JP6465064B2 - Information processing apparatus, program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system that can transfer a job that has received an execution instruction to another information processing apparatus.

  Although the image forming apparatus has received a job execution command from the user, there are situations in which the job cannot be immediately executed due to congestion or abnormality. At this time, a technique is known in which the image forming apparatus transfers a job to be executed to another image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2009-147655 A JP 2011-253568 A

  More and more, a technique in which an image forming apparatus that receives a job execution command from a user (in other words, an image forming apparatus that originally executes a job and an image forming apparatus that a user assumes) executes a job is increasingly used. It is desirable to be user friendly.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present disclosure is to make a technique for transferring a job that has received an execution instruction to another information processing apparatus more user-friendly.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided.
A job reception unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information and priority information for the setting information are added;
A transfer determination unit for acquiring capability information of another information processing device and determining whether the capability information of the other information processing device satisfies the priority information;
And a job transfer unit that transfers the job to the other information processing apparatus when the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information.

  The information processing apparatus transfers the job only when another information processing apparatus satisfies the priority information (in other words, an output result as intended by the user can be obtained). As a result, an output result based on the user's intention can be obtained without fail.

The setting information is a set of setting information for one or more items,
The priority information is a set of high priority information and / or low priority information for the one or more items,
The transfer determination unit determines whether the capability information of the other information processing apparatus satisfies the high priority information;
The job transfer unit transfers the job to the other information processing apparatus when the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information of the other information processing apparatus satisfies the high priority information.

  Even if the setting information added to the job execution command is not completely satisfied, the information processing apparatus transfers the job to another information processing apparatus if at least the high priority information is satisfied among the priority information. As a result, the user can independently control job transfer, and the range of information processing apparatuses capable of executing jobs is expanded.

User identification information is further added to the job execution instruction,
The information processing apparatus acquires user identification information for identifying a user who has logged into the other information processing apparatus, and determines whether or not the job reception unit has received a job execution command to which the user identification information is added. Further comprising a user inquiry section,
The transfer determination unit acquires capability information of the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in, and whether the capability information of the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in satisfies the priority information. Judgment
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information, the job transfer unit transfers the job to the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in.

  The information processing apparatus transfers the job only when another information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in satisfies the priority information (in other words, an output result as intended by the user can be obtained). As a result, an output result based on the user's intention can be obtained without fail.

Information processing device
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information does not satisfy the priority information, obtains capability information of one or more other information processing devices,
Determining whether the capability information of the one or more other information processing devices satisfies the priority information;
The apparatus further includes a device search unit that notifies the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in one or more information processing apparatuses determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information.

  An information processing apparatus has an ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user when another information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in does not have an ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user. Search and notify the information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in. Accordingly, another information processing apparatus having the ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user can execute the job.

  Each of the information processing apparatuses is an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus transfers the job only when the other image forming apparatus satisfies the priority information (in other words, the print result as intended by the user can be obtained). Thereby, a print result based on the user's intention can be obtained without fail.

A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is:
Information processing device
A job reception unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information and priority information for the setting information are added;
A transfer determination unit for acquiring capability information of another information processing device and determining whether the capability information of the other information processing device satisfies the priority information;
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information, the transfer determination unit causes the other information processing apparatus to function as a job transfer unit that transfers the job.

An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.
A second information processing apparatus for supplying capability information of the device to the first information processing apparatus;
A job reception unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information and priority information for the setting information are added;
A transfer determination unit that acquires capability information of the second information processing device and determines whether the capability information of the second information processing device satisfies the priority information;
A first information processing apparatus comprising: a job transfer section configured to transfer the job to the second information processing apparatus when the transfer determination section determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information. .

  According to the present disclosure, a technique for transferring a job that has received an execution instruction to another information processing apparatus can be made more user-friendly.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of each image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the second image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1. Overview of information processing system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses (Multifunction Peripherals, hereinafter referred to as MFPs) 10A, 10B, 10C,. A plurality of MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C... Can communicate with each other via the network N.

  In this example, the information processing system 1 will be described as having three MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C. The MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C may be different models and may have different specifications.

  The terminal device 20 is an information processing device such as a personal computer. The terminal device 20 can communicate with at least one MFP 10 </ b> A via or without a network. In this example, the terminal device 20 and the MFPs 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B, and 10 </ b> C can communicate with each other via the network N.

  The terminal device 20 receives a login from a user, receives an execution command for a job (typically a print job) from the user, and supplies the job execution command to the MFP 10A. The MFP 10A normally executes a job that has received an execution command. However, in a situation where the MFP 10A cannot immediately execute a job for some reason (congestion, abnormality, etc.), if the same user (user who has input an execution command) logs in to another MFP 10B, the MFP 10A The job is transferred to and executed. On the other hand, if the specific condition is not satisfied, the MFP 10A searches for the MFP 10C that is a candidate for job transfer, and notifies the MFP 10B to which the user has logged in the searched MFP 10C.

  The MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C are defined as follows. The MFP 10A that acquires a job execution instruction from the terminal device 20 is referred to as a first MFP 10A. The MFP 10B to which the user logs in is referred to as a second MFP 10B. If the job cannot be transferred to the MFP 10B to which the user has logged in, the MFP 10C that is a candidate for job transfer is referred to as a third MFP 10C.

(2. Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  The hardware configurations of the first to third MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C may be the same or different. Here, a hardware configuration of a typical MFP 10 will be described without distinguishing between the first to third MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C.

  The MFP 10 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the MFP 10. An information processing program that causes the MFP 10 to function as each functional unit (described later) is recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM.

  The control unit 11 is connected to an image reading unit 12, an image processing unit 14, an image memory 15, an image forming unit 16, an operation unit 17, a storage unit 18, a network communication unit 13, and the like. The control unit 11 performs operation control of each of the above connected units and transmission / reception of signals or data to / from each unit.

  In accordance with a job execution instruction input from the user through the operation unit 17 or a personal computer (not shown) connected to the network N, the control unit 11 performs functions such as a scanner function, a print function, and a copy function. It controls the drive and processing of the mechanism necessary to execute the operation control.

  The image reading unit 12 reads an image from a document.

  The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the image data of the image read by the image reading unit 12 as necessary. For example, the image processing unit 14 performs image processing such as shading correction in order to improve the quality after the image read by the image reading unit 12 is formed.

  The image memory 15 has an area for temporarily storing document image data obtained by reading by the image reading unit 12 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 16.

  The image forming unit 16 forms an image of the image data read by the image reading unit 12.

  The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel unit and operation key units that receive instructions from the user regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the MFP 10. The touch panel unit includes a display unit 17a such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided with a touch panel.

  The network communication unit 13 is an interface for connecting to the network N.

  The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores document images read by the image reading unit 12.

(3. Hardware configuration of terminal device)
The terminal device 20 is a typical information processing device such as a personal computer, and the hardware configuration is not shown. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the terminal device 20 loads a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executes it. The terminal device 20 receives an execution command for a job (typically a print job) from a user, and supplies the job execution command to the MFP 10A through the network N.

(4. Functional configuration of each image forming apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each image forming apparatus.

(4-1. Functional Configuration of First MFP 10A that Acquires Job Execution Instruction)
The first MFP 10A loads and executes an information processing program recorded in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM into a RAM, thereby executing a job reception unit 101, a spooler 102, and a user inquiry unit 104. , Function as a transfer determination unit 105, job transfer unit 106, and device search unit 107.

  The job receiving unit 101 receives a job execution instruction from the terminal device 20 via the network N. The job reception unit 101 supplies the spooler 102 with the job that has received the execution command, and spools the job. The job reception unit 101 further registers each piece of information added to the job that has received the execution command in the job list 103.

  The user inquiry unit 104 receives an inquiry from the second MFP 10B as to whether there is a job to be transferred, to which specific user identification information is added. When there is a job to be transferred, the user inquiry unit 104 responds to the second MFP 10B.

  The transfer determination unit 105 acquires the capability information of the second MFP 10B and the job transfer request from the second MFP 10B. The transfer determination unit 105 determines whether or not the capability information of the second MFP 10 </ b> B satisfies the priority information added to the transfer target job registered in the job list 103. The transfer determination unit 105 notifies the job transfer unit 106 of the determination result (the capability information of the second MFP 10B satisfies the priority information). On the other hand, the transfer determination unit 105 notifies the device search unit 107 of the determination result (the capability information of the second MFP 10B does not satisfy the priority information).

  Upon receiving the notification from the transfer determination unit 105, the job transfer unit 106 transfers the job spooled in the spooler 102 to the second MFP 10B and deletes the job from the job list 103.

  Upon receiving the notification from the transfer determination unit 105, the device search unit 107 sends the capability information to all the MFPs connected to the network N except for the second MFP 10B that is the supply source of the job transfer request by multicast. Inquire. The device search unit 107 determines whether the acquired MFP capability information satisfies the priority information added to the transfer target job registered in the job list 103. The device search unit 107 notifies the second MFP 10B of identification information of all MFPs that have been determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information. On the other hand, if the device search unit 107 determines that the capability information of any MFP does not satisfy the priority information, the device search unit 107 notifies the second MFP 10B.

(4-2. Functional Configuration of Second MFP 10B where User Logs in)
The second MFP 10B loads and executes an information processing program recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM into the RAM, thereby executing a user login unit 111, a job search unit 112, and capability information. It functions as a supply unit 113, a job execution unit 114, and a device recommendation unit 115.

  The user login unit 111 receives a user login. The user login unit 111 supplies user identification information for identifying the logged-in user to the job search unit 112.

  The job search unit 112 acquires user identification information from the user login unit 111. The job search unit 112 searches for an MFP that has received a job execution command to which the acquired user identification information is added. The job search unit 112 acquires a response from the first MFP 10A that there is a job to be transferred.

  The capability information supply unit 113 supplies the capability information of the second MFP 10B and a job transfer request to the first MFP 10A.

  The job execution unit 114 executes the job transferred from the first MFP 10A.

  The device recommendation unit 115 acquires identification information of all MFPs that have been determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information from the first MFP 10A. The device recommendation unit 115 displays identification information of all MFPs for which it is determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information on the display unit 17a. On the other hand, when the device recommendation unit 115 obtains notification from the first MFP 10A that the capability information of any MFP does not satisfy the priority information, the device recommendation unit 115 displays that fact on the display unit 17a.

(4-3. Functional Configuration of Third MFP 10C Candidate for Job Transfer)
The third MFP 10C functions as the capability information supply unit 113C by loading an information processing program recorded in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM into the RAM and executing it.

  When the capability information supply unit 113C receives an inquiry about capability information from the first MFP 10A, the capability information supply unit 113C supplies the capability information of the third MFP 10C to the first MFP 10A.

(5. Operation of each image forming apparatus)
(5-1. About job execution instructions)
As a premise of the operation, the terminal device 20 receives a login from the user and receives a job execution command from the logged-in user. The “job” is typically a print job, and hereinafter, “job” simply refers to a print job. User identification information, job identification information, setting information, and priority information are added to the job execution command.

  “User identification information” is information for identifying a user who has logged into the terminal device 20.

  “Job identification information” is information for identifying a job.

“Setting information” is a set of setting information for one or more (typically, a plurality of) items. For example, setting information is added to a plurality of items “full color / monochrome”, “paper size”, “double-sided printing”, and “staple” as follows.
For the item "Full Color / Black and White", the setting information "Full Color"
Setting information “A4” for the item “paper size”
Setting information "On" for the item "Double-sided printing"
Setting information “On” for the item “Staple”

“Priority information” is a set of high priority information and / or low priority information for a plurality of items to which setting information is added. A specific example of “high priority information” is “essential”, and indicates that it is necessary to protect the setting information during job execution. A specific example of “low priority information” is “arbitrary” and indicates that it is not necessary to protect the setting information during job execution. For example, priority information is added to a plurality of items “full color / monochrome”, “paper size”, “double-sided printing”, and “staple” as follows.
For the item "Full Color / Black and White", priority information "Mandatory"
Priority information "required" for item "paper size"
Priority information "required" for the item "duplex printing"
For the item "Staple", the priority information "Any"

Typically, the terminal device 20 generates and stores priority information based on input from the user in advance. For example, the terminal device 20 generates and stores the following three types of priority information in advance.
Priority information 1: “required” for “full color / monochrome”, “required” for “paper size”, “required” for “double-sided printing”, “required” for “staple”
Priority information 2: “optional” for “full color / monochrome”, “required” for “paper size”, “required” for “duplex printing”, “required” for “staple”
Priority information 3: “required” for “full color / monochrome”, “required” for “paper size”, “required” for “double-sided printing”, “optional” for “staple”

  For ease of user recognition, for example, names such as “completely compatible” for priority information 1, “no color” for priority information 2, and “incompatible with post-processing” for priority information 3 are added. May be.

  When the user inputs a job execution command to the terminal device 20, one priority information (priority information 3 in this example) is selected from the priority information 1 to 3 stored in advance in the terminal device 20. Select. As a result, the priority information 3 is added as priority information to the job execution command received by the terminal device 20. The addition of the priority information 3 to the setting information reflects the user's intention as follows.

The setting information “full color” for the item “full color / monochrome” is “required” (it must be protected).
The setting information “A4” for the item “paper size” is “essential”.
The setting information “ON” for the item “duplex printing” is “required”.
The setting information “ON” for the item “Staple” is “arbitrary” (it is not necessary to protect).

(5-2. About operation)
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of each image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second image forming apparatus.

  As described above, the terminal device 20 receives a login from a user and receives a job execution command from the user. The terminal device 20 supplies a job execution command to the first MFP 10A via the network N. As described above, user identification information, job identification information, setting information, and priority information are added to the job execution command.

  The job receiving unit 101 of the first MFP 10A receives a job execution command from the terminal device 20 via the network N (step S101). The job reception unit 101 supplies the spooler 102 with the job that has received the execution command, and spools the job. The job receiving unit 101 further registers the user identification information, job identification information, setting information, and priority information added to the job that has received the execution command in the job list 103 (step S102).

  Assume that the first MFP 10A cannot immediately execute a job for some reason (congestion, abnormality, etc.). Then, the user who has input the job execution command recognizes that the first MFP 10A does not immediately execute the job (in other words, does not output the print job that should have been input). Then, in order to cause another MFP (second MFP 10B) to execute the job, the user logs in to the second MFP 10B by operating, for example, the operation unit 17 of the second MFP 10B.

  The user login unit 111 of the second MFP 10B accepts a user login to the second MFP 10B (step S201). The user login unit 111 supplies user identification information for identifying the logged-in user to the job search unit 112.

  The job search unit 112 of the second MFP 10B acquires user identification information from the user login unit 111. The job search unit 112 searches for an MFP that has received a job execution command to which the acquired user identification information is added (step S202). Specifically, the job search unit 112 should transfer all the MFPs (in this example, MFPs 10A and 10C) connected to the network N with the user identification information added thereto by broadcast or multicast. Ask if there is a job. Only the inquiry to the first MFP 10A is shown in FIG. 4 and will be described below. The inquiry to the third MFP 10C is not shown and described.

  The user inquiry unit 104 of the first MFP 10A receives an inquiry from the second MFP 10B as to whether there is a job to be transferred, to which the user identification information is added (step S103). The user inquiry unit 104 determines whether or not the job reception unit 101 has received a job execution command to which the user identification information is added (step S104). Specifically, the user inquiry unit 104 determines whether this user identification information is registered in the job list 103. When the user inquiry unit 104 determines that the user identification information is registered in the job list 103 (step S104, YES), the user inquiry unit 104 determines whether the job to which the user identification information is added should be transferred (step S105). For example, if a large number of jobs are registered in the job list 103 (the first MFP 10A is congested) and the execution order of the job to which the user identification information is added is low, the user inquiry unit 104 stores the user identification information. It is determined that the added job should be transferred (step S105, YES). When there is a job to be transferred, the user inquiry unit 104 responds to the second MFP 10B (step S106).

  The job search unit 112 of the second MFP 10B obtains a response that there is a job to be transferred from the first MFP 10A (step S203). The job search unit 112 notifies the capability information supply unit 113 that the response has been acquired.

  Upon receiving the notification from the job search unit 112, the capability information supply unit 113 of the second MFP 10B supplies capability information of the second MFP 10B and a job transfer request to the first MFP 10A (step S204).

“Capability information” is a set of capability information for a plurality of items. For example, the second MFP 10B has the following capability information for at least the items “full color / monochrome”, “paper size”, and “double-sided printing”.
Capability information “Full Color” for the item “Full Color / Black and White”
Capability information “A4” for the item “paper size”
Capability information "Yes" for the item "Double-sided printing"

  The transfer determination unit 105 of the first MFP 10A acquires the capability information of the second MFP 10B and a job transfer request from the second MFP 10B (step S107). The transfer determination unit 105 determines whether or not the capability information of the second MFP 10B satisfies the priority information added to the transfer target job registered in the job list 103 (step S108).

In this example, the transfer determination unit 105 of the first MFP 10A determines whether or not the capability information of the second MFP 10B satisfies the priority information as follows.
The setting information “full color” for the item “full color / monochrome” is priority information “essential”, and the capability information of the second MFP 10B is “full color”, so the capability information satisfies the priority information.
The setting information “A4” for the item “paper size” is the priority information “essential”, and the capability information of the second MFP 10B is “A4”, so the capability information satisfies the priority information.
The setting information “ON” for the item “duplex printing” is the priority information “essential”, and the capability information of the second MFP 10B is “OK”, so the capability information satisfies the priority information.
Since the setting information “ON” for the item “staple” is “arbitrary”, it is not determined whether the priority information is satisfied.

  In this example, the transfer determination unit 105 of the first MFP 10A sets the second MFP 10B for all items “full color / monochrome”, “paper size”, and “duplex printing” for which priority information “essential” is set. Is determined to satisfy the priority information (step S108, YES). The transfer determination unit 105 notifies the job transfer unit 106 of the determination result (the capability information of the second MFP 10B satisfies the priority information).

  Upon receiving the notification from the transfer determination unit 105, the job transfer unit 106 of the first MFP 10A transfers the job spooled in the spooler 102 to the second MFP 10B and deletes this job from the job list 103 (step S109). ).

  The job execution unit 114 of the second MFP 10B acquires the job transferred from the first MFP 10A (step S205). The job execution unit 114 executes the acquired job (step S206).

  On the other hand, a case will be described in which the transfer determination unit 105 of the first MFP 10A determines that the capability information of the second MFP 10B does not satisfy the priority information (NO in step S108). In this case, the transfer determination unit 105 notifies the device search unit 107 of the determination result (the capability information of the second MFP 10B does not satisfy the priority information).

  Upon receipt of the notification from the transfer determination unit 105, the device search unit 107 of the first MFP 10A receives all the MFPs connected to the network N (except for the second MFP 10B that is the source of the job transfer request (step S204)) ( In this example, the MFP 10C is inquired for capability information by multicast (step S110).

  When the capability information supply unit 113C of the third MFP 10C receives an inquiry about capability information from the first MFP 10A (step S301), the capability information supply unit 113C supplies the capability information of the third MFP 10C to the first MFP 10A (step S302).

  The device search unit 107 of the first MFP 10A acquires capability information from the third MFP 10C (step S111). The device search unit 107 determines whether or not the acquired capability information of the third MFP 10C satisfies the priority information added to the transfer target job registered in the job list 103 (step S112). The device search unit 107 determines that the capability information of the third MFP 10C satisfies the priority information (YES in step S112). The device search unit 107 notifies the second MFP 10B of identification information of all MFPs (in this example, the third MFP 10C) determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information (step S113).

  The device recommendation unit 115 of the second MFP 10B acquires identification information of all MFPs (in this example, the third MFP 10C) determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information from the first MFP 10A (step S207). ). The device recommendation unit 115 displays identification information of all MFPs (in this example, the third MFP 10 </ b> C) determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information on the display unit 17 a. (Step S208). Thus, the user can recognize that the displayed third MFP 10 </ b> C satisfies the capability information satisfying the priority information. The user can log in to the third MFP 10C, and the third MFP 10C can execute the operations in steps S201 to S206.

  On the other hand, the device search unit 107 of the first MFP 10A determines that the capability information of any MFP does not satisfy the priority information (NO in step S112). In this case, the device search unit 107 notifies the second MFP 10B that the capability information of any MFP does not satisfy the priority information (step S114).

  When the device recommendation unit 115 of the second MFP 10B obtains a notification from the first MFP 10A that the capability information of any MFP does not satisfy the priority information (step S209), the fact is displayed on the display unit 17a. To do. (Step S210). Thereby, for example, the user understands that the capability information does not satisfy the priority information, and then causes the second MFP 10B to execute the job, or the first MFP 10A executes the job although there is a waiting time. Etc. can be selected.

  If there are a plurality of MFPs in which the capability information is determined to satisfy the priority information in step S112, the device search unit 107 of the first MFP 10A determines that each MFP determined to have the capability information satisfies the priority information. It may be determined whether or not the capability information satisfies the priority information for all items for which the priority information “arbitrary” is set. In step S113, the device search unit 107 may notify the second MFP 10B of identification information of all MFPs determined to satisfy the priority information.

  Of the setting information, items that are not included in the priority information (items that are neither priority information “required” nor “arbitrary well”) are naturally excluded from the determinations in steps S108 and S112.

(6. Summary)
According to Patent Document 1, when a certain image forming apparatus cannot output a job and logs in to another image forming apparatus, the job is transferred regardless of the capability of the logged-in image forming apparatus. However, with this technique, the output result is not always as intended by the user. For example, if the image forming apparatus to which the user has logged in is a monochrome-only machine, the color print job is transferred to the monochrome-only machine even though the print job is intended for color printing by the user. In this case, although the print job is intended for color printing by the user, it is always printed in monochrome.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, priority information set by the user is added to the job execution command received by the first MFP 10A from the terminal device 20. When the first MFP 10A determines whether the capability information of the second MFP 10B to which the user has logged in satisfies the priority information added to the job to be transferred, the first MFP 10A transfers the job to the second MFP 10B.

  In this way, the first MFP 10A transfers the job only when the second MFP 10B to which the user has logged in has the ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user. As a result, an output result based on the user's intention can be obtained without fail. In other words, results that are not intended by the user are not output, and paper waste is reduced.

  Further, even if the setting information added to the job execution command is not completely satisfied, the first MFP 10 </ b> A is configured to satisfy the second priority setting information if it satisfies at least the high priority information (essential) of the priority information set by the user. The job is transferred to the MFP 10B. As a result, the job transfer can be controlled by the user himself / herself, and the width of the MFP capable of executing the job is widened, and the user's walking movement and waiting time are reduced.

  In addition, when the second MFP 10B to which the user has logged in does not have the ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user, the first MFP 10A is an MFP having the ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user. Search and notify the second MFP 10B. The second MFP 10B recommends to the user an MFP having the ability to obtain an output result as intended by the user. As a result, the user can log in to the recommended third MFP 10C, and the third MFP 10C can execute the print job.

1 ... Information processing system 10A ... First MFP
10B ... Second MFP
10C ... Third MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Image formation part 17 ... Operation part 17a ... Display part 20 ... Terminal device 101 ... Job reception part 102 ... Spooler 103 ... Job list 104 ... User inquiry part 105 ... Transfer judgment part 106 ... Job transfer part 107 ... Equipment search part 111 User login unit 112 Job search unit 113, 113C Capability information supply unit 114 Job execution unit 115 Device recommendation unit

Claims (5)

A job receiving unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information, priority information for the setting information , and user identification information are added;
User identification information for identifying a user who has logged into another information processing apparatus is acquired, and a user inquiry unit that determines whether or not the job reception unit has received a job execution instruction to which the user identification information is added;
The user obtains the capability information of the other information processing apparatus has logged and the transfer determination unit that the user the capability information of the other information processing apparatus logged determines whether to satisfy the priority information ,
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information, a job transfer unit that transfers the job to the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in ;
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information does not satisfy the priority information, obtains capability information of one or more other information processing devices,
Determining whether the capability information of the one or more other information processing devices satisfies the priority information;
Notifying one or more information processing devices determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information to the other information processing device to which the user has logged in
An information processing apparatus comprising a device search unit . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The setting information is a set of setting information for one or more items,
The priority information is a set of high priority information and / or low priority information for the one or more items,
The transfer determination unit determines whether the capability information of the other information processing apparatus satisfies the high priority information;
The job transfer unit transfers the job to the other information processing device when the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information of the other information processing device satisfies the high priority information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Each of the information processing apparatuses is an image forming apparatus. Information processing device
A job receiving unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information, priority information for the setting information , and user identification information are added;
User identification information for identifying a user who has logged into another information processing apparatus is acquired, and a user inquiry unit that determines whether or not the job reception unit has received a job execution instruction to which the user identification information is added;
The user obtains the capability information of the other information processing apparatus has logged and the transfer determination unit that the user the capability information of the other information processing apparatus logged determines whether to satisfy the priority information ,
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information, a job transfer unit that transfers the job to the other information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in ;
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information does not satisfy the priority information, obtains capability information of one or more other information processing devices,
Determining whether the capability information of the one or more other information processing devices satisfies the priority information;
Notifying one or more information processing devices determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information to the other information processing device to which the user has logged in
A program that functions as a device search unit . A second information processing apparatus for supplying capability information of the device to the first information processing apparatus;
A job receiving unit that receives an execution instruction of a job to which setting information, priority information for the setting information , and user identification information are added;
A user inquiry unit for acquiring user identification information for identifying a user who has logged into the second information processing apparatus, and determining whether or not the job reception unit has received a job execution instruction to which the user identification information has been added; ,
Acquiring the capability information of the user the second information processing apparatus has logged, forwarding decision that the capability information of the user the second information processing apparatus has logged determines whether to satisfy the priority information And
A job transfer unit that transfers the job to the second information processing apparatus to which the user has logged in , when the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information satisfies the priority information ;
When the transfer determination unit determines that the capability information does not satisfy the priority information, obtains capability information of one or more other information processing devices,
Determining whether the capability information of the one or more other information processing devices satisfies the priority information;
Notifying one or more information processing devices determined that the capability information satisfies the priority information to the second information processing device to which the user has logged in
An information processing system comprising: the first information processing apparatus having a device search unit .

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