An information processing apparatus of the present invention determines whether or not there is a bias in jobs distributed to a plurality of printers to be used in a distributed printing system. In addition, in a case where there is a bias in distributed jobs, the information processing apparatus decides a color correction target to be applied to a printer having a small number of distributed jobs and resulting in an unused state, applies the decided color correction target to the printer having a small number of jobs, to thereby decide a timing of performing color adjustment on the printer having a small number of jobs. The printer having a small number of jobs and resulting in an unused state is subjected to color adjustment at the decided timing.

An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses and an information terminal that communicates with the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The information terminal includes a communication unit and a controller. The communication unit communicates with the image forming apparatus. The controller transmits first information relating to a job to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The controller outputs certification information corresponding to the first information. When transmission start information of the job is received from the image forming apparatus, the controller instructs the image forming apparatus to execute the job. The image forming apparatus includes an input device, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a controller. The input device receives an input. The communication unit communicates with the information terminal. The storage unit stores data. After the first information is received, the controller transmits transmission start information of the job to the information terminal which is a transmission source of the first information. When the certification information is input by the input device, the controller executes the job corresponding to the certification information.

A networked device or appliance that connects directly to a copier or printer via a network connection, such as Ethernet, or some other suitable physical network connection and protocol. The copier may, but need not, be connected to the customer environment. The appliance functions outside the user's network environment and is independent from it. The device may also be powered independently from the other aspects of the network.

In an image processing system including a plurality of MFPs, it is assumed that a terminal apparatus accepts a request for connection to an MFP from a user. When a remote operation of the MFP through the terminal apparatus cannot be performed, the terminal apparatus requests of another MFP different from the MFP for connection and receives transfer of representation information for displaying an operation screen from another MFP. The terminal apparatus transfers operation information representing an operation by the user onto the operation screen to another MFP. When the processing based on the operation information is processing of a print job by the user in the MFP, another MFP transfers the print job to the MFP.

A method and apparatus to implement a unified and decentralized machine interface for control of multi-printer systems is disclosed. A master controller device accepts a selection control from a user indicating a plurality of selected printers from printers connected to the master controller device by a network. The master controller device accepts an operation control from the user, indicating at least one printer operation to be performed on the plurality of selected printers. The master controller broadcasts a simultaneous control signal to the plurality of selected printers with data instructing the printers to immediately perform at least one printer operation, triggering, substantially simultaneously with the broadcasting of the simultaneous control signal, performance of the at least one printer operation at the plurality of selected printers, and performing the at least one printer operation substantially simultaneously at the plurality of selected printers immediately upon receiving the simultaneous control signal.

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to: acquire information about a rendering engine from a first image forming apparatus out of plural image forming apparatuses connected to a network that are capable of performing printing using corresponding rendering engines each including predetermined plural setting items; display a setting item that is able to be changed, out of a setting item for the rendering engine acquired from the first image forming apparatus and a setting item for a rendering engine provided in the image forming apparatus; and receive a change of the setting item.

An image forming system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses and an information processing apparatus, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses include a parent apparatus and a child apparatus(es). The parent apparatus transmits, when receiving a print instruction that is transmitted from the child apparatus for outputting operated by a user, print data to the child apparatus for outputting. The parent apparatus transmits, when transmission instruction data is included in the print data, print image data included in the print data to a transmission destination apparatus such as a child apparatus other than the child apparatus for outputting, the information processing apparatus and a further external apparatus with which the parent apparatus can perform communication via a network.

In a system including first and second image forming apparatuses, a hardware processor of the first image forming apparatus guides a user by voice on information about execution of a job, and sets the job based on voice input from the user. When the job cannot be executed by a printer, the hardware processor of the first image forming apparatus transfers the set job to the takeover-destination second image forming apparatus through a network. A hardware processor of the second image forming apparatus that has received the set job takes over and performs the guidance for the user by voice.

In general, a printing system of an exemplary embodiment includes a client terminal connected via a network, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses each including an operating unit which receives an operation input of a user. A first image forming apparatus that receives a print file from the client terminal transmits metadata of the print file to a second image forming apparatus. The second image forming apparatus displays a list of print files which are on standby for printing based on the metadata, and obtains a print file from the first image forming apparatus when a print instruction and a selection of a desired print file from the list of print files are received through the operating unit, and performs printing based the print file.

An image forming system includes plural image forming apparatuses. The image forming system includes the following elements. A first communication unit of each image forming apparatus communicates with at least another one of the plural image forming apparatuses. A second communication unit communicates with a terminal device. An image forming unit forms an image on a medium. A storage unit stores liaison information which defines liaison concerning an operation between each of the plural image forming apparatuses and at least another one of the plural image forming apparatuses. A notifying unit notifies the terminal device of the liaison information in response to an inquiry from the terminal device. A receiving unit receives specified image data and liaison information from the terminal device. An execution unit executes image formation on the basis of the received image data by using the image forming unit of one of the plural image forming apparatuses.