Image forming system, print data management device, and method of controlling print data management device

An image forming system including a print data management device and an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus receiving print data associated with a print job from a print data management device, if the print data is associated with a first operation and the print data management device is in an enabled state, receiving the print data from an information processing apparatus, if the print data is associated with a second operation, receiving the print data from the information processing apparatus, if the print data management device is in a disabled state, printing the print data associated with the print job on a recording medium, generating history information relating to the print job, the history information including identification information identifying whether the print job that has been printed is associated with the first operation or the second operation, and transmitting the history information to the print data management device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-009955 filed in Japan on Jan. 20, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming system, a print data management device, and a method of controlling a print data management device. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for managing history of output operations of formed images.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, digitization of information has been promoted and thus image processing apparatuses are inevitable. For example, a printer or a facsimile for outputting digitized information, and a scanner for digitizing documents are used. The image processing apparatus includes an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like; and in many cases, the image processing apparatus is of a multi-function peripheral which can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copy machine.

From among the image processing apparatuses, as a system which uses a printer to output digitized information, a pull print system is known in which a print job generated in an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer (PC), is stored in a server; and the printer side acquires a print job through access to the server to form and output the image (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-107921).

In the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-107921, since it is assumed that the server manages the print job, when the server is in a disabled state, it is difficult for the PC to transmit the print job, for the server to store the print job, and for the printer to acquire the print job through access to the server. With a spare server provided, it is possible to solve the above problems, but the problem with such a solution is that introduction and management of a server requires an additional cost. Moreover, since the print job is managed by a plurality of servers, log information is distributed, and thus centralized management cannot be performed.

When the server is in disabled state, a direct print job may be transmitted from the PC to the printer, so outputting of a printing job is not disabled. However, in this case, log information is not left on the server side during the disabled state of the server, so that centralized management of log information cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, there is provided an image forming system that includes: an information processing apparatus that generates and transmits print data; a print data management device that accumulates the transmitted print data and manages print data and log information concerning print data; and an image forming apparatus that prints print data, the information processing apparatus, the print data management device, and the image forming apparatus being communicably connected together. The information processing apparatus includes: a print data generating unit that generates print data, and a print data transmission unit that transmits the print data to either the print data management device or the image forming apparatus in accordance with the operation state of the print data management device. The image forming apparatus includes a print data acquiring unit that acquires the print data from the print data management device, a print data storage unit that stores the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus into a storage medium, a print output unit that outputs the print data, and a history information holding unit that, when the print data output from the print output unit is print data received from the information processing apparatus, generates history information relating to print output added with identification information for identifying output using print data received from the information processing apparatus and stores the history information into the storage medium. The print data management device includes a print data managing unit that manages and stores the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus into storage medium, a request print data transmission unit that transmits the print data stored in the storage medium to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus, a history information generating unit that generates history information for the print data managed by the print data managing unit, a history information acquiring unit that, from the image forming apparatus, acquires at least the history information added with the identification information from among the history information relating to print output stored in the storage medium of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing, and a history information managing unit that manages and stores the history information into the storage medium.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a print data management device for an image forming system that includes: an information processing apparatus that generates and transmits print data, the print data management device that accumulates the transmitted print data and manages the print data and log information concerning the print data, and an image forming apparatus that prints the print data. The information processing apparatus transmits the print data to either the print data management device or the image forming apparatus in accordance with the operation state of the print data management device. When the print data is print data received from the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus generates and outputs history information relating to print output that is added with identification information for identifying an output using print data received from the information processing apparatus and stores the history information into the storage medium. The print data management device includes: a print data managing unit that manages and stores the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus into the storage medium; a request print data transmission unit that transmits the print data stored in the storage medium to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus; a history information generating unit that generates history information for the print data managed by the print data managing unit; a history information acquiring unit that, from the image forming apparatus, acquires at least the history information added with the identification information from among the history information relating to print output stored in the storage medium of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing; and a history information managing unit that manages and stores the history information into the storage medium.

According to still another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a print data management device for an image forming system that includes: an information processing apparatus that generates and transmits print data, the print data management device that accumulates the transmitted print data and manages the print data and log information concerning the print data, and an image forming apparatus that prints the print data. The information processing apparatus transmits the print data to either the print data management device or the image forming apparatus in accordance with the operation state of the print data management device. When the print data is print data received from the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus generates and outputs history information relating to print output that is added with identification information for identifying an output using print data received from the information processing apparatus and stores the history information into the storage medium. The method includes: storing and managing the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus into the storage medium; transmitting the print data stored in the storage medium to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus; generating history information for the print data managed by the print data managing unit; from the image forming apparatus, acquiring at least the history information added with the identification information from among the history information relating to print output stored in the storage medium of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing; and storing and managing the history information into the storage medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail. In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming system, a pull print system will be described in which a print job generated in an information processing apparatus, that is, print data is primarily stored in a server, the print job is acquired through access to the server from an image forming apparatus side, and image formation output is performed.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation form of a system of this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the system of this embodiment has a configuration in which an image forming apparatus1a, an image forming apparatus1b, a client terminal2, and a job management server3are connected together through a network.

The image forming apparatuses1aand1b(hereinafter, collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus1) are multi-function peripherals (MFPs) which include an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like, and are usable as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copy machine. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus1accesses the job management server3in accordance with an operation of a user, acquires a print job stored in the job management server3, and performs image formation output.

The client terminal2is an information processing terminal which is operated by the user, and is formed as an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer (PC). When generating and outputting a print job, in principle, the client terminal2of this embodiment transmits the print job to the job management server3, but when the job management server3is in the disabled state, the client terminal2transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus1.

The job management server3functions as a print data management device which receives the print job from the client terminal2, temporarily stores the print job, and outputs the print job in accordance with access from the image forming apparatus1. Accordingly, log information of the print job is accumulated in the job management server3. When having returned from the disabled state, the job management server3of this embodiment accesses the image forming apparatus1, and collects the log of image formation output in the image forming apparatus1in the disabled state. This process is one of the subject matters of this embodiment. InFIG. 1, the function of the job management server3is realized as a server, and may be realized by an MFP, such as the image forming apparatus1.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus1, the client terminal2, and the job management server3of this embodiment will be described.FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the job management server3of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus1includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, or the like, in addition to the hardware configuration illustrated inFIG. 2. Although in the following description, the hardware configuration of the job management server3will be described, the same is applied to the image forming apparatus1and the client terminal2.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the job management server3of this embodiment has the same configuration as a general server, a PC, or the like. That is, in the job management server3of the embodiment, a central processing unit (CPU)10, a random access memory (RAM)20, a read only memory (ROM)30, a hard disk drive (HDD)40, and an I/F50are connected together through a bus80. A liquid crystal display (LCD)60and an operating unit70are connected to the I/F50.

The CPU10is an arithmetic unit and controls the overall operation of the job management server3. The RAM20is a volatile storage medium in which information is readable and writable at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU10processes information. The ROM30is a nonvolatile read-only storage medium, and stores a program, such as firmware. The HDD40is a nonvolatile storage medium in which information is readable and writable, and stores an operating system (OS), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

The I/F50connects and controls the bus80and various kinds of hardware, a network, or the like. The LCD60is a visual user interface which is used to confirm the state of the job management server3. The operating unit70is a user interface, such as a keyboard or a mouse, which is used when the user inputs information to the job management server3. As described with reference toFIG. 1, the job management server3of this embodiment is operated as a server. Accordingly, the user interface, such as the LCD60and the operating unit70, may not be provided.

In the hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium, such as the ROM30, the HDD40, or an optical disk (not illustrated), is read to the RAM20and operated under the control of the CPU10. Thus, a software controller is constituted. A combination of the software controller constituted as above and hardware constitutes functional blocks which realize the functions of the image forming apparatus1, the client terminal2, and the job management server3of this embodiment.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus1of this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus1of this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus1of this embodiment has a controller100, an auto document feeder (ADF)101, a scanner unit102, a discharge tray103, a display panel104, a paper feeding table105, a printer engine106, a discharge tray107, and a network I/F108.

The controller100includes a main control unit110, an engine control unit120, an image processing unit130, an operation display control unit140, an input/output control unit150, and a log managing unit160. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus1of this embodiment is constituted as a multi-function peripheral having the scanner unit102and the printer engine106. InFIG. 3, electrical connection is indicated by a solid-line arrow, and the flow of a sheet or document is indicated by a broken-line arrow.

The display panel104serves as an output interface which visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus1, as well as an input interface which is a touch panel and is used when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus1or inputs information to the image forming apparatus1. That is, the display panel104includes a function of displaying an image which is used to receive an operation of the user. The display panel104is realized by the LCD60and the operating unit70illustrated inFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the user operates the display panel104to issue an instruction to select and acquire a print job stored in the job management server3.

The network I/F108is an interface which is used when the image forming apparatus1performs communication with another apparatus, such as the client terminal2or the job management server3, through a network. Ethernet (Registered Trademark) or a universal serial bus (USB) interface is used. The network I/F108is realized by the I/F50illustrated inFIG. 2. The network I/F108includes a function as a FAX modem, and functions as an interface which is used when the image forming apparatus1performs FAX transmission and reception through a network.

The controller100is formed of a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium, such as the ROM30or a nonvolatile memory and the HDD40or an optical disk, is loaded on a volatile memory (hereinafter, referred to as a memory), such as the RAM20. The controller100is constituted by a software controller which is constituted when the CPU10is operated in accordance with the program and hardware, such as an integrated circuit. The controller100functions as a control unit which performs overall control of the image forming apparatus1.

The main control unit110functions to control the respective units of the controller100, and provides commands to the respective units of the controller100. The engine control unit120functions as a driving unit which controls or drives the printer engine106, the scanner unit102, and the like. The image processing unit130generates drawing information on the basis of image information to be printed and output under the control of the main control unit110. The drawing information is information which is used when the printer engine106serving as an image forming unit draws an image to be formed in an image forming operation.

The image processing unit130processes imaging data input from the scanner unit102to generate image data. Image data is information which is stored in the storage area of the image forming apparatus1or is transmitted to the job management server3through the network I/F108as the result of the scanner operation.

The operation display control unit140displays information on the display panel104or gives notification of information input through the display panel104to the main control unit110. The input/output control unit150inputs information input through the network I/F108to the main control unit110. The main control unit110controls the input/output control unit150and accesses another apparatus, such as the client terminal2or the job management server3, through the network I/F108and the network.

When image formation output is performed in the image forming apparatus1, the log managing unit160stores the log information. When storing the log information, the log managing unit160provides information for identifying image formation output by a print job acquired through the job management server3or image formation output by a print job directly input from the client terminal2. Log information of image formation output by a print job directly input from the client terminal2is transmitted in accordance with access from the job management server3.

When the image forming apparatus1operates as a printer, first, the input/output control unit150receives a print job through the network I/F108. That is, the input/output control unit150functions as a print data acquiring unit. The input/output control unit150transfers the received print job to the main control unit110. When the print job is received, the main control unit110performs control such that the image processing unit130generates drawing information on the basis of document information or image information included in the print job.

When the drawing information is generated by the image processing unit130, the engine control unit120performs control such that the printer engine106performs image formation on a sheet fed from the paper feeding table105on the basis of the generated drawing information. That is, the image processing unit130, the engine control unit120, and the printer engine106function as a print output unit. As a specific form of the printer engine106, an ink jet type image forming mechanism, an electrophotographic image forming mechanism, or the like may be used. A document which is subjected to image formation by the printer engine106is discharged to the discharge tray107. During this process, the log managing unit160stores the log information in a storage medium, such as the HDD40, under the control of the main control unit110. That is, the log managing unit160functions as a history information holding unit of the image forming apparatus.

Next, the functional configuration of the job management server3of this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 4. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the job management server3of this embodiment has a controller300and a network I/F310. The controller300includes an input/output control unit301, a job managing unit302, a log managing unit303, and an apparatus managing unit304.

The network I/F310is an interface which is used when the job management server3performs communication with another apparatus, such as the image forming apparatus1or the client terminal2, through a network. Ethernet (Registered Trademark) or a USB interface is used.

Similarly to the controller100of the image forming apparatus1, the controller300is formed of a combination of software and hardware, and functions as a control unit which controls the job management server3. Similarly to the input/output control unit150of the image forming apparatus1, the input/output control unit301controls transmission and reception of information through the network I/F310.

The job managing unit302primarily stores a print job, which is received by the input/output control unit301from the client terminal2through the network, into the storage medium, such as the HDD40. The print job stored in the storage medium is read and is output in accordance with access from the image forming apparatus1. That is, the input/output control unit301functions as a command reception unit, and the job managing unit302functions as a print data managing unit and a request print data transmission unit. The apparatus managing unit304holds information for managing the apparatus, such as the network address of the image forming apparatus1as a print job management target, that is, in this embodiment, the network addresses of the image forming apparatus1aand the image forming apparatus1b, or the like, and manages the image forming apparatus1.

The log managing unit303stores the history of the print job into the storage medium, such as the HDD40, as the print job is stored and output by the job managing unit302. This embodiment resides in that the log managing unit303performs centralized management of log information of image formation output in the image forming apparatus1aand the image forming apparatus1b. For this reason, when the job management server3returns from the disabled state, the log managing unit303of this embodiment acquires the log information of image formation output from the image forming apparatus1through the input/output control unit301. That is, the log managing unit303functions as a history information generating unit, a history information acquiring unit, and a history information managing unit of an image formation control device.

Next, the functional configuration of the client terminal2of this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 5. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the client terminal2of this embodiment has a controller200and a network I/F210, in addition to the LCD60and the operating unit70described in the embodiment The controller200includes an application201, a printer driver202, a user I/F controller203, and an input/output control unit204.

The network I/F210is an interface which is used when the client terminal2performs communication with another apparatus, such as the image forming apparatus1or the job management server3, through a network. Ethernet (Registered Trademark) or a USE interface is used.

Similarly to the controller100of the image forming apparatus1, the controller200is formed of a combination of software and hardware, and functions as a control unit which controls the client terminal2. Similarly to the input/output control unit150of the image forming apparatus1, the input/output control unit204controls transmission and reception of information through the network I/F310.

The application201is a software application which is constituted such that the CPU10performs an arithmetic operation (or, calculating operation) in accordance with a software program installed in the client terminal2, and which allows the user to perform browsing, editing, managing, and the like on image information or document information. The user performs image formation output for the image information or the document information through the application201.

When an instruction to perform image formation output is issued through the application201, the printer driver202generates a print job on the basis of image information or document information to be subjected to image formation output, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus1or the job management server3through the input/output control unit204. That is, the printer driver202functions as a print data generating unit and a print data transmission unit. The print job generated by the printer driver202is information which is described in a page description language (PDL).

The user I/F controller203displays a graphical user interface (GUI) of the application201or the printer driver202on the LCD60, and inputs information input by the user through the operating unit70to the application201or the printer driver202.

The normal operation of a pull print system having the configuration will be described with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a sequence diagram illustrating the normal operation of the pull print system of this embodiment. In the client terminal2, when the print job is generated on the basis of an operation of the user, as illustrated inFIG. 6, in S601, the printer driver202transmits the print job to the job management server3through the input/output control unit204. In the job management server3, in S602, the input/output control unit301receives the print job, and the job managing unit302stores the print job in a storage medium, such as the HDD40.

After operating the client terminal2to output the print job, the user operates the image forming apparatus1. Accordingly, in S603, the image forming apparatus1acquires a list (job list) of print jobs from the job managing unit302of the job management server3through the network, and displays the job list on the display panel104. At this time, user authentication or the like is performed to increase security, so that only the print job of the user is acquired.

The user operates the display panel104and selects a print job to be performed from among the displayed print jobs. Accordingly, in S604, the image forming apparatus1acquires the selected print job from the job management server3through the network and performs image formation output. In the job management server3, in S605, the print job is output in accordance with access from the image forming apparatus1and log information is stored. In the image forming apparatus1, in S606, the log information is stored as image formation output is performed. At the process of S605and S606, the log information illustrated inFIG. 7is generated in the log managing unit160and the log managing unit303, and is stored in a storage medium, such as the HDD40.

The acquisition of the print job may be performed when acquiring the job list. That is, in S603, the image forming apparatus1acquires the print job and the job list of the print job from the job managing unit302of the job management server3. The job list is displayed on the display panel104, and when the print job is selected by the user, the image forming apparatus1extracts the selected print job from among the print jobs stored in the storage medium, and performs image formation output.

Next, a characteristic operation of the pull print system of this embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 8. As illustrated inFIG. 8, in the client terminal2in S801, when a print job is generated on the basis of an operation of the user, the printer driver202confirms the operation state of the job management server3through the input/output control unit204. With the confirmation in S801, when it is confirmed that the job management server3is in the disabled state in S802, the printer driver202transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus1.

At the process of S802, the printer driver202determines to which of the image forming apparatus1aand the image forming apparatus1bthe print job will be transmitted and then transmits the print job. An apparatus to which the print job will be transmitted is determined by setting information defined in advance or designation of a user operation.

In the image forming apparatus1, in S803, the input/output control unit150receives the print job, and image formation output is performed under the control of the main control unit110. As described above, since the system of this embodiment is of pull print system, it is preferable that the process of S803, which is an outputting of formed image when a print job is directly input from the client terminal2to the image forming apparatus1, is performed in accordance with an operation of the user on the image forming apparatus1.

Under this control, for example, after the input/output control unit150receives the print job, the main control unit110temporarily stores the print job in a storage medium, such as the HDD40. That is, the main control unit110functions as a print data storage unit. The main control unit110can be formed of reading the print job temporarily stored in the storage medium in accordance with an operation of the user, that is, an operation signal input through the operation display control unit140, and performing an image formation output process in accordance with the print job. When image formation output is performed in the image forming apparatus1, in S804, the log managing unit160stores a log into the storage medium.

Through S804, log information illustrated inFIG. 9Ais stored in the log managing unit160. As illustrated inFIG. 9A, in the case of the log information of the print job which is directly transmitted from the client terminal2to the image forming apparatus1and executed, the value “Yes” is input to the item “direct printing”. The value “Yes” in the item “direct printing” is identification information which identifies image formation output performed in accordance with the print job directly input from the client terminal2.

Thereafter, in S805, when the job management server3returns from the disabled state, in S806, the log managing unit303of the job management server3accesses the image forming apparatus1through the input/output control unit301, and inquires about the presence/absence of the log information of the print job (hereinafter, referred to as a direct print job) directly input from the client terminal2to the image forming apparatus1. When there is the log information of the direct print job, that is, the log information where the value of the item “direct printing” is “Yes”, in S807, the log managing unit303acquires the log information from the image forming apparatus1and stores the log information into the storage medium.

When the log information stored in the log managing unit303is in the state illustrate inFIG. 9Bbefore the process of S807is performed, after the process of S807, that is, after the log information illustrated inFIG. 9Ais acquired, the state illustrate inFIG. 9Cis reached. As illustrated inFIG. 9C, with regard to the log information of the direct print job, the value “1a” which is a value indicating the execution in the image forming apparatus1ais set to the item “direct printing”.

In the image forming apparatus1, when the log information of the direct print job is acquired by the job management server3, as illustrated inFIG. 9D, the log managing unit303updates the log information such that the value of the item “direct printing” is changed to “collected”. Accordingly, when the job management server3acquires the log information concerning the direct print job again, it is possible to avoid the same log information from being acquired double.

Next, the operations of the client terminal2and the job management server3in the overall operation of the system illustrated inFIG. 8will be described.FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the client terminal2. As illustrated inFIG. 10, in S1001, when a job is generated by an operation of the user in the client terminal2, in S1002, the printer driver202confirms whether or not the job management server3is in operation through the network, that is, whether or not a print job is receivable. The process of S1002corresponds to the process of S801ofFIG. 8.

As the result of the confirmation of S1002, when the job management server3is in operation (YES in S1002), in S1003, the printer driver202transmits the print job to the job management server3and ends the process. The process of S1003corresponds to the process of S601ofFIG. 6. When the job management server3is not in operation, that is, when the print job is not receivable (NO in S1002), in S1004, the printer driver202determines the transmission destination of the print job from among the image forming apparatus1aand the image forming apparatus1b.

As a method in which the printer driver202determines the transmission destination of the print job in S1004, the printer driver202can acquire the state of the image forming apparatus1through the network regularly, and can select an operable apparatus at the timing of S1004. The attribute of the print job, such as the type of color/monochrome and duplex printing designation, may be acquired from the print job, and an apparatus according to the attribute can be selected. A plurality of methods may be combined.

When the transmission destination of the print job is determined, in S1005, the printer driver202transmits the print job to the determined transmission destination through the network and ends the process. The process of S1005corresponds to the process of S802ofFIG. 8. With this process, even when the job management server3is in the disabled state, the print job can be transmitted.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the job management server3. As illustrated inFIG. 11, in S1101, when the job management server3returns from the disabled state, the log managing unit303inquires the image forming apparatus1of the presence/absence of the log information through the network in S1102. The process of S1101corresponds to the process of S805ofFIG. 8, and the process of S1102corresponds to the process of S806ofFIG. 8. In the image forming apparatus1, the log managing unit160transmits a list of stored log information in response to the inquiry from the job management server3.

In S1103, the log managing unit303which acquires a list of log information from the image forming apparatus1confirms the log information where the item “direct printing” is “Yes” as illustrated inFIG. 9A, that is, the presence/absence of the log of the direct print job. When there is the direct print job (YES in S1103), in S1104, the log information is acquired from the image forming apparatus1and stored. The process of S1104corresponds to the process of S807ofFIG. 8.

The log managing unit303repeats the processes from S1102to S1104for all the image forming apparatuses1connected to the network, that is, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus1aand the image forming apparatus1b(NO in S1105). After the processes from S1102to S1104are performed for all the image forming apparatuses1(YES in S1105), the process ends.

Although inFIG. 11, a case has been described where the condition of S1101, that is, the operation start condition refers to when the job management server3returns from the disabled state, the operation may be incorporated as a process in power-on reset of the job management server3. That is, the operation ofFIG. 11is not limited to when the job management server3is in the disabled state due to an error or the like, and may be performed when the state where a print job is not receivable is changed to the state where a print job is receivable, such as power-on.

InFIG. 11, as described as the process of S1103and S1104, a case where the determination of the direct print job is performed on the job management server3side has been described. As another modification, the job management server3may acquire all pieces of log information stored in the image forming apparatus1, may store only log information which is not stored in the log managing unit303, and may discard the remaining log information.

The job management server3may access the image forming apparatus1to acquire only the log information of the direct print job, and the log managing unit160of the image forming apparatus1may transmit only the log information of the direct print job with the item “direct printing” of “Yes” from among the stored log information to the job management server3. The access to the image forming apparatus1to acquire only the direct print job can be defined as, for example, a notification (hereinafter, referred to as a return notification) that the job management server3returns from the disabled state. That is, when the image forming apparatus1receives the return notification from the job management server3, the log information of the direct print job may be transmitted to the job management server3. In this case, the log managing unit303functions as a state notification unit which gives notification of the state where the job management server3can receive the print job.

As described above, in the pull print system of this embodiment, when the job management server3is in the disabled state, the client terminal2transmits the direct print job to the image forming apparatus1, thereby avoiding output from being disabled. With regard to the log information concerning the direct print job, the image forming apparatus1adds information (hereinafter, referred to as a direct printing flag) for identifying image formation output by a print job directly input from the client terminal2, like the value “Yes” of the item “direct printing”.

When having returned from the disabled state, the job management server3accesses the image forming apparatus1to acquire log information added with a direct printing flag. Accordingly, log information of image formation output performed by the direct print job while the job management server3is in the disabled state is stored in the job management server3, such that centralized management of the log information can be performed in the job management server3.

This embodiment is premised on the pull print system. For this reason, at the timing at which the job management server3has returned from the disabled state, there may be a print job on standby in the image forming apparatus1, that is, after a print job is directly input from the client terminal2to the image forming apparatus1, there may be a print job which is not yet subjected to image formation output. In this case, it is preferable that the job management server3acquires the print job from the image forming apparatus1, and returns to the normal sequence described inFIG. 6. The operation of the job management server3for enabling the above-described form will be described with reference toFIG. 12.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the job management server3described above. As illustrated inFIG. 12, in steps from S1201to S1204, the same process as from S1101to S1104ofFIG. 11is performed. In S1204, when the log information concerning the direct print job is acquired, next, in S1205, the job managing unit302inquires about the presence/absence of an unprocessed and standby print job (hereinafter, referred to as a standby job) in the image forming apparatus1.

In the image forming apparatus1, in response to the inquiry from the job management server3, the main control unit110notifies the job management server3of the presence/absence of a standby job stored in a storage medium such as the HDD40. As the result of the notification from the image forming apparatus1, when there is a standby job (YES in S1205), the job management server3requests the image forming apparatus1to transmit the standby job. That is, the job managing unit302functions as a print data acquisition requesting unit.

When the request from the job management server3is received, in the image forming apparatus1, the main control unit110reads the standby job stored in the storage medium, such as the HDD40, and transmits the standby job to the job management server3. That is, the main control unit110functions as an unprocessed data transmission unit. In the job management server3, in S1206, the input/output control unit301receives the standby job transmitted from the image forming apparatus1, and the job managing unit302acquires the standby job. Accordingly, as in S602ofFIG. 6, the job managing unit302stores the print job.

Thereafter, as in the S1105ofFIG. 11, the process of S1202to S1206repeats until the process is completed for all the image forming apparatuses1(NO in S1207), and after the process of S1202to S1206for all the image forming apparatuses1is performed (YES in S1207), the process ends.

With this process, the print job on standby is temporarily stored by the job managing unit302of the job management server3, and thereafter, image formation output is performed by the normal operation illustrated inFIG. 6. At the timing at which the job management server3has returned, when a print job on standby is not stored as log information in the image forming apparatus1, the log information is not collected in the job management server3depending on the operation illustrated inFIG. 8. Meanwhile, as illustrated inFIG. 12, a print job on standby is collected by the image forming apparatus1, and centralized management of log information can be performed without omission.

According to the embodiment, in the pull print system, it is possible to allow centralized management of log information while the server is in the disabled state.