy screen, It is set to print on the same size paper. In this example, the printing conditions are set so that printing is performed on a sheet of the same size as the original.

  Next, when the user sets a document to be copied on the scanner device of the device A and presses a start button provided on the operation panel, the condition setting unit 101 causes the operation condition (reading condition and printout) generated in the temporary storage memory. (Condition) is confirmed, and subsequent operation input from the operation panel is not accepted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the setting contents are inadvertently changed during the execution of the job. Then, the condition setting unit 101 transfers the set operation condition information to the job management unit 102, and transmits a job execution control instruction to the job management unit 102 (step S3).

  When acquiring the operation condition information from the condition setting unit 101, the job management unit 102 generates a copy job including a reading job and a print job according to the operation condition set by the condition setting unit 101 (step S4). Then, the job control unit 105 is instructed to execute the generated copy job (step S5).

  The job control unit 105 controls the execution of the copy job generated by the job management unit 102 in response to an instruction from the job management unit 102. Specifically, the job control unit 105 first instructs the original reading unit 108 to specify the reading conditions and execute the original reading, and causes the original set on the scanner device of the device A to be read (see FIG. Step S6). The original reading unit 108 reads an original set on the scanner device in accordance with an instruction from the job control unit 105 (step S7), and transfers the image data of the read original to the job control unit 105 (step S8). ). In this example, since the five-page document is set in the scanner device of the device A, the image data of the first to fifth pages of the document is sent from the document reading unit 108 to the job control unit 105, respectively. .

  Next, the job control unit 105 sends image data to the printing unit 112 in order from the first page of the document, designates the printing conditions for each page, and instructs the execution of printing. The used printing is executed (steps S9-1 to S9-3). In response to an instruction from the job control unit 105, the printing unit 112 executes printing sequentially from the first page of the document under the designated printing conditions (steps S10-1 to S10-3), and whether or not printing has been performed normally. Is returned to the job control unit 105 (steps S11-1 to S11-3). In this example, a paper end occurs when the third page of the document is printed, and the third page of the document cannot be printed normally. Therefore, when the third page of the document is printed, the printing unit 112 sends the job control unit 105 to the job control unit 105. Status information indicating that normal printing has not been performed at the paper end is sent.

  When the job control unit 105 receives status information indicating that the third page of the document cannot be printed normally at the paper end from the printing unit 112, the job control unit 105 transmits the status information to the job management unit 102 and temporarily executes the print job. (Step S12).

  When the status information is transmitted from the job control unit 105, the job management unit 102 prints the third page of the original that has not been printed normally, that is, the A3 size paper that is insufficient in the device A. Information on the printing conditions for printing to the transfer determination unit 103 is transmitted (step S13).

  When the transfer determination unit 103 receives the print condition information for the third page of the document from the job management unit 102, the transfer determination unit 103 collects the above-described device capability information regarding each image forming apparatus on the network 400, and uses the collected device capability information. To generate the system operation information described above. Based on the generated system operation information, the transfer determination unit 103 holds an image forming apparatus corresponding to the printing condition of the third page of the document, that is, A3 size paper, and can print in A3 size. From among the various image forming apparatuses, an image forming apparatus to be commissioned to print the third page of the document is determined (step S14), and information for identifying the commissioned image forming apparatus is transmitted to the job management unit 102 (step S15). ). In this example, among the image forming apparatuses on the network 400, the device B and the device C hold A3 size paper, the device B is in a standby state, and the device C is in a printing state. The unit 103 generates the system operation information shown in FIG. Then, based on this system operation information, the transfer determination unit 103 selects a device B that is capable of printing in A3 size and that can be immediately printed out of the devices B and C capable of printing in A3 size. It is determined as an image forming apparatus that entrusts printing of the third page of the document. Information for identifying the device B that is a consignment destination is transmitted to the job management unit 102.

  When the job management unit 102 receives information for identifying the image forming apparatus (device B in this example) entrusting printing of the third page of the document from the transfer determination unit 103, the job management unit 102 sends the document 3 to the job control unit 105. It is instructed to entrust printing of the page to device B (step S16). The job control unit 105 sends the image data of the third page of the document to the data transfer unit 106 and transfers the image data of the third page of the document to the device B in response to the print commission instruction from the job management unit 102. To the data transfer unit 106 (step S17).

  In response to the instruction from the job control unit 105, the data transfer unit 106 transfers the image data of the third page of the document together with the print instruction to the device B on the network 400 (step S18). In the device B, the image data of the third page of the transferred document and the print instruction are received by the data receiving unit 107, and the job management unit 102 generates a print job according to the print instruction, and sends it to the job control unit 105. By instructing execution of the print job, the third page of the document is printed on A3 size paper.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the job management unit 102 determines an alternative output condition for printing the third page of the document on the own machine (device A) with respect to the alternative output condition determination unit 104. (Step S19).

  In response to an instruction from the job management unit 102, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 acquires information on the target print job and device capability information indicating the capability of the own device (device A), and based on the information. Thus, an alternative output condition for the third page of the document is determined according to the alternative mode set by the initial setting (step S20). Specifically, if the alternative mode is set to “same as previous page” and the paper used for printing the second page of the document is A4 size, the alternative output condition for the third page is printed to A4 size. To decide. Then, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 transmits the condition change information as shown in FIG. 5 indicating the determined alternative output condition to the job management unit 102 (step S21).

  Upon receiving the condition change information from the alternative output condition determination unit 104, the job management unit 102 changes the print condition for the third page of the document to the alternative output condition to the job control unit 105 (in this example, the output paper size A3 → A4) to instruct to resume the print job (step S22).

  In response to an instruction from the job management unit 102, the job control unit 105 changes the printing condition for the third page of the document to the alternative output condition (step S23), and resumes the temporarily interrupted print job execution. Let Then, the job control unit 105 instructs the printing unit 112 to print the third page of the document under the alternative output condition (step S24). In response to an instruction from the job control unit 105, the printing unit 112 prints the third page of the document under the alternative output condition (step S25), and displays status information indicating whether or not the printing has been performed normally. It returns to 105 (step S26).

  Thereafter, the job control unit 105 sends the image data of the remaining fourth and fifth pages of the document to the printing unit 112, and designates the printing conditions for each page to instruct the execution of printing (step) S27-1, S27-2). In response to an instruction from the job control unit 105, the printing unit 112 sequentially prints the fourth and fifth pages of the document under the designated printing conditions (steps S28-1 and S28-2), and normally Status information indicating whether printing is possible is returned to the job control unit 105 (steps S29-1 and S29-2).

  When the printing of the first to fifth pages of the document is completed, the job control unit 105 transmits status information indicating the end of the copy job to the job management unit 102 (step S30). Upon receiving the status information from the job control unit 105, the job management unit 102 notifies the condition setting unit 101 of the end of the copy job (step S31). The condition setting unit 101 receives the notification of the end of the copy job, and performs control to change the screen displayed on the operation panel of the device A from the copy screen to the application selection screen (step S32). Prepare for use.

  Next, a specific example of the “alternative mode” serving as a reference when the alternative output condition determining unit 104 determines the alternative output condition will be described.

(A) Same as previous page When “Alternative mode” is “Same as previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 is a page that cannot be printed with the capability of its own machine among a plurality of pages included in the print job. The alternative output condition is determined to be the same as the print condition specified for the previous page. For example, a part of a plurality of pages included in a print job is specified to be printed on paper of a size different from that of other pages, and the own machine holds the paper of the size specified for this part of the pages. If not, the paper size for printing the page is changed to the same size as the previous page. In this case, the previous page is normally printed, and the self-machine can cope with the print condition of the previous page, so that the alternative printing based on the alternative output condition is surely performed.

(B) Paper Size Different from the Previous Page When the “alternative mode” is “paper size different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 determines that the page on which alternative printing is performed is a paper having a size different from that of the previous page. The alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page is printed. For example, the printing condition of the previous page is a condition that printing is performed on A4 size paper using the first paper feed tray, and the B4 size paper is loaded on the second paper feed tray as the device configuration of the own machine. If it is set, the printing condition for the page to be subjected to the alternative printing is changed to a condition for printing on B4 size paper using the second paper feed tray.

  As in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, a certain image forming apparatus on the network 400 causes another image forming apparatus to print a page that cannot be printed under the printing conditions specified by itself, and the page is displayed. When alternative printing is performed on the own machine under the alternative output condition, the user intends to replace (merge) the page printed on the alternative machine with the one printed on the other image forming apparatus. A printed matter can be obtained. At this time, if the position of the substitute printed page is known at a glance, the merging operation by the user becomes simple. As in the above example, when a page to be subjected to alternative printing is printed on a paper having a size different from that of the previous page, the user can easily determine the position of the page that has been subjected to alternative printing, and the merge operation can be performed easily. .

(C) Paper type different from the previous page When the “alternative mode” is “paper type different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 determines that the page on which alternative printing is performed is a paper type different from the previous page. The alternative output condition for the page is determined so that it is printed on a sheet of paper that is owned by the own machine. Also in this case, since the user can easily determine the position of the page that has been subjected to the alternative printing, the merging operation can be easily performed.

(D) Paper Color Different from the Previous Page When the “alternative mode” is “paper color different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determining unit 104 determines that the page on which the alternative printing is performed is a different color from the previous page. Then, an alternative output condition for the page is determined so as to be printed on a sheet held by the own apparatus. Also in this case, since the user can easily determine the position of the page that has been subjected to the alternative printing, the merging operation can be easily performed.

(E) Tab Sheet When the “alternate mode” is “tab sheet”, the alternate output condition determination unit 104 displays the tab sheet so that the page to be subjected to the alternate printing is printed on the tab sheet that can be handled by the own machine. Determine alternative output conditions for the page. Also in this case, since the user can easily determine the position of the page that has been subjected to the alternative printing, the merging operation can be easily performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in which the alternative output condition determining unit 104 determines the alternative output condition according to the alternative mode. When the alternative output condition determination unit 104 determines an alternative output condition for a page to be subjected to alternative printing, for example, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 confirms the “alternative mode” set in the own apparatus by initial setting. When the five (A) to (E) described above exist as “alternative modes”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 determines whether the “alternative mode” is “same as the previous page” (step S101). Whether the “alternative mode” is “paper size different from the previous page” (step S102), whether the “alternative mode” is “paper type different from the previous page” (step S103), “ It is sequentially determined whether or not “alternative mode” is “paper color different from the previous page” (step S104). When all the determination results are NO, the “alternative mode” is “tab paper”.

  Then, if the “alternative mode” is “same as previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 checks whether there is a remaining amount of paper that is the same as that of the previous page (step S105). If there is, the alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be replaced is printed on the same sheet as the previous page (step S106). On the other hand, if the same sheet as the previous page is insufficient, the process ends without determining the alternative output condition.

  Further, if the “alternative mode” is “paper size different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 checks whether or not the own machine has a paper having a size different from that of the previous page (step S107). If so, the alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be replaced is printed on a sheet having a different size from the previous page (step S108). On the other hand, if the own machine does not have paper of a size different from that of the previous page, it is checked whether there is a remaining amount of paper that is the same as that of the previous page (step S105). The alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be printed is printed on the same sheet as the previous page (step S106).

  Further, if the “alternative mode” is “a paper type different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 checks whether or not the own machine possesses a paper type different from the previous page (step S100). In step S109, the alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be subjected to the alternative printing is printed on a paper of a paper type different from that of the previous page (step S110). On the other hand, if the own machine does not have a paper type that is different from the previous page, it is checked whether there is a remaining amount of paper that is the same as that of the previous page (step S105). An alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be printed is printed on the same sheet as the previous page (step S106).

  Also, if the “alternative mode” is “paper color different from the previous page”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 checks whether or not the own machine has a paper of a color different from the previous page (step S111). If so, the alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be replaced is printed on a sheet of a color different from that of the previous page (step S112). On the other hand, if the own machine does not have paper of a color different from that of the previous page, it is checked whether there is a remaining amount of paper that is the same as that of the previous page (step S105). The alternative output condition for the page is determined so that the page to be printed is printed on the same sheet as the previous page (step S106).

  Further, if the “alternative mode” is “tab paper”, the alternative output condition determination unit 104 checks whether or not the own device has tab paper (step S113). The alternative output condition of the page is determined so that the page to be printed is printed on the tab sheet (step S114). On the other hand, if the own device does not have a tab sheet, it is checked whether there is a remaining amount of paper that is the same as that of the previous page (step S105). The alternative output condition for the page is determined so as to be printed on the same sheet as (step S106).

  As described above in detail with specific examples, in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, each of the image forming apparatuses such as the multifunction peripheral 100, the printer apparatus 200, and the FAX apparatus 300 connected to the network 400. However, if some pages of a print job consisting of multiple pages cannot be printed under the specified printing conditions, the printing of the pages can be entrusted to another image forming apparatus and the pages can be handled by the printer itself. Instead of other printing conditions, printing is performed. As a result, each image forming apparatus can cause the other image forming apparatus to print only pages that cannot be printed by the own machine, and can execute a print job without stopping the process on the own machine. It becomes possible. In addition, by performing alternative printing of a page for which printing has been outsourced to another image forming apparatus, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the merge work by the user.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.
(Modification 1)
In the first modification, when a page that cannot be printed under specified printing conditions is printed under alternative output conditions (alternative printing), information indicating that the printing of the page is alternative printing is added and printed. is there. Specifically, for example, a character image such as “This page is alternative printing” is added to a sheet on which alternative printing is performed. In this case, as a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus (for example, the multifunction peripheral 100) that performs alternative printing, a guide image generation unit 114 for generating a character image as described above is added as shown in FIG. In this image forming apparatus (for example, the multifunction machine 100), when the printing unit 112 performs alternative printing under the control of the job control unit 105, the above-described character image is generated by the guide image generation unit 114. A character image is printed on paper by the printing unit 112. In this way, by performing printing by adding information indicating that the page is alternative printing at the time of alternative printing, the user can distinguish the alternative printed page at a glance and perform merge work. It becomes possible to carry out more simply.

(Modification 2)
In the second modification, when a page that cannot be printed under specified printing conditions is printed under alternative output conditions (alternative printing), the page that is the target of alternative printing is printed as a thumbnail image that is smaller than the size that should be output originally. Is. In this case, a thumbnail image generation unit 115 for generating a thumbnail image is added as a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus (for example, the multifunction peripheral 100) that performs alternative printing, as shown in FIG. In this image forming apparatus (for example, the MFP 100), when the printing unit 112 performs alternative printing under the control of the job control unit 105, the thumbnail image of the page to be subjected to alternative printing by the thumbnail image generation unit 115 is displayed. The thumbnail image is generated and printed on a sheet by the printing unit 112. In this way, by printing the thumbnail image of the target page at the time of alternative printing, the user can distinguish the alternative printed page at a glance and can perform the merge operation more easily. Become.

(Modification 3)
The third modification is an image forming apparatus that prints a page that cannot be printed under the designated printing condition under the alternative output condition (alternative printing), that is, the printing of the page. Information (device name or the like) for identifying the image forming apparatus to which the page data has been determined and transferred as a consignee is added and printed. In this case, as a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus (for example, the multifunction peripheral 100) that performs alternative printing, as shown in FIG. 12, a character for generating a device name of the image forming apparatus that is a print entrustee as a character string image. A column image generation unit 116 is added. In this image forming apparatus (for example, the multifunction peripheral 100), when the printing unit 112 performs alternative printing under the control of the job control unit 105, the character string image generation unit 116 uses the device name of the image forming apparatus that is a print consignment destination. Are generated as a character string image, and the character string image is printed on a sheet by the printing unit 112. As described above, by adding the information for identifying the image forming apparatus that is a print consignment destination in the alternative printing, the user can easily specify the image forming apparatus that is the print consignment destination.

(Modification 4)
In Modification 4, when pages that cannot be printed under specified printing conditions are continuously included in the print job, alternative printing is performed only on the first page of these consecutive pages, and the remaining pages are not processed. Alternative printing is not performed. The outline of the process of the modification 4 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the fourth modification, when a page that cannot be printed under the specified print condition is generated and the substitute output condition determination unit 104 performs the substitute output condition determination process, first, whether or not substitute printing is performed on the previous page. Is determined (step S201). If alternative printing is not performed for the previous page, the alternative output condition for the page is determined according to the set “alternative mode” (step S202). On the other hand, when alternative printing is performed on the previous page, a command to cancel printing of the page is output. This command is transmitted to the job control unit 105, and under the control of the job control unit 105, printing of the page is canceled and processing of the next page is executed. When pages that cannot be printed under the specified printing conditions are continuously included in the print job as in the fourth modification, the alternative printing is performed only on the first page of these consecutive pages, and the remaining pages are printed. By avoiding alternate printing for pages, it is possible to save resources by reducing paper consumption.

  The above-described embodiment and its modifications are examples of an application of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the gist of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 101 Condition setting part 102 Job management part 103 Transfer judgment part 104 Alternative output condition determination part 105 Job control part 106 Data transfer part 107 Data reception part 108 Document reading part 109 FAX reception part 110 Document reading part 111 FAX transmission part 112 Printing unit 113 Document storage unit 200 Printer device 300 FAX device 400 Network

Japanese Patent No. 4056402

Claims (14)

An image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Job control means for controlling the execution of a print job comprising a plurality of pages;
If some pages of the plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, the data for the page is printed together with the print instruction and the specified print conditions Data transfer means for transferring to another image forming apparatus capable of printing with
An alternative output condition determination unit that determines an alternative output condition for printing the page that has been transferred to another image forming apparatus by itself according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting;
It outputs an instruction to change the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output condition to said job control means, thereby printing the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus in the alternative output conditions An image forming system comprising: a job management unit. An image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network,
Job control means for controlling the execution of a print job comprising a plurality of pages;
If some pages of the plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, the data for the page is printed together with the print instruction and the specified print conditions Data transfer means for transferring to another image forming apparatus capable of printing with
An alternative output condition determination unit that determines an alternative output condition for printing the page that has been transferred to another image forming apparatus by itself according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting;
It outputs an instruction to change the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output condition to said job control means, thereby printing the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus in the alternative output conditions An image forming apparatus comprising: a job management unit; The print condition is a size of a print medium for printing a page,
The data transfer means, when a part of a plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed due to a shortage of a print medium of a specified size, prints the data of the page together with a print instruction. Transfer it to another image forming device that holds the print media of the specified size,
The alternative output condition determining unit determines the alternative output condition for causing the page transferred to another image forming apparatus to be printed on a print medium having a size held by the own apparatus according to the alternative mode,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the job management unit causes the page transferred to another image forming apparatus to be printed with a print medium having a size indicated by the substitute output condition . Wherein the alternative mode, it pages can not be printed on a print medium size that is specified is a mode for instructing to print replaced by print media of the same size as the previous page of the page, characterized by The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Wherein the alternative mode, and wherein, it is a mode for instructing to print replaced by print media of different sizes from the previous page of the page the page can not be printed on a print medium size that is specified The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Wherein the alternative mode, claims, characterized in, that a mode for instructing to print the different paper type of printing medium from the previous page of the page the page can not be printed on a print medium size that is specified Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 3 to 5. Wherein the alternative mode, claims, characterized in, that a mode for instructing to print the different colors of the print medium from the previous page of the page the page can not be printed on a print medium size that is specified The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3 to 5. Wherein the alternative mode, according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that a mode for instructing to print the page can not be printed on a print medium size that is specified in the tab sheet, Image forming apparatus. 9. The job control unit according to claim 2, wherein the page transferred to another image forming apparatus is printed under the alternative output condition by adding information indicating alternative printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The job control unit according to claim 2, wherein the page transferred to another image forming apparatus is printed under the alternative output condition as a thumbnail image smaller than a size to be originally printed. The image forming apparatus according to one item. The job control unit prints the page transferred to another image forming apparatus under the alternative output condition by adding information for identifying the other image forming apparatus as a data transfer destination. Item 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 2 to 10. It said job control means, mark if the page that can not be printed by the printing conditions are specified is included in the print job in succession, the first page that can not be printed by the printing conditions that are specified in the alternate output conditions printing, and not to perform printing of subsequent pages can not be printed by the printing conditions are specified, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in. An image forming method executed in an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network,
When executing a print job consisting of a plurality of pages, if some of the plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, the data of the page Transferring together with a print instruction to another image forming apparatus capable of printing under the designated printing conditions;
Determining an alternative output condition capable of printing the page transferred to another image forming apparatus on its own machine according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting;
Characterized in that it comprises by changing the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output conditions, comprising the steps of printing the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus in the alternative output conditions, the An image forming method. To an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus via a network,
When executing a print job consisting of a plurality of pages, if some of the plurality of pages included in the print job cannot be printed under the print conditions specified for the page, the data of the page A print instruction and a function of transferring the image to another image forming apparatus capable of printing under the specified printing conditions;
A function for determining an alternative output condition capable of printing the page transferred to another image forming apparatus on its own machine according to the alternative mode set in the initial setting;
By changing the printing condition of the page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus to the alternate output condition, for realizing a function to print a said page has been transferred to another image forming apparatus in the alternative output conditions Image forming program.

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