JP6413524B2 - Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  In Patent Document 1, in an image processing system that performs distributed processing of image processing such as rasterization using a plurality of printers, each printer performs client processing during processing of a print job transferred from another printer for distributed processing. It is disclosed that when a print job is received from a PC, processing of the print job transferred from another printer is stopped and processing of the print job received from the client PC is performed.

JP-A-2005-208824

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a program capable of improving the generation efficiency of image data.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding unit that holds information on a usage time zone that uses an image generation unit of another image forming apparatus, and the other image when the current time falls within the usage time zone. An image forming apparatus comprising: requesting means for requesting image generation means of an image forming apparatus to generate image data; and acquisition means for acquiring image data generated by the image generating means of the other image forming apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the generation of all the image data is completed within the usage time zone, the remaining time zone is set as a free time zone during which the image generation unit of the other image forming apparatus is not used. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising updating means for updating.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a first acquisition unit that acquires, from the first image forming apparatus, a free time zone in which the image generating unit of the first image forming apparatus is not used, and a second image forming apparatus From the second acquisition unit that acquires a desired time zone in which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is desired to be used, and the desired time zone included in the idle time zone, the second image formation An information processing apparatus comprising: permission means for permitting the apparatus to enter a use time zone in which the image generation means of the first image forming apparatus is used.

  The invention according to claim 4 further comprises update means for updating the remaining time zone of the usage time zone as the free time zone according to information from the second image forming apparatus. It is an information processing apparatus as described in.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, a first image forming apparatus, and a second image forming apparatus are provided, and the information processing apparatus includes the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. The second image forming apparatus generates information on a usage time zone using the image generation unit of the image forming apparatus, and the second image forming apparatus has the first image forming apparatus when the current time corresponds to the usage time zone. An image forming system that requests generation of image data from an image generation unit and acquires image data generated by the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding unit that holds information on a usage time zone that uses an image generation unit of another image forming apparatus, and when the current time falls within the usage time zone, the other image formation A program for causing a computer to function as request means for requesting image generation means of an apparatus to generate image data and acquisition means for acquiring image data generated by the image generation means of the other image forming apparatus. .

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, from the first image forming apparatus, the first acquisition unit that acquires a free time zone in which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is not used, and the second image forming apparatus. A second acquisition unit that acquires a desired time zone in which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is desired to be used; and the desired time zone included in the empty time zone, the second image forming apparatus. Is a program for causing a computer to function as permission means for permitting the use time zone to use the image generation means of the first image forming apparatus.

  According to the first and sixth aspects, it is possible to improve the generation efficiency of the image data when the current time corresponds to the use time zone.

  According to claim 2, the remaining time zone can be used effectively.

  According to the third and seventh aspects, it is possible to prevent the use of the image generation means from competing.

  According to claim 4, the remaining time zone can be used effectively.

  According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to improve the generation efficiency of the image data when the current time corresponds to the use time zone.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a management table. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a utilization table. It is a figure which shows an example of a reservation time setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation time setting of a borrowing side. It is a figure which shows an example of the table update by the management side. It is a figure which shows an example of the table update of a lending side. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode switching of a lending side. It is a figure which shows an example of the image generation of a borrowing side. It is a figure which shows an example of the image generation of a lending side.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 includes a management server 2 as an example of an information processing apparatus and a plurality of printers 3 as an example of an image forming apparatus. The management server 2 and the plurality of printers 3 can communicate with each other via a network.

  The management server 2 supports setting of a use time zone in which a certain printer 3 uses the image generation function of another printer 3. Hereinafter, the printer 3 that borrows the image generation function is referred to as “borrower-side printer 3”, and the printer 3 that borrows the image generation function is referred to as “lending-side printer 3”. The borrower-side printer 3 requests the rent-side printer 3 to generate image data and acquires the generated image data when the current time corresponds to the usage time zone.

  The management server 2 includes a computer including a CPU and a memory, and the CPU executes information processing according to a program stored in the memory. The program may be provided from a computer-readable information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided via a communication line such as the Internet. The management server 2 is an example of an acquisition unit, an example of a permission unit, and an example of an update unit.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printer 3. Each printer 3 includes a CEP (CEnter Processor) 31, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 32, a BEP (Back End Processor) 33, an IOT (Image Output Terminal) 34, and a transmission / reception unit 36. .

  The RIP 32 is an example of an image generation unit, and realizes an image generation function for generating image data based on a print job registered in the CEP 31 or a print job received from another printer 3. The CEP 31 is an example of a holding unit and an example of an updating unit. The transmission / reception unit 36 is an example of a request unit and an example of an acquisition unit.

  Each of CEP31, RIP32, and BEP33 is a functional unit realized by the CPU executing information processing according to a program stored in the memory. The program may be provided from a computer-readable information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The CEP 31 is a functional unit that performs data input and editing, system control, and the like. The CEP 31 transmits an image data generation command based on the registered print job to the RIP 32.

  The RIP 32 generates intermediate format image data in response to a generation command from the CEP 31 and transmits the generated image data to the BEP 33. The RIP 32 generates intermediate format image data in response to a generation command from the transmission / reception unit 36, and transmits the generated image data to the transmission / reception unit 36. The intermediate format image data is image data of a common format that does not depend on the type of the IOT 34, and is image data at a stage before the final raster image is generated.

  The BEP 33 generates a raster image from the image data from the RIP 32 and transmits it to the IOT 34. The BEP 33 performs color processing. Further, the BEP 33 transmits control data for forming the generated raster image on the paper medium to the IOT 34.

  The IOT 34 forms an image on a paper medium in accordance with the raster image from the BEP 33 and the control data. There are a plurality of types of IOT 34 such as an IOT for continuous paper printing and an IOT for printing cut paper, and raster images and control data corresponding to the types are supplied from the BEP 33.

  In the case of the borrowing-side printer 3, the transmission / reception unit 36 requests the lending-side printer 3 to generate image data and obtains the generated image data from the RIP 3 of the lending-side printer 3.

  On the other hand, in the case of the printer 3 on the lending side, the transmission / reception unit 36 causes the RIP 32 to generate image data in response to a request from the borrowing side printer 3 and transmits the image data generated by the RIP 32 to the borrowing side printer 3. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management table. The management table includes fields of “device ID”, “detailed information”, and “free time”. The device ID is identification information of the printer 3. The detailed information includes the IP address, model name, installation location, performance, and conditions of the printer 3. The idle time represents a time zone when the printer 3 is not used.

  The original management table is held by the management server 2 and is supplied from the management server 2 to each printer 3.

  The management table is used when a reservation time setting screen is displayed on the display device of the borrower's printer 3. When the desired time zone is input to the reservation time setting screen, the borrower-side printer 3 transmits the desired time zone to the management server 2. The management server 2 updates the management table held by itself based on the desired time zone received from the borrower-side printer 3 and transmits it to each printer 3.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the usage table. The usage table includes fields of “reservation ID”, “apparatus ID”, “reservation time”, “reservation job number setting”, and “reservation job number”. The reservation ID is identification information for reservation. The device ID is identification information of the printer 3. The reserved job number setting indicates whether or not to set the reserved job number. The number of reserved jobs represents the number of reserved jobs.

  The usage table is a table describing a usage time zone in which the image generation function of another printer 3 is used. The usage table may describe a usage time zone when using only its own image generation function as well as a usage time zone using the image generation function of another printer 3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation time setting screen. The reservation time setting screen is displayed on the display device of the printer 3 based on the management table. On the reservation time setting screen, an available free time zone of each printer 3, a non-reservable time zone that cannot be reserved because it is scheduled to be used by another printer 3, and a reserved use that is scheduled for its own use An area 41 for displaying a time zone (that is, a usage time zone) is provided.

  The reservation time setting screen is provided with an area 42 for displaying the IP address of each printer 3. A detailed information button 43 is provided next to the IP address. When the detailed information button 43 is pressed, the IP address, model name, installation location, performance, conditions, and the like of the printer 3 are displayed.

  Furthermore, the reservation time setting screen is also provided with a reservation button 44 for calling a reservation input screen of each printer 3. The reservation input screen is provided with a region 45 in which a time zone for borrowing the image generation function is input. Specifically, by inputting the start date and time and the end date and time, the time zone for borrowing the image generation function is specified. The reservation input screen is provided with a check field 46 for inputting whether or not to set the number of reserved jobs and an input field 47 for inputting the number of reserved jobs.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing related to setting a reservation time of the borrower-side printer 3. First, when the reservation screen display button is pressed (S11), the printer 3 acquires a management table (see FIG. 3 above) from the management server 2 (S12).

  Next, the borrower-side printer 3 displays a reservation time setting screen (see FIG. 5 above) based on the acquired management table, and accepts a reservation input (S13).

  Next, when the reservation job number setting is input to ON on the reservation time setting screen (S14: YES), the borrower-side printer 3 stores the number of reservation jobs (S15).

  Next, the borrower-side printer 3 transmits a reservation request to the management server 2 based on the value input on the reservation time setting screen (S16). At this time, the borrower-side printer 3 updates the management table held by itself and transmits it to the management server 2.

  Next, the borrower-side printer 3 receives a reservation success / failure notification from the management server 2 (S17), and obtains an updated management table (S18).

  When the reservation is unsuccessful (S19: NO), the printer 3 on the lending side displays a message indicating that the reservation has failed and prompts the user to input again (S20).

  If the reservation is successful (S19: YES), the printer 3 on the lending side updates the usage table (see FIG. 4 above) held by itself based on the updated management table acquired from the management server 2. (S21).

  Thereafter, the rent-side printer 3 accepts an input as to whether or not to actually use the image generation function of the rent-side printer 3 for the print job to be reserved (S22). This is to double check whether it is actually used.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing related to the table update of the management server 2. First, the management server 2 receives a reservation request from the printer 3 on the borrowing side (S23). That is, the management server 2 acquires a desired time zone that the borrower-side printer 3 desires to use.

  Next, the management server 2 determines whether or not there is a conflict in the desired time zone related to the reservation request (S24). If there is a conflict (S24: YES), the reservation on the borrowing side printer 3 has failed. (S25) and the latest management table is transmitted to the borrower printer 3 (S26).

  On the other hand, if there is no conflict (S24: NO), the management server 2 notifies the borrower's printer 3 that the reservation is successful (S27), and updates the management table based on the desired time zone related to the reservation request. Then, the updated management table is transmitted to all the printers 3 (S29). In other words, the management server 2 permits the borrowing-side printer 3 to use the image generation function of the lending-side printer 3 during a desired time period.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing related to the table update of the printer 3 on the lending side. The lending-side printer 3 receives the management table transmitted from the management server 2 (S31), and updates the management table held by itself based on the received management table (S32).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing related to mode switching of the printer 3 on the lending side. The lending-side printer 3 sequentially checks the management table held by itself (S34), and determines whether or not the current time falls within the usage time zone in which the borrowing-side printer 3 uses its own image generation function. (S35), if it corresponds to the usage time zone (S35: YES), a rental mode in which its own image generation function can be used by the borrower side printer 3 is set (S36), and it corresponds to the usage time zone. If not (S35: NO), the normal mode is set (S37).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing related to image generation of the borrower-side printer 3. First, the borrower-side printer 3 determines whether or not the print job to be processed is set to use the image generation function of another printer 3 (S41). This is a step corresponding to S22. If the setting is not to be used (S41: NO), the borrower-side printer 3 independently generates an image (S43).

  If the setting is to be used (S41: YES), the borrower-side printer 3 refers to the usage table and determines whether or not the current time corresponds to the usage time zone (S42). If the current time does not correspond to the usage time zone (S42: NO), the borrower-side printer 3 independently generates an image (S43).

  When the current time corresponds to the usage time zone (S42: YES), the borrower-side printer 3 transmits a print job to the rent-side printer 3 (S44) and determines a page for requesting image generation (S45). The page number is notified to the rental printer 3 (S46).

  Next, the borrower-side printer 3 receives the image data generated by the loan-side printer 3 (S47). Thereafter, the borrower-side printer 3 ends the print job (S48).

  Further, the borrower-side printer 3 refers to the use table, and when the reserved job number setting is ON (S49: YES), and when all the reserved jobs are completed within the use time period (S50: YES), The management server 2 is requested to update the remaining time zone as a free time zone (S51).

  Upon receiving this request, the management server 2 updates the management table so that the remaining time zone is replaced with a free time zone, and transmits the updated management table to all the printers 3.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing relating to image generation of the printer 3 on the lending side. First, the renting-side printer 3 receives a print job from the borrowing-side printer 3 (S53), and then receives a page number for image generation (S54). Next, the printer 3 on the lending side generates an image of the designated page number (S55), and transmits it to the printer 3 on the borrowing side (S56).

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system, 2 Management server (an example of information processing apparatus), 3 Printer (an example of image forming apparatus), 31 CEP (CEnter Processor), 32 RIP (Raster Image Processor), 33 BEP (Back End Processor), 34 IOT (Image Output Terminal), 36 Transmitter / receiver.

Claims (5)

A holding unit that holds information on a use time zone in which an image generation unit of another image forming apparatus is used;
Requesting means for requesting image generation means of the other image forming apparatus to generate image data when the current time corresponds to the use time zone;
Obtaining means for obtaining image data generated by the image generating means of the other image forming apparatus;
An update unit that updates the remaining time zone as a free time zone in which the image generation unit of the other image forming apparatus is not used when generation of all image data is completed within the usage time zone;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A first acquisition unit that acquires a free time zone in which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is not used from the first image forming apparatus;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a desired time zone in which the image generation means of the first image forming apparatus is desired to be used from the second image forming apparatus;
Permission means for permitting the second image forming apparatus to use the desired time period included in the idle time period as a usage time period in which the image generating unit of the first image forming apparatus is used;
Updating means for updating a remaining time zone of the usage time zone as the free time zone according to information from the second image forming apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus, a first image forming apparatus, and a second image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus generates information on a usage time zone in which the second image forming apparatus uses the image generating unit of the first image forming apparatus,
The second image forming apparatus requests the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus to generate image data when the current time corresponds to the usage time zone, and the first image forming apparatus Obtain the image data generated by the image generation means ,
When the generation of all the image data is completed within the usage time zone, the information processing apparatus updates the remaining time zone as a free time zone during which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is not used. ,
Image forming system. A holding unit that holds information on a use time period using an image generation unit of another image forming apparatus;
Request means for requesting image generation means of the other image forming apparatus to generate image data when the current time corresponds to the usage time zone ,
Obtaining means for obtaining image data generated by the image generation means before Symbol another image forming apparatus, and
An update unit that updates the remaining time zone as a free time zone in which the image generation unit of the other image forming apparatus is not used when generation of all image data is completed within the usage time zone;
As a program to make the computer function as. A first acquisition unit that acquires a free time zone in which the image generation unit of the first image forming apparatus is not used from the first image forming apparatus;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a desired time zone in which the use of the image generation means of the first image forming apparatus is desired from the second image forming apparatus ;
The desired time period included in the prior SL idle time zone, permission means the second image forming apparatus is permitted to the usage time zone to use the image generating means of the first image forming apparatus, and
Updating means for updating a remaining time zone of the usage time zone as the free time zone according to information from the second image forming apparatus;
As a program to make the computer function as.

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