JPH11309926A - Image forming device, image forming system, image forming method, and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an Image forming systems to use effectively practically a property connected to network and realize an efficient network printing environment at high speed. SOLUTION: A network environment has a first and second image forming devices having a predetermined capacity as a network printer connected to network 301 and printing information terminal for sending printing command and printing information to the aforementioned first or second image forming device; herein, the first image forming device attains information regarding printing capacity from the second image forming before storing it into a storing part 21. A virtual image forming device having a printing ability different from a printing ability of the first image forming device is obtained from the printing ability information of the second image forming device and printing ability information of the first image forming device. Then, the first image forming device operates to transfer a part of the printing information terminal to the second image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a method for performing printing via a network on which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and at least one or more print information terminals are connected. The present invention relates to an image forming method and a computer-readable storage medium for implementing the image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus of this type as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

This image forming apparatus uses a LAN (Local Area)
Network: a local communication network, etc., and a network interface unit 30
2. Image creation unit 303, image processing unit 304, printing unit 30
5, a paper feed unit 306, a paper discharge unit 307, a control unit 308, and a print capability information storage unit 309.

[0005] Network interface unit 302
Is an interface unit for connecting the network 301 to the image forming apparatus, and the image creating unit 303 interprets a print language input to the image forming apparatus to create image data. The image processing unit 304 converts the image data created by the image creating unit 303 into an image suitable for printing, and the image data is printed by the printing unit 305.

The paper supply unit 306 supplies paper to the printing unit 305, and the paper discharge unit 307 discharges the printed paper outside the image forming apparatus. The control unit 308 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The print capability information storage unit 309 stores the print capability of the image forming apparatus in advance.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system configured on a network.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 601 denotes a first image forming apparatus, and 602 denotes a second image forming apparatus. A print information terminal 603 transmits print information to the image forming apparatus 601 or 602 and issues a print command. Here, it is assumed that the first image forming apparatus 601 is configured as shown in FIG.

Next, a conventional printing procedure in the above-described image forming system will be described.

When the print information terminal 603 performs printing on the first image forming apparatus 601, an operator operates the print information terminal 603 and designates the first image forming apparatus 601 to start printing. When printing is started, the print data converted into the print language in the print information terminal 603 is input to the first image forming apparatus 601 via the network 301.

[0011] The print data sent from the print information terminal 203 via the network 301 is taken into the apparatus by the network interface unit 302.
The image creation unit 303 converts the print language into image data. The image data thus created is subjected to image processing suitable for printing by the image processing unit 304, and is sent to the printing unit 305. The printing unit 305 receives the paper from the paper feeding unit 306 and prints the image data sent from the image processing unit 304 on the paper. The paper on which printing has been completed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge unit 307.

The control unit 308 controls all such data and paper flow, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 601 such as performing error processing when an abnormality occurs.

Next, a method in which the print information terminal acquires print capability information from the network printer will be described.

For example, there is an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) defined as RFC1157. This protocol has been conventionally used for managing the status of network devices such as HUBs and routers, but is now expanded to be used for status management of network printers, information acquisition, function setting, and the like. . Therefore, by making the network printer compatible with this protocol, the SNM is
By executing a utility program having a P manager function, it is possible to obtain print capability information of a network printer.

When the print information terminal 603 acquires the print capability information of the image forming apparatus connected to the network,
According to the SNMP protocol, an arbitrary image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 601) is specified, and an information request command is issued. This command is taken into the image forming apparatus 601 via the network 301 and received by the network interface unit 302.

The reception of the command is notified to the control unit 308, and the control unit 308, which recognizes the command, reads out the information stored in the print capability information storage unit 309, and instructs the network interface unit 302 to transmit the information. The network interface unit 302
The print capability information is transmitted to the print information terminal 603 via the network 301 according to the MP protocol.

By the above operation, the print information terminal 603
Can acquire the printing capability of any image forming apparatus. The acquired information is stored in the SN executed on the print information terminal 603.
It is provided to the operator by a utility program having an MP manager function.

[0018]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses exist on the network 301, the print information terminal 603 can store a specific one of them.
Printing can be performed only by one image forming apparatus, and printing capability information can be obtained only by one specific image forming apparatus. Therefore, for example, the printing speed, which is one element of the printing capability information, is determined only by the capability of the image forming apparatus that has designated printing, and it cannot be said that the resources of the entire network are effectively used.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and an image forming method for effectively utilizing resources connected to a network to realize a high-speed and efficient network printing environment. It is an object to provide a computer-readable storage medium.

[0020]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided on a network to which an external image forming apparatus and a print information terminal are connected. In an image forming apparatus that receives a print command and print information from an information terminal and performs print processing with a predetermined print capability as a network printer, a communication unit that performs communication with the external image forming apparatus; A printing capability information obtaining unit that obtains information about a printing capability from the external image forming apparatus, and referring to the printing capability information of the external image forming device obtained by the printing capability information obtaining unit, the predetermined printing capability and Means for providing a virtual image forming apparatus having different printing capabilities, and a part of print information from the print information terminal Wherein it is obtained a print information transfer means for transferring to the external image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the printing capability information acquiring means transmits information relating to the printing capability to the external image forming device. And a printing capability information receiving unit for receiving a printing capability notification data transmitted from the external image forming apparatus after transmitting the command.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect,
The virtual image forming apparatus providing unit is a virtual printing capability providing unit that provides a virtual printing capability obtained by adding the printing capability of the external image forming device acquired by the printing capability information acquiring unit and the predetermined printing capability. It is composed.

In the image forming system according to the present invention, the first and second image forming apparatuses are connected to a network and have a predetermined printing capability as a network printer, and the first or second image forming apparatus is provided. An image forming system comprising: a print information terminal that sends a print command and print information to the first and second image forming apparatuses; and a communication unit that performs communication between the first and second image forming apparatuses. A printing capability information acquiring unit that acquires information about a printing capability from the second image forming device by the image forming device; a printing capability information of the second image forming device acquired by using the printing capability information acquiring unit; Based on the printing capability information of the first image forming device, a virtual image forming device having a printing capability different from the printing capability of the first image forming device is provided. A virtual image forming apparatus providing means for,
Print information transfer means for transferring a part of the print information received by the first image forming apparatus from the print information terminal to the second image forming apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing capability information acquiring means is configured such that the first image forming apparatus is configured to execute the second image forming apparatus.
A print capability information transmission requesting unit for issuing a command to transmit information on the print capability to the image forming apparatus, and a print capability notification data transmitted from the second image forming apparatus after transmitting the command. And printing capability information receiving means for receiving.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the means for providing a virtual image forming apparatus includes a step of: And a virtual printing capability providing unit for providing a virtual printing capability by adding the printing capability of the image forming apparatus and the printing capability of the first image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, there are provided first and second image forming apparatuses connected to a network and having a predetermined capability as a network printer.
A communication unit for communicating between the first and second image forming apparatuses is provided for an image forming system including a print information terminal that sends a print command and print information to the first or second image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus uses the second image forming apparatus to obtain information about the printing ability from the second image forming apparatus. A virtual image providing a virtual image forming apparatus having a printing ability different from the printing ability of the first image forming apparatus based on the printing ability information and the printing ability information of the first image forming apparatus; Forming apparatus providing processing and print information transfer processing for transferring a part of print information received from the print information terminal by the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. It is.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the seventh aspect, the printing capability information obtaining process is performed when the first image forming apparatus transmits the print capability information to the second image forming apparatus. A print capability information transmission request process for issuing a command to transmit information relating to the print capability, and print capability information reception for receiving print capability notification data transmitted from the second image forming apparatus after transmitting the command. And processing.

In the image forming method according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the seventh or eighth aspect,
The virtual image forming apparatus providing process provides a virtual printing capability obtained by adding the printing capability of the second image forming device and the printing capability of the first image forming device acquired by the printing capability information acquiring process. Virtual printing capability providing processing.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the computer readable storage medium, a printing capability information obtaining step for obtaining information on a printing capability from an external image forming apparatus via a network, and the printing capability information obtaining step. A virtual image forming apparatus providing step of providing a virtual image forming apparatus with reference to the printing capability information of the external image forming apparatus, and a part of print information transmitted from a print information terminal on the network. And a print information transfer step of transferring the print information to the external image forming apparatus.

[0030] In the computer readable storage medium according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the tenth aspect, the printing capability information acquiring step includes transmitting information relating to the printing capability to the external image forming apparatus. A printing capability information transmission requesting step of issuing a command to transmit the command; and a printing capability information receiving step of receiving the printing capability notification data transmitted from the external image forming apparatus after transmitting the command. .

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the computer readable storage medium according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the step of providing the virtual image forming apparatus is obtained by the printing capability information obtaining step. The present invention provides a virtual printing capability obtained by adding the printing capability of the external image forming apparatus and a predetermined printing capability.

[0032]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes a network such as a LAN, and 12 denotes a network interface unit for connecting the network to the image forming apparatus. An image creating unit 13 interprets a print language input to the image forming apparatus and creates image data. An image processing unit 14 converts the image data created by the image creating unit 13 into an image suitable for printing.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a printing unit for printing image data, and 16 denotes a paper feeding unit for supplying paper to the printing unit. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit for discharging the printed paper out of the image forming apparatus, and reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 19 denotes a printing capability information storage unit for storing the printing capability of the image forming apparatus;
Reference numeral denotes an external device printing capability information storage unit for storing printing capability information of the external device.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration constitutes, for example, the image forming apparatus 601 connected to the network 301 shown in FIG.

Next, the control procedure of this embodiment executed by the image forming apparatus 601 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

The image forming apparatus 601 operates in step S401.
When activated by (FIG. 2), in step S402, the apparatus is initialized, and an exploration is made as to whether or not there is an image forming apparatus on the same network 301 that can form a virtual image forming apparatus. In step S403, a search command is issued. The search command passes over the network 301, and the network 3
When an image forming apparatus capable of responding to 01 is connected, a reply is made to this search command.

In FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 602 responds. The image forming apparatus 601 checks in step S404 whether a search response, which is a reply to the search command, has been received. If there is no search response, the image forming apparatus 601 operates as a normal network printer, and thus branches to normal print processing in step S405. The normal processing is one-to-one printing between the print information terminal 603 and the image forming apparatus 601 as described in the conventional example.

If a search response has been received, a print capability information transmission request command is issued in step S406 to inquire of each image forming apparatus that has responded the print capability. In the present embodiment, the network 301
Since the image forming apparatus 602 is connected thereto, the search response returned by the image forming apparatus 602 is received, and the image forming apparatus 601 issues a print capability information request command to the image forming apparatus 602.

The image forming apparatus 601 that has transmitted the print capability information transmission request command waits for the reception of the print capability information notification data from the image forming apparatus 602 in step S407. When the reception of the printing capability information notification data is completed, in step S500, the received printing capability information of the external device is stored in the external device printing capability information storage unit 101, and then the process proceeds to step S408, and the process proceeds to step S40.
It is confirmed whether the reception of the printing capability information notification data has been completed from all the image forming apparatuses that have responded in step 4.

In the case of this embodiment, the network 301
Since only the image forming apparatus 602 is connected above,
If print capability information notification data is received from image forming apparatus 602, the process proceeds to step S409.

In step S409, the capability totaling process is performed based on the collected printing capability information of each image forming apparatus.
For example, when the printing speed, which is one printing capacity of the image forming apparatus 601, is 30 sheets per minute, and the printing speed, which is one printing ability of the image forming apparatus 602, is 20 sheets per minute.
The result of the total capacity processing is 50 sheets per minute.

By effectively utilizing these two image forming apparatuses,
In order to provide a virtual image forming apparatus for every 50 sheets on the network, it is necessary to determine a print data distribution method in step S410 (FIG. 3). For example, since the printing speed ratio between the first image forming apparatus 602 and the second image forming apparatus 602 used in the present embodiment is 3: 2,
If the print data distribution method is similarly performed at a ratio of 3: 2, printing for every 50 sheets can be executed as a result.

Next, 5 which is virtually realized as described above
The following describes how the printing process is performed on the image forming apparatus for every 0 sheets.

Step S411 is a step for confirming whether or not a print capability inquiry command by SNMP has been received as described in the conventional example. If the image forming apparatus 601 transmits a print capability inquiry command from the print information terminal If received, the total capability is returned in step S412. For example, the image forming apparatus 601 responds to the print information terminal 603 with a value of 50 sheets per minute, which is a total of 30 sheets per minute and 20 sheets per minute.

If it is not a print capability inquiry command, it is checked in step S413 whether a print request has been received. If there is no print request, the flow branches again to step S411 to wait for a command from the print information terminal 603. .

On the other hand, if a print request is received in step S413, then in step S414, for example, one page
The print data unit is received, and it is determined in step S415 whether the received data is data to be distributed to another image forming apparatus.

In the present embodiment, since the print speed ratio is 3: 2, the print data is also distributed by 3: 2. For example, if the first image forming apparatus 601 captures three pages of print data, then the next two pages of print data will be the target data to be distributed to the second image forming apparatus 602.

The print data fetched by the first image forming apparatus 601 is printed in step S416.
The print data to be distributed is stored in step S417.
Is transferred to the second image forming apparatus 602 and printed from the second image forming apparatus.

Next, in step S418, the print information terminal 6
It is checked whether all of the print data sent from S03 has been received, and if not, the flow branches to step S414 again to repeat the above print processing. If all print data has been received, the flow branches to step S411 to wait for a new command from the print information client 603.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus designated to perform printing communicates with another image forming apparatus connected to the network to constitute a virtual image forming apparatus having virtual printing capability. Therefore, high-speed printing can be performed by effectively utilizing the assets connected to the network.

The above-described control method can be realized by storing a program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a storage device in the control unit 18 and operating the program.

The present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is also supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the system or apparatus is also stored in a computer (or CPU or MPU). It goes without saying that the code is completed by reading and executing the code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M can be used. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the operations are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the next program code is written based on an instruction. This also includes the case where a CPU or the like provided with an extension board or a function in an extension unit performs the extended function for the actual processing to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Needless to say,

[0057]

As described in detail above, the image forming apparatus according to the first to third aspects, the image forming system according to the fourth to sixth aspects, and the seventh to the seventh aspects. According to the image forming method of the ninth aspect, the image forming apparatus designated to perform printing communicates with another image forming apparatus connected to the network, and has a virtual printing capability. Since the image forming apparatus is configured, it is possible to effectively utilize assets connected to the network and realize a high-speed and efficient network printing environment.

According to the storage medium readable by a computer according to the present invention, the same effects as those of the above inventions can be obtained by reading and executing the program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system configured on a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 12 network interface unit 13 image creating unit 14 image processing unit 15 printing unit 16 paper feeding unit 17 paper discharging unit 18 control unit 19 printing capability information storage unit 21 external device printing capability information storage unit 301 LAN 601 first image forming device 602 Second image forming apparatus 603 Print information terminal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06T 11/00 G06F 15/72 G

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image which is provided on a network to which an external image forming apparatus and a print information terminal are connected, receives a print command and print information from the print information terminal, and performs a print process with a predetermined print capability as a network printer. In the forming apparatus, a communication unit that communicates with the external image forming apparatus; a printing capability information obtaining unit that obtains information about a printing capability from the external image forming device using the communication unit; A virtual image forming apparatus providing unit that provides a virtual image forming apparatus having a printing capability different from the predetermined printing capability with reference to the printing capability information of the external image forming device acquired by the acquiring unit; Print information transfer means for transferring a part of print information from an information terminal to the external image forming apparatus. Apparatus. 2. The printing capability information obtaining unit includes: a printing capability information transmission requesting unit that issues a command to transmit information about the printing capability to the external image forming apparatus; and 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing ability information receiving unit that receives the printing ability notification data transmitted from the external image forming apparatus. 3. The virtual image forming apparatus providing unit, wherein the virtual image forming apparatus providing unit provides a virtual printing capability obtained by adding a printing capability of the external image forming device acquired by the printing capability information acquiring unit and the predetermined printing capability. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a printing capability providing unit. 4. A first and second image forming apparatus connected to a network and having a predetermined printing capability as a network printer, and print information for sending a print command and print information to the first or second image forming apparatus. A communication unit for communicating between the first and second image forming apparatuses, wherein the first image forming apparatus uses the communication unit to communicate with the second image forming apparatus. A printing capability information obtaining unit that obtains information about a printing capability from the printer; a printing capability information of the second image forming device and a printing capability information of the first image forming device that are obtained using the printing capability information obtaining unit. Virtual image forming apparatus providing means for providing a virtual image forming apparatus having a printing capability different from the printing capability of the first image forming device based on the first and second image forming devices; Image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus and a print information transfer means for transferring said second image forming apparatus a part of the print information received from the print information terminal. 5. A print capability information transmission requesting unit for issuing a command so that the first image forming apparatus transmits information on its print capability to the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising: a printing capability information receiving unit that receives the printing capability notification data transmitted from the second image forming apparatus after transmitting the command. 6. A virtual image forming apparatus providing unit, comprising: a virtual sum of a printing capability of the second image forming device and a printing capability of the first image forming device acquired by the printing capability information acquiring unit. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming system is configured by a virtual printing capability providing unit that provides a high printing capability. 7. A first and second image forming apparatus connected to a network and having a predetermined capability as a network printer, and a print information terminal for sending a print command and print information to the first or second image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus uses the communication means for performing communication between the first and second image forming apparatuses to perform printing from the second image forming apparatus. A print capability information acquisition process for acquiring information; and a print capability information of the second image forming device and a print capability information of the first image formation device acquired by the print capability information acquisition process. A virtual image forming apparatus providing process for providing a virtual image forming apparatus having a printing capability different from the printing capability of the first image forming apparatus; A print information transfer process for transferring a part of the print information received from the print information terminal to the second image forming apparatus. 8. The print capability information transmission process, wherein the first image forming device issues a command to transmit information on the print capability to the second image forming device. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, further comprising: a print capability information receiving process of receiving print capability notification data transmitted from the second image forming apparatus after transmitting the command. 9. The virtual image forming apparatus providing process, wherein the virtual image forming device provides a virtual total obtained by adding the printing capability of the second image forming device and the printing capability of the first image forming device acquired by the printing capability information acquiring process. 9. The image forming method according to claim 7, further comprising a virtual printing capability providing process for providing a suitable printing capability. 10. A printing capability information obtaining step of obtaining information on a printing capability from an external image forming device via a network, and referring to the printing capability information of the external image forming device obtained in the printing capability information obtaining step. A virtual image forming apparatus providing step of providing a virtual image forming apparatus; and a print information transferring step of transferring a part of print information sent from a print information terminal on the network to the external image forming apparatus. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. 11. The print capability information obtaining step includes: a print capability information transmission requesting step of issuing a command to transmit information on the print capability to the external image forming apparatus; and The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, further comprising: a print capability information receiving step of receiving print capability notification data transmitted from the external image forming apparatus. 12. The virtual image forming device providing step provides a virtual printing capability obtained by adding a printing capability of the external image forming device acquired in the printing capability information acquiring step and a predetermined printing capability. 12. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium.