JP2007065785A - Network distributed processing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network distributed processing system and method by which either one of a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network can distributedly process the job to an offerable service suitably. <P>SOLUTION: In the network distributed processing system, the resources of a plurality of information processors connected on a network such as the Ethernet (R) are shared, and distribution processing is made executable. Each information processor stores information relating to an information processing function executable by each of a plurality of information processors by associating it with each information processor. When accepting a job executable by any information processing function, a certain information processor generates a job path to another information processor having an information processing function which is able to execute the job based on information relating to the stored information processing function, and requests the other information processor to execute the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network distributed processing system and method in which a load distribution system of grid computing is applied to a multi-function printing apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a printer and a copier connected to a host computer via an interface.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary architecture of grid computing. Although there are several types of grids, the grid described here is a type called a desktop grid that executes a job by using a free time of a CPU such as a desktop PC.

  In FIG. 1, a client 1101 is a user who submits a job, and the request (job) is passed to a task manager (hereinafter abbreviated as “TM”) 1102, and a dynamic job scheduler (Dynamic Job) Scheduler: hereinafter abbreviated as “DJS”.)

  The DJS 1103 performs overall resource management, selects an optimal resource broker, and notifies the TM 1102 of the selected resource. Here, this resource means that the CPU is free.

  The broker registers the information of the resource that the resource manager (hereinafter abbreviated as “RM”) in the DJS 1103, submits a job to the optimal resource in response to a request from the TM 1102, and sends a completion notification to the TM 1102. Do.

  The TM 1102 submits the job to the optimum broker selected by the DJS 103, monitors the progress of the job thereafter, and notifies the user of the result when a completion notification is received from the broker. Further, when there is a change or abnormality in the resource (for example, a failure or another job is received), the RM notifies the broker.

  The realization of desktop grid computing is that distributed processing is possible by allocating jobs to resources such as CPUs (which are not normally used) that are optimal in such a mechanism.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration when the technology of desktop grid computing is applied to PDL processing of a network printer. In the description of FIG. 1, each module constituting the grid is treated as a separate one. However, when this is applied to a printing apparatus, it is common that a plurality of modules exist in one device.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a client PC 1201 that issues a print instruction (job input) inputs a print job, and the network printer 1202 is provided with TM and DJS functions, and the broker and RM are PC1 (1203), PC2 (1204), and PC3. (1205) has. Thereby, for example, a device configuration to which distributed processing by grid computing using three PCs is applied can be achieved.

  A job (PDL print job data) input from the client PC 1201 is divided into resources of the PC 1 (1203), PC 2 (1204), and PC 3 (1205) via the TM and DJS of the network printer 1202. At this time, an application program for PDL data image expansion processing is also transmitted from the network printer 1202 at the same time.

  Then, the network printer 1202 collects and finally outputs an image for which PDL image formation has been distributed and executed by each of the PCs 1203 to 1205 using the grid mechanism.

Note that the resource to be distributed may be three or more PCs, the resource of the client PC that is the job submission source is included in the resource, or the resource of the network printer on the same network is targeted. May be used.
Hiroshi Kashima, “Applicability of Grid Computing to Commercial Systems”, [online], IBM professional paper. <URL: http://www-6.ibm.com/jp/provision/no36/pdf/36_ppr1.pdf>

  Although research on the realization of high-speed processing by collecting computer CPU power using Grid computing technology in recent years has been active in science-related research, it has not yet been applied to embedded devices.

  Therefore, there are the following cases in a plurality of multifunction printers (MFPs) and single function printers (SFPs) connected to the network. In other words, even if the job thrown to one printer is overloaded and the other printers are not loaded, it is not designed to take advantage of excess resources. Speeding up the process. In addition, since services provided by other devices cannot be used by other devices, there is a problem that it is necessary to select (specify) the device that provides the service you want to use and perform processing. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a network distributed processing system capable of suitably distributing a job for a service that can be provided by any of a plurality of devices connected to the network, and It aims to provide a method.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a network distributed processing system that shares each resource of a plurality of information processing devices connected on a network and performs distributed processing.
Each information processing device
Storage means for storing information relating to information processing functions executable in each of the plurality of information processing devices in association with the respective information processing devices;
Accepting means for accepting a job executable by any of the information processing functions;
Determining means for determining whether or not the apparatus has an information processing function capable of executing the job;
Job path to another information processing apparatus having an information processing function capable of executing the job based on information related to the information processing function stored in the storage means when the determination means determines that the apparatus is not present And requesting means for requesting the other information processing apparatus to execute the job.

  The network distributed processing system according to the present invention further includes display means for displaying information related to information processing functions that can be executed by each of the information processing apparatuses stored in the storage means. It is characterized by providing.

  Furthermore, in the network distributed processing system according to the present invention, the request unit generates a job path for distributing the job to a plurality of information processing apparatuses capable of executing the job, and each information processing apparatus Requesting execution of distributed processing of the job.

Furthermore, the network distributed processing system according to the present invention includes:
Each of the information processing devices further includes a screen storage unit that stores an operation screen prepared for each information processing function that can be executed in each of the plurality of information processing devices stored in the storage unit,
The display means displays an operation screen related to an information processing function that can be executed by each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses stored in the storage means.

Furthermore, the network distributed processing system according to the present invention includes:
Each of the information processing devices further includes screen storage means for storing an operation screen corresponding to the type of information processing function that can be executed by the own device,
The display means acquires operation screens related to information processing functions that can be executed in the plurality of information processing apparatuses stored in the storage means from each information processing apparatus and displays them.

Furthermore, the network distributed processing system according to the present invention includes:
Each of the information processing devices receives information related to an information processing function executable by the information processing device notified from the information processing device newly added to the network;
Update for updating the storage means by adding information related to the information processing function executable by the newly added information processing apparatus received by the receiving means to the contents of the storage means in association with the information processing apparatus Means,
A transmission means for transmitting information stored in the storage means updated to the new information processing apparatus to the newly added information processing apparatus;
The new information processing means includes:
A notification means for notifying the plurality of information processing devices of information related to information processing functions executable by the device when newly added to the network;
Storage means for storing the information updated by the update means transmitted from any of the plurality of information processing means.

Furthermore, the network distributed processing system according to the present invention includes:
Each of the information processing devices
When a new information processing function is added to any of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, an update unit that further stores information on the new information processing function in a storage unit and updates the storage unit;
Transmission means for transmitting information relating to the new information processing function stored in the updated storage means to another information processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, a job for a service that can be provided by any of a plurality of devices connected to a network can be appropriately distributed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a network distributed processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overview of network distributed processing system>
In the network distributed processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, each network device such as a multifunction printer (MFP), a single function printer (SFP), and an image scanner has the following functions. That is, a service database (DB) is provided for storing a list of services that can be provided by various devices connected to the network for each machine. Each network device having such a service DB can perform distributed processing of jobs with reference to the service DB when a job is input from a user. Further, even if the submitted job has a function that the job itself does not have, it can be operated as if it had the function.

  Therefore, in the network distributed processing system according to the present invention, each device can be introduced at low cost as a device with low processing capability and few functions. However, on the other hand, by configuring so that the surplus resources are fully utilized, the processing capability of each network device can be operated so as to far exceed its own resources. Also, a network distributed processing system that can use many functions from any network device can be constructed.

  Further, when a new network device is connected, the new network device notifies each of the already connected network devices of a service that can be provided, and the service DB of each network device reports its service DB in response to the notification. Configure to update.

<First embodiment>
In the first embodiment, MFPs, SFPs, and scanners, which are a plurality of network devices to be subjected to grid computing, are connected to a network via interconnectable interfaces. Each of the plurality of network MFPs, SFPs, and scanners can operate as a management node that requests distributed processing, and can also operate as a processing node that receives distributed processing, performs processing, and returns the result. Suppose there is.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described as a distributed processing system including a network MFP.

[Hardware configuration of network MFP]
FIG. 3 is an external view of a network MFP having a copy function in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a scanner 201, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper as a document, and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to generate raster image data.

  When the user sets original paper on the tray 203 of the original feeder 204 and instructs the start of reading in the operation unit 202, the controller CPU of the network printer gives an instruction to the scanner 201. The feeder 203 feeds original sheets one by one, and the scanner 201 performs an original image reading operation. The operation unit 202 is a user interface for specifying setting instructions, status display, and various operation settings during a copy operation.

  The printer engine 103 as an image output device is a part that prints raster image data on paper. The methods include electrophotographic methods using a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive belt, and ink jet methods in which an ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array to directly print an image on a sheet. It doesn't matter. Note that the printing operation is activated by an instruction from the controller CPU.

  The printer engine 103 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and is provided with paper cassettes 206, 207, 208 corresponding thereto. The paper discharge tray 205 receives paper that has been printed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the network printer in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a printer controller 102 is connected to a scanner 201 as an image input device and a printer engine 103 as an image output device. On the other hand, print data, image information, and device information are input / output from / to the host computer via the host interface (I / F) 308.

  The CPU 301 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory used for the CPU 301 to operate. The RAM 302 is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 303 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 304 is a hard disk drive and stores system software and image data.

  The operation unit I / F 306 controls an interface with the operation unit (UI) 202 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 202 to the operation unit 202. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user via the operation unit 202 to the CPU 301. The environment setting information such as the operation mode input from the operation unit 202 is stored in the NVRAM 316 which is a nonvolatile memory. The host interface 308 inputs / outputs information to / from the host computer 001.

  The above devices are arranged on the system bus 307 in the printer controller 102.

  An image bus interface (Image Bus I / F) 305 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 307 and an image bus 309 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 309.

  First, the raster image processor (RIP) 310 expands the PDL code transmitted from the network into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 311 connects the scanner 201 and the printer engine 103, which are image input / output devices, and the printer controller 102, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The scanner image processing unit 312 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 313 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 314 rotates image data. The image compression unit 315 performs JPEG compression / new tone processing for multi-valued image data, and performs compression / decompression processing such as JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  Further, the FAX processing may be implemented by performing image processing using the scanner image processing unit 312. Alternatively, although not shown, an MFP in which a FAX function is mounted via a FAX transmission / reception circuit is also conceivable.

  The MFP is connected to another MFP via a host interface (for example, a network interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) that can communicate with each other).

  When the above-described MFP is a grid job scheduler or task manager (hereinafter, a network printer that divides jobs and requests distributed processing to another network printer is referred to as a “management node”). A device to be a resource of each grid to be distributed is a network MFP (hereinafter referred to as “processing”) that performs load distribution processing based on a service database that stores the contents of services provided by other network devices registered in advance. Select "node") to perform load distribution processing. Further, the provided service is not limited to distributed processing in which jobs are divided, but may be data transfer services such as FAX transmission processing and network image distribution processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining network distribution processing in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the process of processing will be described with the arrows shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numerals 501, 502, and 503 denote three MFPs 1, MFP 2, and MFP 3 connected via a network. Further, the distributed processing service provided for each aircraft is assumed as follows.
-Aircraft ID1 is copy image processing.
-Aircraft ID2 is print image processing and FAX image processing.
-Machine ID 3 is copy image processing, print image processing, FAX image processing, and FAX transmission processing.

  In this network distributed processing system, the above processing is provided as a service in a state where it can be distributed, and the service DBs 504, 505, and 506 of each machine describe that the above processing can be executed (recorded). )

  For example, it is assumed that the operator performs a FAX transmission process with the MFP 1 (501). Here, the MFP 1 (501) is a machine on which only the copy function among the functions described above is mounted. However, referring to the service DB 504, it can be seen that a service for performing FAX processing with the machine ID 2 and the machine ID 3 is provided. The machine ID 3 also provides a FAX transmission processing service.

  Therefore, the MFP 1 (501) refers to the service DB and implements it even if it is a function that is not held by itself (that is, FAX transmission processing here) according to the function for which the service is provided. Behaves as it is. The same applies to MFP2 (502) and MFP3 (503). A network distributed processing system that can be used as a multifunctional MFP from the user's point of view is built by operating the services provided in each service DB as if they were implemented. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen example of the operation unit of the MFP 1 (501) shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The MFP 1 (501) has only a copy operation as described above. However, with reference to the service DB 504, it is determined that the FAX function and the print function can be used, and an operation screen is prepared so that the function can be provided to the operator. This may display an operation screen prepared in advance according to the service DB, or may be implemented so as to receive and display an object on the operation screen according to the service.

  In the screen example shown in FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a FAX transmission destination number designation unit, 602 denotes an image mode designation unit, 603 denotes a resolution designation unit, and 604 denotes a start key for starting a FAX process. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 605 denotes a FAX function operation screen display tab. FIG. 6 shows a case where a FAX function operation screen is displayed as an example. Further, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 606 denotes a copy function operation screen display tab. When the operator wants to use the copy function, the copy function operation screen can be displayed by pressing this tab.

  In the FAX process designated by the operator on the operation unit, the MFP 1 (501) becomes a management node for distributed processing, and the MFP 2 (502) and MFP 3 (503) are used as processing nodes. The MFP 1 (501) refers to the service DB 504 in response to a user placing a document on the document feeder, making various fax processing designations via the operation unit, and submitting a job by pressing the start key. Then, the MFP 1 (501) detects that FAX image processing is possible with the machine ID 2 and machine ID 3, and that FAX transmission processing is possible with the machine ID 3. Then, the machine ID 2 and machine ID 3 (that is, MFP 2 (502), MFP 3 (503)) are requested to perform the FAX processing. Therefore, for example, the MFP 1 (501) generates the following job path.

  (1) In the MFP 1 (501), a document is read by a scanner and image data is generated.

  (2) The read image data is distributed to the MFP 2 (502) and the MFP 3 (503), and a distributed processing request for FAX image processing designated by the operation unit is made. Here, since the character mode for emphasizing the character is designated as the image mode in the image mode designating unit 602, the character can be clearly displayed by processing the edge emphasis processing stronger and processing the eye with a higher density. Such processing is performed. Further, since the resolution designation unit 603 designates 200 × 200 dpi, a resolution conversion process is performed so as to realize 200 × 200 dpi.

  (3) The processed image data after the FAX processing is transmitted to the MFP 3 (503), and the FAX number specified by the FAX transmission destination number specifying unit 601 is transmitted to the MFP 3 (503), and the MFP 3 (503) A FAX transmission processing request is made to

  In the above (2), it has been described that a request for distributed processing is sent to two machines capable of fax image processing. However, if there are two or more machines capable of fax image processing with an MFP connected to the network, You may implement so that a distributed processing request may be carried out to two or more. Moreover, you may implement by requesting a process to one unit.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described how an MFP that does not have the function can be implemented. Here, in the case where the function is implemented by itself, it is also possible to implement so as to perform high-speed processing exceeding its own processing capability by requesting the processing to be distributed.

  As described above, MFPs that have a service DB and are capable of distributed processing are connected to a network, and services that can be distributed to each other are provided. As a result, even if the processing capability and functions of each unit are insufficient, it is possible to use various functions of other MFPs, and the remaining processing capability can be fully utilized. . Therefore, it is possible to construct a network distributed processing system with a low cost, which has a reduced cost, a high processing capability, and a high convenience.

<Second embodiment>
In addition to the above-described embodiment, when a new MFP is added to the network, the distributed processing function and service provided by the added MFP are added to and updated in the service DB of each MFP, thereby improving convenience. It is possible to build a high system.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining network distribution processing in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, MFP1 (501), MFP2 (502), MFP3 (503), and service DBs 504, 505, and 506 are the same MFP and service DB as in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 701 denotes an MFP 4 newly connected to the network this time, and reference numeral 702 denotes a service DB held in the MFP 4 (701).

  When the MFP 4 (701) is connected to the network described in the first embodiment, the MFP 4 (701) is connected to the network, holds the service DB, and searches for a device capable of network distributed processing. Here, MFP 1 (501), MPF 2 (502), and MFP 3 (503) are detected by MFP 4 (701).

  Here, it is assumed that the MFP 4 (701) is a device that can provide services for copy image processing and network image distribution processing. The network image distribution process is a function that converts image data read by a scanner into a format (JPEG or the like) that can be used by a user, and distributes the image data by attaching it to a computer such as a file server or E-mail.

  Then, the MFP 4 (701) indicates that the copy image processing and network image distribution processing can be provided to the detected MFP 1 (501), MFP 2 (502), and MFP 3 (503) in its own device. Notice. Upon receiving notification of the service provided by the MFP 4 (701), each MFP stores the function as the machine ID 4, and updates each service DB.

  For example, the MFP 1 (501) transmits the updated service DB to the MFP 4 (701). Note that the MFP that transmits the service DB may not be the MFP 1 (501), and any MFP may be used as long as the service DB 702 can be constructed in the MFP 4 (701).

  Through the above procedure, a network image distribution function is newly added to the network distributed processing system including the MFP 1 (501), MFP 2 (502), MFP 3 (503), and MFP 4 (701). Also in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the FAX function and the copy function can also function by referring to the service DB, so the display on the operation unit is updated as shown in FIG. The

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen example of the operation unit of the MFP 1 (501) shown in FIG. 7 in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a network image delivery destination designation unit, 802 denotes a protocol designation unit, and 803 denotes an image format designation unit. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 804 denotes a start key for performing network image distribution processing. Further, reference numeral 805 denotes a tab for designating the operation unit display of the network image distribution function. Reference numerals 806 and 807 denote tabs for designating the operation unit display of the FAX function and the copy function, which are not shown in the present embodiment. It is.

  In this embodiment, the network image distribution function specifies FTP (file transfer protocol) by protocol specification, but may be a Windows (registered trademark) network shared folder or via an E-mail server. The image distribution may be performed. In the network image delivery destination designation unit 801, the network image delivery destination is described as an IP address. However, there is no particular limitation as long as the delivery destination can be designated by a protocol.

  It is important to note that the service DB is updated by adding the MFP 4 (701). In addition, the display of the operation unit is updated in all the MFPs, and functions that can be used from any MFP are increased, and the network distributed processing system is improved in convenience. In addition to the functions, the number of distributed processing clients for copy image processing has increased, and the processing capacity for copy image processing has improved as a whole network distributed processing system.

  Next, a case is assumed where the processing capacity in the network distributed processing system is insufficient (for example, when the network image distribution function is insufficient for the MFP 4 (701) alone due to an increase in the number of users). In this case, a processing function that is insufficient in any of the machines in the network distributed processing system is added, such as adding a network distribution process to the MFP 1 (501), and each service DB is updated. As a result, the processing performance can be improved with a minimum additional cost without impairing convenience for the user.

<Other examples>
In the above-described embodiment, a service DB is provided, and MFPs that can perform distributed processing are connected to a network to provide services that can be distributed to each other. As a result, it is possible to provide a network distributed processing system in which many functions can be used from any MFP even when the processing capacity and functions of each unit are small, and the surplus processing capacity can be fully utilized. explained. As a result, it is possible to construct a network distributed processing system which is a low-cost system capable of suppressing the cost of one unit, and as a result has high processing capacity and high convenience in the entire system. In addition, for functions that can be used by referring to the service DB even if the functions are not implemented by themselves, display of the operation unit is implemented in order to make the user operable. As a result, the functions provided by the distributed processing service can be used from any device.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include the following. Floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) .

  As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by downloading it from a homepage on the Internet to a recording medium such as a hard disk using a browser of a client computer. That is, it connects to a homepage and downloads the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the homepage. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. Then, the user who has cleared the predetermined condition is allowed to download key information for decryption from the homepage via the Internet. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, the function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by an OS running on the computer based on an instruction of the program and performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized even after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. That is, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing a part or all of the actual processing by the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instructions of the program.

It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an architecture of grid computing. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration when a technique of desktop grid computing is applied to PDL processing of a network printer. 1 is an external view of a network MFP having a copy function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the network printer in 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the network distribution process in 1st Example of this invention. 6 is a diagram showing a screen example of an operation unit of the MFP 1 (501) shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the network distribution process in 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of an operation unit of the MFP 1 (501) illustrated in FIG. 7 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

501 MFP1
502 MFP2
503 MFP3
504, 505, 506 Service database (DB)

Claims (9)

A network distributed processing system that shares each resource of a plurality of information processing devices connected on a network and performs distributed processing,
Each information processing device
Storage means for storing information relating to information processing functions executable in each of the plurality of information processing devices in association with the respective information processing devices;
Accepting means for accepting a job executable by any of the information processing functions;
Determining means for determining whether or not the apparatus has an information processing function capable of executing the job;
Job path to another information processing apparatus having an information processing function capable of executing the job based on information related to the information processing function stored in the storage means when the determination means determines that the apparatus is not present And a requesting means for requesting the execution of the job to the other information processing apparatus.   2. The network according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display information related to an information processing function that can be executed by each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses stored in the storage unit. Distributed processing system.   The request unit generates a job path for distributing the job to a plurality of information processing apparatuses capable of executing the job, and requests each information processing apparatus to execute the distributed processing of the job. The network distributed processing system according to claim 1, wherein the network is distributed. Each of the information processing devices further includes a screen storage unit that stores an operation screen prepared for each information processing function that can be executed in each of the plurality of information processing devices stored in the storage unit,
The network distributed processing system according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays an operation screen related to an information processing function that can be executed by each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses stored in the storage unit. Each of the information processing devices further includes screen storage means for storing an operation screen corresponding to the type of information processing function that can be executed by the own device,
The display means acquires and displays an operation screen related to an information processing function that can be executed by each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses stored in the storage means from each information processing apparatus. Distributed network processing system described in 1. Each of the information processing devices receives information related to an information processing function executable by the information processing device notified from the information processing device newly added to the network;
Update for updating the storage means by adding information related to the information processing function executable by the newly added information processing apparatus received by the receiving means to the contents of the storage means in association with the information processing apparatus Means,
A transmission means for transmitting information stored in the storage means updated to the new information processing apparatus to the newly added information processing apparatus;
The new information processing means includes:
A notification means for notifying the plurality of information processing devices of information related to information processing functions executable by the device when newly added to the network;
6. The network according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the information updated by the update means transmitted from any of the plurality of information processing means. Distributed processing system. Each of the information processing devices
When a new information processing function is added to any of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, an update unit that further stores information on the new information processing function in a storage unit and updates the storage unit;
The transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit information on the new information processing function stored in the updated storage unit to another information processing apparatus. The network distributed processing system described. A network distributed processing method in a network distributed processing system that shares each resource of a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected on a network and performs distributed processing,
A reception step in which the information processing apparatus receives a job that can be executed by any one of the information processing functions, including a storage unit that stores information related to the information processing function that can be executed in each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses in association with each information processing apparatus When,
A determination step of determining whether an information processing function capable of executing the job is in the apparatus that has received the job;
Job path to another information processing apparatus having an information processing function capable of executing the job based on information related to the information processing function stored in the storage means when it is determined by the determination step that the apparatus is not present And a requesting step for requesting execution of the job to the other information processing apparatus. In a network distributed processing system that shares each resource of a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected on a network and performs distributed processing,
Each information processing device
A storage procedure for storing information relating to information processing functions executable in each of the plurality of information processing devices in association with each information processing device;
An acceptance procedure for accepting a job that can be executed by any of the information processing functions;
A determination procedure for determining whether or not the apparatus has an information processing function capable of executing the job;
Job path to another information processing apparatus having an information processing function capable of executing the job based on information related to the information processing function stored in the storage means when it is determined by the determination procedure that the apparatus is not present And a request procedure for requesting the other information processing apparatus to execute the job.

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