JP6237592B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and information update program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  Conventionally, a method of reflecting information read by a scanner on an image forming apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-272933 A

  However, in the conventional method, it is necessary to use a scanner to change the information of the image forming apparatus. For example, when a large number of image forming apparatuses are newly introduced or when a large number of image forming apparatuses are replaced. In addition, when the same information is reflected in a large number of new image forming apparatuses, it is necessary to use a scanner in each of the large number of new image forming apparatuses, which requires a large amount of time and labor for work. There's a problem.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an information update program that can reduce the time and effort required to reflect the same information on a large number of image forming apparatuses.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes a first image forming apparatus and a plurality of second image forming apparatuses, and the first image forming apparatus is a specific type of information in the second image forming apparatus. Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for making the state of the image into a specific state, and instruction data transmitting means for transmitting the instruction data generated by the instruction data generating means to the plurality of second image forming apparatuses And the instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based on the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses, and the second image forming apparatus includes: It is characterized by comprising information updating means for updating information in the second image forming apparatus in accordance with the instruction data transmitted by the instruction data transmitting means.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention aligns the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses with the specific state determined based on these states. The time and labor required to reflect the same information in the can be reduced.

  In the image forming system according to the aspect of the invention, the instruction data generation unit may include the state of the specific type of information in the first image forming apparatus and the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses. The specific state is determined based on the information state, and the first image forming apparatus determines the state of the specific type of information in the first image forming apparatus by the instruction data generation unit. In addition, a state update unit for setting the specific state may be provided.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention has not only a specific type of information state in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses but also a specific type of information state in the first image forming apparatus. Since they are aligned, the time and labor required to reflect the same information on a large number of image forming apparatuses including the first image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the instruction data generation unit may determine the specific state based only on the state of the specific type of information changed by a specific user.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention does not reflect the state changed by a person other than a specific user when the same information is reflected on a large number of image forming apparatuses. Can be prevented from being changed by a person other than a specific user.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the instruction data generation unit may determine the specific state based on the latest information among the plurality of specific types of information.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention determines a specific state based on the latest information among a plurality of specific types of information, so that appropriate information can be reflected in many image forming apparatuses. .

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the first image forming apparatus may include an information type receiving unit that receives the specific type.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention can allow the user to select what kind of information is to be updated, so that convenience can be improved.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the first image forming apparatus includes an apparatus identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of the second image forming apparatus, and the instruction data transmitting unit includes the apparatus identification information. The instruction data may be transmitted to the second image forming apparatus specified by the identification information received by the receiving unit.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention can allow the user to select the second image forming apparatus that aligns the state of a specific type of information with a specific state, so that convenience can be improved. .

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the first image forming apparatus includes a timing receiving unit that receives a timing of transmitting the instruction data, and the instruction data transmitting unit receives the timing received by the timing receiving unit. The instruction data may be transmitted by

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention can allow the user to select the timing for aligning the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses with the specific state, thus improving convenience. can do.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the instruction data transmission unit may transmit the instruction data by a protocol for transmitting information after encryption.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention allows the specific type of the second image forming apparatus to be used even when the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses is aligned with the specific state. It is possible to prevent the state of the information from leaking from the instruction data to a third party.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an instruction data generating unit that generates instruction data for setting a specific type of information in another image forming apparatus to a specific state, and the instruction data generating unit generates the instruction data. Instruction data transmitting means for transmitting instruction data to a plurality of the other image forming apparatuses, wherein the instruction data generating means is configured to perform the operation based on the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of other image forming apparatuses. It is characterized by determining a specific state.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention aligns the state of a specific type of information in a plurality of other image forming apparatuses with a specific state determined based on these states. The time and effort required to reflect the same information can be reduced.

  An information update program according to the present invention is an information update program executed by an image forming apparatus, and generates instruction data for setting a specific type of information in another image forming apparatus to a specific state. Generating means, and causing the image forming apparatus to function as instruction data transmitting means for transmitting the instruction data generated by the instruction data generating means to a plurality of the other image forming apparatuses, and the instruction data generating means The specific state is determined based on the state of the specific type of information in a plurality of other image forming apparatuses.

  With this configuration, the information update program of the present invention aligns the state of a specific type of information in a plurality of other image forming apparatuses with a specific state determined based on these states. The time and effort required to reflect the same information can be reduced.

  The image forming system, the image forming apparatus, and the information update program according to the present invention can reduce the time and labor required to reflect the same information on a large number of image forming apparatuses.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an MFP as a master unit among the MFPs shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an MFP as a slave unit among the MFPs shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when transmitting update instruction data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when a status of information is returned. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when updating information.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes a plurality of MFPs including MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) 20, 30 and 40 as image forming apparatuses. A plurality of MFPs are communicably connected to each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  The MFP 20 functions as a master unit for other MFPs such as the MFPs 30 and 40. MFPs other than the MFP 20 such as the MFPs 30 and 40 function as slave units of the MFP 20.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A scanner 23 that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and a communication line such as a public telephone line And a communication device 25 that performs communication with an external device such as the MFPs 30 and 40 (see FIG. 1) via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and a fax communication unit 25 that is a fax device that performs fax communication. Unit 26 and an EEPROM (Electrica) storing various data A storage unit 27, which is a storage device such as a fully erasable programmable read only memory (HDD), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a control unit 28 that controls the entire MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 serves as setting information for the MFP 20 that can be set by the user of the MFP 20 such as an address book used for fax transmission using the fax communication unit 25 and e-mail transmission using the communication unit 26. The normal setting information 27a can be stored.

  The storage unit 27 can store specific setting information 27b as setting information of the MFP 20 that can be set only by a specific user among the users of the MFP 20, such as information related to maintenance of the MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 can store various files 27c, such as text and images, to be printed by the printer 24, to be faxed by the fax communication unit 25, or to be sent by the communication unit 26.

  The storage unit 27 stores a parent device information update program 27d as an information update program for updating information in the MFP. The master information update program 27d may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. It may be additionally installed on the MFP 20 from the network 11.

  The storage unit 27 can store update target information type specifying information 27e indicating a specific type to be updated among the types of information in the MFP. For example, the type specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e may be a part of the type of information in the MFP such as the address book of the normal setting information 27a. The types specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e may be all types of information in the MFP.

  The storage unit 27 can store update target MFP specifying information 27f indicating identification information of an MFP to be updated.

  The storage unit 27 can store update timing specifying information 27g indicating a transmission timing of update instruction data as instruction data for instructing execution of information update in the MFP (hereinafter referred to as “update timing”). For example, the update timing may be any time designated in advance, such as midnight every day. Further, the update timing may be a point in time when a specific button (not shown) of the operation unit 21 is pressed to update information in the MFP.

  The storage unit 27 can store target user identification information 27h indicating identification information of a user whose information is to be updated in the MFP.

  The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a main storage device used as a work area of the CPU. ). The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes the master unit information update program 27d stored in the storage unit 27 to update the specific types of information in the slave units such as the MFPs 30 and 40 to a specific state. Instruction data generating means 28a for generating instruction data, instruction data transmitting means 28b for transmitting update instruction data generated by the instruction data generating means 28a to a plurality of slave units, and the status of a specific type of information in the MFP 20 The state update unit 28c that sets the specific state determined by the generation unit 28a, the information type reception unit 28d that receives a specific type to be updated among the types of information in the MFP, and the identification information of the MFP to be updated Device identification information receiving means 28e for receiving, timing receiving means 28f for receiving update timing, And functions as a user identification information reception unit 28g that receives the identification information of the target user of the update information in the MFP.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 30 is similar to the MFP 20 (see FIG. 2). The operation unit 31, the display unit 32, the scanner 33, the printer 34, the fax communication unit 35, the communication unit 36, the storage unit 37, and the control unit. 38.

  Similar to the storage unit 27 (see FIG. 2), the storage unit 37 can store normal setting information 37a, specific setting information 37b, and various files 37c.

  The storage unit 37 stores a slave unit information update program 37d for updating information in the MFP. The slave unit information update program 37d may be installed in the MFP 30 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 30, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 30 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or the network 11 (FIG. 1). (Refer to the above.) It may be additionally installed in the MFP 30 from above.

  The control unit 38 functions as an information update unit 38 a that updates information in the MFP 30 in accordance with update instruction data transmitted by the MFP 20 by executing the slave unit information update program 37 d stored in the storage unit 37. To do.

  Of the MFPs included in the image forming system 10, the slave units other than the MFP 30, such as the MFP 40, are the same as those of the MFP 30, and will not be described.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 20 when the update target information type specifying information 27e is stored in the storage unit 27 will be described.

  When the information type accepting unit 28d of the MFP 20 accepts a specific type to be updated among the types of information in the MFP via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26, the update type information type specifying information 27e indicating the received type. Is stored in the storage unit 27.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when the update target MFP specifying information 27f is stored in the storage unit 27 will be described.

  When the device identification information accepting unit 28e of the MFP 20 accepts the identification information of the MFP to be updated via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26, the update target MFP specifying information 27f indicating the received identification information is stored in the storage unit 27. Remember me.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when the update timing specifying information 27g is stored in the storage unit 27 will be described.

  When receiving the update timing via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26, the timing receiving unit 28f of the MFP 20 stores the update timing specifying information 27g indicating the received update timing in the storage unit 27. Here, the timing reception unit 28f can receive the update timing by selecting the update timing from the options, for example.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when the target user specifying information 27h is stored in the storage unit 27 will be described.

  When the user identification information receiving unit 28g of the MFP 20 receives the identification information of the user whose information is to be updated in the MFP via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26, the target user specifying information 27h indicating the received identification information. Is stored in the storage unit 27.

  Next, an operation of the MFP 20 when information in the MFP 20 is changed will be described.

  When the control unit 28 of the MFP 20 is instructed to change any of the information in the MFP 20, that is, the normal setting information 27a, the specific setting information 27b, and the various files 27c, via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26, the control unit 28 Accordingly, the information in the MFP 20 is changed.

  In the above, the operation of the MFP 20 when the information in the MFP 20 is changed has been described, but the same applies to MFPs other than the MFP 20 such as the MFPs 30 and 40.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 when executing batch update of information in the MFP will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when transmitting update instruction data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG.

  The MFP 20 constantly repeats the operations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the instruction data generating unit 28a determines whether or not the current time is the update timing indicated by the update timing specifying information 27g (S101).

  If the instruction data generating unit 28a determines in S101 that it is not the update timing, the operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is terminated.

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S101 that it is the update timing, a state confirmation instruction as an instruction for confirming the state of the type of information specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e in the information in the slave unit. Is transmitted to the MFP specified by the update target MFP specifying information 27f via the communication unit 26 (S102). Here, the instruction data generation unit 28a transmits a state confirmation instruction by a protocol for encrypting and transmitting information, such as IPPs (Internet Printing Protocol) as IPP (Information Printing Protocol) in which information is encrypted by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 30 when the information status is returned.

  When the control unit 38 of the MFP 30 receives the status confirmation instruction from the MFP 20 via the communication unit 36, the control unit 38 executes the operation shown in FIG. 6 by executing the slave unit information update program 37d.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the type of information specified by the status confirmation instruction among the information in the MFP 30 has changed since the previous reply (S131).

  When determining in S131 that a change has occurred, the control unit 38 generates state data indicating a change that has occurred since the previous reply, among the types of information specified by the state confirmation instruction in the MFP 30 ( S132). Here, the state data is data in which the user who changed the state and the time when the state was changed are associated with each change in the state of the information.

  When determining in S131 that no change has occurred, the control unit 38 generates unchanged data as the state data (S133).

  After the processing of S132 or S133, the control unit 38 transmits the status data generated in S132 or S133 to the MFP 20 as the parent device via the communication unit 36 (S134). Here, the control unit 38 transmits the state data using a protocol for encrypting and transmitting information such as IPPs.

  The control unit 38 ends the operation shown in FIG. 6 after the process of S134.

  In the above, the reply of the state by the MFP 30 has been described, but the same applies to other slave units such as the MFP 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the instruction data generation unit 28 a performs the state confirmation in S <b> 102 until it is determined that the state data has been returned from all the MFPs that transmitted the state confirmation instruction in S <b> 102 after the process of S <b> 102. It is determined whether or not status data has been returned from all the MFPs that have transmitted the instructions (S103).

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S103 that all MFPs that have transmitted a status confirmation instruction in S102 have returned status data, the instruction data generation unit 28a instructs to update non-updated data instructing not to update information in the update process. Data is generated (S104).

  Next, the instruction data generation unit 28a determines whether or not the type of information specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e among the information in the MFP 20 has changed since the previous transmission of the update instruction data (S105). ).

  When the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S105 that a change has occurred, the instruction data generation unit 28a selects one of the untargeted users who has changed the type of information specified by the update target information type specification information 27e in the information in the MFP 20. Target (S106).

  Next, the instruction data generating unit 28a determines whether or not the target user is a user specified by the target user specifying information 27h (S107).

  When the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S107 that the user is specified by the target user specifying information 27h, the target user among the types of information specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e in the MFP 20 is determined. The update instruction data is updated by reflecting the information changed by the update instruction data (S108). Here, when updating the update instruction data, the instruction data generation unit 28a includes the time changed in the MFP 20 in the update instruction data for each type of information. If the update instruction data is non-updated data until immediately before the process of S108, the update instruction data is not non-updated data by the process of S108.

  When the instruction data generating unit 28a determines that the user is not specified by the target user specifying information 27h in S107 or executes the process of S108, the instruction data generating unit 28a is specified by the update target information type specifying information 27e in the information in the MFP 20. It is determined whether there is an untargeted user whose type of information has been changed (S109).

  If it is determined in S109 that there is an untargeted user, the instruction data generation unit 28a executes the process of S106.

  When the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S105 that no change has occurred or in S109 that there is no untargeted user, the instruction data generation unit 28a targets one of the untargeted slaves to which status data has been returned. (S110).

  Next, the instruction data generation unit 28a determines whether or not the state data returned from the target child device is unchanged data (S111).

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S111 that the data is not unchanged data, the instruction data generation unit 28a of the untargeted user who has changed the type of information specified by the update target information type specification information 27e among the information in the target slave unit. One person is targeted based on the status data of the target handset (S112).

  Next, the instruction data generating unit 28a determines whether or not the target user is a user specified by the target user specifying information 27h (S113).

  When the instruction data generating unit 28a determines in S113 that the user is specified by the target user specifying information 27h, the instruction data generating unit 28a sets one of the untargeted information changed by the target user among the information in the target slave unit. Is selected based on the status data of the target slave unit (S114).

  Next, the instruction data generating unit 28a determines whether or not the time when the target information is changed is newer than the time associated with the corresponding information in the current update instruction data. Based on the determination (S115). Here, if there is no information corresponding to the target information in the current update instruction data, the instruction data generating unit 28a determines in S115 that the time when the target information has been changed is new.

  When the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S115 that the time when the target information has been changed is new, the instruction data generation unit 28a updates the update instruction data by reflecting the target information in the update instruction data (S116). Here, when the target information is reflected in the update instruction data, the instruction data generation unit 28a includes, in the update instruction data, the time when the target information is changed in the target slave unit for each type of information. If the update instruction data is non-update data until immediately before the process of S116, the update instruction data is not non-update data by the process of S116.

  When the instruction data generating unit 28a determines in S115 that the time when the target information has been changed is not new or executes the process of S116, the instruction data generating unit 28a is changed by the target user among the information in the target slave unit. It is determined whether there is any untargeted information (S117).

  If the instruction data generating unit 28a determines in S117 that there is untargeted information, the instruction data generating unit 28a executes the process of S114.

  When the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S113 that the user is not specified by the target user specifying information 27h or determines in S117 that there is no untargeted information, the instruction data generation unit 28a updates the information in the target slave unit. Whether there is an untargeted user whose information of the type specified by the target information type specifying information 27e is present is determined based on the status data of the target slave unit (S118).

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S118 that there is an untargeted user, the instruction data generation unit 28a executes the process of S112.

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S111 that the data is unchanged or determines in S118 that there is no untargeted user, whether or not there is an untargeted child device to which status data is returned. Is determined (S119).

  If the instruction data generation unit 28a determines in S119 that there is an untargeted child device to which status data is returned, the instruction data generation unit 28a executes the process of S110.

  If the status update unit 28c determines in S119 that there is no untargeted child device to which status data is returned, the status update unit 28c updates the status of a specific type of information in the MFP 20 based on the update instruction data (S120). ). Here, if the update instruction data generated in S104 has not been updated in any of S108 and S116, that is, if the update instruction data is non-update data, the state update unit 28c determines a specific type in the MFP 20. Do not update the information status. On the other hand, when the update instruction data generated in S104 is updated in at least one of S108 and S116, the state update unit 28c indicates the state of a specific type of information in the MFP 20 in the state indicated in the update instruction data. That is, a specific state determined by the instruction data generation unit 28a is set.

  Next, the instruction data transmitting unit 28b transmits the update instruction data to the MFP specified by the update target MFP specifying information 27f via the communication unit 26 (S121). Here, the instruction data transmission unit 28b transmits the update instruction data using a protocol for transmitting information after encrypting the information, such as IPPs.

  The instruction data transmission unit 28b ends the operations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 after the process of S121.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 30 when information update is executed.

  When the information update unit 38a of the MFP 30 receives the update instruction data from the MFP 20 via the communication unit 36, the information update unit 38a performs the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the information update unit 38a determines whether the update instruction data transmitted from the MFP 20 and received via the communication unit 36 is non-update data (S161).

  If the information updating unit 38a determines in S161 that the data is not non-updated data, the information updating unit 38a acquires the state of the information indicated in the update instruction data (S162).

  Next, the information update unit 38a determines to update the information in the update process (S163).

  If the information update unit 38a determines in S161 that the data is non-updated data, the information update unit 38a determines not to update the information in the update process (S164).

  The information update unit 38a executes an information update process in the MFP 30 after the process of S163 or S164 (S165). Here, when it is determined in S163 that information update is executed in the update process, the information update unit 38a acquires in S162 the status of the type of information specified in the update instruction data among the information in the MFP 30. Change to the completed state. Further, when it is determined in S163 that the information update unit 38a does not update the information in the update process, the information update unit 38a does not update the information in the MFP 30.

  The information update unit 38a ends the operation shown in FIG. 7 after the process of S165.

  In the above, execution of update processing by the MFP 30 has been described, but the same applies to other slave units such as the MFP 40.

  As described above, the image forming system 10 determines the state of a specific type of information in a plurality of slave units based on these states (S116) and aligns it with a specific state (S121). The time and effort required to reflect the same information on the MFP can be reduced.

  The image forming system 10 aligns the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of slave units with the specific state (S121), so that the state of the specific type of information in each of the plurality of slave units is changed. Even if they are, they are aligned at the update timing.

  The image forming system 10 aligns not only the state of a specific type of information in a plurality of slave units but also the state of a specific type of information in the MFP 20 as a master unit (S120 and S121). The time and labor required to reflect the same information on many MFPs including the machine can be reduced.

  Note that the image forming system 10 aligns not only a specific type of information state in a plurality of slave units but also a specific type of information state in the MFP 20 (S120 and S121). Even if the machine and the MFP 20 are in different states of specific types of information, they are aligned at the update timing.

  The image forming system 10 determines a specific state based only on the state of a specific type of information changed by a specific user (YES in S107 and S108, or YES and S116 in S113). With this configuration, the image forming system 10 does not reflect the state changed by a person other than the specific user at the update timing, so that the information states in many MFPs can be changed by a person other than the specific user. That can be suppressed. Further, the image forming system 10 not only reflects the state changed by a person other than the specific user at the update timing on the MFP other than the MFP whose state has been changed by a person other than the specific user. The MFP itself whose state has been changed by a person other than the specific user is not reflected at the update timing. For example, when the address book is changed by a person other than a specific user in the MFP 30 specified by the update target MFP specifying information 27f, a specific user in any MFP specified by the update target MFP specifying information 27f Unless the same change is made, this change in the MFP 30 is reverted at the update timing.

  Since the image forming system 10 determines a specific state based on the latest information among a plurality of specific types of information (YES in S115 and S116), appropriate information can be reflected in many MFPs.

  In this embodiment, the MFP 20 returns the update instruction data based on the status data returned from each of the slave units after the status data is returned from all the slave units that transmitted the status confirmation instruction. Update has started. However, the MFP 20 may start updating the update instruction data based on the status data returned from the slave unit before the status data is returned from all the slave units that have transmitted the status confirmation instruction.

  The image forming system 10 can allow the user to select what type of information is to be updated, so that convenience can be improved.

  The image forming system 10 can improve the convenience because the user can select a handset that aligns the state of a specific type of information with a specific state.

  The image forming system 10 can allow the user to select the timing for aligning the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of slave units with the specific state, so that convenience can be improved.

  The MFP 20 transmits the update instruction data using a protocol for transmitting the information after encrypting the information. With this configuration, the image forming system 10 can detect the state of the specific type of information in the slave unit from the update instruction data even when the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of slave units is aligned with the specific state. It is possible to prevent leakage to the three parties.

  The “first image forming apparatus” of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a dedicated printer.

  Similarly, the “second image forming apparatus” of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a dedicated printer.

10 image forming system 20 MFP (first image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus)
27a Normal setting information (information in the first image forming apparatus)
27b Specific setting information (information in the first image forming apparatus)
27c file (information in the first image forming apparatus)
27d Information update program for parent device (information update program)
28a Instruction data generation means 28b Instruction data transmission means 28c Status update means 28d Information type acceptance means 28e Device identification information acceptance means 28f Timing acceptance means 30 MFP (second image forming apparatus, other image forming apparatus)
37a Normal setting information (information in the second image forming apparatus)
37b Specific setting information (information in the second image forming apparatus)
37c file (information in the second image forming apparatus)
38a Information update means 40 MFP (second image forming apparatus, other image forming apparatus)

Claims (9)

A first image forming apparatus;
A plurality of second image forming apparatuses,
The first image forming apparatus includes:
Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for setting a specific type of information in the second image forming apparatus to a specific state;
Instruction data transmitting means for transmitting the instruction data generated by the instruction data generating means to the plurality of second image forming apparatuses,
The instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based on the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses;
The second image forming apparatus includes information updating means for updating information in the second image forming apparatus in accordance with the instruction data transmitted by the instruction data transmitting means ,
The image forming system, wherein the instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based only on the state of the specific type of information changed by a specific user . The instruction data generation unit is configured to determine the specific type of information based on the state of the specific type of information in the first image forming apparatus and the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of second image forming apparatuses. Determine the state,
The first image forming apparatus includes a state update unit that changes the state of the specific type of information in the first image forming apparatus to the specific state determined by the instruction data generation unit. The image forming system according to claim 1.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based on the latest information among the plurality of specific types of information.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus includes an information type receiving unit that receives the specific type.   The first image forming apparatus includes an apparatus identification information receiving unit that receives identification information of the second image forming apparatus.
  5. The instruction data transmitting means transmits the instruction data to the second image forming apparatus specified by the identification information received by the apparatus identification information receiving means. The image forming system according to any one of the above.   The first image forming apparatus includes a timing receiving unit that receives a timing of transmission of the instruction data.
  The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction data transmission unit transmits the instruction data at a timing received by the timing reception unit.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction data transmission unit transmits the instruction data by a protocol for encrypting and transmitting information.   Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for setting a specific type of information in another image forming apparatus to a specific state;
  Instruction data transmission means for transmitting the instruction data generated by the instruction data generation means to a plurality of the other image forming apparatuses,
  The instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based on the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of other image forming apparatuses;
  The image forming apparatus, wherein the instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based only on the state of the specific type of information changed by a specific user.   An information update program executed by the image forming apparatus,
  Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for setting a specific type of information in another image forming apparatus to a specific state; and
  Causing the image forming apparatus to function as instruction data transmitting means for transmitting the instruction data generated by the instruction data generating means to a plurality of the other image forming apparatuses;
  The instruction data generation unit determines the specific state based on the state of the specific type of information in the plurality of other image forming apparatuses;
  The information update program, wherein the instruction data generation means determines the specific state based only on the state of the specific type of information changed by a specific user.

Images