JP2006268138A - Image forming apparatus, information processing method, information processing program and peer-to-peer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conveniently carry out processing by sharing a section relating to a function executable by an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The detection result of the operating status of a door opening/closure sensor 76 or an operation input part 78 is inputted through a control part 84 to a status management part 80, and each time the status of a device peer 12H is changed based on the detection result, the status management part 80 updates the changed status and stores it into an application memory 22 through an application execution part 20. Thus, the application execution part 20 transmits the updated status of the device peer 12H through a P2P base configuring part 16 to a P2P network 10. Thus, the status change of the device peer 12H is shared in each peer(for example, PC peer 12J or portable peer 12K) connected to the P2P network 10, so that the occupancy status of the device peer 12H can be confirmed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a peer-to-peer system, and in particular, at least some of a plurality of apparatuses connected to each other via a network communicate directly without using a dedicated server. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus connectable to a peer-to-peer system, an information processing method applicable to the image forming apparatus, an information processing program, and the peer-to-peer system.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals having functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer have come to have many more functions, and various techniques have been proposed in relation to this (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 7).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, an image forming system is configured by connecting a management apparatus and at least one or more image forming apparatuses to each other via a communication line, and warning information based on the usage amount prediction is imaged in the management apparatus. It has been proposed to output to a forming device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of an unusable period during actual use of the image forming apparatus and reduce the work load.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to express information relating to the state of the user of the information processing terminal softly by optical output.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 3, a form server that shares electronic form data is provided in a printing system in which a plurality of printer devices and a plurality of host devices are connected on the same network, and is used for sharing in each printer device. It has been proposed to centrally store and manage electronic form data and to supply electronic form data designated by each host device to each printer device.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 4, when the image forming apparatuses are connected to each other, the paper and tray information held by each apparatus is shared, and printing is possible when the image forming apparatus in operation cannot print. It has been proposed to transfer data and print instruction information to an image forming apparatus.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 5, a desired function is set as necessary from among the functions provided in the image forming apparatus, and at that time, the set contents are displayed and a setting operation is performed. It has been proposed that the display state and the corresponding internal state history are stored in a RAM so that the current state in the function setting operation process can be reversed to one or more previous states.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 6, operation information operated by a service company CE in an image forming apparatus is stored together with a registration ID that is identification information, and registered in a centralized management server, thereby forming an image via a network. A management system that can use operation information registered from an apparatus and another terminal has been proposed.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 7, the ASIC is activated in the energy saving mode to determine the content of the received frame received via the network controller, and when it is determined that the content of the received frame is a status request, a transmission request The status frame is created by referring to status information stored in the status register provided independently of the CPU provided in the system when the bit is set and the transmission request bit is set. Is transferred to the network controller by the DMA controller, so that even a relatively small network system can respond to the status request without returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode.

  On the other hand, conventionally, there are a client / server system and a peer-to-peer (hereinafter referred to as P2P) system as a form of a network system in which devices such as computers are connected to each other via a network.

  The client / server system is a system in which a server executes services for managing various information resources and providing various applications, which are used by clients, and is a system in which a master-slave relationship is fixed.

  In order for users of a plurality of computers connected via a network to share and utilize each other's information, a server for storing and managing a database or file that can access these information in common is managed. At the core, a method of building and operating a target application system is widely used.

  In this method, it is necessary to collectively manage information to be shared, a special server for information sharing is required, and a large cost is required to construct the sharing system.

  In order to solve this problem, in recent years, information sharing systems of a type that does not centrally manage P2P system type information have appeared, and information sharing systems with low construction costs have been generally recognized.

In the P2P system, a dedicated server is basically not provided, and each peer (for example, a personal computer) connected to the network provides a predetermined service to other peers in some cases as a server. In some cases, the system operates like a client using a service provided by another peer, and each peer is an equivalent system. Various techniques have been proposed for such a P2P system (see, for example, Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9).
JP 2003-76223 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-256938 JP-A-6-149504 JP 2001-268284 A JP-A-9-295442 JP 2003-48362 A JP 2003-283588 A JP 2002-335269 A JP 2003-256363 A

  However, although the conventional MFP can check the status of the printer as to whether it can print via the network (for example, check by device management using SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol), it does copy settings. In order to confirm the state occupied by other users due to, for example, there is a problem in that it is necessary to visually confirm whether someone is operating in front of the multifunction peripheral.

  Also, in a network environment where multiple MFPs are connected, if the same settings are made for all the MFPs, it is necessary to set one by one, which is very time consuming if the number is large. It was work. For example, when registering facsimile destination registration, common data for variable printing that prints by changing only the destination to the form on the first page of the facsimile, or the preset form, etc. It was necessary to perform the same setting. In order to solve this problem, it is possible to perform the same setting for a plurality of multi-function peripherals by installing a setting application in a personal computer and setting information and data in the multi-function peripherals to be managed. However, an administrator is required, and the administrator needs to add and delete addresses on behalf of someone, add and delete forms, and re-register managed MFPs as the number of MFPs increases or decreases. There is a problem.

  In the case of variable data, if there are multiple data that the user wants to load into the printer, load it into each printer, or prepare a management server, load the data into the management server, and reference information for that management server There is a problem that it is necessary to perform complicated processing such as setting the printer to the printer.

  Since recent multifunction peripherals have many functions as described above, the operation method thereof is complicated in proportion to the complexity of the functions. As a method for solving this problem, a function for storing setting information operated by the user (for example, double-sided original, single-sided printing, color printing, density, paper size, etc. set before the copy button was last pressed) There is. This function saves information for past several times (for example, up to 10 times before) as an operation history, and uses this history information when using similar settings or similar settings. You can edit the settings by selecting them from. Although this improves the operability, the information is stored only in the multifunction device, so it can be referred to from other devices, settings of other devices (for example, job template setting information describing processing contents, And job flow template information describing a plurality of processing procedures, etc.).

  Therefore, as a method for diverting the above-described job template or job flow template to another multifunction device or the like, a method for transmitting the job template or job flow template stored in the personal computer to the multifunction device connected to the personal computer. There is also a method of saving to a server and referring to it from a multifunction machine. However, when it is saved on a personal computer, it can be shared by other explicit exchange means (for example, mail, various media, etc.). When complicated exchange work is required, and saving to a server, job templates and job flow templates can be shared without the exchange means. However, server settings / management, connection settings between multifunction devices and servers, etc. There is a problem that is necessary.

  On the other hand, when a print instruction is given to a multifunction machine that is in a power saving standby state, it takes several minutes to warm up, so that it takes time until the first printout.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform processing conveniently by sharing a part related to functions executable by the image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system in which a plurality of devices are connected and information held for each device can be shared with each other. And a sharing unit for sharing the holding information held by the image forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system, and detecting the update of the holding information and detecting the holding information shared by the sharing unit according to the updated content And updating means for updating.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the holding information held by the image forming apparatus is shared on the peer-to-peer system by the sharing unit.

  For example, as in the second aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects the occupation state of the image forming apparatus, and holds the occupation state detected by the detection unit as the retention information. The occupancy state can be confirmed with a peer connected to the peer-to-peer system. Further, as in the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing the creation information created in advance, and the creation information stored in the storage means is retained as retained information, so that the creation information is peer-to-peered. Can be used with peers connected to the system. At this time, the creation information stored in the storage means includes template information (for example, a previously created document template, setting of the image forming apparatus, job template, job flow template, etc.) as in the invention described in claim 4. ), Form information (for example, facsimile or mail form), destination information (for example, mail destination or facsimile destination), processing procedure information (for example, a plurality of functions included in the image forming apparatus) Etc.) and at least one creation information of schedule information can be applied.

  Then, the updating unit detects the update of the holding information and updates the holding information shared by the sharing unit according to the detected update content.

  Therefore, it is possible to share holding information held by the image forming apparatus, which is a part related to functions executable by the image forming apparatus, in the peer-to-peer system, and update the holding information shared according to the update of the holding information. Therefore, it is possible to perform processing conveniently by sharing a portion related to a function executable by the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1, as in the invention according to claim 5, is an operation input means for operating the image forming apparatus, an operation history storage means for storing an operation history by the operation input means, The operation history stored in the operation history storage means may be stored as retained information. As a result, in another peer connected to the peer-to-peer system, processing corresponding to the operation history can be easily performed, and convenient processing is possible.

  Further, according to the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5, as in the invention described in claim 6, the display means for displaying the creation information stored in the storage means, and the use of the creation information A frequency detecting means for detecting the frequency, and a changing means for changing the order in which the creation information is displayed on the display means according to the detection result of the frequency detecting means, and the updating means reflects the change result of the changing means. The holding information may be updated as described. Accordingly, the display according to the use frequency of the creation information can be confirmed by the display means also in other peers connected to the peer-to-peer system, and the creation information displayed on the display means can be used conveniently.

  When schedule information is stored as creation information in the storage means, as in the invention according to claim 7, a warm for returning from a standby state based on the schedule information stored in the storage means By further providing an instruction means for instructing up, it is possible to warm up the image forming apparatus connected to the peer-to-peer system according to the schedule, and to reduce the waiting time due to warm-up.

  The information processing method according to claim 8 is an information processing method of an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system in which a plurality of devices are connected and information held for each device can be shared with each other. A sharing step for sharing the holding information held by the forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system, and detecting the update of the holding information, and updating the holding information shared in the sharing step according to the detected update content And an update step.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in the sharing step, the holding information held by the image forming apparatus is shared on the peer-to-peer system.

  For example, as in the ninth aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection step of detecting the occupation state of the image forming apparatus, and the occupation state detected in the detection step is retained as retained information. The occupancy state can be confirmed with a peer connected to the peer-to-peer system. Further, as in the invention described in claim 10, further including a storage step of storing the creation information created in advance, and holding the creation information stored in the storage step as the holding information, so that the creation information is stored in the peer-to-peer system. Can be used with peers connected to The creation information stored in the storage step at this time is template information (for example, a document template created in advance, setting of an image forming apparatus, a job template, a job flow template, etc.) as in the invention described in claim 11. Form information (for example, facsimile or mail form), destination information (for example, mail destination or facsimile destination), processing procedure information (for example, processing procedures such as a plurality of functions included in the image forming apparatus) And at least one piece of creation information of schedule information can be applied.

  In the update step, the update of the holding information is detected, and the holding information shared in the sharing step is updated according to the detected update content.

  Therefore, it is possible to share holding information held by the image forming apparatus, which is a part related to functions executable by the image forming apparatus, in the peer-to-peer system, and update the holding information shared according to the update of the holding information. Therefore, it is possible to perform processing conveniently by sharing a portion related to a function executable by the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 8 further includes an operation history storage step for storing an operation history by the operation input means for operating the image forming apparatus, as in the invention according to claim 12. The operation history stored in the storage step may be stored as retained information. As a result, in another peer connected to the peer-to-peer system, processing corresponding to the operation history can be easily performed, and convenient processing is possible.

  Further, according to the invention described in any one of claims 10 to 12, the display step for displaying the creation information stored in the storage step and the use frequency of the creation information as in the invention described in claim 13. And a change step for changing the order in which the creation information is displayed in the display step according to the detection result of the frequency detection step, and the update step reflects the change result of the change step In this way, the holding information may be updated. Accordingly, the display according to the use frequency of the creation information can be confirmed by other peers connected to the peer-to-peer system, and the creation information displayed in the display step can be conveniently used.

  In the case where schedule information is stored as the creation information stored in the storage step, the warm-up for returning from the standby state based on the schedule information stored in the storage step as in the invention described in claim 14. In addition, the image forming apparatus connected to the peer-to-peer system can be warmed up according to the schedule, and the waiting time due to the warm-up can be reduced.

  The information processing program according to claim 15 is an information processing that causes an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system that is connected to a plurality of devices and can share information held for each device to execute the following information processing. In the program, the processing includes a sharing step for sharing the holding information held by the image forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system, and the holding for detecting an update of the holding information and sharing in the sharing step. And an update step for updating the information according to the detected update content.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the sharing step, the holding information held by the image forming apparatus is shared on the peer-to-peer system.

  For example, as in the invention described in claim 16, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection step of detecting the occupation state of the image forming apparatus, and the occupation state detected in the detection step is retained as retained information. The occupancy state can be confirmed with a peer connected to the peer-to-peer system. Further, as in the invention described in claim 17, further comprising a storage step of storing creation information created in advance, and holding the creation information stored in the storage step as retention information, whereby the creation information is stored in a peer-to-peer system. Can be used with peers connected to The creation information stored in the storage step at this time is template information (for example, a previously created document template, setting of the image forming apparatus, job template, job flow template, etc.) as in the invention described in claim 18. Form information (for example, facsimile or mail form), destination information (for example, mail destination or facsimile destination), processing procedure information (for example, processing procedures such as a plurality of functions included in the image forming apparatus) And at least one piece of creation information of schedule information can be applied.

  In the update step, the update of the holding information is detected, and the holding information shared in the sharing step is updated according to the detected update content.

  Therefore, it is possible to share holding information held by the image forming apparatus, which is a part related to functions executable by the image forming apparatus, in the peer-to-peer system, and update the holding information shared according to the update of the holding information. Therefore, it is possible to perform processing conveniently by sharing a portion related to a function executable by the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 15 further includes an operation history storage step for storing an operation history by an operation input means for operating the image forming apparatus, as in the invention according to claim 19. The operation history stored in the storage step may be stored as retained information. As a result, in another peer connected to the peer-to-peer system, processing corresponding to the operation history can be easily performed, and convenient processing is possible.

  Further, in the invention according to any one of claims 17 to 19, as in the invention according to claim 20, the display step of displaying the creation information stored in the storage step, and the frequency of use of the creation information And a change step for changing the order in which the creation information is displayed in the display step according to the detection result of the frequency detection step, and the update step reflects the change result of the change step In this way, the holding information may be updated. Accordingly, the display according to the use frequency of the creation information can be confirmed by other peers connected to the peer-to-peer system, and the creation information displayed in the display step can be conveniently used.

  In the case where schedule information is stored as the creation information stored in the storage step, the warm-up for returning from the standby state based on the schedule information stored in the storage step as in the invention described in claim 21. In addition, the image forming apparatus connected to the peer-to-peer system can be warmed up according to the schedule, and the waiting time due to the warm-up can be reduced.

  The peer-to-peer system according to claim 22 is a peer-to-peer system configured by connecting a plurality of peers, and includes the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a peer. It is a feature.

  According to the invention described in claim 22, the peer-to-peer system in which a plurality of peers are connected includes the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a peer. As described above, it is possible to perform processing conveniently by sharing a portion related to a function executable by the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the held information held by the image forming apparatus is shared by the peer-to-peer system, the update of the held information is detected, and the shared held information is updated according to the detected update content. By doing so, there is an effect that it is possible to perform processing conveniently by sharing a portion related to a function executable by the image forming apparatus.

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

  First, a P2P network applicable to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 conceptually shows the network configuration of the P2P network 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the P2P network 10 has a configuration in which the peers 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> G are virtually connected to each other. In practice, for example, the peers 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> C are peers that are under access restriction by the firewall 14. The peers 12C to 12E may be peers connected to the Internet, and the peers 12E to 12G may be peers whose addresses are translated by NAT (Network Address Translation).

  There are various connection methods between peers, such as using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) connection using IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) or IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) functions, or using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). Or SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) can be used.

  Here, the term “peer” refers to, for example, a computer such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a mobile phone, a printer, a copier, a hardware such as a multi-function machine having a plurality of these functions, or these functions. Software. Also, each peer can participate in a P2P network regardless of whether it is of the same type or a different type.

  As a form of the P2P network, as shown in FIG. 2, a pure P2P in which all of the peers 14A to 14K are in an equal relationship and a server 14S as shown in FIG. For other services, there is a hybrid P2P form in which the peers 14A to 14H are realized in an equal relationship with respect to other services, and the present invention can be applied to any form.

  Also, users or peers who log on to each peer that participates in the P2P network can configure groups according to the purpose, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, all of the peers 12A to 12G belong to the group 1, and the peers 12A, 12C, 12E, and 12F belong to the group 2, and the peers 12B, 12E, 12F, and 12G belong to the group 3. Each user or peer may belong to a single group or may belong to a plurality of groups. Also, a user or peer does not necessarily have to belong to a group.

  FIG. 5 shows the basic configuration of each peer participating in the P2P network 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the peer 12 includes a P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, a P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18, an application execution unit 20, and an application memory 22.

  The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 includes a message control unit 24, a data management unit 26, a transmission unit 28, and a reception unit 30.

  The transmission unit 28 transmits the message received from the message control unit 24 toward the network 32.

  The receiving unit 30 receives data necessary for its own peer among data transmitted and received in the P2P network 10. It is always in a reception standby state, receives various requests and data from other peers of the P2P network 10, and passes them to the message control unit 24. The transmitter 28 operates independently and in parallel.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the message control unit 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the message control unit 24 includes a service execution unit 34 and a message dispatch unit 36.

  The service execution unit 34 includes a peer search service unit 38, a notification information disclosure service unit 40, a notification information acquisition service unit 42, a group management service unit 44, a user management service unit 46, and a peer management service unit 48. Each service unit executes each service while exchanging information with each other.

  The peer search service unit 38 has a function of searching for a peer participating in the P2P network and a function of searching for a peer that can provide a service (function) required by the peer. The search range can be controlled by designating the name and attribute of the required service, the threshold value for the number of hops, and the like. Here, the number of hops is the number of peers through which a message is transmitted.

  The notification information disclosure service unit 40 has a function of publishing information such as services that can be provided by its own peer on the P2P network as notification information. Here, the services that can be provided include, for example, a group management service and a user management service, which will be described later, in addition to an application executed by the application execution unit 20. The announcement information may be disclosed, for example, when there is an inquiry from another peer, when the own peer is activated, or periodically.

  In this way, the announcement information is published on the P2P network by the announcement information disclosure service unit 40 of each peer, so what kind of service each peer participating in the P2P network can use on the P2P network can be determined. I can grasp it.

  The notification information acquisition service unit 42 acquires the notification information transmitted from the peer searched by the peer search service unit 38 or the notification information spontaneously transmitted from another peer, and passes it to the data management unit 26. The data management unit 26 stores the acquired notification information in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 as peer information. Thereby, the peer can grasp what service is provided by other peers participating in the P2P network.

  The group management service unit 44 has a function of managing participation in or withdrawal from a group composed of peers having the same purpose, creation of a new group, and the like based on group information. The group information is, for example, information representing a correspondence relationship between at least a group ID and a user ID, and is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18. By referring to this group information, it is possible to grasp which user belongs to which group.

  The user management service unit 46 has a function of managing user information. The user information includes, for example, logon information indicating a correspondence relationship between a peer ID and a user ID logged on to the peer, information on the user such as a user name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, and a mail address. It includes information such as the group ID of the group to which it belongs and is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18.

  The peer management service unit 48 has a function of managing peer information of peers participating in the P2P network.

  The message dispatch unit 36 analyzes a message from the application execution unit 20 and a message transmitted / received to / from another peer, and passes control to a service unit that should perform processing related to the analyzed message in the service execution unit 34.

  The P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 stores route information 18A, group information 18B, adjacent information 18C, peer information 18D, and user information 18E.

  The route information 18A includes information on a route in the P2P network, for example, information related to a spanning tree described later.

  As described above, the group information 18B is information representing a correspondence relationship between at least a group ID and a user ID, for example.

  The adjacency information 18C includes information on a peer adjacent to the own peer, for example, information such as a peer ID. Here, the adjacent peer can be, for example, a peer within a predetermined time that is a response time for a packet transmitted from the own peer. The adjacent information can be generated based on, for example, a response time obtained in a process of communicating with another peer, but may be set manually by an operator's operation or the like.

  The peer information 18D is information related to the peer searched by the peer search service unit 38, for example, information such as a peer ID, information related to a service provided by each peer on the P2P network acquired by the notification information acquisition service unit 42, etc. including. Here, for example, an IP address or a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) can be used as the peer ID.

  As described above, the user information 18E includes user logon information, information about the user himself, and the like.

  The application execution unit 20 executes various applications, and transmits and receives messages to and from other peers via the message control unit 24. The application memory 22 is a memory for storing various types of information related to the execution of the application execution unit 20.

  Next, a specific example in the case where the target service is searched and executed in the P2P network will be described.

  First, in a P2P network comprising a peer with a transfer function that has a function of transferring a message to another peer and an end peer that does not have a transfer function and that transmits and receives messages to and from another peer via the peer with a transfer function Processing executed by the peer peer and end peer P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 will be described. In addition, the peer with a transfer function has a configuration in which the service execution unit 34 includes a transfer function service unit (not shown).

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the end peer, and FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the peer with transfer function.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step 100, the end peer sends a search request for a peer with a forwarding function to, for example, another peer with a forwarding function set in the setting information stored in the peer in advance, It transmits to the peer-to-peer network to other peers with a transfer function by broadcasting. This is executed by the peer search service unit 38.

  In step 102, it is determined whether or not there is a transfer function peer. If there is a transfer function peer, the process proceeds to step 104. If there is no transfer function peer, the process proceeds to step 102. Return, for example, search for a peer with a transfer function again after a predetermined time.

  In step 104, a request is made to the peer with transfer function to acquire notification information of the other peer logged on by the user logged on to the peer or another user belonging to the group to which the peer belongs. This is executed by the notification information acquisition service unit 42.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not the notification information has been received from the peer with transfer function. If not received, the process proceeds to step 110. If received, the received notification information is changed to step 108 in step 108. It is stored as peer information 18D in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18.

  In step 110, it is determined whether a service request has occurred. For example, when an application is executed by the application execution unit 20 by an operation of a user logged on to the peer and a service request is generated, the service request is notified from the application execution unit 20 to the message control unit 24. In this case, the process proceeds to step 112. If a service request has not occurred, the process proceeds to step 116.

  In step 112, a message corresponding to the generated service request is created and transmitted to the peer with transfer function. For example, when the service request from the application execution unit 20 is a request to acquire a desired file, a file search including information for specifying the desired file such as a file name notified from the application execution unit 20 Send a request message to a peer with forwarding capability.

  In step 114, response processing for the transmitted message is performed. That is, a response message for the transmitted message is received, and processing corresponding to the content of the received response message is performed. For example, if the service request is a request to acquire a predetermined file, if there is a peer that owns the file, the peer information is received as a response message, and this is sent to the application execution unit 20. Notice. In this case, the application execution unit 20 requests the message control unit 24 to transmit a file transmission request to the peer that owns the desired file based on the received peer information. Thereby, a desired file can be acquired.

  In step 116, it is determined whether or not a request message for requesting some service provision or information provision from another peer is received from the peer with transfer function. If the request message has been received, the process proceeds to step 118. If the request message has not been received, the process returns to step 106 and the same processing as described above is repeated.

  In step 118, processing for the request is executed. In step 120, a message corresponding to the processing result is transmitted to the peer with transfer function. For example, when a file search request message is received from another peer, the request message is passed to the application execution unit 20 that executes file search. As a result, the file search is executed in the application execution unit 20 and the search result is notified to the message control unit 24. The message control unit 24 creates a response message based on the search result notified from the application execution unit 20, and transmits the response message to the transmission source peer of the file search request message. For example, if the file can be searched, a response message including information such as the peer ID of the own peer is created and transmitted to the peer that is the transmission source of the file search request message. Thus, the transmission source peer can confirm whether or not a desired file has been searched.

  Next, processing executed by the peer with a transfer function will be described.

  First, in step 200 shown in FIG. 8, the peer with a forwarding function is connected to another peer with a forwarding function set in the setting information stored in advance in its own peer, or another peer with a forwarding function by multicast or broadcast, for example. Requests to transmit various information such as group information and user information, and obtains the information. The acquired information is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18. Thereby, it is possible to obtain information on the peers constituting the P2P network and information on logged-on users.

  In step 202, the adjacent information 18C stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 is notified to all peers with a transfer function adjacent to the peer. The adjacency information 18C includes at least information on a peer with a transfer function next to its own peer, and further includes adjacency information if adjacent information possessed by another peer has already been acquired. .

  In step 204, the neighboring peer with transfer function is requested to acquire the neighbor information and is acquired. In this way, neighbor information is exchanged with a peer with a transfer function next to the peer.

In step 206, configuration information of the spanning tree is generated based on the exchanged adjacent information, and is stored as route information in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18. Here, the spanning tree represents a route in which a message transfer route has a tree structure without a loop. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the P2P network has a transfer function that belongs only to group 1, a transfer function peer 50 ₁ that belongs only to group 2, a transfer function peer 50 ₂ that belongs only to group 2, and a transfer function that belongs to any of groups 1 and ₂ . It is assumed that the attached peer 50 ₁₂ , the peer 50 _n with a transfer function that does not belong to any group, and end peers (not shown in FIG. 9) that exist behind these peers with the transfer function. In this case, the spanning tree is a tree-structured path without a loop as shown in FIG.

  In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not a message transmission request from the end peer has been received. If received, the process proceeds to step 210. If not received, the process proceeds to step 212.

  In step 210, the message is transferred based on the path information as the configuration information of the spanning tree. For example, in the case where a network as shown in FIG. 9A is constructed, a case where the end peer belongs to, for example, group 1 and a request message for group 1 is transmitted to the peer with transfer function will be described. In this case, the forwarding peer includes all the forwarding peers responsible for forwarding messages to end peers belonging to group 1, and a spanning tree in which messages are forwarded to all the forwarding peers, for example, A spanning tree as shown in FIG. 9C is calculated based on the path information. Then, the forwarding function peer forwards the request message from the end peer to all the neighboring forwarding function peers based on the calculated spanning tree. As a result, the message is transferred to peers with a transfer function on the spanning tree shown in FIG. 9C, and the message is transferred to all end peers of group 1. When a message transmission request for group 2 is transmitted to a peer with a transfer function, a spanning tree as shown in FIG. 9D is calculated.

  In the next step 212, it is determined whether or not a message has been received from the adjacent peer with transfer function. If received, the process proceeds to step 214. If not received, the process returns to step 208 to return to the above. Similar processing is repeated. Note that it is also possible to periodically return to step 200 and periodically calculate the spanning tree.

  In step 214, if the message needs to be forwarded based on the calculated spanning tree, that is, if there is a peer with forwarding function that does not forward the message among neighboring peers with forwarding function on the spanning tree, The message is transferred to the peer with the transfer function. If the received message is addressed to the same group as the end peer that is responsible for transferring the message, the received message is transferred to the end peer.

  Thus, each peer with a forwarding function calculates a spanning tree and forwards a message according to this spanning tree calculation, whereby it is possible to send and receive messages between end peers in the same group.

  The configuration of transferring a message by a peer with a transfer function as described above is suitable mainly when a P2P network is constructed with a relatively small network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). When configuring a P2P network, messages are transmitted and received between peers connected to different networks via a firewall, a gateway, or the like. Below, the form suitable when constructing a P2P network with such a comparatively large-scale network is demonstrated.

  A P2P network 11 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a plurality of networks 52 to 58, and the network 52 is connected to the network 54 via routers 60 and 62 and is connected to the network 58 via a router 64. The network 56 is connected to the network 58 via the router 66.

  The network 52 is configured to include end peers 52A and 52B and a queuing function peer 52C, the network 54 is configured to include an end peer 54A, the network 56 is configured to include an end peer 56A, and the network 58 is a relay function peer. 58A is included. Note that the peer with waiting function has a configuration in which a service function unit (not shown) is provided in the service execution unit 34, and the peer 58A with relay function has a configuration in which the service execution unit 34 has a relay function service unit (not shown). .

  In the P2P network 11 configured as described above, the end peer executes substantially the same processing as that shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the process executed by the end peer in the P2P network 11 can be considered to execute the process in which the transfer function peer is replaced with the waiting function peer in the description of the flowchart of FIG.

  The peer with a relay function is basically a peer that operates as a so-called gateway. A peer with a relay function first has various information such as group information and user information for other peers set in advance in the setting information stored in its own peer, or for other peers by multicast or broadcast. Is requested to transmit the information. When a message is received from another peer, the message is transferred to the peer designated as the transmission destination.

  Next, processing executed by the peer with a waiting function will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step 300, for example, for other peers with transfer function preset in the setting information stored in the own peer, or for various peers such as group information and user information for other peers by multicast or broadcast. Request to send information.

  In step 302, it is determined whether or not any information from other peers, for example, information such as group and user information requested in step 300, announcement information from other peers, etc. is received. If it has not been received, the process proceeds to step 306.

  In step 304, the information received from the other peer is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18. For example, if the received information is group information, it is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 as group information 18B, and if the received information is user information, it is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 as user information 18E.

  In Step 306, it is determined whether or not a request message for requesting some service provision or information provision has been received from the end peer. If received, the process proceeds to Step 308. If not received, Step 306 is performed. Returning to 302, the same processing as described above is repeated.

  In step 308, it is determined whether or not information corresponding to the request message is stored in the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 of the own peer. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step 310 and is not stored. If so, the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 310, information corresponding to the request message is read from the P2P infrastructure management data storage unit 18 and transmitted to the requesting peer.

  On the other hand, in step 312, the request message is transferred to the adjacent peer. As a result, the request message is propagated to other peers. As a result, a response message is transmitted from a peer capable of executing processing corresponding to the request message.

  In step 314, a response message transmitted from a peer capable of performing processing corresponding to the request message is received and transmitted to the requesting end peer.

  Here, a case where the peer 54A of the network 54 makes a search request for notification information will be described. In this case, the peer 54A searches for a peer with a waiting function, and transmits a search request message for notification information to the searched peer 52C with a waiting function. As a result, the peer 52C with the waiting function transmits the notification information of the other peer to the peer 54A if it is stored in its own peer, and if not, for example, notifies the adjacent peers 52A, 52B, etc. Request to send information. At this time, the peer 52A waits for the notification information of its own peer and the notification information of the other peer stored in its own peer, for example, when the notification information of the peer 56A is already stored. To the attached peer 52C. The same applies to the peer 52C. The queuing function-equipped peer 54C accumulates the notification information transmitted from other peers and transmits it to the peer 54A.

  As described above, a peer with a waiting function accumulates various information such as notification information transmitted from other peers in its own peer, and information corresponding to a request from an end peer is stored in its own peer. Sends the information to the end peer. Therefore, the efficiency of message transmission / reception in a large-scale network such as the P2P network 11 can be improved.

  Next, as a specific example of application execution, processing of the application execution unit 20 when the application is a file sharing service will be described.

  In this case, the application execution unit 20 notifies the message dispatch unit 36 of the message control unit 24 of a file search request including at least information for specifying a desired file such as a file name. The message dispatch unit 36 requests the peer search service unit 38 to search for a peer that owns this file. As a result, the peer search service unit 38 searches for a peer that owns the desired file and notifies the application execution unit 20 of it. Then, the application execution unit 20 requests the acquired peer to transmit a file and acquires it. If the information of the peer that owns the desired file has already been acquired and stored in its own peer, a file transmission request is sent directly to that peer without performing peer search. Just get the file.

  As described above, the application execution unit 20 transmits and receives messages to and from other peers via the message control unit 24 to provide services.

Note that the above is an example of the construction of the P2P network. For example, the protocol described in Patent Document 1, the PX (Peer Discovery Protocol) of the JXTA protocol, the PRP (Peer Resolver Protocol), Known protocols such as PIP (Peer Information Protocol), PMP (Peer Membership Protocol), PBP (Peer Binding Protocol), PEP (Peer Endpoint Protocol) May be used to construct a P2P network.
[First Embodiment]
Next, an example in which the peer configuration described above is incorporated into an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral to configure a P2P network will be described. In this embodiment, a device peer is included as an image forming apparatus incorporating the above-described peer configuration. The device peer may be provided with a single function of a printer function, for example, or may be a multi-function device including a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a P2P network including the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The device peer 12H incorporates the above-described P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10, and information stored in the application memory 22 is transferred to the P2P network. This is shared by the P2P network 10. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  In addition, other device peers 12I are connected to the P2P network 10, and personal computer peers (PC peers) 12J and mobile peers 12K are also connected. For example, the PC peer 12J and mobile peer 12K are connected to the P2P network. 10, an image forming request can be made to the device peer 12 </ b> H.

  The device peer 12H has a configuration of an image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an automatic document reading unit 74, a door open / close sensor 76, An operation input unit 78, a state management unit 80, an image output unit 82, and a control unit 84 are provided, and the entire device peer 12H is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 84.

  A FAX input unit 70A, a port input unit 70B, and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70. The storage unit 70 stores data received by facsimile via the FAX input unit 70A, or a port input unit. Data input via the network 70B is stored, or data input via the network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network is stored. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84.

  Further, the automatic document reading unit 74 stores the image data obtained by reading the document placed on a mounting table (not shown) and reading the document in the storage unit 70, and the image forming unit 72 stores the paper based on the image data. For example, image formation is performed.

  The door opening / closing sensor 76 detects the state of an opening / closing mechanism such as a door provided in the device peer 12 </ b> H, and outputs a detection result to the control unit 84. That is, when it is detected by the door opening / closing sensor 76 that the opening / closing mechanism is operated, another user is operating the device peer 12H, and the device peer 12H is occupied. The unit 84 can detect the occupied state of the device peer 12H based on the detection result of the door opening / closing sensor 76.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs for the device peer 12H. In the present embodiment, the various settings of the device peer 12H. The operation state of the input unit or the touch panel for performing the operation is detected, and the detection result is output to the control unit 84. That is, when it is detected by the control unit 84 that the operation input unit 78 is operated, the device peer 12H is occupied, and therefore the control unit 84 determines the detection result of the door opening / closing sensor 76. Similarly, the occupation state of the device peer 12H can be detected based on the operation state detection result of the operation input unit 78.

  The state management unit 80 receives the detection result of the operation state of the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78 via the control unit 84, and executes the application every time the state of the device peer 12H changes based on the detection result. The changed state is updated and stored in the application memory 22 via the unit 20. As a result, the application execution unit 20 transmits the updated state of the device peer 12H to the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. That is, each peer (for example, the PC peer 12J and the mobile peer 12K) connected to the P2P network 10 shares the change in the state of the device peer 12H, so that the occupied state of the device peer 12H can be confirmed.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the device peer 12H by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  Here, an example of a state confirmation UI screen for confirming the state change of the device peer 12H at each peer will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state confirmation UI screen for each peer to confirm a state change of the device peer 12H. Note that the state confirmation UI screen 86 for confirming the state change of the device peer 12H in FIG. 13 is displayed on the state of the device peer 12H (the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit) by the state management unit 80 via the control unit 84. 78) and updated and displayed on the operation input unit 78. At this time, the contents of the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10 are also updated, and when the state confirmation UI screen 86 is referred to by a peer connected to the P2P network 10, the updated state confirmation UI screen 86 is displayed. Is done.

  In the status confirmation UI screen 86 of FIG. 13, a list of names of the peers is displayed on the left side, and an approximate state is indicated by a circle next to it. For example, a large white circle visually indicates a state of being used (occupied), a small white circle visually indicates an idle state, and a small black circle indicates a power saving mode state.

  For example, when a peer shown on the left side is selected, more detailed information on that peer is displayed on the right side. In this information, static information (for example, information previously input at the time of installation as in the remarks) and dynamic information (for example, status status) are displayed at the same time. In the case of FIG. 13, an example is shown in which a peer “8B5 deep” is selected and detailed information of the peer is displayed on the right side.

  That is, at each peer, it is possible to confirm the state of the device peer 12H (12I) connected to the P2P network 10 using the state confirmation UI screen 86 as shown in FIG.

  Next, a part of processing performed in the device peer 12H according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 14 shows a case where a sensor event occurs, for example, when the door opening / closing sensor 76 of the device peer 12H detects an operation including an opening operation and a closing operation of the opening / closing mechanism or when an operation state by the operation input unit 78 is detected. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the device peer 12H.

  First, in step 400, the control unit 84 determines whether or not the timer included in the control unit 84 is activated. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 402. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 402. 408.

  In step 402, the control unit 84 starts a timer that expires after 3 seconds, and proceeds to step 404.

  In step 404, the state management unit 80 acquires the detection result of the operation state of the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78 as the current state via the control unit 84 and stores it in the application memory 22, and the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 The current state stored via is transmitted to the P2P network 10.

  In step 406, the state management unit 80 stores the current state in the memory included in the state management unit 80 and proceeds to step 418.

  On the other hand, in step 408, since the timer included in the control unit 84 is activated, the control unit 84 resets the expiration time of the timer again after 3 seconds, and proceeds to step 410.

  In step 410, the state management unit 80 acquires the detection result of the operation state of the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78 as the current state via the control unit 84, and compares it with the previously stored current state.

  Subsequently, in step 412, the state management unit 80 determines whether or not the comparison result in step 410 is different. If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 414. If the determination is negative, step 418 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 414, the state management unit 80 stores the current state confirmed in step 410 in the application memory 22, and transmits the current state stored in the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16.

  Next, in step 416, the state management unit 80 saves the current state in the memory included in the state management unit 80 and proceeds to step 418.

  In step 418, the process shifts to the sleep state until the next sensor event occurs, and the series of processing ends.

  Next, a process performed by the device peer 12H when the timer of the control unit 84 expires will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the device peer 12H when the timer of the control unit 84 expires.

  First, when the timer of the control unit 84 expires, in step 450, the state management unit 80 acquires the detection result of the operation state of the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78 as the current state via the control unit 84, and the application. The current state stored in the memory 22 and stored in the P2P network 10 is transmitted via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16.

  Next, in step 452, the current state stored in the memory of the state management unit 80 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 454.

  In step 454, the process shifts to the sleep state until the next sensor event occurs, and the series of processing ends.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the occupied state of the device peer 12H is detected based on the detection result of the operation state of the door detection sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78 of the device peer 12H, and the detection result is updated almost in real time. Then, since the occupied state of the updated device peer 12H is disclosed to the P2P network 10, the state confirmation UI screen 86 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on each peer connected to the P2P network 10. Each peer can confirm the occupied state of the device peer 12H by confirming the updated state confirmation UI screen 86.

  Therefore, it is no longer necessary to confirm whether the user has occupied the device peer 12H by going to the side or waiting for the user to occupy it, and convenience can be improved. . In particular, in the case of a non-healthy user, the user is not forced to move, so the convenience can be greatly improved.

  In the present embodiment, the occupation of the device peer 12H is detected using the detection results of the operation states of the door opening / closing sensor 76 and the operation input unit 78. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the use permission of the device peer 12H is made using a recording medium such as a card in which information for identifying the device is recorded, or the use is made by logging on the device peer 12H by entering a password or the like. In such a case, the occupation of the device peer 12H may be detected by detecting whether or not the card is recognized, whether or not the user is logged on by inputting a password or the like. Further, when a management server is provided as in the hybrid P2P system, the occupation of the device peer 12H may be detected by detecting whether or not the user is logged on. Furthermore, it is possible to detect that the device peer 12H is warmed up by detecting that the device peer 12H is warming up, and to detect the occupation of the device peer 12H, or to detect that the copy reservation is made. The occupation of the device peer 12H may be detected.

Further, the status confirmation UI screen 86 according to the present embodiment is not only information indicating whether or not the device peer 12H is occupied, but also, for example, calculates an operation end predicted time and shares it with the P2P network 10. The occupation end time may be displayed. At this time, the predicted end time also changes every moment according to the situation, so when a plurality of device peers 12H are connected to the P2P network 10, information such as which device peer 1H occupies the earliest is displayed. It may be displayed on the status confirmation UI screen 86. Further, detailed information such as an occupied state, for example, when the platen is opened, during button operation, during document reading, and during printing may be displayed on the status confirmation UI screen 86. This can make it more convenient.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, as in the first embodiment, a P2P network including the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention in which the above-described peer configuration is incorporated will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a P2P network according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, a printer peer and a multifunction peripheral peer are included as the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, a plurality of MFP peers 12L, printer peers 12M, and PC peers 12N are connected to the P2P network 10. Note that other peers such as mobile peers may be included as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the multifunction machine peer 12L. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the same structure as the device peer 12H of 1st Embodiment.

  The multifunction machine peer 12L has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and includes the above-described P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, application execution unit 20, and application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10. Then, the information stored in the application memory 22 is shared by the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the multifunction machine peer 12L includes a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an automatic document reading unit 74, an operation input unit 78, an image output unit 82, a form storage unit 88, a destination storage unit 90, And the control unit 84, and the entire multifunction device peer 12 </ b> L is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 84.

  A FAX input unit 70A, a port input unit 70B, and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70. The storage unit 70 stores data received by facsimile via the FAX input unit 70A, or a port input unit. Data input via 70B is stored, or data input via the network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network 10 or the like is stored. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84.

  Further, the automatic document reading unit 74 stores the image data obtained by reading the document placed on a mounting table (not shown) and reading the document in the storage unit 70, and the image forming unit 72 stores the paper based on the image data. For example, image formation is performed.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the MFP peer 12L by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs for the multifunction machine peer 12L.

  The form storage unit 88 stores a form used for facsimile, mail, or the like, and the destination storage unit 90 stores a destination used for facsimile, mail, or the like. For example, destination information of a facsimile (including an I-fax mail address) input by the operation input unit 78 is stored in the destination storage unit 90.

  Further, the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 is stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10 or the information itself stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 or the information stored therein. Information for designating is stored, and information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 is shared on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. In other words, the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 stores forms and destinations transferred from other peers via the P2P network 10.

  Next, the printer peer 12M connected to the P2P network 10 will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the printer peer 12M. The same components as those of the multifunction machine peer 12L will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The printer peer 12M has a printer function. Like the multifunction device peer 12L, the printer peer 12M includes the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10 and is stored in the application memory 22. The stored information is shared with the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the printer peer 12M includes a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an operation input unit 78, an image output unit 82, a form storage unit 88, a destination storage unit 90, and a control unit 84. The overall control of the printer peer 12M is controlled by the control unit 84.

  A port input unit 70A and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70, and data input via the port input unit 70A is stored, or a network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network 10 is stored. Or store data input via Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84. For example, an image is formed on a sheet or the like based on image data input from the network input unit 70C or the port input unit 70A and stored in the storage unit 70.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the printer peer 12M by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, similarly to the multifunction machine peer 12L, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs to the printer peer 12M.

  The form storage unit 88 stores forms used for facsimiles, mails, and the like, similarly to the multifunction machine peer 12L, and the destination storage unit 90 stores destinations used for facsimiles, mails, and the like. For example, destination information of a facsimile (including an I-fax mail address) input by the operation input unit 78 is stored in the destination storage unit 90.

  Further, the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 is stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10 or the information itself stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 or the information stored therein. Information for designating is stored, and information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 is shared on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. In other words, the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 stores forms and destinations transferred from other peers via the P2P network 10.

  Next, the PC peer 12N connected to the P2P network 10 will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the PC peer 12N.

  The PC peer 12N has a P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, an application execution unit 20, and an application memory 22 incorporated in a personal computer, and is connected to the P2P network 10 in the same manner as the above-described multifunction device peer 12L and printer peer 12M. Information stored in the application memory 22 is shared by the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network.

  The PC peer 12N includes software such as a printer driver 92 and a variable data generation application 94 as shown in FIG. The PC peer 12N includes a form storage unit 88 and a destination storage unit 90.

  The form storage unit 88 stores various form data including images for image formation by the multifunction machine peer 12L and the printer peer 12M, and the destination storage unit 90 stores an address book including e-mail address, address, name, and the like. Destination data is stored.

  The information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 specifies the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 on the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10 or the information stored therein. The information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 is shared on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. In other words, the information stored in the form storage unit 88 and the destination storage unit 90 stores forms and destinations transferred from other peers via the P2P network 10.

  The variable data generation application 94 sequentially outputs various form data including an image stored in the form storage unit 88 and destination data stored in the destination storage unit 90 to the printer driver 92, so that a destination in a certain form is output. Is changed to give an instruction to form an image (variable printing). For example, as shown in FIG. 20, form data 88A including an image of a background image stored in the form storage unit 88 and destination data 90A stored in the destination storage unit 90 are sequentially output to the printer driver 92. As a result, an image formation instruction is issued from the printer driver 92 to the printer peer 12M (or the multifunction device peer 12L), and an image whose destination has been sequentially changed can be output.

  The variable data generation application 94 can also be activated by the external application activation module 20A of the application execution unit 20. For example, when making an image formation request to the multifunction device peer 12L or the printer peer 12M using a form, a destination, or the like shared in the P2P network 10, the external application activation module 20A activates the variable data generation application 94. Thus, variable printing is performed.

  In addition, the external file monitoring module 20B of the application execution unit 20 monitors a predetermined file directory (for example, a file directory in the application memory 22) and receives new file data via the P2P network. When a file is saved in the monitoring destination file directory and a new file is saved in the monitoring destination file directory, the new file is transferred to the P2P network 10 as shared information, and the file data is updated or deleted. In this case, an instruction to update or delete the corresponding file is transmitted to the P2P network 10.

  Next, processing performed at each peer including the multifunction peripheral peer 12L, the printer peer 12M, and the PC peer 12N configured as described above will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed in each peer including the multifunction device peer 12L, the printer peer 12M, and the PC peer 12N.

  In step 500, it is determined whether or not the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 has received a new shared file via the P2P network 10. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 502. If the determination is negative, step 504 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 502, the new shared file received by the application execution unit 20 via the P2P network 10 is stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10, and the process proceeds to step 504.

  In step 504, it is determined whether or not the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 has received an instruction to delete the shared file via the P2P network 10. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 506. Control goes to step 508.

  In step 506, the shared file corresponding to the delete instruction of the shared file received via the P2P network 10 stored in the application memory 22 shared by the application execution unit 20 in the P2P network 10 is deleted, and the process proceeds to step 508. To do.

  In step 508, it is determined whether or not the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 has received a shared file update instruction via the P2P network 10. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 510. The process proceeds to step 512.

  In step 510, the shared file corresponding to the update instruction received via the P2P network 10 stored in the application memory 22 shared by the application execution unit 20 in the P2P network 10 is updated, and the process proceeds to step 512.

  In step 512, the application execution unit 20 determines whether a new form or destination has been created. This determination is made by determining whether a new form is stored in the form storage unit 88 or a new destination is stored in the destination storage unit 90. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 514. If NO, the process proceeds to step 516.

  In step 514, the new form or destination information created by the application execution unit 20 is transferred to the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, and the process proceeds to step 516. As a result, the form and destination created by each peer can be shared on the P2P network 10.

  In step 516, the application execution unit 20 determines whether or not the form or destination stored in the form management unit 88 or the destination management unit 90 has been deleted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 518. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step 520.

  In step 518, the application execution unit 20 transfers an instruction to delete shared information (a shared form, a destination, etc.) corresponding to the deleted information to the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, and step 520 Migrate to As a result, the shared information of other peers holding the deleted shared information is also deleted.

  In step 520, the application execution unit 20 determines whether the form or destination stored in the form management unit 88 or the destination management unit 90 has been updated. The determination is made by determining whether or not the form stored in the form storage unit 88 has been changed and updated, or whether or not the destination stored in the destination storage unit 90 has been changed and updated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 522, and if the determination is negative, the series of processing ends.

  In step 522, the application execution unit 20 transfers an instruction to update the shared information corresponding to the updated information (shared form, destination, etc.) to the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 and a series of steps. The process ends. As a result, the shared information of other peers holding the updated shared information is also updated.

  In the above processing, the multifunction device peer 12L, the printer peer 12M, and the PC peer 12N have been described as common processing. However, in the multifunction device peer 12L and the printer peer 12M, a form and destination creation function and update are performed. If there is no function, delete function, etc., the corresponding steps are skipped as appropriate. For example, if there is no form or destination creation function, skip without performing steps 512 and 514. If there is no form or destination deletion function, skip without performing steps 516 and 518. If there is no form or destination update function, step 520 and step 522 are skipped and skipped.

  By performing the processing as described above, in the MFP peer 12L, for example, destination information of a facsimile (including an I-fax mail address) input by the operation input unit 78 is included in the destination storage unit 90, for example. This information is stored in the address book storage unit, and this information is transferred to the P2P network 10 by the P2P application execution unit 20 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 and can be shared by each peer connected to the P2P network 10. Accordingly, the destination information can be referred to by other multifunction machine peer 12L and the like, and can be used at the time of facsimile transmission.

  In the PC peer 12N, the external file monitoring module 20B monitors a predetermined file directory, and when new file data arrives via the P2P network 10, the new file is stored in the monitored file directory. When the file data is changed (updated) or deleted, the information is transmitted to the P2P network 10, for example, the address book data of the multifunction device peer 12L is updated, and the new file is updated via the P2P network 10. When received, the address book data used by the printer driver 92 can be updated. Further, when the user of the PC peer 12N changes the address book data of the printer driver 92, the file is transmitted to the MFP peer 12L via the P2P network 10, so that the data held by the MFP peer 12L is also updated. can do. Further, the first page of the facsimile and the form can be similarly shared between the plurality of PC peers 12N, and each of the peers such as the PC peer 12N and the multifunction device peer 12L, and the multifunction device peer 12L and the multifunction device peer 12L. It is possible to share between them.

  Similarly, since the printer peer 12M shares form information and image information with each peer connected to the P2P network 10, data for performing variable printing at each peer is generated as shown in FIG. Or sharing image data and form data as parts. It is possible to generate very small variable print data by imaging the synthesized result and transmit it to the printer peer 12M. Further, when there is a print service (output management service) between the PC peer 12N and the printer peer 12M, even if a failure occurs in the first designated printer peer 12M, other alternative printers can be used without any problem. Data can be transferred to the peer 12M.

  In this way, MFP peer 12L, printer peer 12M, PC peer 12N, etc. are connected to P2P network 10, and form data and destination data are shared between MFP peer 12L, printer peer 12M and PC peer 12N. By doing so, the address book (facsimile destination data) of a certain PC peer 12N can be shared with the address book of the MFP peer 12L, and even when a facsimile is transmitted from a paper document, it can be easily transmitted to the same destination, The form of the first page of the facsimile of the peer 12N can be shared between the printer drivers 92 of the PC peer 12N, so that anyone can send the same form, or the form of the first page of the facsimile of a certain multifunction machine peer 12L It can also be used by the MFP peer 12L or when a form change occurs (such as an organization name change ), When a modified form is easily installed on all PC peers 12N, multifunction machine peers 12L, and printer peers 12M, or when variable printing is performed, the forms downloaded to a certain printer peer 12M The image data such as letterheads and logos that are used by the other printer peer 12M or downloaded to a certain printer peer 12M can also be used by other printer peers 12M.

Further, when a failure (for example, when the paper runs out or when the toner runs out) occurs during printing of the variable print data being output to a certain printer peer 12M by the printer management system. Conventionally, the alternative printing could hardly be performed by another printer, but the form and image data can be shared by the other printer peers 12M, so that the alternative printing can be performed by the printer management system.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, as in the first embodiment, a P2P network including the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention in which the above-described peer configuration is incorporated will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a P2P network according to the third embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a device peer 12P.

  The device peer 12P has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function, and includes the above-described P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10. The information stored in the application memory 22 is shared by the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  In addition, other device peers 12P are connected to the P2P network 10, and other peers such as a personal computer peer (PC peer) 12J are also connected. For example, the PC peer 12Q is connected via the P2P network 10. An image formation request is made to the device peer 12P.

  Further, the device peer 12P has a configuration of an image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an automatic document reading unit 74, an operation input unit 78, An operation history storage unit 96, an image output unit 82, and a control unit 84 are provided, and the entire device peer 12P is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 84.

  A FAX input unit 70A, a port input unit 70B, and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70. The storage unit 70 stores data received by facsimile via the FAX input unit 70A, or a port input unit. Data input via 70B is stored, or data input via the network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network 10 or the like is stored. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84.

  Further, the automatic document reading unit 74 stores the image data obtained by reading the document placed on a mounting table (not shown) and reading the document in the storage unit 70, and the image forming unit 72 stores the paper based on the image data. For example, image formation is performed.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the device peer 12P by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs for the device peer 12P.

  The operation history storage unit 96 stores the operation input by the operation input unit 78 as a history. For example, when the device peer 12P has a plurality of functions, the processing procedure of the plurality of functions is set by the operation input unit 78, and when the process start is performed by the operation input unit 78, the set processing procedure is used as the operation history. Stored in the operation history storage unit 96. The operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 can be referred to by the operation of the operation input unit 78, and the processing procedure stored as the operation history can be executed again.

  In this embodiment, the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 is stored on the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10, and the operation history storage is performed on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. The operation history stored in the unit 96 is shared. The operation history sharing setting may be, for example, when the operation history is automatically shared with the P2P network 10, when the operation history is shared with the P2P network 10, or when the user is inquired every time the operation history is stored. And can be selected by the operation input unit 78.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of a UI (User Interface) screen displayed on the operation input unit 78 for setting processing procedures for a plurality of functions.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, as a basic copy, color mode (color and monochrome selection) setting, duplex / single-sided copy setting, staple setting, copy magnification setting, paper selection, and the like Can be set on the UI screen 98A. In FIG. 23, black and white is set as the color mode, single-sided original to single-sided copying is set as the duplex / single-sided copy setting, each sort is set as the staple setting, and the copy magnification is set to 100%. An example is shown in which automatic is selected as the paper. When the start button 78A of the operation input unit 78 is operated in this state, the setting value of the UI screen 98A is stored in the operation history storage unit 96 as an operation history.

  As the operation history, an operation history name can be automatically generated or an arbitrary name can be set. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, an operation history name can be set using a job history name change UI screen 98B. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the job history name change UI screen 98B.

  In FIG. 24, a date can be automatically generated by the “job history name naming tool”, arbitrary text can be input with a sequential number by the operation input unit 78, and arbitrary text can be input by the operation input unit 78. In “text input”, the name of the operation history automatically generated and the name of the input operation history are displayed, and the name is set by operating “input / change”. In FIG. 24, recently entered text is displayed and can be selected.

  FIG. 25 shows an example of a job history selection UI screen for selecting an operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96.

  The operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 can be selected and executed using, for example, a job history selection UI screen 98C shown in FIG. In FIG. 25, “job history storage destination” is displayed on the left side, and the job history in the storage destination is displayed on the right side. That is, by selecting a storage destination and selecting a job history in the storage destination, the process corresponding to the operation history can be executed again.

  Next, the PC peer 12Q connected to the P2P network 10 will be described. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the PC peer 12Q. Note that the same components as those of the PC peer of the second embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  Similarly to the device peer 12P described above, the PC peer 12Q includes a P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, an application execution unit 20, and an application memory 22 in a personal computer, and is connected to the P2P network 10 and stored in the application memory 22. Information transferred to the P2P network is shared by the P2P network 10. That is, the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 of the device peer 12P can be shared via the P2P network 10.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the PC peer 12Q includes an image data storage unit 150 and an operation history storage unit 96. The image data storage unit 150 includes image data obtained from the device peer 12P and other image data. Is stored, and the operation history storage unit 96 stores an operation history and the like obtained from the device peer 12P via the P2P network 10.

  The PC peer 12Q incorporates applications such as a job template operation application 152, a job flow operation application 154, an image data conversion application 156, a virtual operation UI display application 158, an image display application 160, and a re-output operation application 162. . Each application incorporated in the PC peer 12Q can be activated by the external application activation module 20A of the application execution unit 20.

  The job template operation application 152 is an application for setting processing procedures and the like (job templates) of a plurality of functions of the device peer 12P. The job flow operation application 154 is used for mail transmission, image processing, and device peer 12P. It is an application for performing job flow processing (processing defined by a job flow template) combining a plurality of included functions, and the image data conversion application 156 converts image data such as image data format conversion. The virtual operation UI display application 158 is an application for virtually operating the device peer 12P and the like, and the image display application 160 is an application for displaying an image. The re-output operation application 162 is an application for executing a process corresponding to an operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 such as the device peer 12P and shared by the P2P network 10, for example. .

  In the PC peer 12Q configured as described above, the external application activation unit 20A of the application execution unit 20 activates the virtual operation UI display application 158, and the operation history of the peer connected to the P2P network 10 using the operation history as an argument. What state can be confirmed. For example, by starting the virtual operation UI display application 158 and displaying the job history selection UI screen 98C shown in FIG. 25, the operation history of a certain device peer 12P is confirmed, and the operation history is selected. Can be executed.

  Further, the external application activation module 20A can activate the job template operation application 152 and the job flow operation application 154, and define a job template and job flow processing using an operation history shared in the P2P network 10 as an argument. It becomes.

  Also, the external application activation module 20A activates the image data conversion application 156, and the image data shared with the operation history is used as an argument to convert the image data into PDF (Portable Documet Format) or DocumentWorks (document handling by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.). Software, TFF (Tagged Image File Format), Jpeg (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group), etc. can be converted into various data formats and recorded in a file.

  Further, the external application activation module 20A activates the re-output application 162, and prints again to another device peer 12P based on the image data and the operation history, using both the image data shared with the operation history and the operation history as arguments. It is also possible to give instructions.

  Next, processing performed by the device peer 12P configured as described above will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the device peer 12P.

  When an operation instruction such as a copy button of the operation input unit 78 is given in the device peer 12P, in step 600, the control unit 84 stores the operation history in the operation history storage unit 96 and proceeds to step 602.

  In step 602, the control unit 84 determines whether or not the automatic operation history sharing setting is set. The determination is made by the control unit 84 determining whether or not the setting to automatically share the operation history in the P2P network 10 is made in advance by the operation input unit 78, and if the determination is negative, a step is performed. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 608.

  In step 604, the control unit 84 determines whether or not operation history sharing is set. This determination is made by the control unit 84 determining whether or not the setting to be shared for each operation history is made in advance by the operation input unit 78. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 606, where the determination is affirmative. If so, the process proceeds to step 608.

  In step 606, the control unit 84 determines whether or not to inquire whether or not to share the operation history. The determination is made by the control unit 84 determining whether or not the setting for inquiring whether the operation history is shared by the operation input unit 78 has been made in advance. If the determination is negative, the process is performed as it is. And waits until there is a next operation event. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 608.

  In step 608, the application execution unit 20 acquires the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 via the control unit 84 and stores it in the application memory 22, thereby allowing the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. To wait for the next operation event. As a result, the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 is shared by the P2P network 10.

  Here, processing when transmitting the operation history in step 608 to the P2P network together with image data will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed at the device peer when the operation history is transmitted to the P2P network together with the image data.

  In step 650, the application execution unit 20 acquires the operation history stored in the operation history storage unit 96 from the control unit 84 and temporarily caches it.

  Next, in step 652, the application execution unit 20 determines whether the generation of image data is completed. This determination is made, for example, by whether or not the image data input from the facsimile input unit 70A, the port input unit 70B, and the network input unit 70C has been stored in the storage unit 70, or by reading the document with the automatic document reading unit 74. Whether or not the generation of the obtained image data has been completed is detected by the application execution unit 20 via the control unit 84. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 654. To do.

  In step 654, the image data together with the operation history cached in step 650 by the application execution unit 20 is stored in the application memory 22 to be transmitted to the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, and a series of processing is completed. Wait for the next operation event.

  By performing processing with the device peer 12P in this way, the operation history stored in the device peer 12P alone can be shared with other device peers 12P connected to the P2P network 10, so that complicated operation settings frequently used are used. Once operated, any device peer 12P connected to the P2P network 10 can use the operation history to execute processing using the operation history.

  Also, by sharing the operation history and image data between the device peers 12P connected to the P2P network 10, one copy is printed at a certain device peer 12P connected to the P2P network 10, and the print result is confirmed. If there is no problem with information such as settings, it is possible to print 50 copies with another high-speed device peer 12P connected to the P2P network 10.

Also, by sharing the operation history of the device peer 12P with the PC peer 12Q connected to the P2P network 10, the PC peer 12Q can use the operation history to create a job template and define a job flow. Convenience is improved. Further, by sharing the operation history together with the image data, the PC peer 12Q can convert the image data into various electronic data (for example, PDF, DocuWorks, TIFF, Jpeg, etc.), save it, and use it. . Furthermore, by sharing both the operation history and image data in the P2P network 10, the PC peer 12Q can change the number of output later, change the duplex / single-sided printing, change the output paper size, etc. Then, another device peer 12P can request re-output.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Subsequently, as in the first embodiment, a P2P network including the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the above-described peer configuration is incorporated will be described. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a multifunction machine peer.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a P2P network according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as 1st-3rd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a multifunction machine peer 12R.

  The multifunction machine peer 12R has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and includes the above-described P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10. Then, the information stored in the application memory 22 is shared by the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  The P2P network 10 is connected to other device peers (for example, multifunction device peers, printer peers, etc.) and other peers such as personal computer peers (PC peers) 12S. The peer 12S can make an image formation request to the multifunction device peer 12R and the device peer via the P2P network 10.

  Further, the multifunction machine peer 12R has a configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an automatic document reading unit 74, and an operation input unit 78. , A job template storage unit 164, a user information storage unit 166, an image output unit 82, and a control unit 84, and the entire multifunction device peer 12 </ b> R is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 84.

  A FAX input unit 70A, a port input unit 70B, and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70. The storage unit 70 stores data received by facsimile via the FAX input unit 70A, or a port input unit. Data input via 70B is stored, or data input via the network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network 10 or the like is stored. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84.

  Further, the automatic document reading unit 74 stores the image data obtained by reading the document placed on a mounting table (not shown) and reading the document in the storage unit 70, and the image forming unit 72 stores the paper based on the image data. For example, image formation is performed.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the MFP peer 12R by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs to the multifunction machine peer 12R.

  The job template storage unit 164 stores a template describing processing procedures and the like of a plurality of functions of the MFP peer 12R, and the user information storage unit 166 stores a job template identifier and access frequency as user information.

  In the present embodiment, the job template stored in the job template storage unit 164 and the user information stored in the user information storage unit 166 are stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10 and the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 is Through the P2P network 10, job templates and user information are shared.

  In the present embodiment, editing and creation of a job template to be stored in the job template storage unit 164 is performed by the operation input unit 78 and stored in the job template storage unit 164. Further, when editing or creating a job template with the operation input unit 78, an identifier such as the name of the edited / created job template and the access frequency (access count) are stored in the user information storage unit 166.

  FIG. 30 shows a UI screen that displays a list of job templates displayed on the operation input unit 78.

  The job template stored in the job template storage unit 164 can be displayed on the operation input unit 78 on the list display screen 98D as shown in FIG. FIG. 30 shows a state in which the templates are sorted in order of template names based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 166. In this case, since there are three pages, if the frequently used template is the template 20, it is necessary to select the template 20 after performing an operation input for moving to the next page.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, a list display screen 98E sorted by the number of accesses is displayed. That is, based on the user information (identifier and access count) stored in the user information storage unit 166, the templates are sorted and displayed for each access count. In this way, when the frequently used template is the template 20, it is always displayed on the first page, and can be easily selected.

  Next, the PC peer 12S connected to the P2P network 10 will be described. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the PC peer 12S. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the same structure as 2nd and 3rd embodiment.

  The PC peer 12S has a P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, an application execution unit 20, and an application memory 22 incorporated in a personal computer, and is connected to the P2P network 10 and stored in the application memory 22 in the same manner as the multifunction machine peer 12R. The stored information is shared with the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. That is, the information stored in the template storage unit 164 and the user information storage unit 166 of the MFP peer 12R can be shared via the P2P network 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 32, the PC peer 12S includes a job template storage unit 164 and a user information storage unit 166 similar to the multifunction device peer 12R, and is shared from the multifunction device peer 12R via the P2P network 10. Job template and user information to be saved. Similarly, the template and user information created by the PC peer 12S are also stored in the job template storage unit 164 and the user information storage unit 166.

  The PC peer 12S includes a job template operation application 152 and a job flow operation application 154, and each application incorporated in the PC peer 12S is activated by the external application activation module 20A of the application execution unit 20. Can do.

  The job template operation application 152 is an application for setting processing procedures and the like of a plurality of functions of the multifunction device peer 12R, and the job flow operation application 154 is included in the multifunction device peer 12R such as mail transmission and image processing. This is an application for performing job flow processing (processing defined by a job flow template) combining a plurality of functions.

  Next, an example of processing performed in each of the MFP peer 12R and the PC peer 12S configured as described above will be described. In the following, description will be given as common processing performed by the multifunction machine peer 12R and the PC peer 12S.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the multifunction device peer 12R or the PC peer 12S when executing the job template.

  When the user gives an instruction to execute the job template in the multifunction device peer 12R or the PC peer 12S, in step 700, the P2P network logon process is performed by the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. In the P2P network logon process, for example, when the user is not logged on to the P2P network 10, the P2P network 10 is long-on, and when the user is logged on, the process proceeds to step 702 as it is.

  In step 702, user information is read from the user information storage unit 166, and job template identifiers are sorted based on the access frequency of the read user information. For example, in the case of the multifunction device peer 12R, the control unit 84 reads the user information from the user information storage unit 166, rearranges the job template identifiers in the order of the access frequency, and in the case of the PC peer 12S, the PC peer The operating system incorporated in 12S reads the user information from the user information storage unit 166 and rearranges the identifiers of the job templates in the descending order of access frequency.

  In step 704, a list of job templates is displayed so as to correspond to the sorted identifiers. For example, in the case of the MFP peer 12R, as shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 84 displays a job template list display screen 98E corresponding to the sorted identifiers on the operation input unit 78, and in the case of the PC peer 12S. As shown in FIG. 31, the job template list display screen 98E corresponding to the identifiers sorted by the operating system incorporated in the PC peer 12S is displayed on a monitor or the like.

  In step 706, it is determined whether a job template has been selected. In the case of the multifunction device peer 12R, the control unit 84 determines whether or not the job template on the job template list display screen 98E has been selected by the operation input unit 78, and in the case of the PC peer 12S, the mouse is selected. The operating system determines whether or not the job template on the job template display screen 98E has been selected by an input means such as a keyboard or the like. If the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 708; Control goes to step 712.

  In step 708, the access frequency of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 166 corresponding to the identifier of the selected job template is updated. That is, in the case of the multifunction machine peer 12R, the application execution unit indicates that the control unit 84 has updated and updated the access frequency of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 166 corresponding to the identifier of the selected job template. In the case of the PC peer 12S, the operating system updates that the access frequency of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 166 corresponding to the identifier of the selected job template is updated. Notification to the unit 20.

  In step 710, the updated user information is transmitted to the P2P network 10, and the series of processing ends. That is, when the application execution unit 20 detects the update of the access frequency, the MFP peer 12R and the PC peer 12S send the user information updated through the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 and stored in the user information storage unit 166 to the P2P network. 10 is transmitted by multicast or the like. As a result, other peers in the same group of the P2P network 10 search the transmitted user information for nearby (closest network distance) peers and store them in the user storage unit 166 of the own peer. Therefore, it is possible to share a job template in the P2P network 10 and display a list according to the access frequency, thereby providing a convenient operation.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step 712 without selecting a job template, it is determined whether or not another processing instruction has been performed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 706 to return to step 706. The process is repeated until the determination is affirmative or the determination at step 712 is affirmed. When the determination at step 712 is affirmative, the series of processes are terminated to perform other processes, Start processing.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed at the multifunction device peer 12R or the PC peer 12S when a job template is newly created or edited.

  When the user gives an instruction to newly create or edit a job template at the MFP peer 12R or the PC peer 12S, the P2P network logon process is performed by the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 in step 750. In the P2P network logon process, for example, when the user is not logged on to the P2P network 10, the P2P network 10 is long-on, and when the user is logged on, the process proceeds to step 752.

  In step 752, user information is read from the user information storage unit 166, and job template identifiers are sorted based on the access frequency of the read user information. For example, in the case of the multifunction device peer 12R, the control unit 84 reads the user information from the user information storage unit 166, rearranges the job template identifiers in the order of the access frequency, and in the case of the PC peer 12S, the PC peer The operating system incorporated in 12S reads the user information from the user information storage unit 84, and rearranges the identifiers of the job templates in descending order of access frequency.

  In step 754, a list of job templates is displayed so as to correspond to the sorted identifiers. For example, in the case of the MFP peer 12R, as shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 84 displays a job template list display screen 98E corresponding to the sorted identifiers on the operation input unit 78, and in the case of the PC peer 12S. As shown in FIG. 31, the job template list display screen 98E corresponding to the identifiers sorted by the operating system incorporated in the PC peer 12S is displayed on a monitor or the like.

  In step 756, it is determined whether a job template has been newly created or edited. In the case of the multifunction device peer 12R, the control unit 84 determines whether or not a new job template has been created or edited by the operation input unit 78. In the case of the PC peer 12S, a mouse or keyboard is used. The operating system determines whether or not a job template is newly created or edited by an input means such as the above. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 758. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 764. Transition.

  In step 758, the newly created or edited job template is stored in the job template storage unit 164. That is, in the case of the multifunction machine peer 12R, the control unit 84 stores the newly created or edited job template in the job template storage unit 164, and in the case of the PC peer 12S, the operating system is newly created or edited. The job template is stored in the job template storage unit 164.

  Next, in step 760, the identifier and access frequency of the newly created or edited job template are stored in the user information storage unit 166 as user information. That is, in the case of the multifunction machine peer 12R, the controller 84 saves the identifier and access frequency of the newly created or edited job template as user information in the user information storage unit 166 and indicates that the newly created or edited application has been created. The execution unit 20 is notified, and in the case of the PC peer 12S, the identifier and access frequency of the newly created or edited job template are stored as user information in the user information storage unit 166 and newly created or edited. This is notified to the application execution unit 20.

  In step 762, the newly created or edited job template and user information are transmitted to the P2P network 10, and the series of processing ends. That is, when the application execution unit 20 detects new creation or editing of a job template, the MFP peer 12R and the PC peer 12S transmit the newly created or edited job template and user information via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16 to the P2P network. 10 is transmitted by multicast or the like. As a result, other peers in the same group of the P2P network 10 search for the transmitted job template and user information to nearby (closest network distance) peers, and create a new job template in the peer's job template storage unit 164. The edited job template is saved, and user information is saved in the user storage unit 166. Therefore, it is possible to share a job template in the P2P network 10 and display a list according to the access frequency, thereby providing a convenient operation.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step 764 without newly creating or editing the job template, it is determined whether or not another processing instruction has been performed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 756. The process is repeated until the determination in step 756 is affirmed or the determination in step 764 is affirmed. If the determination in step 764 is affirmed, a series of processes are finished to perform another process and an instruction is given. Start other processing.

  In this way, by performing the processing in the multifunction device peer 12R and the PC peer 12S, the job template is automatically generated in the P2P network 10 in each of the multifunction device peers 12R, the multifunction device peer 12R and the PC peer 12S, and the PC peer 12S. They can be exchanged, and each processing procedure such as copying, scanning, facsimile, and printing can be easily shared.

  In addition, since the use frequency of job templates can be rearranged for each P2P network logon user, job processing operations can be performed efficiently regardless of the physical location such as the MFP peer 12R and the PC peer 12S.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the job template and the access frequency thereof are shared by the P2P network 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the multifunction device peer 12R for mail transmission, image processing, etc. A job flow process (job flow template) performed by combining a plurality of included functions can be applied instead of the job template.
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, as in the first embodiment, a P2P network including the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in which the above-described peer configuration is incorporated will be described. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a multifunction machine peer.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a P2P network according to the fifth embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as 1st-4th embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  The multifunction machine peer 12T has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and includes the above-described P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22, and is connected to the P2P network 10. Then, the information stored in the application memory 22 is shared by the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. The P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, the application execution unit 20, and the application memory 22 correspond to the sharing unit of the present invention, and the application execution unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention.

  The P2P network 10 is connected to other device peers (for example, multifunction device peers, printer peers, etc.), and is also connected to other peers, such as personal computer peers (PC peers) 12U. The peer 12U can make an image formation request to the multifunction device peer 12T and the device peer via the P2P network 10.

  Further, the multifunction machine peer 12T has a configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, a storage unit 70, an image forming unit 72, an automatic document reading unit 74, and an operation input unit 78. , A warm-up history storage unit 168, an image output unit 82, and a control unit 84, and the entire multifunction device peer 12 </ b> T is centrally controlled by the control unit 84.

  A FAX input unit 70A, a port input unit 70B, and a network input unit 70C are connected to the storage unit 70. The storage unit 70 stores data received by facsimile via the FAX input unit 70A, or a port input unit. Data input via 70B is stored, or data input via the network input unit 70C from a network other than the P2P network 10 or the like is stored. Further, the image data stored in the storage unit 70 is output to the image forming unit 72 for image formation, or output to the P2P network 10 or other networks.

  The image forming unit 72 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on data stored in the storage unit 70 under the control of the control unit 84.

  Further, the automatic document reading unit 74 stores the image data obtained by reading the document placed on a mounting table (not shown) and reading the document in the storage unit 70, and the image forming unit 72 stores the paper based on the image data. For example, image formation is performed.

  The image output unit 82 outputs information held by the MFP peer 12T by performing mail transmission, facsimile transmission, output to an external network other than the P2P network 10, and the like.

  The operation input unit 78 includes, for example, a touch panel, various key buttons, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and is an interface for performing various settings and operation inputs to the multifunction machine peer 12T.

  The warm-up history storage unit 168 stores time information and the like when the MFP peer 12T is warmed up from the sleep state as warm-up history information.

  In this embodiment, the warm-up history information stored in the warm-up history storage unit 168 is stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10, and the warm-up history information is stored on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. The up-history information is shared, and the warm-up of the MFP peers 12T in the same group of the P2P network 10 can be controlled based on the warm-up history information.

  Next, the PC peer 12U connected to the P2P network 10 will be described. FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the PC peer 12U.

  The PC peer 12U has a P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16, an application execution unit 20, and an application memory 22 incorporated in a personal computer, and is connected to the P2P network 10 and stored in the application memory 22 in the same manner as the multifunction machine peer 12T. The stored information is shared with the P2P network 10 by being transferred to the P2P network. That is, the information stored in the warm-up history storage unit 168 of the MFP peer 12T can be shared via the P2P network 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 36, the PC peer 12U includes a schedule information storage unit 170, and schedule information shared via the P2P network 10 from the multifunction device peer 12T is stored. Similarly, the schedule information created by the PC peer 12U is also stored in the schedule information storage unit 170.

  For example, the schedule information storage unit 170 stores various schedule information (for example, conference schedule, going-out schedule, etc.) related to the use of the multifunction machine peer 12T input in advance by an input means such as a mouse or a keyboard.

  In this embodiment, the schedule information stored in the schedule information storage unit 170 is stored in the application memory 22 shared by the P2P network 10, and the schedule information is shared on the P2P network 10 via the P2P infrastructure configuration unit 16. Based on the schedule, warm-up of the multifunction machine peer 12T and the like can be controlled.

  Next, an example of processing performed in each of the MFP peer 12T and the PC peer 12U configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed by the multifunction machine peer 12T. Note that the processing in FIG. 37 is periodically performed at predetermined time intervals.

  First, in step 800, the P2P application execution unit 20 reads warm-up history information in the P2P network 10. That is, the warm-up history storage unit 168 of the multifunction machine peer 12T connected to the P2P network 10 is notified of by multicast or the like, stored in the application memory 22 of the own peer, and shared by the P2P network 10 The application execution unit 20 reads up history information.

  In step 802, the application execution unit 20 determines whether or not there is the multifunction machine peer 12T having the warm-up start time in the read warm-up history information. If the determination is negative, the process is terminated. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 804.

  In step 804, the application execution unit 20 searches for the operating status of the MFP peer 12 T in the group of the P2P network 10, and proceeds to step 806.

  In step 806, the application execution unit 20 determines whether or not the MFP peer 12T that needs to stand up from the searched operating status is in a power-off state. If the determination is negative, the processing is performed as it is. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 808.

  In step 808, the application execution unit 20 determines whether the warm-up time is closest to the self-peer than the other multifunction device peer 12T. If the determination is negative, the processing is terminated. If the determination is affirmative, the application execution unit 20 instructs the control unit 84 to start warm-up at a designated time in order to warm up the peer. Thereby, warm-up is started by the control unit 84 at a specified time.

  When each MFP peer 12T performs the above processing, for example, the warm-up history information shared by the three MFP peers 12T is the warm-up history information of the MFP peer A is 10:10 and 13:10, When the warm-up history information of the MFP peer B is 13:15 and the warm-up history information of the MFP peer C is 15:00, a certain time before the time to warm up (for example, 10 minutes) ) If the power of the multifunction device peer A is off at that time, the two devices, the multifunction device peer B and the multifunction device peer C, are in operation from the warm-up history information of the multifunction device peers A to C described above. Exchange. Since the multifunction device peer B is scheduled to warm up at 13:15, it is determined that the multifunction device peer B is warming up instead of the multifunction device peer A, and the warming up is started. As a result, the warm-up waiting time can be reduced, and the first printout can be performed quickly.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed by the PC peer 12U.

  In step 850, the operating system or the like incorporated in the PC peer 12U determines whether or not a schedule relating to the use of the MFP peer 12T has been created or not. If the determination is negative, the process is terminated. If the result is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 852.

  In step 852, the operating system saves the schedule information in the schedule information storage unit 170, and proceeds to step 854.

  In step 854, when the application execution unit 20 detects that the schedule information is stored in the schedule information storage unit 170, the created or edited schedule information is stored in the application memory 20 and is output to the P2P network 10. That is, the created or edited schedule information is output to a peer connected to the P2P network 10 by multicast or the like.

  As described above, when the PC peer 12U notifies the P2P network 10 of the schedule information related to the use of the MFP peer 12T, the other peers in the group that received the notification receive the updated schedule information in the vicinity (network Search to the nearest peer. As a result, in the multifunction device peer 12T connected to the P2P network 10, the application execution unit 20 of the multifunction device peer 12T acquires the information by applying the schedule information instead of the warm-up history in the flowchart of FIG. Thus, warm-up can be started based on the schedule information.

  Accordingly, the warm-up waiting time can be reduced, and the first printout can be performed quickly.

  The schedule information storage unit 170 of the PC peer 12U may be provided in the multifunction device peer 12T, and the schedule information stored in the schedule information storage unit 170 may be shared in the same manner as the PC peer 12U.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although 1st Embodiment-5th Embodiment were each demonstrated separately, it is not restricted to this, For example, it is good also as a form which combined all, 1st-5th. It can also be set as the form which combined embodiment suitably.

It is a network block diagram of a P2P network. It is a network block diagram of pure P2P. It is a network block diagram of hybrid P2P. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the group of a P2P network. It is a block diagram of the basic composition of a peer. It is a block diagram of a message control part. It is a flowchart of the process performed by an end peer. It is a flowchart of the process performed by the peer with a transfer function. It is an image figure of a spanning tree. It is a network block diagram of the other form of a P2P network. It is a flowchart of the process performed by the peer with a waiting function. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a P2P network including an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the status confirmation UI screen for each peer to confirm the status change of a device peer. The first implementation of the present invention when a sensor event occurs, such as when a door opening / closing sensor of a device peer detects an operation including an opening operation and a closing operation of an opening / closing mechanism or when an operation state by an operation input unit is detected. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with the device peer concerning a form. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the device peer concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention when the timer of a control part expires. It is a figure which shows the P2P network concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the compound machine peer concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the printer peer concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the PC peer concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating variable printing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by each peer containing the multifunctional device, printer peer, and PC peer concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the P2P network concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of UI screen displayed on the operation input part for setting the process sequence of a some function. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a job history name change UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the job history selection UI screen for selecting the operation history memorize | stored in the operation history storage part. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the PC peer concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the device peer concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by a device peer when transmitting operation history to a P2P network with image data. It is a figure which shows the P2P network concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows UI screen which displays the list of the job template displayed on the operation input part. It is a figure which shows an example of the list display screen which displays the list of the job template sorted by the access frequency. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the PC peer concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed at a multifunction device peer or a PC peer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when executing a job template. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed at a multifunction device peer or a PC peer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when a job template is newly created or edited. It is a figure which shows the P2P network concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the PC peer concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed in the multi-function apparatus peer concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the PC peer concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 P2P network 12H, 12P device peer 12L, 12R, 12T MFP peer 12M printer peer 16 P2P infrastructure component 20 application execution unit 22 application memory 76 door open / close sensor 78 operation input unit 80 status management unit 84 control unit 88 form storage unit 90 Destination storage unit 96 Operation history storage unit 98D, 98E List display screen 164 Job template storage unit 166 User information storage unit 168 Warm-up history storage unit 170 Schedule information storage unit

Claims (22)

An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system in which a plurality of devices are connected and information held for each device can be shared with each other,
Sharing means for sharing information held by the image forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system;
Updating means for detecting an update of the holding information and updating the holding information shared by the sharing means according to the detected update content;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect an occupation state of the image forming apparatus, and holding the occupation state detected by the detection unit as the retention information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing creation information created in advance, wherein the creation information stored in the storage means is held as the holding information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit stores at least one creation information of template information, form information, destination information, processing procedure information, and schedule information.   An operation input unit for operating the image forming apparatus; and an operation history storage unit for storing an operation history by the operation input unit. The operation history stored in the operation history storage unit is stored in the holding information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is held as   Display means for displaying the creation information stored in the storage means, Frequency detection means for detecting a use frequency of the creation information, and Display of the creation information on the display means according to a detection result of the frequency detection means 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a changing unit that changes an order of performing the update, wherein the updating unit updates the holding information to reflect a change result of the changing unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs warm-up for returning from a standby state based on schedule information stored in the storage unit. An information processing method for an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system in which a plurality of devices are connected and information held for each device can be shared with each other,
A sharing step of sharing holding information held by the image forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system;
An update step of detecting an update of the holding information and updating the holding information shared in the sharing step according to the detected update content;
An information processing method comprising:   The information processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a detection step of detecting an occupation state of the image forming apparatus, wherein the occupation state detected in the detection step is retained as the retained information.   The information processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a storage step of storing creation information created in advance, wherein the creation information stored in the storage step is held as the holding information.   The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the storing step stores at least one creation information of template information, form information, destination information, processing procedure information, and schedule information.   An operation history storage step for storing an operation history by an operation input unit for operating the image forming apparatus is further included, and the operation history stored in the operation history storage step is held as the holding information. Item 9. The information processing method according to Item 8.   A display step for displaying the creation information stored in the storage step; a frequency detection step for detecting a use frequency of the creation information; and the creation information is displayed in the display step according to a detection result of the frequency detection step. A change step for changing the order, and the update step updates the holding information so as to reflect a change result of the change step. Information processing method according to item.   12. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising an instruction step for instructing warm-up for returning from the standby state based on the schedule information stored in the storing step. An information processing program for causing an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a peer-to-peer system that is connected to a plurality of devices and can share information held for each device to perform the following information processing,
The process is
A sharing step of sharing holding information held by the image forming apparatus on the peer-to-peer system;
An update step of detecting an update of the holding information and updating the holding information shared in the sharing step according to the detected update content;
An information processing program comprising:   The information processing program according to claim 15, further comprising a detection step of detecting an occupation state of the image forming apparatus, wherein the occupation state detected in the detection step is retained as the retained information.   The information processing program according to claim 15, further comprising a storage step of storing creation information created in advance, wherein the creation information stored in the storage step is held as the holding information.   18. The information processing program according to claim 17, wherein the storing step stores at least one creation information of template information, form information, destination information, processing procedure information, and schedule information.   An operation history storage step for storing an operation history by an operation input unit for operating the image forming apparatus is further included, and the operation history stored in the operation history storage step is held as the holding information. Item 16. The information processing program according to Item 15.   A display step for displaying the creation information stored in the storage step; a frequency detection step for detecting a use frequency of the creation information; and the creation information is displayed in the display step according to a detection result of the frequency detection step. 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a change step of changing an order, wherein the update step updates the holding information so as to reflect a change result of the change step. Information processing program according to item.   19. The information processing program according to claim 18, further comprising an instruction step for instructing warm-up for returning from the standby state based on the schedule information stored in the storing step. A peer-to-peer system configured by connecting multiple peers,
A peer-to-peer system comprising the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a peer.

Images