IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMATION METHOD, DISTRIBUTED IMAGE FORMATION SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMATION PROGRAM

摘要

To execute printing processing while avoiding occurrence of memory shortage on an image formation apparatus.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises: a storage area management unit 111 which predicts a consumption memory amount being a memory amount used in execution of RIP processing on the basis of an image formation job in accordance with reception of the image formation job, and determines whether or not it is possible to allocate the consumption memory amount to the RIP processing in a prescribed storage area; a retrieval processing unit 115 which retrieves at least another one image formation apparatus that can execute the RIP processing with the consumption memory amount in accordance with determination that it is not possible to allocate; a RIP processing proxy request unit 114 which transmits the image formation job to the retrieved another image formation apparatus to request acting as proxy in executing the RIP processing, starts reboot of the image formation apparatus after request, notifies the retrieved another image formation apparatus of completion of the reboot after completion of the reboot, and receives dot data from the retrieved another image formation apparatus; and an image formation unit which reproduces an image by forming dots on an image formation medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1