JP7487606B2 - JOB MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a job management device capable of distributing print jobs to multiple image forming devices, and an image forming system equipped with this job management device.

In recent years, in digital printing, a method has been proposed for distributing and sending print jobs to multiple image forming devices to improve efficiency when handling a large number of print jobs. This process of distributing print jobs to multiple image forming devices is known as distributed printing, cluster printing, etc.

In an image forming system that uses multiple image forming devices to perform distributed printing, after a print job has been distributed to the image forming devices, one image forming device that registered the print job may become unable to continue printing. In this case, a method has been proposed in which the print job sent to that image forming device is canceled and then redistributed and sent to another image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this image forming system, time loss is minimized by using another image forming device to compensate for the image forming device in which an error occurred, thereby improving the efficiency of distributed printing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-105350

In the above image forming system, a solution has been proposed for the case where the number of image forming devices to which a job is distributed decreases. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in efficiency due to distributed printing. However, in order to increase the efficiency of distributed printing, it is necessary to increase the number of image forming devices that execute print jobs. In the above image forming system, once a print job has been distributed and sent to the image forming devices to which the job is distributed, it is not possible to increase the number of image forming devices that execute the print job. For this reason, in the above image forming system, it is not possible to further increase the efficiency of distributed printing.

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a job management device and an image forming system that can improve the efficiency of distributed printing.

A job management device of the present invention includes a control unit that communicates with at least three or more image forming devices, distributes and transmits job data of a print job to the image forming devices, and instructs execution of distributed printing of the print job. The control unit includes a print setting unit that acquires the print job, an image forming device management unit that monitors the states of a first image forming device, a second image forming device, and a third image forming device that are communicatively connected, a job division management unit that generates primary divided jobs divided according to the number of image forming devices that execute the print job, and a print job management unit that distributes and transmits the primary divided jobs to the first image forming device, the second image forming device, and the third image forming device. Furthermore, the control unit transmits the primary divided jobs to the first image forming device and the second image forming device in the print job management unit to instruct execution of distributed printing, and then transmits part of the job data of the primary divided jobs transmitted to the first image forming device and the second image forming device to the third image forming device, and instructs the third image forming device to execute distributed printing.
An image forming system according to the present invention includes the above job management device, and an image forming device communicably connected to the job management device.

The present invention provides a job management device and an image forming system that can improve the efficiency of distributed printing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a job management apparatus. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit of the job management apparatus; 4 is a flowchart of a distributed printing process performed by a job management device. 4 is a flowchart of a distributed printing process performed by a job management device. 13 is an example of a setting screen for distributed printing. 11 is an example of a screen displaying a list of print jobs and a list of image forming devices. 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message to be displayed to a user. 4 is a flowchart of a distributed printing process performed by a job management device. 4 is a flowchart of a distributed printing process performed by a job management device. 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device; 1 is a diagram for explaining a distributed printing process performed by a job management device;

The following describes examples of embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[Configuration of Image Forming System]
Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system including a job management device according to the present embodiment. In the image forming system 1 shown in Fig. 1, a job management device 10 and a plurality of image forming devices 20, 30, and 40 are communicably connected via a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Fig. 1 shows an example in which three image forming devices 20, 30, and 40 are connected as the image forming system 1, but the number of image forming devices is not limited. In addition, the network 2 may be wired or wireless.

In the image forming system 1, the image forming devices 20, 30, and 40 receive print jobs from a job management device 10 connected to a network. Then, they perform various image formations according to the received print jobs. Conventionally known image forming devices can be used as the image forming devices 20, 30, and 40.

[Configuration of Job Management Device]
Next, a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the above-mentioned job management device 10 is shown in FIG.
The job management device 10 includes a control unit 900 having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a communication interface (I/F) unit 904, a display device 905, a storage device 906, and an input device 907. The control unit 900 is connected to the communication I/F unit 904, the display device 905, the storage device 906, and the input device 907 via a bus.

The CPU 901 reads and executes control programs stored in the ROM 902 or storage device 906 to perform various arithmetic processing. The RAM 903 provides a working memory space for the CPU 901 and stores temporary data. The ROM 902 stores various control programs and setting data executed by the CPU 901. Note that a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used instead of the ROM 902.

The control unit 900, which includes the CPU 901, RAM 903, and ROM 902, controls each unit of the job management device 10 in accordance with various control programs. For example, the control unit 900 accepts predetermined condition settings for a print job input from the input device 907, etc., and stores them in the storage device 906. In addition, the control unit 900 transmits the print job stored in the storage device 906 to the image forming devices 20, 30, and 40 via the communication I/F unit 904.

The storage device 906 is composed of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like, and stores the operating system, various application software, and print jobs input from the outside via the communication I/F unit 904. Note that this image data and the like may also be stored in the RAM 903. In addition, the program of the workflow application 804 (see FIG. 3 described later) of the job management device 10 is stored in the storage device 906, loaded into the RAM 903 as necessary, processed by the CPU 901, and the processing results are displayed on the display device 905.

The communication I/F unit 904 communicates with image forming devices 20, 30, 40, etc. on the network in accordance with control signals from the control unit 900 to send and receive print job information, etc.

The input device 907 includes, for example, input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel arranged over the screen of the display device 905, and converts input operations on these input devices into operation signals and outputs them to the control unit 900. The user uses the input device 907 to operate information displayed as icons on the display device 905.

The display device 905 has a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays an operation screen showing the status of the job management device 10 and the contents of input operations to the touch panel. In addition, operations such as inputting various files, inputting and editing the file input condition table, and sending print jobs to the image forming devices 20, 30, and 40 are performed by the input device 907 on the display screen of the display device 905. These operations on the display screen are processed by the CPU 901 after workflow applications stored in the storage device 906 and ROM 902 are loaded into the RAM 903.

[Functional configuration of the control unit of the job management device]
Next, a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 900 of the job management device 10 is shown in FIG.
3 shows an example in which a personal computer (PC) 801 is used as the job management apparatus 10. In the PC 801, a workflow application 804 is installed on an operating system 802. In the workflow application 804, a UI (User Interface) display module 805 controls UI display of a browser 803.

The workflow application 804 includes a UI display module 805, a printer management module 809, a memory area 813, a job division management module 816, a print setting module 820, and a print job management module 823. The UI display module 805 is an example of a presentation management section in the control section 900 of the job management device 10. The printer management module 809 is an example of an image forming device management section. The job division management module 816 is an example of a job division management section. The print setting module 820 is an example of a print setting section. The print job management module 823 is an example of a print job management section.

The UI display module 805 is composed of, for example, a job display module 806, a printer display module 807, and a message display module 808.
The printer management module 809 is composed of, for example, a printer information management module 810, a distributed printing group management module 811, and a printer status management module 812.
The storage area 813 is composed of, for example, a various settings storage area 814 and a print settings storage area 815 .
The job division management module 816 is composed of, for example, a job distribution calculation module 817 , a job division execution module 818 , and a job redistribution processing module 819 .
The print setting module 820 is composed of, for example, a print setting reflection module 821 and a print setting change module 822 .
The print job management module 823 is composed of, for example, a print job transmission module 824 and a print job cancellation module 825 .

The job display module 806 of the UI display module 805 displays information related to print jobs, such as a list of print jobs, on the display device 905, etc. The printer display module 807 displays information related to image forming devices, such as a list of image forming devices that can communicate with the job management device 10 via the network 2, on the display device 905, etc. The message display module 808 displays a predetermined message to the user according to the situation. For example, it displays a message to the user asking whether to add a new image forming device to the distributed printing job in progress, the time until distributed printing is completed, etc. These display messages are stored, for example, in the various settings storage area 814 of the storage area 813.

A print setting reflection module 821 of the print setting module 820 accepts print settings when a user operates print settings for a job displayed on the display device 905, for example. Then, the print setting reflection module 821 stores the print settings in a print setting storage area 815 of the storage area 813.
The print setting change module 822 accepts a change to the print settings when the print settings already set for a job are changed by a user operation, and stores the change in the print settings in a print setting storage area 815 of the storage area 813.
The print settings managed by the print setting module 820 include, for example, general print settings such as the number of copies or pages, type of recording material, size, black and white/color printing, and single-sided/double-sided printing, as well as settings related to distributed printing and whether re-distributed printing is allowed.

A printer information management module 810 of the printer management module 809 manages all image forming apparatuses that are connected to the job management device 10 via the network and are capable of communicating with the job management device 10. A distributed printing group management module 811 manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses (distributed printing groups) that perform distributed printing from among the image forming apparatuses managed by the printer information management module 810.
The printer status management module 812 monitors whether there are any image forming devices that can be added to the distributed printing group for the currently running divided printing, in addition to the image forming devices that are performing distributed printing managed by the distributed printing group management module 811. If there are image forming devices that can be added to the distributed printing group, the printer status management module 812 displays a message on the display device 905 via the message display module 808, asking whether to add the image forming device to the distributed printing group and perform distributed printing.

The job distribution calculation module 817 of the job division management module 816 calculates the method of dividing the print job and the distribution processing that determines the allocation of the divided jobs to each image forming device, as well as the end time of the divided jobs distributed to each image forming device.
A job division execution module 818 divides the received print job based on the calculation result of the distribution process by the job distribution calculation module 817. A print job transmission module 824 of a print job management module 823 transmits the divided print jobs (divided jobs) to each image forming apparatus.

The print job transmission module 824 of the print job management module 823 transmits the job divided by the job division management module 816 to the image forming device of the distributed printing group managed by the distributed printing group management module 811.

When an image forming device is added to a distributed printing group, the job redistribution processing module 819 of the job division management module 816 recalculates the redistribution process that determines the job redivision method and allocation to each image forming device, as well as the end time of the distributed printing. This calculation of the redistribution process is performed, for example, when the printer status management module 812 finds an image forming device that can be added to the distributed printing group.

When a print job (split job) is redistributed by the redistribution process, the print job cancellation module 825 of the print job management module 823 cancels the split job that has already been sent to the image forming device in the distributed printing group and is the target of redistribution. Then, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the split job to be redistributed calculated by the job redistribution processing module 819 to each image forming device.

[Processing flow of job management device: splitting the number of copies]
Next, a process for performing distributed printing of a print job in the above-mentioned job management device 10 will be described. Figures 4 and 5 show a flowchart of the distributed printing process performed by the job management device 10. Figures 4 and 5 explain an example in which a print job is divided into copies and distributed printing is performed.

First, the user selects an arbitrary print job from the list of print jobs displayed on the display device 905 of the job management device 10 (step S101). Then, the user instructs the distributed printing group of image forming devices registered in the job management device 10 to execute distributed printing of the selected print job (step S102). As a result, the job management device print job management module 823 accepts the instruction for distributed printing using each image forming device in the distributed printing group.

Next, the job division management module 816 determines whether redistribution printing of the print job is permitted in the print setting reflection module 821, the storage area 813, etc. (step S103).
If redistributed printing is not permitted (NO in step S103), the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number p of image forming devices registered in the distributed printing group from the distributed printing group management module 811 (step S104). Furthermore, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of copies B of the print job from the print setting reflection module 821, the memory area 813, etc. (step S105).
Then, the job distribution calculation module 817 calculates the number of copies b to be printed per image forming apparatus by [number of copies B/number of apparatuses p] (step S106).

The job division execution module 818 divides the job data of the print job for each print copy number b calculated by the job distribution calculation module 817, and generates p pieces of divided job data (first divided jobs) (step S107).Then, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the first divided jobs to each image forming apparatus registered in the distributed printing group (step S108).
After the first divided job is sent, the process according to this flowchart ends. Note that steps S104 to S108 are the same as those in conventional distributed printing.

If redistributed printing is permitted (YES in step S103), the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of copies T of the division unit of the print job from the print setting module 820 (step S109). Then, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number p of image forming devices registered in the distributed printing group from the distributed printing group management module 811 (step S110). Furthermore, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of copies B of the print job from the print setting reflection module 821, memory area 813, etc. (step S111).

Next, the job distribution calculation module 817 calculates the number of copies b to be printed per image forming device by [number of copies B/number of devices p] (step S112).The job division execution module 818 then divides the job data of the print job for each number of copies b calculated by the job distribution calculation module 817, and generates p pieces of job data (first divided jobs) (step S113).Furthermore, the job division execution module 818 generates job data (second divided jobs) by dividing the number of copies b to be printed per device, which is the first divided job, by the number of copies T, which is the division unit (step S114).
The print job transmission module 824 transmits the second divided job to each image forming apparatus registered in the distributed printing group (step S115).

Next, the printer status management module 812 monitors the status of image forming devices other than the distributed printing group (step S116). Then, the printer status management module 812 determines whether there are any image forming devices that can be added to the distributed printing (step S117).

If there are no image forming devices that can be added to the distributed printing (NO in step S117), the distributed printing group management module 811 determines whether or not all distributed printing has been completed on each image forming device (step S118). If distributed printing has not been completed (NO in step S118), the module repeats the process of monitoring the status of image forming devices other than the distributed printing group (step S116) and determining whether or not there are any image forming devices that can be added (step S117).

If there is an image forming device that can be added to the distributed printing (YES in step S117), the distributed printing group management module 811 checks the printing status of each image forming device in the distributed printing group (step S119). Then, the distributed printing group management module 811 determines whether there is an unprinted secondary split job in each image forming device (step S120).

If there are unprinted secondary split jobs (YES in step S120), the job redistribution processing module 819 calculates the secondary split jobs to be redistributed to each image forming device when the image forming device detected by the printer status management module 812 is added to the distributed printing group (step S121). The job redistribution processing module 819 then calculates the completion time (first completion time) when the secondary split jobs are not redistributed and the completion time (second completion time) when the secondary split jobs are redistributed and printed (redistributed printing), and calculates the second completion time (reduced time) relative to the first completion time (step S122).

Next, the printer status management module 812 displays a message on the display device 905 via the message display module 808 to confirm whether the user wants to add an image forming device to the distributed printing group and perform distributed printing (re-distributed printing), and determines whether the user approves of the re-distributed printing (step S123).
If the user approves the redistribution printing (YES in step S123), the print job cancellation module 825 deletes the second divided job to be executed by another image forming device from the original image forming device based on the result of the calculation for redistribution of the second divided job (redistribution calculation) (step S124).Then, the print job transmission module 824 resends the second divided job to be redistributed to each image forming device based on the result of the redistribution calculation (step S125).After resending the second divided job, the process returns to step S116.

If there are no unprinted secondary split jobs (NO in step S120), if distributed printing is complete (YES in step S118), or if the user does not approve re-distributed printing (NO in step S123), processing according to this flowchart ends.

[Distributed Printing Process of Job Management Device: Copies Division]
Next, a display mode of the print job setting screen in the job management device 10 and a specific example of distributed printing processing of print jobs according to the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Display aspect of distributed printing setting screen)
6 and 7 show specific examples of display modes on the display device 905 by the UI display module 805 of the job management device 10. Fig. 6 is an example of a distributed printing setting screen by a user. In Fig. 6, the distributed printing setting screen displays a distributed printing setting name 101, distributed printing setting items for each setting name (name 102, printer type 103, division unit 104), and a list 105 of image forming devices (printers) that will perform distributed printing.

The distributed printing setting name 101 is set by the user for each setting condition of distributed printing. Figure 6 shows an example in which three distributed printing settings are registered in the job management device 10: "color distributed printing," which divides a print job by print color and performs distributed printing; "number of copies distributed printing," which divides a print job by number of copies and performs distributed printing; and "page distributed printing," which divides a print job by number of pages and performs distributed printing.

When setting or changing conditions, the user selects an arbitrary setting name from the distributed printing setting names 101. Figure 6 shows an example in which "distributed printing by number of copies" has been selected. When distributed printing by number of copies is selected by the user, the name 102 of the selected distributed printing setting, the printer type 103 to be used, and the division unit 104 are displayed.

Printer type 103 is an item for selecting the type of image forming device (printer) to be used for distributed printing. In FIG. 6, a black and white printer is selected as the printer type. The user can select a black and white printer, a color printer, or other printer depending on the purpose of distributed printing.

Division unit 104 selects the number of copies T as the division unit, which becomes the secondary division unit. FIG. 6 shows an example in which 50 copies is selected as the number of copies T of the division unit. The user can set the division unit to any number of copies T (e.g., 10 copies, 100 copies, etc.). The user can also select no division in division unit 104. In this case, distributed printing is performed without secondary division of the print job. Note that when page distributed printing is set, the division unit is the number of pages T (e.g., 10 pages, 50 pages, 100 pages, etc.).

A list of printer types selected in printer type 103 is displayed in printer list 105. In FIG. 6, a black and white printer is selected as the printer type, so black and white printers are displayed in printer list 105 from among the image forming devices that can communicate with the job management device 10. FIG. 6 also shows a case where printer A, printer B, printer C, printer D, and printer E are detected as black and white printers.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a case where printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D can accept print jobs, and printer E is executing (printing) another print job. For this reason, check marks indicating that they have been selected are displayed on printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, which can accept print jobs. Printer E does not display a check mark indicating that it has been selected. Therefore, with this distributed printing setting, printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D are registered in a distributed printing group that will perform distributed printing of print jobs. Note that the selection of printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D can be set arbitrarily by the user, and any of the printers can also be deselected.

These distributed printing settings are managed by the print setting module 820. They are then stored in the print setting memory area 815 of the memory area 813. Furthermore, printer detection and selection are performed by the printer management module 809 (printer information management module 810, distributed printing group management module 811).

(Display of print job)
7 is an example of a screen displaying a list of print jobs and a list of image forming devices (printers) received by the job management device 10. The display screen shown in FIG. 7 displays a reception box 201, a printer 204, and a distributed printing 205.
The inbox 201 displays a list of print jobs registered in the job management device 10. The printer 204 displays a list of printers capable of executing print jobs (printer A, printer B, printer C, printer D, and printer E). The distributed printing 205 displays a list of the names of the distributed printing set in Fig. 6 above (distributed printing by number of copies 206, distributed printing by pages 207).

The user selects the print job to be executed from the list of print jobs displayed in the inbox 201. In FIG. 7, the selected print job 202 and a group of unselected print jobs 203 are displayed. The user then drags and drops the selected print job into the display area of the printer 204 or distributed printing 205.

When a print job is dragged and dropped into the display area of any of printers A, B, C, D, or E displayed on printer 204, distributed printing is not performed and the print job is carried out by any of the selected printers.
In addition, when a print job is dragged and dropped into the display area of distributed printing by copies 206 or distributed printing by pages 207 displayed in distributed printing 205, distributed printing processing is performed in the job management device 10 to divide the print job by number of copies or by page and perform distributed printing on multiple printers.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: Primary split jobs)
Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing from step S104 to step S108 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the number p of printers performing distributed printing (distributed printing group) is four, namely printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, and the number of copies B of the print job is 1000 copies.

The job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of printers p (4) and the number of copies B (1000 copies) of the print job, and calculates the number of copies b to be assigned to each printer as 250 copies using [B/p=1000/4]. The job division execution module 818 then divides the print job (1000 copies) into divided jobs (primary divided jobs) of 250 copies each. Furthermore, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the divided jobs of 250 copies each to printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, which are registered in the distributed printing group.
As a result, the print job for a total of 1000 copies is sent to each printer as divided jobs of 250 copies each, as shown in Fig. 8. Then, each printer executes the divided jobs of 250 copies.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: Secondary split jobs)
Next, a description will be given of the processing from step S109 to step S115 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the processing from step S109 to step S115. Note that in Fig. 9, like Fig. 8 above, the number of printers p in the distributed printing group is set to 4, and the number of copies B of the print job is set to 1,000.

First, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of copies T (50 copies) from the division unit that is the secondary division unit set in the division unit 104 on the setting screen described above (Figure 6). Furthermore, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of printers p (4 printers) and the number of copies B (1000 copies) of the print job, and calculates the number of copies b to be assigned to each printer as 250 copies using [B/p = 1000/4].

Then, the job division execution module 818 divides the print job (1000 copies) into split jobs (first split jobs) of 250 copies each based on the calculation results of the job distribution calculation module 817. Furthermore, the job division execution module 818 divides the first split job (250 copies) into 50 copies, which is the number of copies T set as the division unit, and generates five second split jobs of 50 copies for each printer.
Furthermore, the print job transmission module 824 transmits five second divided jobs of 50 copies each to printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D registered in the distributed printing group.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the print job for a total of 1000 copies is sent to each of the printers A to D as five secondary divided jobs of 50 copies each.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: Redistribution)
Next, the process from step S116 to step S125 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process from step S116 to step S125. Note that in Fig. 10, like in Fig. 8 above, the number of printers p in the distributed printing group is set to 4, and the number of copies B of the print job is set to 1,000.

First, five secondary split jobs of 50 copies each are registered for each of the four printers (printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D) in a distributed printing group, just like in Figure 9 above. In this state, Figure 10 shows a case where the printer status management module 812 has detected printer E that can be added to distributed printing.

As shown in FIG. 10, when printing that was being performed on printer E is finished and printer E is able to perform new printing, the print job being performed in the distributed printing group can be distributed to printer E. Therefore, when the printer status management module 812 detects printer E that is able to perform new print jobs, the distributed printing group management module 811 checks the printing execution status of each printer in the distributed printing group.

Then, if there is an unexecuted print job (secondary split job) on each printer, the job redistribution processing module 819 calculates the second split job to be redistributed to printer E, and calculates the completion time when the second split job is redistributed to printer E.

Furthermore, the message display module 808 displays a message on the display device 905 to ask the user whether to perform distributed printing (re-distributed printing) with printer E added to the distributed printing group. An example of the message displayed to the user to confirm the execution of distributed printing (re-distributed printing) is shown in FIG. 11. Message 301 shown in FIG. 11 displays information that printer E will be added to distributed printing, that adding printer E will reduce the completion time of distributed printing by approximately 30 minutes, and a selection item (yes/no) that can be made by the user.

If the user allows re-distributed printing (selects the "Yes" option) in message 301 shown in FIG. 11, printer E is added to the distributed printing group as shown in FIG. 10. Then, the print job cancellation module 825 cancels the secondary split jobs to be re-distributed (sent) from printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D to printer E. Furthermore, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the secondary split jobs to be re-distributed to each printer E. As a result, some of the secondary split jobs registered on printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D are sent to printer E.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, of the five secondary split jobs registered on Printer A, Printer B, Printer C, and Printer D, one each is redistributed to Printer E. As a result, four secondary split jobs are registered on Printer A, Printer B, Printer C, Printer D, and Printer E respectively. Therefore, after redistribution, the number of secondary split jobs executed by each printer has been reduced from five to four. As a result, by redistributing the secondary split jobs, the time it takes to complete all print jobs can be shortened.

In this way, when distributing a print job to multiple printers in a distributed printing group, the print job is divided into primary split jobs, and the primary split jobs are further divided into secondary split jobs, making it possible to redistribute the print job even after distributed printing has begun. This makes it possible to make distributed printing more efficient.

When redistributing print jobs, it is preferable to calculate the secondary split jobs to be redistributed so that the number of print jobs (secondary split jobs) registered in each printer is the same and so that the completion times of the print jobs are the same.
In addition, when a new printer is added, the secondary divided jobs that are earlier in the execution order (transmission order, registration order) may already be executed by each printer. For this reason, it is preferable to select the secondary divided jobs to be redistributed to the added printer from the later order of execution of the previously registered printers.

[Job Management Device Processing Flow: Page Division]
Next, a distributed printing process for dividing a print job by page in the above-mentioned job management device 10 will be described. Figures 12 and 13 show a flowchart of the distributed printing process for dividing a print job by page. Note that the process shown in Figures 12 and 13 is partially the same as the process in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5, except that the division unit is changed from the number of copies to the number of pages. Therefore, in the following description, the contents that overlap with the description of the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5 will be omitted.

First, similar to steps S101 to S103 shown in FIG. 4 described above, a print job is selected (step S201), a command is issued to execute distributed printing of the print job (step S202), and a decision is made as to whether redistributed printing is permitted (step S203).

If redistributed printing is not permitted (NO in step S203), the number of image forming devices p is obtained (step S204) in the same manner as in step S104 described above. Furthermore, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of pages B of the print job from the print setting reflection module 821, the memory area 813, etc. (step S205). Then, the job distribution calculation module 817 calculates the number of pages b to be printed per image forming device using [number of pages B/number of devices p] (step S206).

The job division execution module 818 divides the print job for each print page number b calculated by the job distribution calculation module 817 to generate p divided jobs (step S207). Then, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the divided jobs to each image forming apparatus registered in the distributed printing group (step S208).
After the divided jobs are transmitted, the process according to this flowchart ends. Note that steps S204 to S208 are the same as those in conventional distributed printing.

If redistributed printing is permitted (YES in step S203), the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the division unit T (number of pages) of the print job from the print setting module 820 (step S209). Then, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number p of image forming devices registered in the distributed printing group from the distributed printing group management module 811 (step S210). Furthermore, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of pages B of the print job from the print setting reflection module 821, memory area 813, etc. (step S211).

Next, the job distribution calculation module 817 calculates the number of print pages b per image forming device by [number of pages B/number of devices p] (step S212). The job division execution module 818 then divides the print job for each number of print pages b calculated by the job distribution calculation module 817, and generates p split jobs (first split jobs) (step S213).

Next, the print setting module 820 (print setting reflection module 821, print setting change module 822) determines the paper ejection direction at the printer for the p divided primary divided jobs to be either face-up printing or face-down printing (step S214). The print setting module 820 then specifies normal printing for the primary divided jobs determined to be face-up printing, and specifies reverse printing for the primary divided jobs determined to be face-up printing (step S215).

The job division execution module 818 further divides the number of print pages b per device, which is the first divided job, into division units of page number T to generate divided jobs (secondary divided jobs) (step S216). The print job transmission module 824 then transmits the second divided jobs, set in the above-mentioned paper ejection direction and page order, to each image forming device registered in the distributed printing group (step S217).

Next, similar to steps S116 to S120 shown in FIG. 4 above, the following steps are performed: monitor the status of image forming devices other than the distributed printing group (step S218), determine which image forming devices can be added to the distributed printing (step S219), determine whether the distributed printing has ended (step S220), check the printing status of each image forming device in the distributed printing group (step S221), and determine whether there are any unprinted secondary split jobs (step S222).

If there is an unprinted secondary split job (YES in step S222), the job redistribution processing module 819 calculates the secondary split job to be redistributed to each image forming device so that the page order is maximized when the image forming device detected by the printer status management module 812 is added to the distributed printing group (step S223). The job redistribution processing module 819 then calculates the completion time (first completion time) when the secondary split job is not redistributed and the completion time (second completion time) when the secondary split job is redistributed and printed (redistributed printing) so that the page order is maximized, and calculates the second completion time (reduced time) relative to the first completion time (step S224).

4, the process executes the following: a user approval/distribution printing decision (step S225), deletion of the second divided job to be moved to another image forming device (step S226), and retransmission of the second divided job to be moved to each image forming device (step S227). After retransmission of the second divided job, the process returns to step S218.
If there are no unprinted secondary split jobs (NO in step S222), if distributed printing is completed (YES in step S220), or if the user does not approve re-distributed printing (NO in step S225), processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

[Distributed Printing Process of Job Management Device: Page Division]
Next, a specific example of the distributed printing process of the print job according to the process shown in the flowcharts of Figures 12 and 13 will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 17. Note that the display form of the print job setting screen in the job management device 10 is the same as that shown in Figures 6, 7, and 11.

For example, the user selects "Page distributed printing" on the screen shown in FIG. 6, and operates each displayed item to set the conditions for distributed printing. Then, on the screen shown in FIG. 7, the user drags and drops the print job into the display area of Page distributed printing 207 of Distributed printing 205. This causes the distributed printing process to be performed in the job management device 10.

The process from step S204 to step S208 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be performed in the same manner as distributed printing by replacing the number of copies with the number of pages in the configuration shown in FIG. 8 described above. For this reason, a description of the process from step S204 to step S208 will be omitted.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: Secondary split jobs)
Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining the processing from step S209 to step S217 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 shows an example in which the number p of printers performing distributed printing (distributed printing group) is set to four: printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, the number of pages B of the print job is set to 1000 pages, and the division unit is set to 50 pages.

The job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of printers p (4) and the number of pages B (1000 pages) of the print job, and calculates the number of pages b to be assigned to each printer as 250 pages using [B/p = 1000/4]. The job division execution module 818 then divides the print job (1000 pages) into divided jobs (primary divided jobs) that print 250 pages each. In other words, the 1000-page print job is divided into a primary divided job that prints pages 1 to 250, a primary divided job that prints pages 251 to 500, a primary divided job that prints pages 501 to 750, and a primary divided job that prints pages 751 to 1000.

Next, the orientation of the paper discharge surface at each printer is set for each divided primary split job. It is preferable to alternately set the primary split jobs to face-up printing and face-down printing according to the order of the page numbers. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the primary split job that prints pages 1 to 250 is specified as face-down printing, and is set to print pages 1 to 250 in the order of pages. Also, the primary split job that prints pages 251 to 500 is specified as face-up printing, and is set to print pages 500 to 251 in the order of pages. Similarly, the primary split job that prints pages 501 to 750 is specified as face-down printing, and the primary split job that prints pages 751 to 1000 is specified as face-up printing. By setting the orientation of the paper discharge surface in this way, it is possible to redistribute the secondary split jobs so that the page order is as connected as possible when redistributing the print jobs (secondary split jobs) described later. This improves the continuity of the page order of the recording material discharged after printing, and reduces the sorting work required by the user.

Furthermore, the job division execution module 818 divides the primary split job (250 pages) into 50 pages, which is the page number T set as the division unit, and generates five secondary split jobs of 50 pages for each printer. That is, the primary split job that prints pages 1 to 250 is divided into a secondary split job that prints pages 1 to 50, a secondary split job that prints pages 51 to 100, a secondary split job that prints pages 101 to 150, a secondary split job that prints pages 151 to 200, and a secondary split job that prints pages 201 to 250. In addition, since the primary split job that prints pages 251 to 500 is specified for face-up printing, it is divided into a secondary split job that prints pages 500 to 451, a secondary split job that prints pages 450 to 401, a secondary split job that prints pages 400 to 351, a secondary split job that prints pages 350 to 301, and a secondary split job that prints pages 300 to 251. Similarly, the first split job (face-down printing) that prints pages 501 to 750, and the first split job (face-up printing) that prints pages 751 to 1000 are each split into second split jobs of 50 pages each, according to the direction of the paper ejection surface.

The print job sending module 824 then sends five 50-page secondary split jobs, each of which is split into units of the primary split job, to printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, which are registered in the distributed printing group. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, a print job totaling 1,000 pages is sent to each printer as five 50-page secondary split jobs. Each printer then prints the five 50-page secondary split jobs.

In FIG. 14, secondary split jobs for printing pages 1-50, pages 51-100, pages 101-150, pages 151-200, and pages 201-250 are sent to printer A so that they are printed in that order. Additionally, secondary split jobs for printing pages 500-451, pages 450-401, pages 400-351, pages 350-301, and pages 300-251 are sent to printer B so that they are printed in that order. Similarly, secondary split jobs are sent to printer C and printer D so that they are printed in the order shown in FIG. 14.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: Redistribution processing)
Next, the processing from step S218 to step S227 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 13 will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining the processing from step S218 to step S227. Note that in Fig. 15, like Fig. 4 above, the number of printers p in the distributed printing group is 4, the number of pages B of the print job is 1000 pages, and the division unit is 50 pages.

First, as shown in FIG. 14 above, five 50-page secondary split jobs are registered in each of four printers (printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D) as a distributed printing group. In this state, FIG. 15 shows a case where the printer status management module 812 detects a printer that can be added to distributed printing.

As shown in FIG. 15, when a new printer E capable of executing a print job is detected, the distributed printing group management module 811 checks the printing execution status of each printer in the distributed printing group. Then, when there is an unexecuted print job (secondary divided job) in each printer, the job redistribution processing module 819 calculates the secondary divided job to be redistributed to printer E, and calculates the completion time when the secondary divided job is redistributed to printer E. Furthermore, the message display module 808 displays a message (see FIG. 11) on the display device 905 to confirm whether the user wants to perform distributed printing (redistributed printing) with printer E added to the distributed printing group. If the user allows redistributed printing in the message 301 shown in FIG. 11, printer E is added to the distributed printing group as shown in FIG. 15. At this time, since it is preferable to set the orientation of the paper ejection surface alternately in the distributed printing group, face-down printing is set for printer E.

Then, the print job cancellation module 825 cancels the secondary split jobs to be redistributed from printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D to printer E. Furthermore, the print job transmission module 824 sends the secondary split jobs to be redistributed to each printer E. As a result, some of the secondary split jobs that were registered on printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D are sent to printer E.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, of the five secondary split jobs registered on Printer A, Printer B, Printer C, and Printer D, one each is redistributed to Printer E. As a result, four secondary split jobs are registered on Printer A, Printer B, Printer C, Printer D, and Printer E respectively. Therefore, after redistribution, the number of secondary split jobs executed by each printer has been reduced from five to four. As a result, by redistributing the secondary split jobs, the time it takes to complete all print jobs can be shortened.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, of the five secondary split jobs registered on each of printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, the last secondary split job in the execution order is redistributed to printer E. Specifically, the secondary split job to print pages 201-250 from printer A, the secondary split job to print pages 300-251 from printer B, the secondary split job to print pages 701-750 from printer C, and the secondary split job to print pages 800-751 from printer D are redistributed to printer E. At this time, face-down printing is set for printer E, so the printing order of the secondary split job to print pages 300-251 and the secondary split job to print pages 800-751 is changed to the secondary split job to print pages 251-300 and the secondary split job to print pages 751-800.

In addition, because the orientation of the paper output surface is set alternately on printer A, printer B, printer C, and printer D, the secondary divided job that is last in the execution order will have consecutive page order on printer A and printer B, and consecutive page order on printer C and printer D. Therefore, on printer E, which has redistributed the secondary divided job that is last in the execution order from each printer, the printing of pages 201 to 250 and the printing of pages 251 to 300 will be printed in consecutive page order. Furthermore, the printing of pages 701 to 750 and the printing of pages 751 to 800 will be printed in consecutive page order. In addition, the printed matter (paper output) from printer E will have a break in the page order. For this reason, it is preferable to set it so that blank paper or the like is inserted at the break in the page order. By inserting blank paper or the like at the break in the page order, it becomes easier for the user to tell that it is a break in the page order.

In this way, when distributing a print job to multiple printers in a distributed printing group, the print job is divided into primary split jobs, and the primary split jobs are further divided into secondary split jobs, making it possible to redistribute the print job even after distributed printing has begun. Also, by alternately setting the ejection surface orientation for the printers registered in the distributed printing group, the print job can be redistributed to maximize the page order. This makes it possible to make distributed printing more efficient.

(Distributed Printing of Print Jobs: Variation of Redistribution Processing)
Next, we will explain a variation of the distributed printing process described above in Fig. 15. In the following variation of the distributed printing process, an example will be described in which the number p of printers performing distributed printing (distributed printing group) is four, consisting of printer A, printer B, and printer C, and printer D is additionally registered in the distributed printing group after the secondary divided job is distributed.

First, the job distribution calculation module 817 obtains the number of printers p (3) and the number of pages B (1000) of the print job, and calculates the number of pages b to be assigned to each printer using [B/p=1000/3]. At this time, when calculating the number of pages b, it is necessary to divide the number of pages in the primary divided job so that it is a multiple of the value set in the division unit T (50 pages in this case). This is also the case in the example of copy distribution printing shown in Figure 8 above and the example of page distribution printing shown in Figure 14.

It is also preferable to generate primary divided jobs with a value close to [1000/3] so that the completion time of the print jobs on each printer is uniform. For this reason, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the print job is divided into a primary divided job that prints 350 pages (pages 1 to 350), a primary divided job that prints 350 pages (pages 351 to 700), and a primary divided job that prints 300 pages (pages 701 to 1000). In this way, as long as it is divided into multiples of the division unit T, the number of pages (number of copies) of each primary divided job does not have to be uniform.

Next, the orientation of the paper ejection surface at each printer is set alternately for each divided primary split job. In Figure 16, the primary split job that prints pages 1 to 350 and the primary split job that prints pages 701 to 1000 are set to face-down printing. Additionally, the primary split job that prints pages 351 to 700 is set to face-up printing, i.e., the primary split job that prints pages 700 to 351.

The job division execution module 818 further divides each primary divided job into 50 pages, which is the number of pages T set as the division unit, to generate secondary divided jobs of 50 pages each. For example, a primary divided job that prints 1 to 350 pages is divided into a secondary divided job that prints 1 to 50 pages, a secondary divided job that prints 51 to 100 pages, a secondary divided job that prints 101 to 150 pages, a secondary divided job that prints 151 to 200 pages, a secondary divided job that prints 201 to 250 pages, a secondary divided job that prints 251 to 300 pages, and a secondary divided job that prints 301 to 350 pages. The primary divided job that prints 351 to 700 pages and the primary divided job that prints 701 to 1000 pages are also divided into secondary divided jobs of 50 pages each according to the direction of the paper discharge surface.

Furthermore, the print job transmission module 824 transmits the secondary divided jobs to each of printer A, printer B, and printer C registered in the distributed printing group. As a result, as shown in Fig. 16, the secondary divided job for printing pages 1 to 50, the secondary divided job for printing pages 51 to 100, the secondary divided job for printing pages 101 to 150, the secondary divided job for printing pages 151 to 200, the secondary divided job for printing pages 201 to 250, the secondary divided job for printing pages 251 to 300, and the secondary divided job for printing pages 301 to 350 are transmitted to printer A. Similarly, the secondary divided jobs are also transmitted to printer B and printer C.
Then, each printer executes printing of each of the secondary divided jobs in the order instructed.

Next, if a new printer D capable of executing the print job is detected, the printer checks for unexecuted print jobs (secondary split jobs) on each printer and checks whether the user has given permission for redistributed printing. Then, printer D is added to the distributed printing group, and the job redistribution processing module 819 calculates the secondary split jobs to be redistributed to printer D.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the secondary split jobs are redistributed (cancelled and sent) so that the page order is as continuous as possible. For example, the three secondary split jobs to print pages 201-250, 251-300, and 301-350 from printer A are redistributed to printer D. Furthermore, the two secondary split jobs to print pages 400-351 and 450-401 from printer B are redistributed to printer D. As a result, the secondary split jobs to print pages 201-250, 251-300, 301-350, 351-400, and 401-450 are redistributed to printer D. In other words, the secondary split jobs are redistributed to printer D with consecutive page numbers from 201 to 450. For this reason, printer D is set to face-down printing, taking into account the secondary split jobs that will be redistributed.

When the five secondary split jobs from pages 201 to 450 have been redistributed to printer D, there are four secondary split jobs registered on printer A, five secondary split jobs registered on printer B, and six secondary split jobs registered on printer C. For this reason, in this state, the completion times of the print jobs on each printer are not equal.

Therefore, in conjunction with the redistribution of the secondary split jobs to printer D described above, the secondary split jobs are also redistributed among printers A to C. For example, in order to equalize the number of secondary split jobs registered among printers A to C, the secondary split jobs are redistributed from printer C, which has the greatest number of registered secondary split jobs, to printer A, which has the fewest number of registered secondary split jobs. In FIG. 16, the secondary split job to print pages 951 to 1000, which is registered on printer C last in the execution order, is redistributed to printer A. This equalizes the secondary split jobs registered on each printer, shortening the time it takes to complete all print jobs.

(Distributed printing of print jobs: re-re-distribution processing)
Next, an example of a second redistribution (re-redistribution) process of a second divided job that further adds a printer to a distributed printing group after the redistribution process of the second divided job that adds a printer to the distributed printing group will be described. Note that in this example, the second redistribution process will be described after the redistribution process of the second divided job shown in FIG. 16 above. Therefore, explanations that overlap with the above explanation will be omitted.

The example of redistribution of the secondary split job shown in FIG. 17(a) shows a case where printer E is further added to the distributed printing group after the redistribution of the secondary split job shown in FIG. 16 above. Also, in FIG. 17(a), the secondary split job for printing pages 951 to 1000 from printer A is redistributed to printer E, and the secondary split job for printing pages 950 to 901 and pages 900 to 851 is redistributed from printer C. The redistributed secondary split jobs are selected from the rear order of the execution order of the secondary split jobs registered on each printer, so that the page order is maximized.

In the state shown in FIG. 17(a), there are four secondary split jobs registered on printer A, five secondary split jobs registered on printer B, three secondary split jobs registered on printer C, five secondary split jobs registered on printer D, and three secondary split jobs registered on printer E. As a result, the number of secondary split jobs registered on each printer is not equal, and the completion times of print jobs on each printer are not equal.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17(b), in conjunction with the redistribution of the secondary split jobs to printer E described above, the secondary split jobs are also redistributed among printers A to D in the distributed printing group before printer E was added. For example, to ensure that the number of secondary split jobs registered among printers A to C is equal, the secondary split jobs are redistributed from printer B and printer D, which have the greatest number of registered secondary split jobs, to printer C, which has the fewest number of registered secondary split jobs. In FIG. 17(b), the secondary split job to print pages 401 to 450, which is registered on printer D and is last in the execution order, is redistributed to printer C.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 17(b), in order to equalize the secondary split jobs registered to each printer, tertiary split jobs are generated by dividing the secondary split jobs into even smaller division units. In FIG. 17(b), the secondary split job for printing pages 500 to 451 registered in printer B is divided into a tertiary split job for printing pages 500 to 476, and a tertiary split job for printing pages 475 to 451. For example, in the job division management module 816, the job division execution module 818 divides the secondary split job based on the calculations of the job distribution calculation module 817.

Then, the secondary split job to print pages 500 to 451 registered on printer B is canceled, and the generated tertiary split job to print pages 475 to 451 is redistributed from printer B to printer C. In addition, the generated tertiary split job to print pages 500 to 476 is redistributed to printer B.

This makes it possible to equalize the secondary split jobs registered on each printer, shortening the time it takes to complete all print jobs. Also, on printer C, the secondary split job that prints the redistributed (second time) pages 401-450 and the secondary split job that prints pages 451-475 have consecutive page orders. This improves the continuity of the page order on the ejected recording materials, reducing the amount of sorting work required by the user.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiment examples, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 Image forming system, 2 Network, 10 Job management device, 20 Image forming device, 101 Setting name, 102 Name, 103 Printer type, 104 Division unit, 105 Printer list, 201 Inbox, 202 Print job, 203 Print job group, 204 Printer, 205 Distributed printing, 206 Distributed copy printing, 207 Distributed page printing, 301 Message, 801 Personal computer, 802 Operating system, 803 Browser, 804 Workflow application, 805 UI display module, 806 Job display module, 807 Printer display module, 808 Message display module, 809 Printer management module, 810 Printer information management module, 811 Distributed printing group management module, 812 Printer status management module, 813 Storage area, 814 Settings storage area, 815 Print settings storage area, 816 Job division management module, 817 Job distribution calculation module, 818 Job division execution module, 819 Job redistribution processing module, 820 Print setting module, 821 Print setting reflection module, 822 Print setting change module, 823 Print job management module, 824 Print job transmission module, 825 Print job cancellation module, 900 Control unit, 901 CPU, 902 ROM, 903 RAM, 904 Communication I/F unit, 905 Display device, 906 Storage device, 907 Input device

Claims (7)

a control unit that communicates with at least three or more image forming devices, distributes and transmits job data of a print job to the image forming devices, and instructs execution of distributed printing of the print job;
The control unit is
A print setting unit that acquires the print job;
an image forming apparatus management unit that monitors the states of the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the third image forming apparatus, which are communicatively connected;
a job division management unit that generates a first divided job by dividing the print job into a number corresponding to the number of the image forming apparatuses that execute the print job, and that creates a second divided job by dividing the first divided job into a division unit for each number of pages or number of copies that is set in advance;
a print job management unit that distributes and transmits the first divided job to the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the third image forming apparatus;
the control unit, after transmitting the first divided job to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus in the print job management unit and instructing them to execute distributed printing, transmits part of job data of the first divided job transmitted to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to the third image forming apparatus and instructs the third image forming apparatus to execute distributed printing ;
When the print job management unit is set to divide the first divided job into the second divided jobs based on the number of pages, the print job management unit instructs face-up printing or face-down printing for the first divided job.
Job management device. The control unit, after transmitting the plurality of the secondary divided jobs to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus in the print job management unit and instructing the execution of distributed printing, transmits job data of a part of the secondary divided jobs among the job data of the plurality of the secondary divided jobs transmitted to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to the third image forming apparatus, and instructs the third image forming apparatus to execute the distributed printing.
The job management device according to claim 1 . When transmitting the second divided job to the third image forming apparatus, the print job management unit redistributes a part of the job data of the second divided job transmitted to the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus.
The job management device according to claim 2 . The image forming apparatus management unit receives a setting of a value of the division unit for dividing the first divided job into the second divided jobs.
The job management device according to claim 1 . a presentation management unit that manages information of the print job to be presented to a user;
the job division management unit calculates a first completion time for distributing the first divided job to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to perform distributed printing, and a second completion time for distributing part of job data of the first divided job transmitted to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to the third image forming apparatus for processing,
Calculating a reduction in the second completion time relative to the first completion time;
The presentation management unit presents the shortened time to a user.
5. The job management device according to claim 1 . The print job management unit cancels the job data transmitted to the third image forming apparatus in the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus.
6. The job management device according to claim 1 . A job management device and an image forming device connected to the job management device so as to be capable of communicating with the image forming device.
the job management device includes a control unit that distributes and transmits job data of a print job to the image forming device and instructs the image forming device to execute distributed printing of the print job;
The control unit is
A print setting unit that acquires the print job;
an image forming apparatus management unit that monitors the states of the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the third image forming apparatus, which are communicatively connected;
a job division management unit that generates a first divided job by dividing the print job into a number corresponding to the number of the image forming apparatuses that execute the print job, and that creates a second divided job by dividing the first divided job into a division unit for each number of pages or number of copies that is set in advance;
a print job management unit that distributes and transmits the first divided job to the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the third image forming apparatus;
the control unit, after transmitting the first divided job to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus in the print job management unit and instructing them to execute distributed printing, transmits part of job data of the first divided job transmitted to the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to the third image forming apparatus and instructs the third image forming apparatus to execute distributed printing ;
When the print job management unit is set to divide the first divided job into the second divided jobs based on the number of pages, the print job management unit instructs face-up printing or face-down printing for the first divided job.
Image forming system.

Images