JP2015159439A - Image forming system, image forming method, and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, an image forming method, and a server device with which drawing processing to be performed inside an MFP can be replaced under a virtual environment, and desired image forming processing can be performed even with a low-performance image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming system including an information processing apparatus that has a plurality of virtual controller programs with which drawing processing can be performed, and image forming apparatuses that can communicate through a network. The image forming system further includes: a user data management means for receiving user data including the setting of the image forming apparatuses and drawing processing request data performing the drawing processing from the image forming apparatuses, and transmitting the image data as a result of the drawing processing having been performed to the image forming apparatuses; and virtual controller management means for assigning the virtual controller programs according to the user data when the user data management means has received the user data, and causing the assigned virtual controller programs to perform the drawing processing when received the drawing processing request data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming control technique in an image forming system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technology in which a server apparatus performs processing substitution, data storage, and the like on behalf of a client terminal by improving the information processing capability of an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) or improving the communication speed of an Internet connection line It has been known.

  For example, a technology is known in which a virtual environment in which a new model of firmware is read is prepared in a server device and operation of drivers and applications is checked in the virtual environment (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in the current MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), all processing is executed inside the MFP. For this reason, the MFP requires a high-performance CPU and a large-capacity memory, and there is a problem that cost increases cannot be avoided. In the conventional technology, the operation of the MFP driver and application can be confirmed in a virtual environment, but the drawing process executed in the MFP cannot be replaced in the virtual environment.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a low-capacity image forming apparatus that can replace a drawing process executed in the MFP in a virtual environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming method, and a server apparatus that can perform a desired image forming process.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming system having an information processing apparatus having a plurality of virtual controller programs capable of executing a drawing process and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a network. Then, user data including settings of the image forming apparatus and drawing process request data for performing the drawing process are received from the image forming apparatus, and image data as a result of the drawing process being transmitted to the image forming apparatus. User data management means, and when the user data management means receives user data, a virtual controller program is assigned according to the user data, and when drawing process request data is received, the assigned virtual controller program executes the drawing process Virtual controller management means.

  In the present invention, a drawing process executed inside the MFP can be executed in a virtual environment.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the drawing process server in this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of the user data memorize | stored in the user data memory | storage part in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of the virtual controller state information memorize | stored in the virtual controller state information storage part in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow from a virtual controller activation request by an MFP to activation of a virtual controller in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a flow from a print request by a user to execution of print processing in the MFP in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow until execution of a printing process in the MFP when a failure occurs in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which a virtual controller management part performs at the time of the failure of the virtual controller in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. In the image forming system, a plurality of MFPs are connected to the drawing processing server 1 via a network N1.

  The drawing processing server 1 has one or more virtual machines having different processing capabilities. In response to an image formation request from the MFP 2, the drawing processing server 1 performs drawing processing in the virtual machine assigned to the MFP 2, and transmits the image data subjected to the drawing processing to the MFP 2. The drawing process executed in the virtual machine is, for example, conversion of a vector format image into a raster format image.

  The drawing processing server 1 is a computer that executes drawing processing. The drawing processing server 1 may have a configuration in which each function is distributed to one or more devices.

  When the MFP 2 receives a print request from an information processing apparatus or the like connected to the MFP 2, the MFP 2 requests the drawing processing server 1 to execute a drawing process on the image data received from the information processing apparatus.

  The MFP 2 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and is an image forming apparatus that realizes at least one function including at least a printing function by a single casing. The number of MFPs 2 is not limited to the number shown in FIG. 1, and more or fewer MFPs 2 may be connected to the drawing processing server 1.

As described above, in the drawing processing system, the drawing processing executed inside the MFP can be performed in the virtual environment of the server device 1 with the above configuration.
<Hardware configuration>
<< Drawing processing server >>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the drawing processing server 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The drawing processing server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that controls the overall operation of the drawing processing server 1 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 that stores programs used to drive the CPU 101 such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). A RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 used as a work area for the CPU 101, an HD 104 for storing various data such as a program for a management terminal, and an HDD for controlling reading or writing of various data to the HD 104 according to the control of the CPU 101 Hard Disk Drive) 105, a media drive 107 that controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 106 such as a flash memory, a display 108 that displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters or images, and a network A network I / F (Interface) 109 for data communication, a keyboard 110 having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, selection and execution of various instructions, selection of processing targets, A mouse 111 that moves a cursor, a CD-ROM drive 112 that controls reading or writing of various data with respect to a CD-ROM 113 as an example of a removable recording medium, an external device I / F 114 for connecting an external device, and A bus line 115 such as an address bus or a data bus is provided for electrically connecting the above components.

  As described above, in the drawing processing server 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication function with the MFP 2 and the information storage function are realized by the above hardware configuration.

≪MFP≫
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The MFP 2 includes a controller 200, an operation panel 210, a storage media I / F 220, a data communication I / F 230, an HDD 240, a USB I / F 250, a scanner 260, and a plotter 270, and a PCI bus 280. Are connected to each other.

  The controller 200 includes a ROM 201, a RAM 202, and a CPU 203. The ROM 201 stores programs executed when the MFP 2 is activated and various data. The RAM 202 temporarily holds various programs and data read from the ROM 201 and the HDD 240.

  The operation panel 210 includes an input device 211 and a display device 212. The input device 211 includes hardware keys and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the MFP 2. The display device 212 is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various information related to the image forming operation.

  The storage medium I / F 220 has a drive device 221, and when the recording medium 222 is set in the drive device 221, various data recorded on the recording medium 222 is stored in the HDD 240 via the drive device 221. .

  The data communication I / F 230 includes an interface device 231 and is an interface that connects the MFP 2 to a data transmission path such as the network N1.

  The HDD 240 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the MFP 2. Further, the HDD 240 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base). The various data stored in the HDD 240 includes electronic data recorded by an external device such as a smartphone or a digital camera. In such a case, it is provided to the MFP 2 by a recording medium 222 such as an SD card, or uploaded via a network or the like that is a data transmission path.

  The USB I / F 250 has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host 251, and the USB host 251 is connected to various devices via a USB cable. The USB host 251 has a function of controlling a physical / electrical I / F for communicating with various devices and a function of controlling a USB protocol.

  The scanner 260 has an image reading device 261 and optically reads a document placed on the reading surface and generates image data.

  The plotter 270 has a printing device 271 and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  As described above, the MFP 2 in the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner, an information search function, a communication function, and the like by the above hardware configuration.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the drawing processing server 1 and the MFP 2.

<< Drawing processing server >>
The drawing processing server 1 includes a user data management unit 11, a user data storage unit 12, a virtual controller management unit 13, a virtual controller state information storage unit 14, and a virtual controller 3.

  The user data management unit 11 is a function that manages user data and drawing processing requested by the user. The user data management unit 11 performs user authentication when receiving an activation request for the virtual controller 3 from the user. After user authentication, the user data management unit 11 transmits user data to the virtual controller management unit 13 and requests activation of the virtual controller 3.

  When the user data management unit 11 receives a drawing process request from the user, the user data management unit 11 stores image data to be drawn in the user data storage unit 12 as backup data. After saving the image data, the user data management unit 11 transmits the image data to the virtual controller management unit 13 and requests execution of a drawing process.

  The user data management unit 11 acquires backup data from the virtual controller 3 via the virtual controller 3 and stores it in the user data storage unit 12. The backup data is information in which contents in the middle of processing are stored in preparation for occurrence of a failure of the virtual controller 3. When a failure occurs in the virtual controller 3, the virtual controller 3 can resume processing by importing backup data. The backup data is periodically created by the virtual controller 3 and transmitted to the user data management unit 11.

  Further, when the setting information of the MFP 2 is changed from the MFP 2, the user data management unit 11 receives the change of the setting information of the MFP 2 from the MFP 2 and updates the user data.

  The user data management unit 11 receives a failure notification from the virtual controller management unit 13.

  The user data storage unit 12 has a function of storing user data. User data is stored in a file format or a database format. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of user data stored in the user data storage unit 12 according to the present embodiment. The user data includes “IP address”, “user ID”, “password”, “model name”, “mounted CPU”, “backup data”, and “MFP setting information”.

  “IP address” is information indicating an IP address assigned to the MFP 2. In the example shown in FIG. 5, an IP address corresponding to IPv4 is shown. However, the IP address is not limited to IPv4, and other IP versions such as IPv6 can be supported.

  “User ID” is information uniquely set for each MFP 2. The “user ID” may be composed of arbitrary characters, numbers, symbols, or a combination thereof so as to be unique for each MFP 2. The user in this embodiment is a company or an individual in which the MFP 2 is installed.

  The “password” is associated with the “user ID” and is information used when the user is authenticated by the drawing processing server 1.

  “Model name” is information indicating the model name of the MFP 2. The model name of the MFP 2 is composed of arbitrary numbers, characters, symbols, or a combination thereof.

  “Installed CPU” describes the model number of the CPU mounted on the MFP 2. The mounted CPU is associated with the model number of the MFP main body.

  “Backup data” is a file in which the virtual controller 3 stores the processing state at a predetermined timing. By importing the backup data into the virtual controller 3, the virtual controller 3 can resume the drawing process that was interrupted due to the occurrence of a failure from the state immediately before the interruption.

  “MFP setting information” is information relating to setting information of the MFP 2 used by the user. In the “MFP setting information”, information related to settings of the MFP 2 set in advance by the user, such as “paper size” indicating the paper size set in the MFP 2 is described. By including “MFP setting information” in the user data, the use environment of the user can be reflected in the virtual controller 3.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the virtual controller management unit 13 is a function for searching and starting the virtual controller 3 and updating the virtual controller state information. The virtual controller management unit 13 receives an activation request for the virtual controller 3 and user data from the user data management unit 11. The virtual controller management unit 13 searches the virtual controller state information storage unit for a virtual controller 3 that matches the processing capability of the request source MFP 2 according to the user data. The search for the MFP 2 that matches the requesting MFP 2 is performed by searching for the virtual controller 3 having “compatible model name” and “compatible CPU” that match the “model name” and “mounted CPU” included in the user data. Is called. The virtual controller management unit 13 transmits user data together with the activation request to the searched virtual controller 3.

  When a failure notification is received from the virtual controller 3, the virtual controller management unit 13 acquires user data from the user data management unit 11, has the same processing capability as the virtual controller 3 in which the failure has occurred, and is operable 3 is searched. After searching for the corresponding virtual controller 3, the virtual controller 3 acquires user data including backup data from the user data management unit 11, and transmits the user data together with the activation request to the virtual controller 3.

  When the virtual controller 3 fails to execute the drawing process, the virtual controller management unit 13 requests the user data management unit 11 to notify the execution failure of the drawing process. The determination as to whether or not the virtual controller 3 has failed to execute the drawing process is performed, for example, by recording the number of times the virtual controller 3 is switched every time the virtual controller management unit 13 switches the virtual controller 3. This is done depending on whether the set upper limit has been reached or not. In addition, when a time from when the virtual controller 3 is requested to execute the drawing process to when the drawing process completion notification is received is set in advance, and when the drawing process completion notification cannot be received within the set time, It may be determined that the drawing process has failed.

  The virtual controller management unit 13 also activates the virtual controller 3, receives a drawing processing request, receives a failure notification from the virtual controller 3, and receives a drawing processing completion notification from the virtual controller 3. To update the virtual controller status information.

  The virtual controller state information storage unit 14 has a function of storing virtual controller state information. The virtual controller status information is stored in a file format or a database format. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration stored in the virtual controller state storage unit 12 in the present embodiment. The virtual controller status information includes items of “virtual controller ID”, “status”, “user”, “assignability”, “corresponding model name”, and “corresponding CPU”.

  The “virtual controller ID” is information uniquely set for each virtual controller 3. The “virtual controller ID” may be composed of letters, numbers, symbols, or a combination thereof so as to be unique for each virtual controller 3.

  “Status” is information indicating the state of the virtual controller 3. For example, values such as “processing”, “occurrence of failure”, and “waiting for processing request” are set in “status” according to the state of the virtual controller 3. The “status” is updated by the virtual controller manager 13 in response to a notification from the virtual controller 3, a processing request from the user data manager, and the like.

  “Used user” is information indicating a user who is using the virtual controller 3. The “user ID” of the user in use is described in “use user”.

  “Allocation availability” is information indicating whether or not the virtual controller 3 can be allocated to the user when an activation request or a failure occurs. A value corresponding to “status” is described in “assignment availability”.

  “Compatible model name” is information indicating the processing capability of the virtual controller 3, and “Compatible model name” describes the model number of the MFP 2 that the virtual controller 3 can handle. The “corresponding model name” is a judgment material for the virtual controller 3 to be assigned to the user together with the “corresponding CPU”.

  “Corresponding CPU” is information indicating the processing capability of the virtual controller 3. “Corresponding CPU” describes the CPU model number that the virtual controller 3 can handle. The “corresponding CPU” is a judgment material for the virtual controller 3 to be assigned to the user together with the “corresponding model name”.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the virtual controller 3 has a function of executing a drawing process for converting image data requested by the user into a printable format. The drawing processing server 1 includes a plurality of virtual controllers 3 having different processing capabilities. The virtual controller management unit 13 assigns a virtual controller 3 that matches the processing capability of the requesting MFP 2. The virtual controller 3 imports the user data of the corresponding user and executes the drawing process requested by the virtual controller management unit 13. The rendering process to be executed includes, for example, a process of converting vector format image data into raster format image data.

  Further, the virtual controller 3 creates backup data at an arbitrary timing during the drawing process, and transmits the backup data to the user data management unit 11 via the virtual controller management unit 13. The backup data is a record of the state of the process executed by the virtual controller 3, and the virtual controller 3 can resume the drawing process from the point in time when the backup data is created by reading the backup data.

  If a failure occurs during the drawing process, the virtual controller 3 notifies the virtual controller management unit 13 of the failure and stops the process. Examples of failures that occur during the drawing process include a memory leak, a watchdog error, and a file open error. The failure notification by the virtual controller 3 is performed by, for example, assigning a notification number according to the type of failure and notifying the virtual controller management unit 13 of a notification number corresponding to the type of failure that has occurred in the virtual controller 3.

  After the completion of the drawing process, the virtual controller 3 notifies the virtual controller management unit 13 of the completion of the drawing process and transmits the converted image data.

≪MFP≫
The MFP 2 includes a processing request unit 21 and a function execution unit 22.

  The processing request unit 21 has a function of requesting image data conversion processing and sending / receiving image data to the drawing processing server 1. The image data, the user ID, and the password for performing the drawing process are transmitted to the drawing process server 1.

  The function execution unit 22 is a function that executes a function based on the converted image data received from the processing request unit 21.

<Processing operation>
≪Virtual controller startup process≫
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow from the activation request of the virtual controller 3 by the MFP 2 to the activation of the virtual controller 3 in the present embodiment.

  In response to the activation request from the user, the MFP 2 is activated (step S1). The activated MFP 2 requests the drawing processing server 1 to activate the virtual controller 3 at the process request unit 21 (step S2). The processing request unit 21 transmits a user ID and a password, and transmits a startup request for the virtual controller 3 to the drawing processing server 1.

  The drawing processing server 1 performs user authentication in the user data management unit 11 and reads the user data of the corresponding user from the user data storage unit 12 (step S3).

  The user data management unit 11 transmits user data corresponding to the virtual controller management unit 13 (step S4). The virtual controller management unit 13 that has received the user data temporarily stores the user data, and searches the virtual controller state information storage unit 14 for an operable virtual controller 3 (step S5). The search for the operable virtual controller 3 is performed by referring to an item indicating the processing capability of the MFP 2 such as “mounted CPU” included in the user data.

  The virtual controller management unit 13 transmits user data together with an activation request to the virtual controller 3 searched in step S5 (step S6).

  Upon receiving the activation request, the virtual controller 3 is activated and imports user data (step S7). The virtual controller 3 reflects the usage status of the user's MFP 2 by importing the user data.

  The virtual controller 3 notifies the completion of activation to the virtual controller management unit 13 (step S8). After receiving the activation completion notification from the virtual controller, the virtual controller management unit 13 updates the virtual controller state information (step S9).

  Further, the virtual controller management unit 13 notifies the MFP 2 that the virtual controller 3 has been activated via the user data management unit 11 (steps S10 and S11).

≪Drawing process by virtual controller≫
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing from when the drawing processing server 1 according to the present embodiment is requested to perform drawing processing until image data that has been drawn by the MFP 2 is printed.

  The MFP 2 receives the print request from the user and the image data to be printed (step S21). The received image data is, for example, in PDL (Page Description Language) format.

  The MFP 2 that has received the print request transmits the print request and image data to be printed to the drawing processing server 1 (step S22). Receiving the image data, the drawing processing server 1 updates the user information in the user data management unit 11 (step S23). At this time, the user data management unit 11 stores the image data received from the MFP 2 in the user data storage unit 12.

  Thereafter, the user data management unit 11 requests the virtual controller management unit 13 to execute drawing processing (step S24). The user data management unit 11 transmits to the virtual controller management unit 13 image data for performing the drawing process together with the request for the drawing process.

  The virtual controller management unit 13 that has received the execution request updates the virtual controller state information (step S25). The virtual controller management unit 13 transmits a drawing process request and image data for performing the drawing process to the virtual controller 3 (step S26). The virtual controller 3 that has received the drawing process request executes the drawing process (step S27).

  The virtual controller 3 transmits the drawing processing status and backup data to the virtual controller management unit 13 at a predetermined timing (step S28). The virtual controller management unit 13 transmits the backup data to the user data management unit 11 (step S29).

  The user data management unit 11 updates the user data based on the back update received from the virtual controller management unit 13 (step S30). The virtual controller 3 notifies the completion of the drawing process (step S31).

  The virtual controller manager 13 that has received the notification of the drawing process updates the virtual controller state information (step S32).

  The virtual controller management unit 13 notifies the user data management unit 11 of the completion of the drawing process (step S33). The user data management unit 11 updates the user data in accordance with the drawing process completion notification received from the virtual controller management unit 13 (step S34). The user data management unit 11 notifies the converted image data together with the notification of completion of the drawing process (step S35). The MFP 2 executes print processing at the function execution unit 22 (step S36).

≪Drawing process when failure occurs≫
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a flow until execution of a printing process in the MFP 2 when a failure occurs in the present embodiment.

  As in S21 to S26 of FIG. 8, the MFP 2 receives a print request from the user and requests the virtual controller 3 for drawing processing (steps S41 to S46). After receiving the processing request, the virtual controller 3 executes the drawing processing in the same manner as in S27 to S30 of FIG. 8, creates backup data, and transmits it to the user data management unit 11 (steps S47 to S49). The user data management unit 11 stores backup data (step S50).

  The virtual controller 3 notifies the failure occurrence to the virtual controller management unit 13 (step S51). The virtual controller management unit 13 that has received the notification of the occurrence of the failure updates the virtual controller state information, and searches the virtual controller state information storage unit 14 for an assignable virtual controller 3 (step S52).

  The virtual controller management unit 13 acquires user data including the backup data stored in S20 from the user data management unit 11 (step S53). The virtual controller management unit 13 transmits the acquired user data to the other virtual controller 3 that has been searched, and makes an activation request (step S54).

  Upon receiving the activation request, the virtual controller 3 is activated and imports user data including backup data (step S55). The virtual controller 3 restarts the drawing process according to the backup data (step S56).

  The virtual controller 3 notifies the virtual controller management unit 13 of the completion of the drawing process (step S57). The virtual controller management unit 13 receives the drawing process completion notification and updates the virtual controller state information (step S58). Thereafter, the user data management unit 11 is notified of the completion of the process, and the user data management unit 11 updates the user data (steps S59 and S60). The user data management unit 11 transmits the processed image data to the MFP 2, and the MFP 2 executes print processing (steps S61 and S62).

≪Virtual controller switching process≫
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the virtual controller management unit 13 when a failure occurs in the virtual controller 3 in the present embodiment.

  The process is started at the timing when a failure occurs in the virtual controller 3 (step S70). The virtual controller management unit 13 receives a failure notification from the virtual controller 3 (step S71). Thereafter, the virtual controller management unit 13 determines whether or not the number of switching times of the virtual controller 3 associated with the drawing process in which the failure has occurred has reached a preset upper limit number (step S72).

  When the number of switching of the virtual controller 3 has not reached the upper limit value and can be retried (step S72: YES), the virtual controller management unit 13 searches for an assignable virtual controller 3 (step S73). After the search is completed, it is determined whether there is an assignable virtual controller 3 (step S74). When there is a virtual controller 3 that can be allocated (step S74: YES), the virtual controller management unit 13 acquires user data from the user data management unit 11, transmits an activation request and user data to the virtual controller 3, and performs this processing. Is finished (steps S75 and S77).

  When the number of times of switching the virtual controller 3 has reached the upper limit value and retry is not possible (step S72: NO), or when the virtual controller 3 to be assigned is not on the drawing processing server 1 (step S74: NO), the virtual controller management unit 13 Notifies the MFP 2 that the drawing process has failed, and ends the process (steps S76 and S77). Although FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing procedure in the case, the determination as to whether or not the drawing process has failed has been made as to whether or not the drawing process completion notification has been received in advance by the set time, as described above. You may judge by.

  All or part of the above-described embodiments can be implemented by a program. This program can be stored in a portable recording medium. A portable recording medium refers to a non-transitory storage medium. Examples of the portable recording medium include a magnetic recording medium, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a nonvolatile memory. All or a part of the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by reading a program stored in a portable recording medium and executing it by a processor.

<Summary>
As mentioned above, the form described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention does not limit the scope of the present invention, and the data transmission or the MFP 2 connected via the network or the information processing apparatus connected to the MFP 2 The function of the drawing processing server 1 may be provided. Also, although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously it can be added. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

1 Drawing processing server 2 MFP
3 Virtual Controller 11 User Data Management Unit 12 User Data Storage Unit 13 Virtual Controller Management Unit 14 Virtual Controller State Information Storage Unit 21 Drawing Process Request Unit 22 Function Execution Unit

JP 2012-174196 A

Claims (5)

An image forming system having an information processing apparatus having a plurality of virtual controller programs capable of executing drawing processing and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a network,
User data management for receiving user data including settings of the image forming apparatus and drawing process request data for performing a drawing process from the image forming apparatus and transmitting image data as a result of the drawing process to the image forming apparatus Means,
A virtual controller management unit that assigns a virtual controller program according to the user data when the user data management unit receives user data, and causes the assigned virtual controller program to execute a drawing process when receiving the drawing process request data; An image forming system comprising: The image forming system according to claim 1,
The user data includes information on the processing capability of the image forming apparatus,
The virtual controller management means assigns the virtual controller program according to information relating to processing capability of the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual controller management unit detects a failure that occurs in the virtual controller program, and allocates the other assignable virtual controller program when the failure of the virtual controller program is detected. An image forming method capable of executing drawing processing by a virtual controller program,
User data management procedure for receiving user data including settings of the image forming apparatus and drawing process request data for performing the drawing process from the image forming apparatus and transmitting the image data as a result of the drawing process to the image forming apparatus When,
A virtual controller management procedure that assigns the virtual controller program according to the user data when the user data management procedure receives user data, and causes the assigned virtual controller program to execute the drawing processing when receiving the drawing processing request data And an image forming method. A server device having a plurality of virtual controller programs capable of executing drawing processing,
User data management means for receiving user data including settings of the image forming apparatus and drawing process request data for performing the drawing process from the image forming apparatus and transmitting image data as a result of the drawing process to the image forming apparatus When,
Virtual controller management means that assigns the virtual controller program according to the user data when the user data management means receives user data, and causes the assigned virtual controller program to execute drawing processing when receiving the drawing processing request data A server device characterized by comprising:

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