WO2024067588A1

WO2024067588A1 - Job processing method and apparatus, and image forming device and storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2024067588A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/121575
Authority: WO
Inventors: 武小虎
Original assignee: 北京奔图信息技术有限公司
Priority date: 2022-09-28
Filing date: 2023-09-26
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

The present application relates to a job processing method and apparatus, and an image forming device and a storage medium. The method comprises: upon receiving a job task, determining whether there is a need to establish a job group, wherein the job group comprises at least one image forming device among preset image forming devices; if it is determined that there is a need to establish a job group, establishing the job group; and selecting one image forming device from among the job group, and forwarding the job task to the selected image forming device, so as to execute the job task. The present application enables image forming devices in a network to be used by a user in a more balanced manner, thereby avoiding rapid aging of the devices, and thus effectively protecting the devices.

Description

Job processing method, device, image forming equipment and storage medium

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 28, 2022, with application number 202211189514.7, and invention name “Job balancing processing method, device, image forming device and storage medium”, and claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 28, 2022, with application number 202211189731.6, and invention name “Job abnormality processing method, device, image forming device and storage medium”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical field of image forming equipment, and in particular to a job processing method, device, image forming equipment and storage medium.

Background technique

The image forming device is used to perform image forming operations. For example, a printer can perform printing operations. In an office network, multiple printers may be included for users to select a machine for performing printing operations.

The inventors of the present application discovered in their research that in the prior art, users always choose fixed equipment to perform work due to the subtle influence of their usage habits. This causes the equipment selected by users to undertake more work tasks, and compared with other equipment, its wear and tear is also greater, which is more likely to cause accelerated aging of the equipment.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present invention provide a job processing method, an apparatus, an image forming device and a storage medium, which can enable image forming devices in a network to be used more evenly by users, avoid rapid aging of the devices, and thus effectively protect the devices.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a job processing method, which is applied to any image forming device in a preset image forming device group, wherein the preset image forming device group includes a plurality of interconnected image forming devices, and the method includes:

When receiving a job task, determining whether it is necessary to establish a job group, wherein the job group includes at least one image forming device among the preset image forming devices;

If the judgment is yes, then establishing the operation group; and

An image forming device is selected from the job group, and the job task is forwarded to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation, the determining whether a job group needs to be established includes:

Whether the image forming device needs to establish a balanced usage mode is determined according to whether the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode. If the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, the judgment is yes.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation, the operation group includes a static operation group;

The establishing of the operation group comprises:

According to preset performance indicators and/or status information of image forming devices, at least one image forming device is selected from the preset image forming device group to form a static job group.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the operation group is a dynamic operation group;

The establishing of the operation group further includes:

Broadcasting demand information in the preset image forming device group, the demand information carrying resource conditions required for executing the job task, so that the image forming devices that meet the resource conditions can respond;

After receiving the response, the image forming device that sent the response message is added to the dynamic job group.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes:

Acquire a preset forwarding mode of the job task, wherein the forwarding mode includes an automatic forwarding mode and a manual forwarding mode;

When the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode, the image forming device selects an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded;

When the forwarding mode is a manual forwarding mode, the job group is prompted to the user terminal of the user, and according to the user's selection instruction, the image forming device selected by the user is used as the image forming device to be forwarded.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation, selecting an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded includes:

According to the distance factor between the image forming devices in the job group and the user terminal, and/or the utilization factor of the image forming devices, an image forming device is selected from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation, the method also includes: each of the image forming devices determines its own utilization factor according to a preset algorithm; the utilization factor is proportional to the number of historical job tasks and the accumulated consumables usage of the image forming device, and inversely proportional to the standby time of the image forming device.

When an operation abnormality occurs, diagnose the cause of the abnormality;

Determine, based on the abnormal reason, whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded;

When the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, the job task is forwarded to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group, so that the other image forming device continues to execute the job task.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, forwarding the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group includes:

Selecting at least one image forming device from the preset image forming device group to form the job group;

An image forming device is selected from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and the job task is forwarded to the image forming device to be forwarded.

In combination with the first aspect, in a feasible implementation, the method further includes: when the operation task is For non-forwardable job tasks, a reminder is sent to the user terminal.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a job processing device, comprising:

A determination module, configured to determine whether it is necessary to establish a job group when receiving a job task, wherein the job group includes at least one image forming device in the preset image forming device group;

A creation module, configured to create the operation group if the judgment is yes; and

The forwarding module is used to select an image forming device from the job group and forward the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.

In combination with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation, the judgment module is used to judge whether it is necessary to establish a job group according to whether the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, and when the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, the judgment is yes.

In combination with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation method, the establishment module is used to select at least one image forming device that meets the preset performance indicators and/or status conditions from the preset image forming device group according to the preset performance indicators and/or status information of the image forming device to form a static job group.

In combination with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation method, the establishment module is used to broadcast demand information in the preset image forming device group, and the demand information carries the resource conditions required to execute the job task, so that the image forming device that meets the resource conditions can respond; after receiving the response, the image forming device that sends the response message is added to the dynamic job group.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation, the device further includes a mode setting module, which is used to pre-set a forwarding mode of the job task, wherein the forwarding mode includes an automatic forwarding mode and a manual forwarding mode;

The first forwarding module is used for, when the forwarding mode is an automatic forwarding mode, the image forming device selects an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded; when the forwarding mode is a manual forwarding mode, the job group is prompted to the user terminal of the user, and according to the user's selection instruction, the image forming device selected by the user is used as the image forming device to be forwarded.

In combination with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation method, the first forwarding module is used to select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded based on the distance factor between the image forming device in the job group and the user terminal, and/or the utilization factor of the image forming device.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the device further includes:

The abnormality diagnosis module is used to diagnose the abnormal cause of the abnormal operation when the abnormal operation occurs;

A task type confirmation module, used to determine whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded according to the abnormal reason;

The second forwarding module is used for forwarding the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group when the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task.

In combination with the second aspect, in a feasible implementation method, the second forwarding module is used to select at least one image forming device from the preset image forming device group to form a job group; select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and forward the job task to the image forming device to be forwarded.

In a third aspect, the present application provides an image forming device, comprising the job processing device described in the second aspect. device.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the storage medium includes a stored program, and when the program is executed, the device where the storage medium is located is controlled to execute the job processing method described in the first aspect.

The job processing method and device provided in the present application determine whether it is necessary to establish a job group when receiving a job task, establish the job group after the determination is yes, and select an image forming device from the job group, and forward the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task. Compared with the prior art, the image forming devices in the network can be used by users more evenly, avoiding rapid aging of the devices, thereby effectively protecting the devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application environment provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for processing a job provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a process of establishing a job group according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a process flow of a forwarding job task provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a flow chart of another method for processing a job provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another process of establishing a job group provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a flowchart of another forwarding task provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a functional block diagram of a job processing device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a functional block diagram of another job processing device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a computer device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

In order to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be clear that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "said" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" used in this article is only a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and/or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" in this article generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. Tie.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe the terminal in the embodiments of the present invention, these terminals should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the terminals from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present invention, the first terminal may also be referred to as the second terminal, and similarly, the second terminal may also be referred to as the first terminal.

The word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting", depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined" or "if (stated condition or event) is detected" may be interpreted as "when it is determined" or "in response to determining" or "when detecting (stated condition or event)" or "in response to detecting (stated condition or event)", depending on the context.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an application environment of a job processing method is illustrated in an embodiment of the present application.

In the application environment of the present application, it involves a user terminal 100 and a preset image forming device group 200. The user terminal 100 is connected to any image forming device in the preset image forming device group 200 through a network, and the network can be a wired network or a wireless network, and can include a local area network, a wide area network, etc.

The user terminal 10 can be, for example, a general-purpose computer, such as a desktop computer, a PC, etc. For example, the user terminal can be, but is not limited to, a computer with a Windows system, and the user can implement operations such as file creation, editing, and transmission based on the Windows system. Of course, the user can also download files from the cloud based on the user terminal 100. In the embodiment of the present application, the file can contain content in the form of text, pictures, tables, etc., and the user can send the file to any image forming device in the preset image forming device group for operation.

In the embodiment of the present application, the preset image forming device group 200 includes a plurality of image forming devices connected to each other. The connection mode may be a wired network connection or a wireless network connection. Preferably, the plurality of image forming devices are in the same local area network.

Image forming devices, shown as 201-204 in FIG. 1, are devices having at least one function related to image formation, and the above-mentioned functions related to image formation may include but are not limited to: printing function, scanning function, copying function, and fax function. For example: single-function printer (image forming device with only printing function); multi-function printer (image forming device with printing, copying, scanning and/or faxing functions, and the number of paper trays can be selectively set); digital multifunction printer (based on copying function, with standard or optional printing, scanning, faxing functions, using digital principles, outputting documents in the form of laser printing, and being able to edit images and texts as needed, with a large capacity paper tray, high memory, large hard disk, strong network support and multi-task parallel processing capabilities).

In the embodiment of the present application, the image forming device performs a job based on a file, and the job form can be exemplified by a print job. It is easy to understand that the job can also be in other forms, such as image scanning, etc., and the image forming device can be exemplified by a printer. For example, in FIG1 , a user can operate on a user terminal 100 to send a file print job task JOB to a printer 201.

In conventional technology, the printer 201 directly processes the print job task. When the user frequently selects the printer 201 to perform the job, the printer 201 will generate more loss than other printers.

In this regard, the embodiments of the present application are improved to improve operating efficiency.

2 , a method for processing a job is provided in one embodiment of the present application, and the method can be applied to any image forming device in a preset image forming device group 200 .

The job processing method in the embodiment of the present application includes:

S21, upon receiving a job task, determining whether a job group needs to be established, the job group including at least one image forming device in a preset image forming device group;

S22, if the judgment is yes, then create a job group; and

S23, selecting an image forming device from the job group, and forwarding the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.

The job processing method provided in the present application above determines whether it is necessary to establish a job group when receiving a job task, establishes the job group after the determination is yes, selects an image forming device from the job group, and forwards the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task. Compared with the prior art, the image forming devices in the network can be used by users more evenly, avoiding rapid aging of the devices, thereby effectively protecting the devices.

The above method is described below in a more detailed embodiment of the present application.

S21, when receiving a job task, determining whether a job group needs to be established, the job group including at least one image forming device in a preset image forming device group.

Specifically, before this step, a preset image forming device group is also pre-established. For example, a plurality of image forming devices may be connected via a routing device in a local area network to establish a preset image forming device group.

In this embodiment, the user can edit the file at the user terminal 100 . When the user finishes editing the file and needs to print the file, the user can call the print driver to perform the print job and send the job task JOB to the image forming device 201 .

At this time, the image forming apparatus 201 determines whether a job group needs to be created.

In one embodiment of the present application, the image forming device 201 determines whether a job group needs to be established based on whether the image forming device 201 is pre-set to a balanced usage mode. When the image forming device 201 is pre-set to a balanced usage mode, the determination is yes.

S22: If the answer is yes, then create a job group.

In one embodiment of the present application, an image forming device may be selected to establish a static job group. For example, based on preset performance indicators and/or status information of the image forming device, at least one image forming device that meets the preset performance indicators and/or status information is screened from the preset image forming device group to form a static job group. Performance indicators, for example, may include color printing and black and white printing, and status information may include idle and busy. In one embodiment, a static job group may be predefined, and multiple image forming devices with similar performance may be divided into the same static job group. Preferably, multiple image forming devices in the static job group may be devices of the same brand and model. When an abnormal operation occurs in one of the devices, when the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, it is easy to infer that the device of the same brand and model is also capable of performing the job task, so that the image forming device can be quickly replaced.

In one embodiment of the present application, the image forming device can also choose to establish a dynamic job group. For example, an image forming device with a job abnormality broadcasts demand information in a preset image forming device group. The demand information carries the resource conditions required to perform the job task, so that the image forming devices that meet the resource conditions can respond. After receiving the response, the image forming device that sent the response message is added to the dynamic job group. Industry groups can make accurate selections and ensure balanced use of multiple image forming devices.

In the embodiment of the present application, the image forming device can choose to establish a static job group or a dynamic job group in a pre-set form.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present application, after the image forming device establishes a job group, it obtains a pre-set forwarding mode of the job task, and the forwarding mode includes an automatic forwarding mode and a manual forwarding mode; when the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode, the image forming device selects an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded; when the forwarding mode is the manual forwarding mode, the job group is prompted to the user terminal of the user, and according to the user's selection instruction, the image forming device selected by the user is used as the image forming device to be forwarded.

In an embodiment of the present application, the image forming device can select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded based on the distance factor between the image forming device in the job group and the user terminal, and/or the utilization factor of the image forming device, and then forward the job task to the image forming device to be forwarded.

In one embodiment of the present application, each image forming device in a preset image forming device group can pre-store the distance factor between each device and the user terminal, and the distance factor is used to characterize the distance between the image forming device and the user terminal, the distance factor. In one calculation method, the value of the distance factor can increase with the increase of the distance. For example, image forming device 1 and the user terminal are both in office 1, and image forming device 2 is in office 2, then the distance factor 2 corresponding to image forming device 2 is greater than the distance factor 1 corresponding to image forming device 1. When selecting an image forming device to be forwarded, an image forming device with a small distance can be given priority, that is, an image forming device with a small distance factor value can be selected. Of course, in other calculation methods, the value of the distance factor can also be pre-set to decay with the increase of the distance.

In one embodiment of the present application, each image forming device in a preset image forming device group needs to count its own utilization factor regularly or in real time. The utilization factor is used to characterize the frequency of the image forming device performing image forming operations. The image forming device determines its own utilization factor according to a preset algorithm. In the preset algorithm, the utilization factor can be proportional to the number of historical job tasks of the image forming device and the cumulative consumables usage, and inversely proportional to the standby time of the image forming device. Specifically, the image forming device can count the number of historical job tasks. For example, after the image forming device completes each printing task of a document, it can add 1 to the historical job task. The image forming device is also provided with a sensor for detecting consumables. For example, for a printer using toner, as the printing job is performed multiple times, the toner amount decreases from 75% to 50%, and the consumables usage is 25%. At the same time, after the image forming device is turned on, the standby time can be counted. The standby time refers to the time when the image forming device does not perform a printing job. It is easy to understand that the more job tasks the image forming device performs or the more consumables it uses, the higher the value of its utilization factor. The longer the standby time of the image forming device is, the lower the number of its utilization factor is. In one embodiment, the image forming device with a low utilization factor can be preferentially selected as the image forming device to be forwarded.

In one embodiment, a method taking both the distance factor and the usage factor into consideration may be adopted to select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and the job task may be forwarded to the image forming device to be forwarded.

When the new image forming device receives the print job task, it continues to execute the job task until the job task is completed. become.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a specific embodiment illustrates a process of establishing a job group. In this process, the image forming devices are exemplified by printers m and n, specifically including:

301, printer m receives a job task.

302, determining whether a job group needs to be established by determining whether the printer m is set to a balanced usage mode.

If not, execute 303; if so, execute 304.

303, the printer m executes the job task.

304 , the printer m prompts the user terminal to create a job group.

305, determining whether the printer m is pre-set to establish a dynamic job group.

If not, execute 306; if so, execute 307.

306, printer m creates a static job group.

Specifically, the devices in the static operation group may be preset devices.

307, printer m broadcasts the required information for completing the job task.

The demand information may include, but is not limited to, color printing mode, ink volume, paper size and quantity, etc.

309, printer n receives the demand information.

310, printer n determines whether it meets the requirement information.

If not, the processing flow of printer n ends; if so, execute 311.

311. Printer n sends a response message to printer m.

312, printer m adds printer n to the dynamic job group.

Printer m adds all responding printer devices to the dynamic job group, thereby completing the creation of the dynamic job group.

In the above embodiment of the present application, the process of the printer establishing a job group is illustrated. In the above embodiment, the printer establishes a job group after confirming that it is set to use the module in a balanced manner, thereby providing a mechanism that allows multiple printers in a preset group to execute print jobs in a balanced manner. Establishing a job group can be establishing a static group or a dynamic group. Establishing a static group can quickly establish a group and save the processing time of the device, while establishing a dynamic group can more accurately select the effect of the device.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a specific embodiment illustrates the process of forwarding a job task. In this process, the image forming devices are exemplified by printers m and n, specifically including:

401, printer m creates a job group.

402, the printer m determines whether the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode.

If yes, execute 403, if no, execute 404.

403 , the printer m forwards the job task to the printer n closest to the user terminal.

404, display the job group to the user terminal.

405, determine whether the user selects a printer with forwarding.

If not, execute 406; if so, execute 407.

406, the printer m processes the job task. After the processing is completed, the processing flow ends.

407 , determine the printer n selected by the user, and forward the job task to the printer n.

408, printer n receives the job task.

409, printer n continues to execute the job task.

410, printer n notifies printer m that the job task is completed. Receive the processing flow of printer n.

411, printer m receives notification from printer n.

412, the printer m notifies the user terminal that the job task is completed.

The above embodiment illustrates the process of forwarding a job task, which can be forwarded by the user manually selecting a device to be replaced, or by the printer automatically forwarding according to a set mechanism. Thus, a printer set with a balanced usage mode does not immediately execute a job task when it receives it, but selects a device from a preset group and forwards the job task to the selected device to execute the job task, thereby ensuring balanced use of the devices in the group and protecting the devices.

In conventional technology, a printer may successfully complete a print job task JOB, or a job abnormality may occur due to various reasons. Taking printer 201 as an example, the specific reasons for the job abnormality may include abnormality or lack of print data, the print job task JOB is color printing, while printer 201 is a black and white printer, or printer 201 is out of paper or ink, etc. When an abnormality occurs, printer 201 of conventional technology will remind the user terminal 100, and the user can only manually change the printer that executes the job, such as selecting printer 202 to re-perform the job, or first solve the problem of printer 201 and then continue to use printer 201 to print, so the efficiency of the job is low.

5 , another method for processing a job is provided in one embodiment of the present application, and the method can be applied to any image forming device in the preset image forming device group 200 .

The job processing method in the embodiment of the present application is specifically a job exception processing method, including:

S51, when an operation abnormality occurs, diagnose the cause of the abnormality;

S52, determining whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded according to the abnormal reason;

S53: When the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, forward the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group, so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task.

The job exception handling method provided by the above-mentioned application diagnoses the cause of the job exception when a job exception occurs, and then determines whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded based on the cause of the exception. When the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, the job task is forwarded to another image forming device in a preset image forming device group so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task, thereby improving job efficiency and enhancing user experience compared to the existing technology.

S51, when an operation abnormality occurs, diagnose the cause of the abnormality.

The image forming device 201 may have a job abnormality due to various reasons. The image forming device has an abnormality diagnosis function, which can diagnose the cause of the job abnormality, such as lack of paper, lack of ink, etc.

S52: Determine whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded based on the abnormal reason.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, tasks are defined in advance according to the cause of the exception as two types of job tasks, one is a job task that can be forwarded, and the other is a job task that cannot be forwarded. For example, for a printer that is out of paper or ink, when an exception occurs, the job task is defined as a job task that can be forwarded. For print tasks with abnormal print data, they are predefined as non-forwardable job tasks.

Specifically, in one embodiment of the present application, for an image forming device in which a job abnormality occurs, at least one image forming device can be selected from a preset image forming device group to form a job group, and then an image forming device can be selected from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and the job task can be forwarded to the image forming device to be forwarded.

In one embodiment of the present application, an image forming device in which a job abnormality occurs may choose to establish a static job group.

In one embodiment of the present application, an image forming device in which a job abnormality occurs may also choose to establish a dynamic job group.

In an embodiment of the present application, when the job task is a non-forwardable job task, a reminder is sent to the user terminal.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a specific embodiment illustrates a process of establishing a job group. In this process, the image forming devices are exemplified by printers m and n, specifically including:

601, printer m receives a job task and starts the job.

602, determine whether the operation task is completed normally.

If yes, the printer m ends the processing flow; if no, a job exception occurs and execution is performed at 603 .

603, the printer m diagnoses the cause of the abnormality and reports it to the user terminal.

604 , determining whether the job task is a forwardable job task according to the abnormal reason.

If not, the printer m ends the processing flow, and if so, continues to execute 605.

605, determining whether printer m is configured to establish a dynamic job group.

If not, execute 606; if so, execute 607.

606, printer m establishes a static job group.

Specifically, the devices in the static operation group may be preset devices.

607, printer m broadcasts the required information for completing the job task.

609, printer n receives the demand information.

610, printer n determines whether it meets the requirement information.

If not, the processing flow of printer n ends; if so, execute 611.

611. Printer n sends a response message to printer m.

612, printer m adds printer n to the dynamic job group.

In the above embodiment of the present application, the process of the printer establishing a job group is illustrated. In the above embodiment, the printer establishes a job group after an abnormality occurs in the job task and confirms that the job task is a task that can be forwarded, thereby providing a mechanism for replacing a new device to continue executing the task after the job abnormality occurs. Establishing a job group can be establishing a static group or a dynamic group. Establishing a static group can quickly establish a group, saving time. The processing time of the device can be reduced, and the establishment of dynamic groups can more accurately select alternative devices and have the effect of balancing the use of devices.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a specific embodiment illustrates the process of forwarding a job task. In this process, the image forming devices are exemplified by printers m and n, specifically including:

701, printer m creates a job group.

702. Printer m determines whether the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode.

If yes, execute 703, if no, execute 704.

703 , the printer m forwards the job task to the printer n closest to the user terminal.

704, display the job group to the user terminal.

705, determining whether the user selects a printer to be forwarded.

If not, execute 706; if so, execute 707.

706, prompting the user terminal with the cause of the abnormality and ending the processing flow.

707, determine the printer n selected by the user, and forward the job task to the printer n.

708, printer n receives the job task.

709, printer n continues to execute the job task.

710, printer n notifies printer m that the job task is completed. Printer n ends the processing flow.

711, printer m receives notification from printer n.

712. Printer m notifies the user terminal that the job task is completed.

The specific notification information may include the task part completed by printer m and the task part completed by printer n. After the notification is completed, printer m ends the processing flow.

The above embodiment illustrates the process of forwarding a job task. The forwarding can be performed by the user manually selecting a replacement device, or the printer can automatically forward the job task according to a set mechanism. Therefore, when a job abnormality occurs on a certain printer, the job task can be forwarded to another printer for continued execution until the job task is completed, thereby improving the efficiency of the job and the user experience.

On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides a job processing device.

As shown in FIG8 , a job processing device 800 is illustrated.

The job processing device 800 in the embodiment of the present application includes:

A determination module 810, configured to determine whether a job group needs to be established upon receiving a job task, wherein the job group includes at least one image forming device in a preset image forming device group;

A creation module 820, for creating a job group if the judgment is yes; and

The first forwarding module 830 is used to select an image forming device from the job group and forward the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.

The job processing device provided in the present application above determines whether it is necessary to establish a job group when receiving a job task, establishes the job group after determining that it is necessary, selects an image forming device from the job group, and forwards the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task. Compared with the existing technology, it can make the image forming devices in the network used by users more evenly, avoid rapid aging of the equipment, and thus effectively protect the equipment.

On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application further provides another job processing device.

As shown in FIG9 , a job processing device 800 is illustrated.

The abnormal operation processing device 800 in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

The abnormality diagnosis module 910 is used to diagnose the abnormality cause of the abnormality when the abnormality occurs;

The task type confirmation module 920 is used to determine whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded according to the abnormal reason;

The second forwarding module 930 is used for forwarding the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group when the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task.

The job exception handling device provided in the present application above diagnoses the cause of the job exception when a job exception occurs, and then determines whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded based on the cause of the exception. When the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, the job task is forwarded to another image forming device in a preset image forming device group so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task, thereby improving job efficiency and enhancing user experience compared to the prior art.

On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium including a stored program, wherein when the program is running, the device where the storage medium is located is controlled to execute the above-mentioned job processing method.

On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer device, and FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a computer device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10, the computer device 1000 of this embodiment includes: a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a computer program 1003 stored in the memory and executable on the processor 1001. When the processor 1001 executes the computer program 1003, the job processing method in the embodiment is implemented. To avoid repetition, it is not described one by one here. Alternatively, when the computer program is executed by the processor 1001, the functions of each model/unit in the job processing device in the embodiment are implemented. To avoid repetition, it is not described one by one here.

The computer device 1000 may be a computing device such as a desktop computer, a notebook, a PDA, a cloud server, an image forming device, etc. The computer device may include, but is not limited to, a processor 1001 and a memory 1002. Those skilled in the art may understand that FIG. 10 is only an example of the computer device 1000 and does not constitute a limitation on the computer device 1000. The computer device 1000 may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or may combine certain components, or different components. For example, the computer device may also include input and output devices, network access devices, buses, etc.

The processor 1001 may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

The memory 1002 may be an internal storage unit of the computer device 1000, such as a hard disk or memory of the computer device 1000. The memory 1002 may also be an external storage device of the computer device 1000, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, etc. equipped on the computer device 1000. Furthermore, the memory 1002 may also include both an internal storage unit of the computer device 1000 and an external storage device. The memory 1002 is used to store computer programs and other programs and data required by the computer device. The memory 1002 may also be used to temporarily store already Data that is or will be output.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided by the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the above units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The above-mentioned integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The above-mentioned software functional unit is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (Processor) to perform some steps of the above-mentioned methods of various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A job processing method is applied to any image forming device in a preset image forming device group, wherein the preset image forming device group includes a plurality of image forming devices connected to each other, and is characterized in that the method comprises:

When receiving a job task, determining whether it is necessary to establish a job group, wherein the job group includes at least one image forming device in the preset image forming device group;

If the judgment is yes, then establishing the operation group; and

An image forming device is selected from the job group, and the job task is forwarded to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.
The job processing method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether a job group needs to be established comprises:

Whether the job group needs to be established is determined according to whether the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode. If the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, it is determined to be yes.
The job processing method according to claim 1, wherein the job group comprises a static job group;

The establishing of the operation group comprises:

According to preset performance indicators and/or status information of image forming devices, at least one image forming device is selected from the preset image forming device group to form a static job group.
The job processing method according to claim 1, wherein the job group comprises a dynamic job group;

The establishing of the operation group further includes:

Broadcasting demand information in the preset image forming device group, the demand information carrying resource conditions required for executing the job task, so that the image forming devices that meet the resource conditions can respond;

After receiving the response, the image forming device that sent the response message is added to the dynamic job group.
The job processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises:

Acquire a preset forwarding mode of the job task, wherein the forwarding mode includes an automatic forwarding mode and a manual forwarding mode;

When the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode, the image forming device selects an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded;

When the forwarding mode is a manual forwarding mode, the job group is prompted to the user terminal of the user, and according to the user's selection instruction, the image forming device selected by the user is used as the image forming device to be forwarded.
The job processing method according to claim 5, characterized in that the step of selecting an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded comprises:

According to the distance factor between the image forming devices in the job group and the user terminal, and/or the utilization factor of the image forming devices, an image forming device is selected from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded.
According to the job processing method of claim 6, it is characterized in that the method also includes: each of the image forming devices determines its own utilization factor according to a preset algorithm; the utilization factor is proportional to the number of historical job tasks and the accumulated consumables usage of the image forming device, and is inversely proportional to the standby time of the image forming device.
The job processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises:

When an operation abnormality occurs, diagnose the cause of the abnormality;

Determine whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded according to the abnormal reason;

When the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, the job task is forwarded to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group, so that the other image forming device continues to execute the job task.
The job processing method according to claim 8, characterized in that forwarding the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group comprises:

Selecting at least one image forming device from the preset image forming device group to form the job group;

An image forming device is selected from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and the job task is forwarded to the image forming device to be forwarded.
The job processing method according to claim 8 is characterized in that the method also includes: when the job task is a non-forwardable job task, sending a reminder to the user terminal.
A job processing device, characterized in that it comprises:

A determination module, configured to determine whether it is necessary to establish a job group when receiving a job task, wherein the job group includes at least one image forming device among the preset image forming devices;

A creation module, configured to create the operation group if the judgment is yes; and

The first forwarding module is used to select an image forming device from the job group and forward the job task to the selected image forming device to execute the job task.
According to the job processing device according to claim 11, it is characterized in that the judgment module is used to judge whether it is necessary to establish a job group according to whether the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, and when the image forming device is pre-set to the balanced usage mode, it is judged as yes.
The job processing device according to claim 11 is characterized in that the establishment module is used to select at least one image forming device from the preset image forming device group according to preset performance indicators and/or status information of the image forming device to form a static job group.
According to the job processing device according to claim 11, it is characterized in that the establishment module is used to broadcast demand information in the preset image forming device group, and the demand information carries the resource conditions required to execute the job task, so that the image forming device that meets the resource conditions can respond; after receiving the response, the image forming device that sends the response message is added to the dynamic job group.
The job processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the device further comprises a mode setting module for presetting a forwarding mode of the job task, the forwarding mode comprising an automatic forwarding mode and a manual forwarding mode;

The first forwarding module is used for, when the forwarding mode is the automatic forwarding mode, allowing the image forming device to select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded; when the forwarding mode is the manual forwarding mode, prompting the user terminal of the user with the job group and The image forming device selected by the user is used as the image forming device to be forwarded.
The job processing device according to claim 15 is characterized in that the first forwarding module is used to select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded based on the distance factor between the image forming device in the job group and the user terminal, and/or the utilization factor of the image forming device.
The job processing device according to claim 11, further comprising:

The abnormality diagnosis module is used to diagnose the abnormal cause of the abnormal operation when the abnormal operation occurs;

A task type confirmation module, used to determine whether the job task is a job task that can be forwarded according to the abnormal reason;

The second forwarding module is used for forwarding the job task to another image forming device in the preset image forming device group when the job task is a job task that can be forwarded, so that the other image forming device can continue to execute the job task.
The job processing device according to claim 17 is characterized in that the second forwarding module is used to select at least one image forming device from the preset image forming device group to form a job group; select an image forming device from the job group as the image forming device to be forwarded, and forward the job task to the image forming device to be forwarded.
An image forming device, characterized in that it comprises the job processing device according to any one of claims 11 to 18.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium includes a stored program, and when the program is run, the device where the storage medium is located is controlled to execute the job processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.