JP2001229001A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming system capable of automatically transferring data to an image forming apparatus which requires the least cost for image forming at the time of image forming. Further, the present invention provides an image forming system that allows a user to know the image forming apparatus that requires the least cost for image formation. SOLUTION: A personal computer 20 acquires, from a printer 40 and a printer 50 connected to a network 10, information on a print output unit price required for printing one sheet of data. Next, the personal computer 20 transfers the data to the printer having the lowest print output unit price.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a personal computer (PC) and a personal computer (PC).
More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming system that performs charge management when using this image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming system provided with a billing management system that counts the number of printed sheets, such as the number of pages copied and printed by a user, and charges the user according to the counted number.

In this image forming apparatus, the amount charged to the user at the time of billing differs depending on the function or capability. Therefore, the user needs to select an image forming apparatus having a low print output unit price required for printing one sheet.

[0004] Some users need to select not only the print output unit price but also an image forming apparatus having a specific function or capability from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. That is, if you want to form a color image,
The user needs to select an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image and transmit data to the image forming apparatus.

The billing management system includes users,
Alternatively, there is a control that performs image formation only for a predetermined amount of money for each group to which the user belongs. This predetermined amount is called an access restriction amount. The user needs to select an image forming apparatus based on the access limit, the print output unit price, and the capabilities and functions of the image forming apparatus.

However, if the user does not grasp the print output unit price, the functions and capabilities of the image forming apparatus, or the access limit, the user may select the most suitable image forming system for forming data. It is pointed out that they cannot. This makes it difficult for the user to select an image forming apparatus, and as a result, the image forming processing time becomes longer.

As a first prior art relating to a print system for performing charging according to provided services such as various print modes and extended functions, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-20957.

According to the first conventional technique, a predetermined operation is executed in accordance with an operation mode specified by a host (personal computer), and the charge is returned to the host (personal computer). . This makes it possible for the print system using the first conventional technique to automatically charge the user for the various services provided to the user.

As a second prior art relating to charging management in a network compatible printer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-3240 is disclosed.
No. 74 is disclosed.

According to the second prior art, in a network-compatible printer used by being shared by a plurality of hosts (personal computers), the number of prints is stored, so that the printer usage for each group can be easily reduced. It becomes possible to grasp.

[0011]

However, according to the first prior art, it is possible to automatically charge a user for various services provided to the user. Does not suggest any countermeasures.

According to the second prior art, it is possible to easily ascertain the amount of printer used for each group, but it cannot be said that this solution shows any countermeasure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming system capable of automatically transferring data to an image forming apparatus having the lowest image forming cost at the time of image forming. The purpose is to do. Also,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that allows a user to select an image forming apparatus that requires the least cost for image forming.

The present invention provides an image forming system capable of automatically transferring data to an image forming apparatus having functions and capabilities required for forming an image of data during image formation. The purpose is to: Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of selecting an image forming apparatus having functions and capabilities required for forming an image of the data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system for automatically selecting an image forming apparatus in consideration of an access restriction amount when forming an image. Also, the present invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system that allows a user to select the access limit.

[0016]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system having a personal computer and a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the personal computer is connected to the image forming apparatus. Information obtaining means for obtaining information for image forming data, and image forming apparatus selecting means for selecting an image forming apparatus to which data is to be transferred based on the information for image forming data obtained by the information obtaining means And characterized in that:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the system of the first aspect, the information for forming an image of the data is billing information set for each type of data, and the image forming apparatus selecting means stores the data in the image forming apparatus. In forming an image, an image forming apparatus that performs the lowest billing is selected.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
Is characterized in that the information for forming an image of data is information relating to the state of the image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the system of the third aspect, the image forming apparatus selecting means selects an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image at the earliest time when forming an image of data. It is characterized by:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the information for forming an image of the data is an access-restricted amount relating to an amount for the image forming restricted for each user. The information is characterized in that the information is information relating to a usage fee, which is a fee for performing image formation for each user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image forming apparatus selecting means presents to the user information for forming an image of the data acquired by the information acquiring means. A user is allowed to select an image forming apparatus to which data is to be transferred.

[0022]

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

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
According to this printer system, the personal computer 20, the personal computer 30, the printer 4
0 and a printer 50, each of which is connected by a network 10.

The personal computer 20 and the personal computer 30 are provided from the printer 40 and the printer 50 with information on print output unit price information, functions and capabilities of the apparatus required for printing one sheet of data, and information in the apparatus. Get the printer status indicating information. The personal computer 20 and the personal computer 30 acquire a print access limit amount, which is an amount for each user who can perform printing, and a usage amount, which is an amount printed using this print system up to now.

The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer (personal computer 20, personal computer 30, or host computer (not shown)) connected to the network 10.

The printer 40 and the printer 50
Information about the functions and capabilities of the
Alternatively, the centralized management may be performed by a host computer (the personal computer 20 or the personal computer 30 or a host computer (not shown)) connected to the host computer.

The print access limit amount and the usage amount are centrally managed by a host computer (personal computer 20, personal computer 30, or a not-shown host computer) connected to the network 10. Is also good.

(First Operation Example) FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a first printer selection operation of the print system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first printer selecting operation of the printing system will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When a user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one sheet of data based on the print output request. The print output unit price information required for is acquired from the printer 40 and the printer 50 (step S1).

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to the functions of paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling, and the like. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

The personal computer 20 selects the most suitable printer for printing data based on the print output request based on the print output unit price information obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50 (step S).
2). That is, the personal computer 20 selects a printer that can print the data based on the print output request at the lowest cost.

The personal computer transfers the data to the selected printer (step S).
3).

According to the first operation example, the printer system can automatically select the printer having the lowest print output unit price and perform print output.
Therefore, the user does not need to know the print output unit price of the printer connected on the network. Further, the user does not need to select the printer having the lowest print output unit price. This eliminates the need for a printer selection operation, and further eliminates the printer selection operation, thereby reducing the time required for print processing.

(Second Operation Example) FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a second printer selection operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the second printer selecting operation of the printing system will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one sheet of data based on the print output request. Is obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50 (step S11).

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to functions such as paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

Next, the personal computer 20
Information on the status of the printer 40 and the printer 50 and information on their functions and performance are acquired from the printer 40 and the printer 50 (step S1).
2).

The information on this state is information such as whether the printer is in a print standby state, is printing, is in error, is in an energy saving mode for saving power, and the like.

The information on the above functions and performances can be subjected to double-sided printing, color printing, or post-processing such as punching and stapling. Information. In addition,
The information regarding the functions and performances may be collectively managed by a host computer on the network 10. This eliminates the need for the host computer 20 to acquire this information from all printers connected to the network 10.

The personal computer 20 converts the data based on the print output request based on the print output unit price information obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50, information on the status of the printer, and information on the functions and performance of the printer. An optimal printer for printing is selected (step S13).

The optimum printer is selected based on a preset table of print output unit price information, information on the status of the printer, and information on the functions and performance of the printer. For example, if the setting is made such that the optimum printer is selected with priority given to the printer state, the printer with the lowest print output unit price among the printers on standby is selected.

The personal computer transfers this data to the selected printer (step S1).
4).

According to the second operation example, the printer system can automatically select a printer capable of performing printing quickly and with the lowest print output unit price and perform print output. . Therefore, the user
It is not necessary to grasp the print output unit price of the printer connected on the network, the status of the printer, and the function and performance of the printer. Further, the user does not need to select a printer based on the information.

This eliminates the need for a printer selection operation, and further eliminates the printer selection operation, thereby reducing the time required for print processing. Also,
The time required for the printing process is further reduced since the printer capable of performing the printing at the earliest time is automatically selected.

(Third Operation Example) FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a third printer selection operation of the print system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the third printer selecting operation of the printing system will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When a user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one sheet of data based on the print output request. The print output unit price information required for is acquired from the printer 40 and the printer 50 (step S21).

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to the functions of paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling, and the like. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

Next, the personal computer 20
Information on the access restriction amount and the usage amount is obtained (step S22). This information is stored in network 1
0 host computer (personal computer 2
0, a personal computer 30, or a host computer connected to the network 10 (not shown).

The personal computer 20 selects an optimal printer for printing the data based on the print output request based on the print output unit price information, the information on the access limit amount, and the information on the usage amount (step S23). ).

As the optimum printer, a printer having the lowest print output unit price information and within the above-mentioned access limit amount is selected.

The personal computer transfers this data to the selected printer (step S2).
4).

According to the third operation example, the printer system can automatically select a printer with a low print output unit price in consideration of printer access restrictions and perform print output. Therefore, the user can determine the unit price of the print output of the printer connected on the network,
There is no need to know the access limit amount and the usage amount. Further, the user does not need to select a printer based on the information.

This eliminates the need for a printer selection operation, and further eliminates the printer selection operation, thereby reducing the time required for print processing. Also,
Considering the access limit amount and the usage amount, the user can use a reliable print output environment.

(Fourth Operation Example) A fourth operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention for selecting a printer for printing data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one sheet of data based on the print output request. Is obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50.

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to the functions of paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling, and the like. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

The personal computer 20 presents the print output unit price information obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50 on the network 10 to the user. The user selects a printer for printing this data based on the print output unit price information. The personal computer transfers this data to the selected printer.

According to the fourth operation example, this printer system selects the printer with the lowest print output unit price.
The user can make a selection. Also, the user
There is no need to know the print output unit price of the printer connected on the network. This allows the user to
It is possible to easily and reliably select the printer with the lowest print output unit price. Further, the time required for the printing process is reduced because the printer selection operation is facilitated.

As described above, according to the fourth operation example, since the final confirmation of the printer to which data is transferred can be made, the user can realize an economical and reliable print output environment.

(Fifth Operation Example) A fifth operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention for selecting a printer for printing data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one sheet of data based on the print output request. Is obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50.

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to the functions of paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling, and the like. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

Next, the personal computer 20
Information on the status of the printer 40 and the printer 50, and information on the functions and performance thereof are acquired from the printer 40 and the printer 50.

The information on this state is information such as whether the printer is in a printing standby state, printing, an error, or an energy saving mode for saving power.

The information on the above functions and performances can be printed on both sides, printed on color, or post-processed such as punching and stapling. Information. In addition,
The information regarding the functions and performances may be collectively managed by a host computer on the network 10. This eliminates the need for the host computer 20 to acquire this information from all printers connected to the network 10.

The personal computer 20 presents the user with print output unit price information obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50, information on the status of the printer, and information on the functions and performance of the printer. Based on this information, the user selects the most suitable printer for printing data based on the print output request.
The personal computer transfers this data to the selected printer.

According to the fifth operation example, it becomes possible for the user to automatically select the printer which can print quickly and has the lowest print output unit price.
Therefore, the user does not need to know the print output unit price of the printer connected on the network, the status of the printer, the function and performance of the printer, and the like.

As a result, the printer selection operation is facilitated, so that the time required for the printing process is reduced.
Further, by selecting a printer capable of performing printing the earliest, the time required for the printing process is further reduced.

As described above, according to the fifth operation example, since the final confirmation of the printer to which data is transferred can be made, the user can realize an economical and reliable print output environment.

(Sixth Operation Example) A sixth operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention for selecting a printer for printing data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the user issues a print output request to the personal computer 20 to print out to a printer on the network 10, the personal computer 20 prints one data based on the print output request. Is obtained from the printer 40 and the printer 50.

This print output unit price information takes into account the total running cost of the printer in addition to the functions of paper size, paper quality, monochrome printing, color printing, post-processing such as punching and stapling, and the like. Is set. The print output unit price information may be centrally managed by a host computer on the network 10. Thereby, the personal computer 20
Can acquire the print output unit price information from the host computer at once without acquiring the print output unit price information from all the printers connected on the network 10.

Next, the personal computer 20
Acquires information on access limit amount and usage amount. This information may be collectively managed by a host computer (personal computer 20, personal computer 30, or a host computer connected to the network 10 not shown) on the network 10.

The personal computer 20 presents the print output unit price information, the information on the access limit amount, and the information on the usage amount to the user. Based on this information, the user selects the most suitable printer for printing data based on the print output request. The personal computer transfers this data to the selected printer.

According to the third operation example, the user can select a printer with a low print output unit price in consideration of printer access restrictions and perform print output. Therefore, the user does not need to know the print output unit price, the access restriction amount, and the usage amount of the printer connected on the network. This facilitates the printer selection operation, so that the time required for the print processing is reduced.

As described above, according to the fourth operation example, since the final confirmation of the printer to which data is transferred can be made, the user can realize an economical and reliable print output environment.

[0077]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming system having a personal computer and a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the personal computer can be used in the following manner.
Information obtaining means for obtaining information for image forming data, and image forming apparatus selecting means for selecting an image forming apparatus to which data is to be transferred, based on information for forming an image of data obtained by the information obtaining means; , The user does not need to know the information for forming the image of the data. Further, the user does not need to select an image forming apparatus for performing image formation based on this information. By omitting the image forming apparatus selecting process, the image forming process becomes easier and faster.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the system of the first aspect, the information for forming an image of data is billing information set for each type of data, and the image forming apparatus selecting means includes: When forming data,
Since the image forming apparatus that performs the lowest charge is selected, this data is image-formed by the image forming apparatus with the lowest image forming unit price. Therefore, the user does not need to select the cheapest image forming apparatus when forming this data. Also, the user
It is not necessary to know the image forming unit price for each image forming apparatus. By omitting the image forming apparatus selecting process, the image forming process becomes easier and faster.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the first or second aspect, the information for forming an image of data is information relating to the state of the image forming apparatus. Based on this data,
An image is formed by an optimal image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user does not need to know the state of the image forming apparatus. Further, the user does not need to select an image forming apparatus. By omitting the image forming apparatus selecting process, the image forming process becomes easier and faster.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the system of the third aspect, the image forming apparatus selecting means selects an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image at the earliest when forming data. Accordingly, this data is automatically formed by the image forming apparatus that forms the image automatically and quickly without the user grasping the state of the image forming apparatus.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the information for forming an image of data includes an access related to an amount of money for forming an image limited for each user. Information about the limit amount,
The user does not need to know the access restriction amount and the usage amount because the information is related to the usage amount, which is the amount of image formation for each user.
In addition, the user does not need to select an image forming apparatus that forms data on the basis of the access restriction amount and the usage amount. By omitting the image forming apparatus selecting process, the image forming process becomes easier and faster.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image forming apparatus selecting means provides the user with information for image forming the data acquired by the information acquiring means. By presenting and allowing the user to select an image forming apparatus to which data is to be transferred, the user can make a final decision on selecting an image forming apparatus. Therefore, the data is more reliably image-formed by the image forming apparatus desired by the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first printer selecting operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second printer selection operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a third printer selection operation of the printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Network 20, 30 Personal Computer 40, 50 Printer

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system including a personal computer and a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the personal computer includes: an information obtaining unit configured to obtain information for forming data from the image forming apparatus; An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus selecting unit that selects an image forming apparatus to which the data is to be transferred, based on information for forming an image of the data acquired by the information acquiring unit. 2. The information for forming an image of the data is charging information set for each type of the data, and the image forming apparatus selecting means sets the lowest charging amount when forming the image of the data. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs the image forming operation. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information for forming an image of the data is information on a state of the image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image forming apparatus selecting means selects an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image at the earliest when forming said data. Forming system. 5. The information for forming an image of the data includes information on an access restriction amount regarding an amount for image formation restricted for each user, and a usage amount which is an amount for performing image formation for each user. 5. Information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information is information relating to
Item 10. The image forming system according to item 1. 6. The image forming apparatus selecting unit presents information for forming an image of the data acquired by the information acquiring unit to the user, and selects an image forming apparatus to transfer the data to the user. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein: