Image forming apparatus, print processing system, print processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing program

There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of displaying a screen so that the contents of print jobs can be grasped immediately.The image forming apparatus includes an information acquisition section that acquires job information at least including information for identifying target print jobs to be displayed in a list and setting information for designating settings of print processes included in the target print jobs in order to display a list of print jobs output from terminals connected to the image forming apparatus so as be able to perform data communication on a screen; a display controller that displays a list of print jobs on the screen based on the job information acquired by the information acquisition section, in which the settings of the print processes designated by the setting information are displayed on a list screen as graphics representing the content of the setting for each setting item; and a print controller that controls execution of print jobs selected by an operation input from among the print jobs displayed in the list.

FIELD

The Embodiments described herein relate generally to a method of displaying print jobs processed in an image forming apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, client computers send print jobs to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) and a print server through a network, and the image forming apparatus performs print processing based on the print jobs. A list of print jobs is displayed on a display panel of the image forming apparatus or a display of a client computer which has accessed the print server.

By displaying the print jobs in a list, users can select a print job that they want to execute preferentially from among a plurality of print jobs and instruct so that the selected print job is printed first of all. Moreover, when the user of a client computer has sent a print job with errors in print settings, the user can select and delete the print job from the list.

However, when a number of jobs are included in the print job list, the user may find it difficult to locate a job that is subject to deletion or the like from the list.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the embodiments of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an information acquisition section, a display controller, and a print controller. The information acquisition section acquires job information at least including information for identifying target print jobs to be displayed in a list and setting information for designating settings of print processes included in the target print jobs in order to display a list of print jobs output from terminals connected to the image forming apparatus so as be able to perform data communication on a screen. The display controller displays the list of print jobs on the screen based on the job information acquired by the information acquisition section, in which the settings of the print processes designated by the setting information are displayed on a list screen as graphics representing the content of the setting for each setting item. The print controller controls execution of the print jobs selected by an operation input from among the print jobs displayed in the list.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus1and a client terminal100.

First, the image forming apparatus1includes a control section2, an auxiliary storage device8, a printer section10, a scanner section12, an operation panel14, a communication interface (communication I/F)16, and a facsimile control unit (FCU)18. The respective components of the image forming apparatus1are connected through a bus20.

The control section2includes a processor4, a memory6, and an operating system (OS).

The processor4is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

The memory6is a semiconductor memory, for example. The memory6includes a ROM (Read Only Memory)6athat stores a control program of the processor4and a RAM (Random Access Memory)6bthat provides a temporary work area to the processor4.

The control section2controls the printer section10, the scanner section12, the operation panel14, the communication I/F16, the FCU18, and the like based on a control program and the like stored in the ROM6aor the auxiliary storage device8. The control section2may further have various printing functions. The control section2may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that realizes a part or the entirety of the functions of the image forming apparatus1.

The auxiliary storage device8stores an application program and an OS. The application program includes a program that executes the functions of the image forming apparatus1, for example, a copying function, a print function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a network file function. The application program further has a Web client application (Web browser) and other applications.

The auxiliary storage device8stores image data generated by the scanner section12reading a document, data acquired from an external device connected to the communication I/F16through a network130, and other data. In addition, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary storage device8temporarily stores print jobs transmitted from the client terminal100connected through the network130until the print jobs are executed.

For example, the auxiliary storage device8may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive, an optical storage device, a semiconductor storage device (e.g., a flash memory), or an arbitrary combination of these storage devices. The auxiliary storage device8can appropriately store software updates, protected electronic documents, text data, account information, policy information, and the like.

The printer section10prints an image corresponding to image data of a document read by the scanner section12and an image corresponding to data transmitted from a computer including the external client terminal100through the network130on a sheet.

The scanner section12includes an internal scanning and reading unit that reads a document as an image, a document platen, and an automatic document feeder that transports a document to a reading position. The scanning and reading unit of the scanner section12reads a document which is set on the document platen or the automatic document feeder.

The operation panel14includes a touch panel-type display section14aand a variety of operation keys14b. The display section14adisplays instruction items concerning print conditions, for example, such as sheet size, number of copies, printing density setting, or finishing (binding and folding). The operation keys14binclude, for example, numeric keys, a reset key, a stop key, a start key, and the like. A user can input instructions relating to various processes and items displayed on the display section14athrough the display section14aor using the operation keys14b.

The communication I/F16is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus1and the client terminal100through the network130. Moreover, althoughFIG. 1shows a configuration in which the image forming apparatus1and the client terminal100are connected, the communication I/F16can connect to other external devices through the network130. The communication I/F16connects to the external devices through the network130by appropriate wireless or wired communication, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared connection, or optical connection, specifically compliant with communication standards such as IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.3, or IEEE 1284. The communication I/F16includes a buffer and temporarily stores a part or the entirety of the data received through the network130in the buffer.

The control section2communicates with a PC (Personal Computer) including the client terminal100or the like connected through the communication I/F16to the network130and other external devices.

The facsimile control unit (FCU)20controls transmission and reception of facsimiles in the image forming apparatus1.

The client terminal100includes a control section102, an auxiliary storage device108, an input interface (input I/F)110, an input section112, a display interface (display I/F)114, a display section116, and a communication interface (communication I/F)118. The respective components of the client terminal100are connected through a bus120. A PC (Personal Computer) may be used as the client terminal100.

The control section102includes a processor104which is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a memory106, and an operating system (OS)108c.

The processor104executes an application108astored in the auxiliary storage device108and further executes a printer driver108b, thus generating print jobs based on print target data. The processor104transmits the generated print jobs to the image forming apparatus1through the communication I/F118and the network130.

The memory106is a semiconductor memory, for example, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory)106athat stores a control program of the processor104and a RAM (Random Access Memory)106bthat provides a temporary work area to the processor104.

The auxiliary storage device108stores the application program108a, the printer driver108b, and the OS108cwhich is a control program of the processor104.

The application program108aoperates as software of the OS108c. The application program108aincludes a Web application in addition to typical software such as a document creating software.

The printer driver108bis a device driver that controls the image forming apparatus1in accordance with a print instruction from the application program108aand operates as software of the OS108c.

For example, the auxiliary storage device108having the above-described functions may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive, an optical storage device, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, or an arbitrary combination of these storage devices.

The input I/F110is an interface that connects the input section112. The input section112is a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The display I/F114is an interface that connects the display section116. The display I/F114receives data to be displayed on the display section116from other computers connected to the bus120. The display I/F114outputs display data to the display section116. The display section116displays the output display data. The display section116is a display connected to a PC, for example.

The communication I/F118is an interface that connects to external devices. The communication I/F118communicates with external devices (e.g., the image forming apparatus1and other PCs and USB devices) through the network130by appropriate wireless or wired communication, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared connection, or optical connection, specifically compliant with communication standards such as IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.3, or IEEE 1284. The control section102communicates with the image forming apparatus1and other external devices such as other PCs and USB devices through the communication I/F118. In the present embodiment, print jobs are transmitted to the image forming apparatus1through the communication I/F118.

Next, the functional block of the image forming apparatus1will be described.FIG. 2is a functional block diagram showing the functions for executing a process of acquiring print jobs output from the client terminal100and storing the same in a storage region, a process of displaying the store print jobs in a list, and various processes concerning the print jobs displayed in the list.

In the present embodiment, the list of print jobs in the image forming apparatus1is used, for example, for enabling a user to output a number of print jobs from the client terminal100, move to the image forming apparatus1, select a necessary print job from the list of print jobs displayed on the display section14a, and execute printing for the selected print job. With such a process, the user can output a number of print jobs to the image forming apparatus1in advance regardless of their priorities and then start printing preferentially from a necessary job.

The image forming apparatus1includes a job acquisition section200, a print setting extraction section202, a job storage controller204, an operation input acquisition section206, a user authentication section208, an information acquisition section210, a display controller212, and a print controller214.

The job acquisition section200acquires print jobs which are generated by the printer driver108bin the client terminal100and output to the image forming apparatus1. The job acquisition section200acquires the print jobs through the network130and the communication I/F16.

The print setting extraction section202extracts setting information of necessary print setting items from print settings included in the print jobs. The image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment displays the settings of predetermined print setting items as icons when displaying the list of print jobs on the display section14. Therefore, the print setting extraction section202extracts at least the setting information of the print setting items which are determined in advance so as to be displayed as icons from the print jobs.

Specific examples of the print setting items displayed as icons include color or monochrome print setting, both or one side print setting, multiple page setting, stapler setting, punching setting, and the like. The multiple page setting is a setting for printing a plurality of pages in one sheet and is also referred to as N-in-1 print. The stapler setting is a setting for stitching printed and discharged documents with a stapler, and the punching setting is a setting for punching holes for stitching printed documents together. The print setting extraction section202extracts setting information of print setting items which are displayed as icons when displaying the list of print jobs, from among these print setting items.

The job storage controller204registers print jobs acquired by the job acquisition section200in a job registration database (job registration DB)30which is stored in the auxiliary storage device8. Moreover, the job storage controller204registers the setting information of the print setting items extracted by the print setting extraction section202in the job registration DB30as information to be displayed as icons when displaying the list of print jobs so as to be correlated with the print jobs.

Here, the job registration DB30will be described.FIG. 3shows an example of a data arrangement of the job registration DB30. In the job registration DE30, print job data are registered so as to be correlated with file names of respective print jobs, a time, a sheet size, number of pages, number of copies, and the setting information of the respective items of the print settings displayed as icons when displaying the list of print jobs.

InFIG. 3, color or monochrome print setting, both or one-side print setting, and multiple page setting are shown as the print setting items.

For example, a job listed by No.1is a print job of which the file name is AAA.xls, the sheet size is A4, the number of pages is 1 page, the number of copies is 12 copies, and in which monochrome printing, both-side printing, and multiple printing of one page in one sheet are registered as the setting contents of the print setting items to be displayed as icons.

The operation input acquisition section206acquires operation inputs from the operation panel14. In the present embodiment, the operation input acquisition section206acquires an operation input of instructing to display the list of print jobs which the user has output to the image forming apparatus1. Moreover, when the list of print jobs is displayed on the display section14aof the operation panel14, the operation input acquisition section206also acquires an operation input of instructing to execute various processes concerning the displayed print jobs. The various processes concerning the print jobs include a process of selecting a print job from the displayed list, a printing process with respect to the selected print job, a process of deleting print jobs, and the like.

When a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus1, the list of print jobs may be displayed for each user. In this case, the user operates the operation panel14to perform a login process. The user authentication section208performs the login process.

Specifically, the login process is performed in such a way that a user ID and password are acquired through an operation input on the operation panel14, a user DB32in which the user ID and password are stored in a correlated manner is accessed so as to make a determination as to whether or not the input user ID and password are appropriate. When the login is permitted, the user can perform processing on the image forming apparatus1, which is permitted to a logged-in user. In the present embodiment, the list of print jobs output by the logged-in user is displayed on the display section14a. The user DB32can be stored in the auxiliary storage device8, for example.

When the operation input acquisition section206acquires the operation input of instructing to display the list of print jobs, the information acquisition section210accesses the job registration DB30in which the print jobs are registered and acquires job information including the setting information representing various settings of the registered print jobs. In the present embodiment, the job information is information at least including the print setting information included in the print jobs and information for identifying the print jobs. Specifically, the job information is information of the respective items shown in a print job list42shown inFIG. 4described later. The information for identifying the print jobs is a file name of source data of a print job, for example.

The display controller212displays the list of print jobs on the display section14abased on the job information acquired by the information acquisition section210. Moreover, the display controller212displays the setting contents of the print setting items to be displayed as icons as corresponding icons on the list screen based on the setting information of the print setting items correlated with the print jobs.

Next, the list screen of print jobs will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4shows a list screen40of print jobs which the display controller212displays on the display section14a. On the list screen40ofFIG. 4, a user name41, the print job list42, and various operation input buttons45to48are displayed.

The user name41shows a user name who is logged in through the login process by the user authentication section208. InFIG. 4, a user whose user name is “abc” is logged in.

In the print job list42, the list of print jobs which the user “abc” has output to the image forming apparatus1and which are registered in the job registration DB30is displayed.FIG. 4shows five jobs. In a print setting field43of the print job list42, an icon43arepresenting the setting content of color or monochrome print setting, an icon43brepresenting the setting content of both or one-side print setting, and an icon43crepresenting the setting content of multiple print setting are displayed. For example, as for a job listed by No.1, print settings including monochrome (corresponding to the icon43a), double sides (corresponding to the icon43b), and one page in one sheet (corresponding to the icon43c) are displayed as icons. Moreover, as for a job listed by No.2, print settings including color print, one-side printing, and two pages in one sheet (2-in-1 printing) are displayed.

Under the print job list42, a delete button45, a deselect button46, a select-all button47, and a print button48are displayed. The delete button45is pressed when a user touches the operation panel14to select print jobs from the list and deletes the selected print jobs. The deselect button46is pressed when the user wants to deselect the print jobs selected in such a way. The select-all button47is pressed when the user wants to select all the print jobs displayed in the print job list42. The print button48is pressed when the user instructs execution of printing of the selected print jobs.

The image information of the icons displayed in accordance with the setting contents of the print setting items may be stored in the auxiliary storage device8so as to be correlated with the setting information, for example. The display controller212can display the icons in accordance with the setting contents by acquiring the image information of the icons corresponding to the setting information of the setting items being displayed from the auxiliary storage device8.

When acquiring an instruction to execute printing of a print job, the print controller214causes the printer section10to perform printing. In the present embodiment, when a user selects a job to be printed from the print job list42shown inFIG. 4displayed on the display panel14and presses the print button48, the print controller214acquires data of the corresponding print job from the job registration DB30. Then, the print controller214causes the printer section10to execute printing based on the acquired print job data.

Hereinabove, the functional block of the image forming apparatus1according to the present embodiment has been described.

Next, the flow of a process in which the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment acquires print jobs from the client terminal100and registers the print jobs in the job registration DB30will be described.FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of registering the print jobs acquired by the image forming apparatus1in the job registration DE30.

First, the job acquisition section200acquires print jobs transmitted from the client terminal100through the communication I/F16connected to the network130(Act101).

Subsequently, the print setting extraction section202analyzes the print jobs acquired by the job acquisition section200and extracts setting information of print setting items to be displayed as icons when displaying the list of print jobs (Act102). In the present embodiment, the respective kinds of setting information on color or monochrome print setting, both or one-side print setting, and multiple print setting are extracted as examples of the print setting items to be displayed as icons.

Subsequently, the job storage controller204registers the acquired print jobs in the job registration DE30(Act103). Moreover, the job storage controller204registers the setting information of the print setting items extracted by the print setting extraction section202in the job registration DE30so as to be correlated with the print jobs.

Next, the flow of processes performed by the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment, specifically a process of displaying the list screen40on the display section14aand various processes executed based on the operation input performed on the displayed list screen will be described.FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of displaying a list of print jobs and various processes with respect to a job, performed by the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment.

First, the user authentication section208performs a login process (Act201). Specifically, when a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus1, the user performs a login process in order to display the list of print jobs output by the user. The login process is performed in such a way that the user operates the operation panel14to input the user ID and password. When the login process is not necessary such as in a case where only one user uses the image forming apparatus1, the login process of Act201may be omitted.

Subsequently, when the user operates the operation panel14in order to display the list of print jobs which the user has output to the image forming apparatus1, the operation input acquisition section206acquires an operation input of instructing to display the list of print jobs (Act202).

Subsequently, the display controller212displays the print job list of the logged-in user (Act203). Specifically, first, the information acquisition section210accesses the job registration DB30to acquire job information at least including a file name which is information for identifying a print job and print setting information correlated with the print job from the job registration DB30with respect to the print jobs registered by the user ID logged in through the login process. Moreover, the display controller212displays the list of print jobs on the display section14abased on the acquired job information. At that time, in the present embodiment, the display controller212displays the setting information of the print setting items as corresponding icons. The setting information of the print setting items is the information which the print setting extraction section202extracts from the print jobs when the image forming apparatus1acquires the print jobs. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the respective setting contents of color or monochrome display setting, both or one-side print setting, and multiple print setting are displayed as icons.

Subsequently, the user selects print jobs to be printed from the displayed print job list, for example, by operating the operation panel14(Act204). In addition, when the user inputs an instruction to execute the selected print jobs, the operation input acquisition section206acquires the instruction to execute printing with respect to the selected print jobs (Act205).

Subsequently, printing is executed for the selected print jobs (Act206). Specifically, first, the information acquisition section210acquires data of print jobs to be executed from the job registration DB30. Moreover, the print controller214causes the printer section10to execute printing based on the print jobs acquired by the information acquisition section210.

When the operation input acquisition section206further acquires an operation input of instructing execution of processing concerning print jobs (Act207: Yes), the flow returns to Act204. On the other hand, when an operation input to terminate a process such as printing is acquired (Act207: No), the process of displaying the print job list ends.

AlthoughFIG. 6illustrates the flow of a process of displaying a print job list and executing printing of selected print jobs, a process of deleting selected print jobs may be executed besides the printing. In this case, after the operation input acquisition section206acquires an operation input of selecting print jobs in Act204, when the user presses the delete button45in the screen shown inFIG. 4, an operation input of instructing a deleting process is acquired. In this case, the job storage controller204deletes print jobs selected as objects to be deleted from the job registration DE30.

Besides this, when the deselect button46for inverting a selected state and the select-all button47for selecting all the print jobs are pressed, the display controller212and the like execute the processes corresponding to the instructions.

Hereinabove, the flow of the processes executed by the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment, specifically the process of registering print jobs in the job registration DB30, the process of displaying the list of registered print jobs on the display section14a, and the processes performed in accordance with the operation inputs on the displayed list has been described.

According to the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment, since the print setting contents of the print jobs registered in the image forming apparatus1are displayed as icons, it is possible to easily identify a target print job from the plurality of print jobs. Therefore, it is possible to quickly select a necessary print job from the plurality of print jobs and execute a process such as printing.

In particular, when the client terminal100changes the print setting of the same file so that a plurality of print jobs are output for the same file, a plurality of print jobs with the same file name, are registered in the image forming apparatus1. In that case, it is difficult to identify the print jobs with a file name, a sheet size, and the like. However, by displaying the setting contents of the print setting items as icons as in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily identify the difference between the settings of the respective jobs and to select and print only a print job having the setting that the user wants to print.

On the other hand, when the print settings are not displayed as icons, and the job registration time, the number of pages, and the like are the same, a target print job is not distinctive from the other print jobs. Therefore, it is difficult to print only a print job having the setting content that the user wants to print.

In the present embodiment, the print setting extraction section202extracts the setting information of the print setting items to be displayed as icons from the acquired print jobs, the information acquisition section210acquires job information including the setting information extracted when displaying the list of print jobs, and the display controller212displays icons based on the acquired information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The setting information of the print setting items to be displayed as icons may not be extracted at the time of acquiring the jobs, but the setting information of the print setting items to be displayed as icons may be extracted from the registered print jobs and displayed at the time of displaying the list of print jobs.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the list of print jobs is displayed on the display section14aof the image forming apparatus1, and a process is performed in accordance with an operation input on the operation panel14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the client terminal100may acquire by sending a request for job information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs to the image forming apparatus1, and the acquired job information may be displayed on the display section116of the client terminal100. Then, a process of executing printing of selected print jobs or a process of deleting the selected print jobs may be executed based on an operation input from the client terminal100.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a job registration DB30is stored in an external print server which is connected to a client terminal100and an image forming apparatus through a network. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7is a diagram showing a configuration of a system including the client terminal100, an image forming apparatus1, and a print server300according to the present embodiment.

The client terminal100has the same configuration as the first embodiment.

The image forming apparatus1has the same configuration as the first embodiment except that it does not have a job registration DB.

As the print server300, basically, a PC (Personal Computer) having the same configuration as the client terminal100may be used.

Specifically, the print server300includes a control section302having a processor304and a memory306, an auxiliary storage device308, and a communication I/F318. The print server300may include an input i/F, an input section, a display I/F, a display section, and the like similarly to the client terminal100. These respective configurations of the print server300are the same as those of the client terminal100, and description thereof will be omitted.

The auxiliary storage device308of the print server300stores a job registration DB30′ which was provided in the image forming apparatus1in the first embodiment. The job registration DB30′ registers print jobs output from terminals, including the client terminal100, connected to a network.

The auxiliary storage device308stores a print instructing application308athat issues a print instruction to image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300, such as the image forming apparatus1, and that manages printing in the image forming apparatus. The function of the print server300, which is realized when the print instructing application308ais started will be described later.

Next, the function of the image forming apparatus1will be described.FIG. 8is a functional block diagram showing the function of the image forming apparatus1according to the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus1includes an operation input acquisition section206, a user authentication section208, an information acquisition section210, a display controller212, and a print controller214. In the present embodiment, the function related to the process of acquiring print jobs from the client terminal100and the process of extracting the setting information of the print setting items is provided to the print server300.

The functions of the operation input acquisition section206and the user authentication section208are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The information acquisition section210acquires job information for displaying the list of print jobs from the job registration DB30′ of the print server300in accordance with an operation on an operation panel14. When print jobs are selected from the displayed print job list, and an operation input for a print instruction is received, the information acquisition section210acquires data of the selected print jobs from the job registration DB30′ of the print server300through a network130.

The display controller212displays the list of print jobs and the like on a display section14abased on the job information acquired by the information acquisition section210similarly to the first embodiment.

When a print instruction is acquired, the print controller214causes a printer section10to execute printing based on the print job data acquired by the information acquisition section210similarly to the first embodiment.

Next, the function of the print server300will be described.FIG. 9is a functional block diagram showing the function of the print server300of the present embodiment.

The print server300includes a job acquisition section350, a print setting extraction section352, a job storage controller354, an instruction acquisition section356, a transmission information acquisition section358, an information transmission section360. These functions are realized when the processor304executes the print instructing application308a.

The job acquisition section350, the print setting extraction section352, and the job storage controller354are the same as the functions of the image forming apparatus1according to the first embodiment. The job acquisition section350acquires print jobs output from the client terminal100. The print setting extraction section352analyzes the print jobs acquired by the job acquisition section350and extracts setting information of necessary print setting items from the print settings included in the print jobs. The job storage controller354registers the print jobs acquired by the job acquisition section350in the job registration DB30′. Moreover, the job storage controller354registers the setting information of the print setting items extracted from the print jobs in the job registration DB30′ so as to be correlated with the print jobs.

When a user performs an operation input of instructing to display a list of print jobs in the image forming apparatus1, first, the instruction acquisition section356acquires an instruction requesting the print server300to output job information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs from the image forming apparatus1. The job information is the same as that described in the first embodiment and is information at least including information for identifying print jobs and print setting information included in the print jobs. Specifically, the job information is the information of the respective items shown in a print job list shown inFIG. 4.

Moreover, after the list of print jobs is displayed, when print jobs are selected and an operation input for a print instruction is performed in the image forming apparatus1, the instruction acquisition section356acquires an instruction requesting the actual data of the print jobs selected as printing targets.

The transmission information acquisition section358acquires necessary information based on the instruction from the image forming apparatus1acquired by the instruction acquisition section356. Specifically, when a request for job information necessary for displaying a list of print jobs is received, the transmission information acquisition section358accesses the job registration DB30′ to acquire the job information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs. Moreover, when a print instruction is received from the image forming apparatus1, the transmission information acquisition section358acquires the actual data of the print jobs.

The information transmission section360transmits the information acquired by the transmission information acquisition section358to the image forming apparatus1through the network130. Specifically, the job information including the setting information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs and the actual data of the print jobs in which the print instruction is received are transmitted to the image forming apparatus1.

Hereinabove, the functions of the image forming apparatus1and the print server300according to the present embodiment have been described.

When a list of print jobs of a user who has logged in the image forming apparatus1is displayed on the display section14a, the information acquisition section210of the image forming apparatus1may send a request for only the print jobs output by the logged-in user. Moreover, the transmission information acquisition section358having received this request may acquire job information of the print jobs output by the logged-in user from among the print jobs registered in the job registration DB30′, based on information of the logged-in user and the information transmission section360may transmit the job information.

Next, the flow of a process in which the print server300of the present embodiment receives a request for job information necessary for displaying a list of print jobs and transmits the job information, and a process in which when an operation input for a print instruction is performed on the image forming apparatus1side, and a request for print jobs to be printed is received from the image forming apparatus1, the print server300transmits the print jobs will be described.FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process in the print server300. In the following flowchart, a case where a list of print jobs output by a user who has logged in the image forming apparatus1is displayed will be described.

First, the instruction acquisition section356of the print server300acquires a request for job information necessary for displaying a list of print jobs from the image forming apparatus1through the network130(Act301).

Subsequently, the transmission information acquisition section358accesses the job registration DB30′ to acquire the job information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs output by the logged-in user, and the information transmission section360transmits the acquired information to the image forming apparatus1(Act302).

Subsequently, the instruction acquisition section356acquires a request for actual data of print jobs which are selected from the list of print jobs displayed in the image forming apparatus1based on the job information and in which a print instruction is received, from the image forming apparatus1(Act303). Specifically, when a list screen40as shown inFIG. 4is displayed on the display section14aof the image forming apparatus1, and the user selects print jobs to be printed from the list and issues a print instruction, the information acquisition section210outputs a request for data of the selected print jobs to the print server300. Then, the instruction acquisition section356acquires the request.

Subsequently, the transmission information acquisition section358acquires corresponding print job data from the job registration DB30′ based on the request acquired by the instruction acquisition section356, and the information transmission section360transmits the acquired print job data to the image forming apparatus1(Act304).

Hereinabove, the flow of the process in the print server300of the present embodiment has been described.

The flow of a process in which the print server300acquires print jobs from the client terminal100and registers the acquired print jobs in the job registration DB30′ is the same as the flow of the process performed by the image forming apparatus1of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the flow of a process in which the image forming apparatus1displays a list of registered print jobs and a process in which the image forming apparatus1executes printing of print jobs selected as printing targets from the displayed list will be described.FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the process of displaying a list of print jobs and the process of executing printing of print jobs.

First, a user performs a login process for starting the use of the image forming apparatus1(Act401).

Subsequently, when the user operates the operation panel14to perform an operation input to display a list of print jobs, the operation input acquisition section206acquires an instruction to display the list of print jobs (Act402).

Subsequently, the information acquisition section210acquires job information necessary for displaying the list of print jobs by sending a request thereof to the print server300(Act403).

Subsequently, the display controller212displays the list of print jobs on the display section14abased on the job information acquired by the information acquisition section210in Act403(Act404). At that time, in the present embodiment, the display controller212displays the setting contents of color or monochrome display setting, both or one-side display setting, multiple display setting among setting information of print setting items correlated with each print job as the corresponding icons.

Subsequently, when the user selects print jobs as printing targets from among the print jobs displayed in the list and issues a print instruction, the operation input acquisition section206acquires the print instruction (Act405).

Subsequently, the information acquisition section210sends a request for data of the print jobs in which the print instruction is received to the print server300and acquires the print job data from the print server300(Act406).

Subsequently, the print controller214controls the printer section10so as to execute printing based on the acquired print job data (Act407).

Subsequently, when the operation input acquisition section206acquires a further operation input of instructing to execute a process concerning a print job (Act408: Yes), the flow returns to Act405, and the process is repeated. On the other hand, when an operation input to terminate a process such as printing is acquired (Act408: No), the process of displaying the print job list ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, in a system including the print server300and the image forming apparatus1in which print jobs are output from the client terminal100to the print server300, it is possible to display the setting contents of predetermined print setting items as icons similarly to the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus1acquires only the job information of corresponding print jobs when displaying the list of print jobs. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all kinds of information constructing the list screen40may be stored in the print server300. In this case, the image forming apparatus1may have only the function (e.g., a browser function) of displaying a screen, and when displaying a list of print jobs, a request for all kinds of information constructing the list screen40may be sent by the browser function so that the list screen40is displayed on the display section14a.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when displaying a list of print jobs, information on whether the image forming apparatus1which is to execute printing is able to perform printing in accordance with the setting contents of print setting items is displayed as icons with respect to the setting contents of print setting items. The same configuration as the embodiments described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, a print processing system in which the print server300and the image forming apparatus1are connected by the network130will be described similarly to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12is a functional block diagram illustrating the function of an image forming apparatus1according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment includes an operation input acquisition section206, a user authentication section208, an information acquisition section210, a display controller212′, and a print controller214.

The display controller212′ of the present embodiment displays a list of print jobs based on job information which the information acquisition section210acquired from a print server300and visually displays information on whether the image forming apparatus1is able to execute printing in accordance with the setting contents when displaying the setting contents of print setting items as icons. That is, when a setting in which it is unable to execute printing is included, a representation of an icon of that setting is changed to be different from a normal representation of the icon when print is possible.

Here, a specific example of a list screen according to the present embodiment will be described based onFIG. 13.FIG. 13shows a list screen40′ which is displayed by the display controller212′ of the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 13, in a print setting item (43a) of color or monochrome setting, when the image forming apparatus1is unable to perform color printing, an X mark50is displayed on the icon. InFIG. 13, the X mark50is displayed on the icons of print jobs Nos.2,4, and5which have a color print setting. In this way, by visually displaying setting items which cannot be executed, it is possible to immediately grasp the setting contents which cannot be used in the image forming apparatus1. Therefore, for example, it is easy to delete print jobs having color print setting which cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus1and output new print jobs having monochrome print setting.

There may be a number of reasons why the image forming apparatus1cannot execute printing. For example, as for the color or monochrome print setting, a case in which the image forming apparatus does not support color printing and a case in which a toner for color printing is used up may be considered. Therefore, the display controller212′ may visually display the setting contents which cannot be executed so that the setting contents are displayed differently between a case in which the image forming apparatus does not support the setting contents and a case in which printing can be performed if expendables are replaced and replenished, for example, by replacing a toner or supplying sheet. Specifically, the display controller212′ may display the X mark50on the icon when the function of the image forming apparatus1does not support the setting content or may display the corresponding icon in an blinking manner when the expendables are short so that the two cases become distinctive.

In this way, by changing the representation of the icon in accordance with the reason of inability to print, the user can take optimum measures when a print job that the user wants to print includes a setting content which cannot be executed.

Next, the flow of a process of displaying a list of print jobs by the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 14is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of displaying a list of print jobs by the image forming apparatus1. The flowchart ofFIG. 14shows the flow up to the process of displaying the X mark50on an icon of a setting content which cannot be executed. The flow of the process of selecting print jobs from the displayed list of print jobs and executing printing of selected print jobs is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

First, when a user performs a login process (Act501), and an instruction to display a list of print jobs is acquired in accordance with an operation input of the user (Act502), the information acquisition section210sends a request for job information of the print jobs to be displayed in the list to the print server300to acquire the corresponding job information from the print server300(Act503).

Subsequently, the display controller212′ compares the setting contents of print setting items of the acquired print jobs with the function of the printer section10and a state of expendables such as a toner or a sheet to determine whether there is a non-printable setting item (Act504).

When there is a non-printable setting item (Act504: Yes), the display controller212′ displays the list of print jobs with an indication of non-printability with respect to the icons of non-printable setting items (Act505). Specifically, the X mark50or a blinking icon is displayed.

On the other hand, when there is no non-printable setting item (Act504: No), the display controller212′ displays the list of print jobs as usual.

The image forming apparatus1may include a dedicated determination section that determines whether print jobs displayed in the list have a non-printable setting item.

The process of determining whether or not a non-printable setting item is included may be performed by the print server300without being limited to a case in which it is performed by the image forming apparatus1. In this case, a result of the determination by the print server300may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus1, and the display controller212′ of the image forming apparatus1may display a representation indicating the inability to execute a certain setting content based on the acquired determination result.

Moreover, the representation indicating the non-printable setting content is not limited to the X mark and a blinking icon, and other representation methods may be used as long as such non-printability can be recognized. For example, a gray-out representation that displays colors with a light shade may be used.

Modification 1 of Third Embodiment

Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described.

The display controller212′ of the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment displays an indication of non-printability (e.g., the X mark50) when a print job includes a print setting content in which the image forming apparatus1is unable to execute printing at the time of displaying a list of print jobs. Moreover, when an operation input requesting to display other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing without changing the setting content is received, the display controller212′ can acquire and display information of the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing using the function of the print server300.

FIG. 15shows an example of a screen in which the display controller212′ displays a guidance window60on the list screen40. The guidance window60informs users of the fact that a print job selected by the user on the image forming apparatus1cannot be executed by the image forming apparatus1and that the selected print job can be executed by which image forming apparatus.FIG. 15shows a state where the print job No.2is selected for which the X mark50is displayed since the print job has a color print setting in which the image forming apparatus1is unable to execute printing, whereby the guidance window60is displayed.

Next, the flow of the process performed by the image forming apparatus1of the present embodiment will be described.FIG. 16is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process of displaying the guidance window60guiding user to other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing when there is a print setting item in which the image forming apparatus1is unable to execute printing. In the flowchart ofFIG. 16, the flow of the process from the state in which the list screen40of the print jobs is already displayed will be described.

First, the operation input acquisition section206acquires an instruction to display other image forming apparatuses capable of printing selected print jobs (Act601). In the present embodiment, the user outputs the instruction to display other image forming apparatuses capable of executing the selected print job by performing the operation input to select a print job for which an indication of non-printability is displayed.

Subsequently, the information acquisition section210acquires information for identifying the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing with the setting content of the selected print job by sending a request to the print server300(Act602). Specifically, for example, as for the print job No.2, an instruction to search for other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing with the setting contents of color printing, one-side printing, and 2-in-1 and transmit information thereof is transmitted to the print server300. In response to this instruction, the print server300collects the functions of image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300and operation states such as a remaining amount of a toner or a sheet and searches for alternative image forming apparatuses capable of executing the print job selected in the image forming apparatus1. When there is an image forming apparatus capable of executing the print job, information for identifying the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus1. Here, the functions of image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300and the operation states thereof may be collected by the transmission information acquisition section358of the print server300, and the print server300may further include a dedicated information collecting section.

The information for identifying the image forming apparatuses may be the management numbers of the image forming apparatuses, for example. However, a representation method thereof is not limited to the management numbers, but any representation method can be used as long as users can identify an image forming apparatus by looking at the representation thereof. For example, a location of an image forming apparatus may be displayed on a map.

Subsequently, the display controller212′ displays information representing the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing the print job based on the information transmitted from the print server300(Act603). A display example thereof is as shown inFIG. 15.

As described above, by displaying the information for identifying the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing of selected print jobs, the users can be informed of the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing with the present settings without changing the print setting contents of the print jobs. Therefore, the user can move to the displayed printable image forming apparatus, display the list of print jobs again to select the print job that the user wants to print from the list, and execute printing without changing the setting contents.

In the present embodiment, when an operation input to display other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing is received by the image forming apparatus1, the image forming apparatus1sends a request for the information for identifying other image forming apparatuses capable of executing printing to the print server300, and the print server300performs searching to transmit the information of the corresponding image forming apparatuses to the image forming apparatus1. However, this invention is not limited to this. For example, when the information acquisition section210of the image forming apparatus1sends a request for job information in order to display a list of print jobs, the print server300may compare the setting contents of the respective setting items of the print jobs of which the job information is transmitted with the states of other image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus1connected to the print server300. Then, the print server300may transmit information of image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus1, capable of executing the print jobs, of which the job information is transmitted, to the image forming apparatus1together with the job information. In this case, when the user issues an instruction to display the information of the other image forming apparatuses capable of executing a print job which cannot be executed in the image forming apparatus1by selecting the print job, the information of all of the corresponding image forming apparatuses can be displayed.

Modification 2 of Third Embodiment

As another modification, when a print job can be printed by neither the image forming apparatus1nor the other image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300, the display controller212′ may display a message informing that the print job can be printed by any image forming apparatus if the setting content of the print job is changed in a certain way. For example, a message informing that if color print setting is changed to monochrome print setting, the print job can be printed by the image forming apparatus1or other image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300can be displayed.

With such a message, the users can easily grasp a way to change the print setting content of the print job that the user wants to print so that the print job can be printed by the image forming apparatus1or the other image forming apparatuses.

Modification 3 of Third Embodiment

As a further modification, when a print job can be printed by neither the image forming apparatus1nor the other image forming apparatuses connected to the print server300, and a storage period of jobs in the job registration DB30′ is limited to a predetermined period from a registration, a job storage controller354of the print server300may change the storage period in the job registration DB30′, of the print job which cannot be printed.

Specifically, the job storage controller354may extend the storage period. By extending the storage period, in some case, a print job which was not printed due to a temporary shortage of expendables such as a toner or a sheet can be printed by replenishing the expendables. By extending the storage period of print jobs in the job registration DB30′ so that the print jobs are stored until the jobs can be printed, the client terminal100does not need to output the same print jobs again.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of displaying a screen so that the contents of print jobs can be grasped immediately.