JP6801413B2 - Management device, image formation system, and control program for management device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management device, an image forming system, and a control program for the management device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a management device for managing a print job executed by the image forming device, an image forming system, and a control program for the management device.

Electrophotographic image forming devices include an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) equipped with a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copying function, a printer function, a data communication function, and a server function, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, and the like. is there.

The image forming apparatus is usually installed in the office. When printing is performed by the image forming apparatus, the user moves to the installation location of the image forming apparatus and picks up the printed matter output from the image forming apparatus. In this configuration, the user has to suspend his work and leave his seat in order to get the printed matter.

As a technique capable of improving the decrease in work efficiency due to the user going to pick up the printed matter, a technique has been proposed in which the image forming apparatus delivers the printed matter to the user who executed the printing by using the image forming apparatus having a self-propelled function. Techniques related to an image forming apparatus having a self-propelled function are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below.

The image forming system of Patent Document 1 below requests a mobile image forming apparatus that moves to the seat of a user holding a card, which is a printing request source, and executes a printing process, and a printing request for the mobile image forming apparatus. At the same time as accepting, the position information of the card is calculated periodically, and when it is determined that the user is not moving based on the time change of the calculated position information, the mobile image forming device moves to the user's seat. It is equipped with an information processing server that sends print instructions to execute printing.

The terminal of Patent Document 2 below is expected to be required for the state and movement of the print requesting means for requesting printing from the mobile image forming apparatus and the mobile image forming apparatus for receiving at least the printing request from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus state acquisition means for acquiring the image forming apparatus state information including the time and the time estimated to be required for the printing process, and the printing requested by the printing requesting means are executed based on the acquired image forming apparatus state information. Therefore, a display processing means for displaying the first icon on the display unit in relation to the current time based on the first time required for the mobile image forming apparatus to arrive is provided.

The following Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for sending print information to the nearest printing means based on the position information of the printing request source and the position information of a plurality of movable printing means.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-012878 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-072599 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-227806

When printing a document from a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) to an image forming device connected via a network, the user specifies an image forming device from a plurality of image forming devices on the network and prints. .. When designating an image forming apparatus for printing, the user is aware of the installation location of the image forming apparatus rather than the image forming apparatus, and specifies the output location of the printed matter rather than the image forming apparatus for printing. Have a feeling.

However, when the image forming apparatus is not temporarily installed due to a failure or the like, the user cannot specify the output location of the desired printed matter. In addition, when the number of image forming devices installed is small, the user can only specify the output location of the printed matter far away. As a result, the convenience of the user was low.

The present invention is for solving the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a management device, an image forming system, and a control program for the management device, which can improve convenience.

The management device according to one aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a print job executed by the image forming device, and is a plurality of virtual image forming devices having a larger number than the image forming device managed by the management device. When a storage device that stores information in which a virtual machine and each location of a plurality of virtual machines are associated with each other , a receiving means for receiving print job information, and a receiving means for receiving print job information, The image forming apparatus managed by the management apparatus is provided with a moving means for moving the image forming apparatus to a place associated with any one of the plurality of virtual machines .

In the above management device, preferably, the management device manages a plurality of image forming devices, and the print job information includes the designation of any one of the plurality of virtual machines, and the virtual machine designated by the print job information. The moving means further includes an assigning means for assigning the machine to one of a plurality of image forming devices, and the moving means specifies the image forming device to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means in the print job information. Move to the location associated with the virtual machine.

In the management device, the allocation means preferably allocates a virtual machine based on the position of each of the plurality of image forming devices and the location associated with the virtual machine specified in the print job information.

The management device preferably further includes a start time acquisition means for acquiring the time until the start of execution of each print job of the plurality of image forming devices, and the allocation means executes each print job of the plurality of image forming devices. Allocate virtual machines based on the time to start.

Preferably, in the management device, the allocation means allocates the virtual machine based on the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of image forming devices.

In the above management device, preferably, the management device is an image forming device among a plurality of image forming devices, and the moving means is designated by a print job when the virtual machine is assigned to the management device by the assigning means. Includes own-machine transportation means to move to the location associated with the virtual machine.

In the above management device, preferably, the storage device stores information in which a plurality of virtual machines, each location of the plurality of virtual machines, and network information of each of the plurality of virtual machines are associated with each other , and the network information is stored. When one of the plurality of image forming devices holds the network information associated with the virtual machine specified in the print job information, the receiving means receives the print job information. ..

In the above management device, preferably, when the moving means assigns the virtual machine to an image forming device other than the management device by the assigning means, the moving means transfers the print job information to the image forming device to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means. When the transfer means to be transferred is further included and the virtual machine is assigned to an image forming device other than the management device by the assigning means, the virtual machine specified in the print job is assigned to the image forming device to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means. provided to the al transferable means to transfer network information associated with.

In the above management device, preferably, when the virtual machine is assigned to the management device by the allocation means, the management device holds other network information which is network information that is not associated with the virtual machine specified in the print job. When there is, a discriminating means for determining whether or not there is an image forming device closer to the location associated with other network information than the management device, and an image closer to the location associated with other network information than the management device. When it is determined by the determination means that the forming device exists, another transfer means for transferring the other network information to the image forming device closer to the place associated with the other network information than the management device is further provided.

In the above management device, preferably, when the determination means determines that there is no image forming device closer to the location associated with the other network information than the management device, the other transfer means does not transfer the other network information.

In the above management device, preferably, the management device is separate from the plurality of image forming devices, and the moving means is a transfer means for transferring print job information to the image forming device assigned to the virtual machine by the assigning means . Including, the network information is not transferred to the image forming apparatus assigned to the virtual machine by the allocation means.

The management device preferably has a predetermined time after the virtual machine is assigned by the allocation means in a state where the same virtual machine as the virtual machine specified in the print job does not receive the information of the new print job specified. Further provided with an allocation release means for canceling the allocation of the virtual machine by the allocation means when the elapse has passed.

The image forming system in another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and the management apparatus for managing the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is associated with a designated virtual machine. Including a start determination means for determining the time to start moving to the location associated with the specified virtual machine when the own machine moves to the specified location, the start determination means include the position of the own machine and the remaining battery level. Determine the time based on.

In the image forming system, preferably, the image forming apparatus does not move or moves to a predetermined position between the time when the information of the print job is received and the time when the information of another print job is received.

The control program of the management device according to still another aspect of the present invention is the control program of the management device that manages the print job executed by the image forming device, and the management device is more than the image forming device managed by the management device. A receiving step for receiving information on a print job is provided with a storage device for storing information in which a plurality of virtual machines, which are a number of virtual image forming devices, and each location of the plurality of virtual machines are associated with each other. A computer performs a moving step of moving the image forming device managed by the management device to a location associated with one of a plurality of virtual machines when the print job information is received in the receiving step. To execute.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a management device, an image forming system, and a control program of the management device that can improve convenience.

It is a figure which conceptually shows the structure of the image formation system in 1st and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of the MFP 100 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware configuration of the server 200 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the management apparatus in 1st and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the management table in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the print job history table in 1st and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the management apparatus when the print information is received in 1st and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a subroutine of the virtual MFP allocation process (S1) of FIG. FIG. 1 is a first diagram schematically showing the operation of an image forming system in a first situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a second diagram schematically showing the operation of the image forming system in the first situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a first diagram schematically showing the operation of an image forming system in a second situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a second diagram schematically showing the operation of an image forming system in a second situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the management table in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the first figure which shows typically the operation of the image formation system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the 2nd figure which shows typically the operation of the image formation system in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a third diagram schematically showing the operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the operation of the image formation system in the modification of the 1st and 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

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

In the following embodiment, the case where the management device is an MFP or a server will be described. The management device may be a PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, as well as an MFP or a server. Further, the management device may be an image forming device other than the MFP such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile.

[First Embodiment]

First, the configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of an image forming system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming system in the present embodiment includes MFPs 100-1 and 100-2 (an example of a management device and an image forming device) (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as MFP100). It includes a server 200 (an example of a management device) and a PC 300. Each of the MFP 100, the server 200, and the PC 300 are connected to each other through the network 401 and communicate with each other. In particular, each of the MFPs 100 performs wireless communication with other devices on the network 401 by performing wireless communication with the access point 402 connected to the network 401.

The network 401 is a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. The network 401 connects various devices using the TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol. The devices connected to the network 401 can exchange various data with each other.

Further, the image forming system further includes a virtual MFP_X, a virtual MFP_Y, and a virtual MFP_Z (an example of a virtual machine) as virtual MFPs. The number of virtual MFPs is set to be larger than the number of MFPs 100. It is assumed that each of the virtual MFP_X, virtual MFP_Y, and virtual MFP_Z is installed at the installation locations RCA, RCb, and RCc in the room RM, respectively. The virtual MFP_X is virtually installed in the installation location RCA in the upper center of FIG. 1 in the room RM, and the virtual MFP_Y is virtually installed in the installation location RCb in the center right of FIG. 1 in the room RM. , The virtual MFP_Z is virtually installed at the installation location RCAc on the left side in FIG. 1 in the room RM.

The user has an image in which each of the virtual MFP_X, virtual MFP_Y, and virtual MFP_Z actually exists in their respective installation locations. The user executes the print job by designating one of the virtual MFP_X, the virtual MFP_Y, and the virtual MFP_Z as the output destination through the PC300. The specified virtual MFP is a virtual MFP associated with the printed matter receiving location desired by the user.

The PC 300 transmits the print information, which is the information of the print job in which the virtual MFP is designated as the output destination, to the management device according to the operation of the user.

The management device manages each of the MFP 100. When the management device receives the print information from the PC 300, the management device assigns one of the MFPs 100 as the virtual MFP specified by the print information. In the first embodiment, the MFP 100 serves as a management device, and in the second embodiment, the server 200 serves as a management device.

The MFP 100 assigned as the virtual MFP specified in the print information receives the print information and moves to the installation location of the virtual MFP by itself. Then, the MFP 100 executes a print job based on the print information at the installation location and outputs a printed matter.

Further, the MFP 100 self-propells to the home base HB (charging place) at a necessary timing such as when the battery level is low or at night, and charges the battery of the own machine through the home base HB.

In order to distinguish it from a virtual MFP, the MFP 100-1 may be referred to as "real MFP 1" and the MFP 100-2 may be referred to as "real MFP 2" in the drawings.

The image forming system may include at least one self-propelled MFP 100, and may include devices other than those described above connected to the network 401.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 100 of FIG.

With reference to FIG. 2, the MFP 100 is equipped with a rechargeable battery and is self-propelled by the electric power of the battery. The MFP 100 executes jobs such as a scan job, a facsimile transmission / reception job, a copy job, and a data transmission / reception job.

The MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage device 104, a network interface 105, a print engine unit 106, and an operation panel 107. , The self-propelled unit 108, the position information acquisition unit 109, and the like are included. The ROM 102, the RAM 103, the storage device 104, the network interface 105, the print engine unit 106, the operation panel 107, the self-propelled unit 108, and the position information acquisition unit 109 are connected to the CPU 101.

The CPU 101 controls the entire MFP 100 for various jobs such as a scan job, a copy job, an email transmission job, and a print job. Further, the CPU 101 executes the control program stored in the ROM 102.

The ROM 102 is, for example, a flash ROM. Various programs executed by the CPU 101 and various fixed data are stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 may be non-rewritable.

The RAM 103 is the main memory of the CPU 101. The RAM 103 is used for temporarily storing data and image data necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various programs.

The storage device 104 is made of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and stores various types of information.

The network interface 105 communicates with other devices connected to the network 401 by a communication protocol such as TCP / IP according to an instruction from the CPU 101.

The print engine unit 106 performs a print job of forming an image on paper or the like based on the image data. The print engine unit 106 is roughly composed of a toner image forming unit, a fixing device, a paper conveying unit, and the like. The print engine unit 106 forms an image on paper by, for example, an electrophotographic method. The toner image forming unit forms an image on paper. The toner image forming unit is composed of a developing device that develops a toner image, a photoconductor on which a toner image is formed, a transfer unit that transfers an image from the photoconductor to paper, and the like. The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys the paper on which the toner image is formed between the heating roller and the pressure roller while sandwiching the paper, and heats and pressurizes the paper. As a result, the fixing device melts the toner adhering to the paper and fixes it on the paper to form an image on the paper. The paper transport unit is composed of a paper feed roller, a transport roller, a motor for driving them, and the like. The paper transport unit feeds the paper from the paper feed cassette and transports the paper inside the housing of the MFP 100. Further, the paper transport unit discharges the paper on which the image is formed from the housing of the MFP 100 to a paper output tray or the like.

The operation panel 107 includes a display unit including a touch panel display and the like, and an input unit including hardware keys and software keys displayed on the touch panel display. The operation panel 107 receives various inputs from the user and displays various setting items, messages, and the like to the user.

The self-propelled unit 108 moves by self-propelling of its own machine under the control of the CPU 101.

The position information acquisition unit 109 acquires the position information of its own machine by using GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 200 of FIG.

With reference to FIG. 3, the server 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage device 204, a network interface 205, an operation unit 206, a display unit 207, and the like. The ROM 202, the RAM 203, the storage device 204, the network interface 205, the operation unit 206, and the display unit 207 are each connected to the CPU 201 via a bus.

The CPU 201 controls the entire server 200. Further, the CPU 201 executes the control program stored in the ROM 202.

The ROM 202 is, for example, a flash ROM. Various programs executed by the CPU 201 and various fixed data are stored in the ROM 202. The ROM 202 may be non-rewritable.

The RAM 203 is the main memory of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used for temporarily storing data and the like required when the CPU 201 executes a control program.

The storage device 204 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD, and stores various data.

The network interface 205 communicates with other devices by a communication protocol such as TCP / IP according to the instruction from the CPU 201.

The operation unit 206 receives various instructions from the user.

The display unit 207 displays various information.

Since the configuration of the PC 300 is almost the same as the configuration of the server 200 except that the information stored in the storage device is different, the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the management device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 4, when the MFP 100 becomes a management device, the storage device 104 of the MFP 100 stores a management program for realizing the function of the management device. Similarly, when the server 200 serves as a management device, the storage device 204 of the server 200 stores a management program for realizing the function of the management device.

The MFP 100 or server 200 serving as a management device includes a network interface 11 (corresponding to a network interface 105 or 205), a print information transmission / reception unit 12, a print information analysis unit 13, a network information transmission / reception unit 14, and a network information setting unit 15. A virtual MFP installation location determination unit 16, an installation location identification unit 17, an actual MFP installation location management unit 18, and a virtual MFP installation location management unit 19 are included.

The print information transmission / reception unit 12 receives the print information transmitted from the PC 300 or the like and transmits the print information to the print information analysis unit 13.

The print information analysis unit 13 analyzes the received print information and notifies the virtual MFP determination unit 16 of the virtual MFP specified in the print information.

In the first and second embodiments, the network information transmission / reception unit 14 receives the network information transmitted from the other MFP 100 and transmits the network information to the network information setting unit 15. The network information is information that identifies a device on the network 401, and is an IP (Internet Protocol) address here.

In the first and second embodiments, the network information setting unit 15 sets the network based on the received network information.

The virtual MFP determination unit 16 determines the MFP 100 to be assigned to the virtual MFP based on the installation location of the virtual MFP acquired from the installation location identification unit 17 and the respective position information of the MFP 100.

The installation location specifying unit 17 specifies each position of the MFP 100 and the installation location of the virtual MFP by inquiring to each of the actual MFP installation location management unit 18 and the virtual MFP installation location management unit 19.

The actual MFP installation location management unit 18 manages the current position of the MFP 100.

The virtual MFP installation location management unit 19 manages each of the virtual MFP_X, MFP_Y, and MFP_Z in association with the installation location.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, each storage device 104 of the MFP 100 further stores the management table. The management table in the present embodiment stores the virtual MFP, the installation location, and the IP address (network information) in association with each other. The management table is created by the administrator of the image forming system or the like.

Specifically, in the management table, the IP address IPj is set in the virtual MFP_X, and the virtual MFP_X is virtually installed in the installation location RCA. An IP address IPk is set in the virtual MFP_Y, and the virtual MFP_Y is virtually installed at the installation location RCb. An IP address IPm is set in the virtual MFP_Z, and the virtual MFP_Z is virtually installed at the installation location RCc.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a print job history table according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, each storage device 104 of the MFP 100 stores a print job history table. The print job history table is a table that records information on print jobs that were executed on the own machine in the past. Each time a new print job is executed, the CPU 101 adds information about the print job to the print job history table.

In this print job history table, specifically, at "15:03 on October 22, 2016", a print job under the condition of "color, 6 pages, 2in1" was executed at "installation location RCA". You can see that.

The MFP 100 moves to the specified virtual MFP installation location when executing the print job. The MFP 100 then stays in its location until a different virtual MFP executes the specified print job. Therefore, the output location (here, “installation location RCA”) indicated by the latest print job information recorded in the print job history table indicates the current position of the MFP 100. The print job history table is used when specifying the current position of the MFP 100 in the virtual MFP allocation process (FIG. 8) described later.

The print job history table may store information to the effect that the MFP 100 has been charged when the home base HB is charged. As a result, even when the MFP 100 is separated from the installation location of the virtual MFP for charging, the current position of the MFP 100 (the position of the home base HB) can be recorded in the print job history table.

Subsequently, the operation of the management device when the print information is received in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management device when the print information is received in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 7, when the CPU of the management device (CPU101 in the first embodiment and CPU201 in the second embodiment) receives the print information, it executes the virtual MFP allocation process described later (S1). .. Next, the CPU of the management device determines whether or not the own machine is assigned to the virtual MFP (S3).

When it is determined in step S3 that the own machine cannot be assigned to the virtual MFP (NO in S3), the CPU of the management device outputs print information (print information and network information in the case of the second embodiment). Transfer to the MFP 100 assigned to the virtual MFP (S13), and end the process.

If it is determined in step S3 that the own machine is assigned to the virtual MFP (YES in S3), the CPU of the management device starts moving to the installation location of the virtual MFP specified in the print information, and prints after arrival. The print job based on the information is executed (S5). Next, the CPU of the management device determines whether or not the own machine holds other network information different from the network information of the virtual MFP specified in the print information (S7).

When it is determined in step S7 that the own machine holds other network information (YES in S7), the CPU of the management device reaches the installation location of the virtual MFP associated with the other network information held. It is determined whether or not there is another MFP 100 whose distance is closer than that of the own machine (S9).

In step S9, when it is determined that there is another MFP100 whose distance to the installation location of the virtual MFP associated with the other network information held is closer than that of the own machine (YES in S9), the CPU of the management device Transfers (transfers) other network information held to the MFP 100 (S11), and ends the process.

If it is determined in step S7 that the own machine does not hold other network information (NO in S7), the CPU of the management device ends the process.

FIG. 8 is a subroutine of the virtual MFP allocation process (S1) of FIG.

With reference to FIG. 8, in the virtual MFP allocation process, the CPU of the management device uses the installation location specifying unit 17 to obtain information on the current position of the MFP 100 and the installation location of the virtual MFP specified in the print information. Acquire (S51).

In step S51, the CPU of the management device may acquire information on the latest print job output location described in the print job history table of the MFP 100 as the current position of the MFP 100, and the position of the MFP 100 may be acquired. The information acquired by the information acquisition unit 109 may be acquired.

Next, the CPU of the management device selects an arbitrary (first) MFP 100 (S53), and calculates the time required for the selected MFP 100 to move from the current position to the installation location of the virtual MFP specified in the print information. (S55). Subsequently, the CPU of the management device determines whether or not the selected MFP 100 is executing the print job (S57).

If it is determined in step S57 that the selected MFP 100 is executing another print job (YES in S57), the time until another running print job is completed (this time is until the start of execution of the print job). (Corresponding to the time of) is calculated (S59), and the process proceeds to step S60.

If it is determined in step S57 that the selected MFP 100 is not executing the print job (NO in S57), the CPU of the management device does not calculate the time until the executing print job is completed (execution print). The time until the job is completed is set to zero), and the process proceeds to step S60.

In step S60, the CPU of the management device calculates the time until the start of execution of the print job when the MFP 100 that selects the print job based on the received print information is executed (S60).

In step S60, the time required to start the execution of the print job is the time required for the selected MFP 100 to move from the current position to the installation location of the virtual MFP specified in the print information, and the running print job is completed. It is calculated based on the time until. The time until the start of execution of the print job may be calculated as the sum of these two times, or may be calculated as only one of these two times.

Next, the CPU of the management device determines whether or not the selected MFP 100 is the last unselected MFP 100 (S61).

If it is determined in step S61 that the selected MFP 100 is not the last unselected MFP 100 (NO in S61), the CPU of the management device selects the next unselected MFP 100 (S63), and proceeds to the process of step S55. ..

When it is determined in step S61 that the selected MFP 100 is the last unselected MFP 100 (YES in S61), the CPU of the management device uses the MFP 100, which has the shortest time to start executing the print job, as a virtual MFP. Allocate (S66) and return.

Subsequently, the overall operation of the image forming system including the operation of the management device described above will be described. In this embodiment, the MFPs 100-1 and 100-2 give and receive the IP address of the virtual MFP as needed.

9 and 10 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the image forming system in the first situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 (a) and 10 (a) are diagrams showing the installation location of the virtual MFP, the position of the MFP 100, and the processing flow, and FIGS. 9 (b) and 10 (b) are virtual MFPs of each MFP 100. It is a figure which shows the state of holding the IP address of, and the state of allocation of a virtual MFP.

With reference to FIG. 9, here, the following situation is assumed as the first situation. The MFP100-1 holds the IP address IPj of the virtual MFP_X and the IP address IPk of the virtual MFP_Y. The MFP 100-2 holds the IP address IPm of the virtual MFP_Z. Each of the MFPs 100-1 and 100-2 exists at the position of the home base HB in the lower right of FIG. 1 in the room RM. The user executes a print job with the virtual MFP_X as an output destination through the PC 300.

The PC 300 transmits the print information in which the virtual MFP_X is specified as the output destination (process PR1). This print information is received by the MFP 100-1 holding the IP address of the designated virtual MFP_X (process PR2).

Upon receiving the print information, the MFP 100-1 performs the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as a management device. As a result of the virtual MFP allocation process (S1 in FIG. 7), the MFP100-1 determines that the position of the own machine is closer to the installation location RCA of the virtual MFP_X than the position of the MFP100-2, and sets the own machine as the virtual MFP_X. assign. When the MFP 100-1 is assigned as a virtual MFP_X, the MFP 100-1 determines which of the own machine and the MFP 100-2 is closer to the installation location RCb associated with the other IP address IPk held (Fig.). 7 S9). In this determination, the installation location RCA, which is the destination of the own aircraft, is used as the position of the own aircraft, and the position of the home base HB is used as the position of the MFP 100-2.

With reference to FIG. 10, the MFP100-1 determines that the MFP100-2 is closer to the installation location RCb than the own machine, and transfers the IP address IPk to the MFP100-2 (process PR3). The MFP 100-1 moves by itself to the installation location RCA of the virtual MFP_X (process PR4). After arriving at the installation location RCA, the MFP 100-1 executes a print job based on the print information and outputs a printed matter. The MFP100-1 stays at the installation location RCA even after the print job is completed.

11 and 12 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the image forming system in the second situation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11 (a) and 12 (a) are diagrams showing the installation location of the virtual MFP, the position of the MFP 100, and the processing flow, and FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b) show the virtual MFP of each MFP 100. It is a figure which shows the state of holding the IP address of, and the state of allocation of a virtual MFP.

With reference to FIG. 11, the following situation is assumed here as the second situation. The MFP 100-1 holds the IP address IPk of the virtual MFP_Y and the IP address IPm of the virtual MFP_Z. The MFP 100-2 holds the IP address IPj of the virtual MFP_X. Each of the MFPs 100-1 and 100-2 exists at the position of the home base HB in the lower right of FIG. 1 in the room RM. The user executes a print job with the virtual MFP_Y as the output destination through the PC 300.

The PC 300 transmits the print information in which the virtual MFP_Y is specified as the output destination (process PR11). This print information is received by the MFP 100-1 holding the IP address of the designated virtual MFP_Y (process PR12).

Upon receiving the print information, the MFP 100-1 performs the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as a management device. As a result of the virtual MFP allocation process (S1 in FIG. 7), the MFP100-1 determines that the position of the MFP100-2 is closer to the installation location RCb of the virtual MFP_Y than the position of its own machine, and sets the MFP100-2 to the virtual MFP_Y. Assign as.

With reference to FIG. 12, the MFP 100-1 transfers the received print information and the IP address IPk of the virtual MFP_Y to the MFP 100-2 (process PR13).

When the MFP100-2 receives the IP address IPk of the virtual MFP_Y, it holds the IP address IPk in its own machine and sets the IP address IPk in its own machine. When the MFP100-2 receives the print information, it determines which of the own machine and the MFP100-1 is closer to the installation location RCA associated with the other IP address IPj held. At the time of this determination, the installation location RCb to which the own machine is moved is used as the position of the own machine, and the position of the home base HB is used as the MFP 100-1.

The MFP100-2 determines that its own machine is closer to the installation location RCA than the MFP100-1, and retains the IP address IPj without transferring it to the MFP100-1 (process PR14). The MFP 100-2 moves by itself to the installation location RCb of the virtual MFP_Y (process PR15). After arriving at the installation location RCb, the MFP 100-2 executes a print job based on the print information and outputs a printed matter. The MFP 100-2 stays at the installation location RCb even after the print job is completed.

[Second Embodiment]

In the present embodiment, the server 200 manages the virtual MFP in association with the installation location, assigns the virtual MFP to the actual MFP 100 as needed, and each of the MFP 100 and the server 200 is fixed and cannot be transferred (transferred). The case where the network information is retained will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a management table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 13, the storage device 204 of the server 200 stores the management table. The management table in the present embodiment stores the virtual MFP in association with the installation location. The management table does not store the virtual MFP and installation location in association with the IP address. The management table is created by the administrator of the image forming system or the like.

In the management table, specifically, the virtual MFP_X is virtually installed at the installation location RCA. The virtual MFP_Y is virtually installed at the installation location RCb. The virtual MFP_Z is virtually installed at the installation location RCc.

Subsequently, the overall operation of the image forming system including the operation of the management device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described.

14 to 16 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 14 (a), 15 (a), and 16 (a) are diagrams showing the installation location of the virtual MFP, the position of the MFP 100, and the processing flow, and FIGS. 14 (b) and 15 (b). , And FIG. 16B is a diagram showing the status of allocation of virtual MFPs of each MFP 100.

With reference to FIG. 14, the following situations are assumed here. No virtual MFP is assigned to MFPs 100-1 and 100-2. Each of the MFPs 100-1 and 100-2 exists at the position of the home base HB in the lower right of FIG. 1 in the room RM. The user executes a print job with the virtual MFP_X as an output destination through the PC 300.

The PC 300 transmits the print information in which the virtual MFP_X is specified as the output destination (process PR21). This print information is received by the server 200 (process PR22).

With reference to FIG. 15, when the server 200 receives the print information, it performs the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as a management device. As a result of the virtual MFP allocation process (S1 in FIG. 7), the server 200 determines that the MFP100-1 is the closest to the installation location RCA of the virtual MFP_X, and allocates the MFP100-1 as the virtual MFP_X (process PR23). The server 200 transfers the received print information to the MFP 100-1 (process PR24). At this time, the server 200 does not transfer the network information (IP address) to the MFP 100-1.

When the MFP100-1 is assigned as the virtual MFP_X, it moves to the installation location RCA of the virtual MFP_X by itself (process PR25). After arriving at the installation location RCA, the MFP 100-1 executes a print job based on the print information and outputs a printed matter. The MFP100-1 stays at the installation location RCA even after the print job is completed.

When the server 200 receives the new print information specified by the virtual MFP_X with the MFP100-1 assigned as the virtual MFP_X, the server 200 does not perform the operation shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and receives the new print information. The print information is transferred to the MFP 100-1.

With reference to FIG. 16, when the predetermined time has elapsed since the MFP100-1 was assigned as the virtual MFP_X in a state where the MFP100-1 did not receive the new print information, the MFP100-1 notified the server 200 to that effect. It leaves the installation location RCA and moves to a predetermined position (for example, the position of the home base HB) (processing PR26).

When the server 200 receives the notification from the MFP 100-1, the server 200 cancels the allocation of the virtual MFP_X (process PR27). As a result, the situation returns to the situation where the virtual MFP is not assigned to the MFPs 100-1 and 100-2.

Since the configuration of the image forming system and the operations other than the above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will not be repeated.

[Effect of Embodiment]

In the above-described embodiment, the management device manages a plurality of self-propelled MFPs as a group, and manages the installation location and the virtual MFP in association with each other. The installation location and the virtual MFP are fixedly associated, and the association between the actual MFP and the virtual MFP is dynamically changed. When a print job is submitted to any of the virtual MFPs, the management device receives the print information and one of the MFPs is assigned to the print information. The assigned MFP identifies the installation location from the virtual MFP specified in the print information, moves to the installation location, and executes the print job based on the print information.

According to the above-described embodiment, the user can acquire the printed matter at the installation location of the virtual MFP as if there are more MFPs than the actual number of MFPs. Even when the MFP is temporarily not installed due to a failure or the like, or when the number of MFPs is small, the user can acquire the printed matter at the desired output location. As a result, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[Other]

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the image forming system in the modified examples of the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 17, the output destination virtual MFP may not be specified in the print information received by the management device. In this case, when the management device (here, the server 200) receives the print information from the PC 300 (process PR31), it determines the virtual MFP and the MFP 100 to be assigned to it (process PR32). The management device transmits print information and movement destination information to the determined MFP 100 (process PR33), and notifies the PC 300 of the determined installation location of the virtual MFP as the output destination of the printed matter (process PR34). The MFP 100 assigned as the virtual MFP moves by itself to the installation location of the virtual MFP (processing PR35).

The management device may acquire information on the remaining battery level of the MFP 100 and determine the MFP 100 to execute the print job based on the acquired remaining battery level. In this case, the management device may exclude the MFP 100 having a battery remaining amount less than a predetermined amount from the allocation of the virtual MFP.

The MFP 100 may start printing during self-propelling, or may start printing after arriving at the installation location of the virtual MFP. The management device may consider the timing of starting each print of the MFP 100 when calculating the time until the start of execution of the print job.

When moving to the installation location associated with the virtual machine specified in the print information, the MFP 100 may determine the time to start moving to the installation location based on the position of the own machine and the remaining battery level. ..

The embodiments and modifications described above can be combined with each other.

The processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit. It is also possible to provide a program for executing the processing according to the above-described embodiment, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU. Further, the program may be downloaded to the device via a communication line such as the Internet.

It should be considered that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

11, 105, 205 Network interface 12 Print information transmission / reception unit 13 Print information analysis unit 14 Network information transmission / reception unit 15 Network information setting unit 16 Virtual MFP determination unit 17 Installation location identification unit 18 Actual MFP installation location management unit 19 Virtual MFP installation location management Part 100, 100-1, 100-2 MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) (Example of management device and image forming device)
101,201 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
102,202 ROM (Read Only Memory)
103,203 RAM (Random Access Memory)
104, 204 Storage device 106 Print engine unit 107 Operation panel 108 Self-propelled unit 109 Position information acquisition unit 200 Server (example of management device)
206 Operation unit 207 Display unit 300 PC (Personal Computer)
401 Network 402 Access Point HB Home Base RCA, RCb, RCc Installation Location RM Room

Claims (15)

A management device that manages print jobs executed by the image forming device.
A plurality of virtual machines, which are a larger number of virtual image forming devices than the image forming device managed by the management device, and a storage device for storing information in which each location of the plurality of virtual machines is associated with each other .
A receiving means for receiving the print job information and
When the print job information is received by the receiving means, the moving means for moving the image forming device managed by the management device to a place associated with any one of the plurality of virtual machines. A management device equipped with. The management device manages a plurality of the image forming devices,
The print job information includes the designation of one of the plurality of virtual machines.
Further, an assigning means for assigning the virtual machine specified in the print job information to the image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatus is further provided.
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the moving means moves the image forming apparatus to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means to a place associated with the virtual machine specified by the information of the print job. The management device according to claim 2, wherein the allocation means allocates a virtual machine based on each position of the plurality of image forming devices and a location associated with the virtual machine specified in the information of the print job. .. Further, a start time acquisition means for acquiring the time until the execution start of the print job of each of the plurality of image forming devices is provided.
The management device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the allocation means allocates virtual machines based on the time until the start of execution of the print job of each of the plurality of image forming devices. The management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the allocation means allocates a virtual machine based on the remaining battery level of each of the plurality of image forming devices. The management device is any one of the plurality of image forming devices.
The mobile unit, when assigning the virtual machine to the management device by said assignment means comprises a ship moving means for moving the location associated with the virtual machine designated in the print job, according to claim 2 The management device according to any one of 5. The storage device stores information in which the plurality of virtual machines, the locations of the plurality of virtual machines, and the network information of each of the plurality of virtual machines are associated with each other .
The network information is held by any one of the plurality of image forming devices.
The management device according to claim 6 , wherein the receiving means receives the information of the print job when the own machine holds the network information associated with the virtual machine specified by the information of the print job. When the moving means assigns the virtual machine to the image forming device other than the management device by the assigning means , the moving means transmits the information of the print job to the image forming device to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means. Including further transfer means to transfer
When the virtual machine is assigned to the image forming device other than the management device by the assigning means, the image forming device to which the virtual machine is assigned by the assigning means is associated with the virtual machine specified by the print job. It was provided to the al transferable means to transfer the network information, the management apparatus according to claim 7. When the virtual machine is assigned to the management device by the allocation means, the management device holds other network information which is the network information not associated with the virtual machine specified in the print job. When, a determination means for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus exists closer to the location associated with the other network information than the management apparatus, and
When the determination means determines that the image forming device exists closer to the location associated with the other network information than the management device, the location is closer to the location associated with the other network information than the management device. The management device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising another transfer means for transferring the other network information to the image forming device. When the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus does not exist closer to the location associated with the other network information than the management device, the other transfer means does not transfer the other network information. Item 9. The management device according to item 9. The management device is separate from the plurality of image forming devices.
The moving means includes a transfer means for transferring information of the print job to the image forming apparatus assigned to the virtual machine by the assigning means .
The management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which does not transfer network information to the image forming device assigned to the virtual machine by the allocation means. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the virtual machine was assigned by the allocation means without receiving the information of the new print job specified by the same virtual machine as the virtual machine specified in the print job. The management device according to claim 11, further comprising an allocation release means for canceling the allocation of the virtual machine by the allocation means. An image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for managing the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes a start determining means for determining a time to start moving to a place associated with a designated virtual machine when the own machine moves to a place associated with the designated virtual machine. ,
The start determination means is an image forming system that determines the time based on the position of the own machine and the remaining battery level. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus does not move or moves to a predetermined position between the time when the information of the print job is received and the time when the information of another print job is received. A control program for a management device that manages print jobs executed by an image forming device.
The management device stores information in which a plurality of virtual machines, which are a larger number of virtual image forming devices than the image forming device managed by the management device, and each location of the plurality of virtual machines are associated with each other. Equipped with a storage device
The control program
A receiving step for receiving the print job information and
When the information of the print job is received in the receiving step, the moving step of moving the image forming apparatus managed by the management device to a place associated with any one of the plurality of virtual machines. A control program for a management device that causes a computer to execute.

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