JP2007278873A - Time synchronizer, time synchronization method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set appropriate timing for making the time synchronized. <P>SOLUTION: This time synchronizer stores accuracy information 45c on the accuracy of time measured by an RTC 46 in an HDD 45, acquires allowable error information including allowable errors allowed in time measured by the RTC 46, and sets the time synchronization timing, based on the accuracy information 45c and on the error information so that the times for performing time synchronization falls within a range that does not exceed the allowable error acquired by the time measured by the RTC 46, with the time synchronization for synchronizing time information generated by the RTC 46 with base time generated by an NTP server 50. Furthermore, this time synchronizer finds the time of deviation of the RTC 46 from the base time, based on the base time received a plurality of number of times in performing time synchronization, updates the accuracy information 45c based on the found time deviation, and stores it in the HDD 45. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a time synchronization apparatus, a time synchronization method, and a program thereof.

Conventionally, as a time synchronizer, when a reference time is inquired to a reference time server and the reference time generated by the reference time server is received, the received reference time is stored and managed, and the time from less than a predetermined number of terminals When an inquiry request is received, the reference time server outputs a reference time to each terminal, and when a time inquiry request from a predetermined number of terminals or more is received, the time managed by this time synchronizer (router) is output to each terminal. There has been proposed one that reduces the load on the reference time server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-110562 A

  However, in the time synchronization apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the timing for performing time synchronization for requesting time inquiry has not been considered. Here, there is a problem such as an increase in load because time inquiry is frequently performed if the time synchronization period is set short, and if the time synchronization period is set long, the deviation from the reference time becomes large. There was a problem. Since this time synchronizer does not have information on how much it deviates from the reference time, it is only possible to find a deviation from the reference time by trial and error, and it is not possible to easily set an appropriate time to synchronize the time. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a time synchronization apparatus, a time synchronization method, and a program thereof that can easily set an appropriate time to synchronize the time.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The time synchronization apparatus of the present invention is
A time synchronization device that synchronizes time with a reference time generated by a reference device,
Time information generating means for generating time information;
Storage means for storing accuracy information relating to the accuracy of time information generated by the time information generation means;
Allowable error acquisition means capable of acquiring allowable error information including allowable error in time information generated by the time information generating means;
Synchronization time setting means for setting a time for performing time synchronization for synchronizing the time information generated by the time information generating means and the reference time based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information;
It is equipped with.

  In this time synchronizer, accuracy information relating to the accuracy of time information generated by the time information generating means is stored, allowable error information including an allowable error allowed in the time information generated by the time information generating means is acquired, and time A time synchronization time for synchronizing the time information generated by the information generating means and the reference time generated by the reference device is set based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information. As described above, the time synchronization is set by using the accuracy information regarding the accuracy of the time information and the allowable error information including the allowable error allowed for the time information. Therefore, it is possible to easily set an appropriate time for synchronizing the time.

  In the time synchronization apparatus of the present invention, the synchronization timing setting means is configured such that the time information generated by the time information generation means indicates the acquired allowable error based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information. A time for performing the time synchronization may be set based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information within a range not exceeding. At this time, the synchronization timing setting means divides a deviation time, which is a difference between the reference time per unit time included in the accuracy information and the time information, by an allowable error included in the allowable error information. The number of times of the time synchronization per time may be obtained, and the time for performing the time synchronization according to the obtained number of times may be set.

  In the time synchronizer of the present invention, the storage means may store the accuracy information determined based on a reference time in advance. By doing so, since the accuracy information is stored from the beginning, it is possible to set the time for performing the time synchronization without newly obtaining the accuracy information.

  The time synchronization apparatus according to the present invention includes an information transmitting / receiving unit capable of exchanging information with the reference device, a reference time generated by the reference device received by the information transmitting / receiving unit a plurality of times, and the reference received at the plurality of times. A storage control unit that obtains the accuracy information based on the time and the time information generated by the time information generation unit at the time of reception, and stores the obtained accuracy information in the storage unit. . In this way, since the accuracy information can be updated using the reference time of the reference device, the accuracy information stored in the storage means can be updated to one that matches the reference time of the reference device. At this time, the storage control means determines the information on the reference time immediately after being activated and a predetermined time after the activation when the information transmitting / receiving means receives the reference time generated by the reference device a plurality of times. You may make a transmission / reception means receive. In this way, the accuracy information is updated in a relatively short time from the start-up, so that the accuracy information stored in the storage means can be updated relatively quickly to the one adapted to the reference time of the reference device.

  In the time synchronization apparatus of the present invention in which accuracy information is obtained and stored in the storage means, the storage control means is configured to receive the reference time generated by the reference apparatus a plurality of times when the information transmission / reception means receives the reference time. The reference time may be received by the information transmitting / receiving means in the time synchronization performed at the time set by the setting means. In this way, the accuracy information can be updated using time synchronization, and therefore it is not necessary to perform processing for updating the accuracy information separately from time synchronization.

  In the time synchronization apparatus of the present invention, the storage means stores the predetermined allowable error information, and the allowable error acquisition means acquires the allowable error information stored in the storage means from the storage means. May be. In this way, since the allowable error information stored in advance is acquired and the subsequent processing is executed, the user does not have to input the allowable error information.

  The time synchronization apparatus of the present invention may include time synchronization execution means for executing the time synchronization at a time set by the synchronization time setting means. In this way, since time synchronization is executed within the allowable error range, the time information generated by the time information generating means can be set within the allowable error range.

The time synchronization method of the present invention
Time information generating means for generating time information for synchronizing the time with the reference time generated by the reference device, and storage means for storing accuracy information regarding the accuracy of the time information generated by the time information generating means. A time synchronization method using a time synchronization device,
(A) obtaining allowable error information including an allowable error allowed in the time information generated by the time information generating means;
(B) A time synchronization time for synchronizing the time information generated by the time information generating means and the reference time is set based on the allowable error information acquired in the step (a) and the stored accuracy information. And steps to
Is included.

  In this time synchronization method, accuracy information relating to the accuracy of time information generated by the time information generation means is stored, allowable error information including an allowable error allowed for the time information generated by the time information generation means is acquired, A time synchronization time for synchronizing the time information generated by the information generating means and the reference time generated by the reference device is set based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information. As described above, the time synchronization is set by using the accuracy information regarding the accuracy of the time information and the allowable error information including the allowable error allowed for the time information. Therefore, it is possible to easily set an appropriate time for synchronizing the time. In this time synchronization method, various aspects of the time synchronization device described above may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the time synchronization device described above may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to implement each step of the above-described time synchronization method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the time synchronization method described above is executed. Therefore, the same effects as the time synchronization method can be obtained. can get.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a print processing time management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a time synchronization setting program 45a stored in the HDD 45 of the print server 40, and time synchronization. It is explanatory drawing of the execution program 45b, the precision information 45c, the automatic setting information 45d, and the print log 45e. As shown in FIG. 1, the print processing time management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 20 and a printer 30 that print print data received via the LAN 60, and a function as a time synchronization apparatus of the present invention connected to the LAN 60. And an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 50 connected to the print server 40 via the LAN 60 and having the function of the reference device of the present invention. In the print processing time management system 10, a plurality of user PCs and other printers (not shown) are connected to the LAN 60.

  The printer 20 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU (not shown), and adopts a controller 21 that controls the entire apparatus, a single photoconductor system and an intermediate transfer system, and cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow. Signals can be transmitted and received between the full-color electrophotographic printing mechanism 22 that can be printed using four color toners (Y) and black (K), and a device connected to the LAN 60 as an electric communication line. Network interface (I / F) 23. Note that the CPU of the controller 21 has an internal system clock, and this internal system clock divides the oscillation clock from the crystal oscillator to generate a clock frequency.

  The printer 30 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU (not shown), and adopts a controller 31 for controlling the entire apparatus, a single photoconductor system and an intermediate transfer system, and cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow. Signals can be transmitted and received between the full-color electrophotographic printing mechanism 32 that can be printed using four-color toners (Y) and black (K) and a device connected to the LAN 60 as an electric communication line. Network interface (I / F) 33. Note that the CPU of the controller 31 has an internal system clock, and this internal system clock divides the oscillation clock from the crystal oscillator to generate a clock frequency.

  The print server 40 includes a CPU 42 that executes various controls, a ROM 43 that stores various control programs, a RAM 44 that temporarily stores data, an HDD 45 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and a print server. An RTC (Real time clock) 46 that measures 40 times, an I / F 47 that can transmit and receive signals to and from an external device, a display 48 that displays various information on a screen, and a keyboard on which a user inputs various commands Etc., and these are connected so that information can be exchanged by a bus (not shown). The print server 40 has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation when the user inputs the cursor or the like displayed on the display 48 via the input device 49. The print server 40 receives the reference time from the NTP server 50 and performs time synchronization (hereinafter simply referred to as time synchronization) to match the time of the RTC 46 with the reference time of the NTP server 50, or print data to the printer 20 or 30. , Or receives the contents printed by the printer 20 or the printer 30, and stores and manages a print log including the printed contents and the printing time. The RAM 44 is provided with a reception buffer and a transmission buffer (not shown) in a predetermined area used when data is transmitted / received to / from the printer 20, the printer 30, and the NTP server 50 via the LAN 60. The HDD 45 stores a time synchronization setting program 45a, a time synchronization execution program 45b, accuracy information 45c, automatic setting information 45d, a print log 45e, and the like, which are application programs. The RTC 46 divides the oscillation clock from the crystal oscillator to generate a clock frequency, and operates while receiving power from a battery (not shown) while the power is off.

  Here, the time synchronization setting program 45a, the time synchronization execution program 45b, the accuracy information 45c, the automatic setting information 45d, and the print log 45e stored in the HDD 45 will be described with reference to FIG. The time synchronization setting program 45a is a program for setting conditions such as timing for executing time synchronization using accuracy information 45c, automatic setting information 45d, and the like. The time synchronization execution program 45b is a program that executes time synchronization based on the conditions set by the time synchronization setting program 45a. The accuracy information 45c is information relating to how much the time counted by the RTC 46 is deviated from the reference time, that is, the time accuracy of the RTC 46. In the accuracy information 45c, as an initial value, a time during which a reference time passes during a pre-shipment inspection is set as a reference time, and a time measured by the RTC 46 during this reference time is set as an actual measurement time. ) − (Reference time)) / (reference time)... A deviation time (hereinafter also simply referred to as a deviation time) that is the difference between the reference time of the RTC 56 per unit reference time and the actual measurement time of the RTC 46 obtained by the equation (1). include. The accuracy information 45c is updated based on a reference time measured by the RTC 56 (see FIG. 1) of the NTP server 50 every time the print server 40 is started. The automatic setting information 45d is information used when the setting for performing time synchronization is automatically set without input from the user. The automatic setting information 45d includes the name of the server from which the reference time is acquired, its IP address, and an allowable deviation time that is allowed as a time deviation of the print server 40 (hereinafter referred to as an allowable error). Information etc. are included. Here, a predetermined initial value (here, 2 seconds) is set as the automatic setting allowable error information. The print log 45e stores information related to past print processing including the print contents and print time of the printers 20 and 30 connected to the LAN 60. The print log 45e includes, as information on printing executed by the printer 20 and the printer 30, the printing time based on the time of the RTC 46, the name of the printer that executed the printing process, the printing type such as a photograph and a document, the number of copies, the color, Print colors such as monochrome are included. Here, the time synchronization setting program 45a, the time synchronization execution program 45b, the accuracy information 45c, and the automatic setting information 45d are used to set the print time included in the print log 45e to the same time axis as the reference time of the RTC 56.

  The NTP server 50 is a computer that acquires an accurate time from a UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) reference clock based on a network time protocol, and includes a CPU 52 that executes various controls, a ROM 53 that stores various control programs, A RAM 54 that temporarily stores data, an HDD 55 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, an RTC 56 that measures a reference time, and an I / F 57 that can transmit and receive signals to and from external devices These are connected so that information can be exchanged by a bus (not shown). The NTP server 50 transmits response content corresponding to the request content received from a device connected to the LAN 60 such as the print server 40 to the print server 40 or the like. The RTC 56 has higher time accuracy than the RTC 46 of the print server 40.

  Next, regarding the operation of the print processing time management system 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, first, an operation for setting a time synchronization condition in which the print server 40 inquires the NTP server 50 about time will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a time synchronization setting processing routine executed by the CPU 42 of the print server 40. This routine is executed after the user instructs execution of the time synchronization setting program 45a on the display 48 of the print server 40.

  When this routine is started, the CPU 42 first displays a time synchronization setting screen 80 shown in FIG. 4 on the display 48 (step S100). The time synchronization setting screen 80 includes a time information display field 81 for displaying the current time measured by the RTC 46, an automatic setting input field 82 for selecting whether or not conditions are automatically set, and a reference time. A server selection field 83 for selecting a server from which to obtain a server, an IP address input field 84 for inputting the IP address of the server input in the server selection field 83, an allowable error input field 85 for inputting an allowable error, an NTP server, And a cursor 80a for selecting each column based on an input from the input device 49 is included. The user inputs conditions on the time synchronization setting screen 80 to set a cycle (timing) for performing time synchronization for matching the time measured by the RTC 46 with the reference time of the RTC 56. Note that a time acquisition button is arranged in the time information display field 81, and time synchronization is executed immediately after clicking this button.

  Next, the CPU 42 determines whether or not automatic setting is selected based on whether or not the automatic setting input field 82 is checked (step S110). When it is determined that the automatic setting has not been selected, the CPU 42 determines whether or not each setting value has been input (step S120). When it is determined that the setting value has been input, a process corresponding to the input is performed. Is executed (step S130). For example, when the server selection field 83 is pulled down, selectable server names are displayed side by side, and when a server is selected from them, the server name is displayed in the server selection field 83. Alternatively, when a numerical value is input in the IP address input field 84, the input numerical value is displayed in the IP address input field 84.

  After step S130 or when it is determined in step S120 that no set value has been input, the CPU 42 determines whether an allowable error has been input and whether a numerical value has been input in the allowable error input field 85. (Step S140), and if it is determined that the allowable error has not been input, the processing after step S110 is executed. This allowable error is set so as to be input as an allowable deviation time indicating how much the user allows the time measured by the RTC 46 to deviate from the reference time.

  If it is determined in step S110 that automatic setting is selected, the CPU 42 automatically inputs information to be input to the time synchronization setting screen 80, such as an automatic setting tolerance, a name of a server that performs time synchronization, and its IP address. The information is read from the setting information 45d and input to the server selection field 83, the IP address input field 84, and the allowable error input field 85 (step S150). Thus, the user's input is saved by using the automatic setting information 45d.

  After step S150 or when it is determined in step S140 that an allowable error has been input, the CPU 42 clicks on a setting completion button arranged on the time synchronization setting screen 80 to determine whether or not the input has been completed. If it is determined that the input has not been completed, the processing after step S110 is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the input has been completed, the CPU 42 reads the accuracy information 45c stored in the HDD 45 (step S170), and sets the time synchronization timing based on the read accuracy information 45c and the input allowable error. (Step S180), the set time synchronization timing and the contents input to the time synchronization setting screen 80 are stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 45 (Step S190), and this routine is terminated as it is. Here, the time synchronization timing is calculated by dividing the “deviation time” included in the accuracy information 45c by the “allowable error”, calculating the required number (frequency) of time synchronization per unit reference time, and measuring the time counted by the RTC 46. It is obtained by calculating the time of time synchronization converted to. Specifically, for example, when the “deviation time” is 10 seconds / h and the “allowable error” is 2 seconds, the required number of time synchronizations per unit reference time is 5 times / h, and the time is measured by the RTC 46. The time synchronization timing converted into the calculated time is calculated as 12 minutes and 2 seconds divided by 5 times / h because the time counted by the RTC 46 is 1 hour and 10 seconds when the reference time elapses 1 hour. (See FIG. 6 described later). That is, when the time measured by the RTC 46 is synchronized with the reference time of the RTC 56 every time 12 minutes and 2 seconds elapse, the time difference between the reference time and the time of the RTC 46 is maintained within 2 seconds. It can be done. Here, the longest time synchronization timing converted to the time counted by the RTC 46 is calculated (calculated as 12 minutes and 2 seconds instead of 12 minutes, etc.), and time synchronization is not performed until the maximum allowable error is reached. Therefore, the load on the NTP server 50 can be reduced as much as possible.

  Next, an operation for executing time synchronization in which the print server 40 inquires the NTP server 50 about the time will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a time synchronization execution processing routine executed by the CPU 42 of the print server 40. This routine is executed every predetermined timing (for example, every several msec) after the print server 40 is activated.

  When this routine is executed, the CPU 42 first determines whether or not the time synchronization information 44a is stored in the RAM 44 (step S200), and when it is determined that the time synchronization information 44a is not stored in the RAM 44. The time synchronization information 44a is created in the RAM 44 (step S210). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the time synchronization information 44 a stored in the RAM 44. The time synchronization information 44a is information used when time synchronization is executed. The time synchronization information 44a includes the current time measured by the RTC 46, the activation time when the print server 40 is activated, the previous synchronization time that is the last synchronization time with the RTC 56, and the time that is scheduled to be synchronized with the RTC 56 next time. The next synchronization time, accuracy information obtained by reading the accuracy information 45c, tolerance information set in the time synchronization setting processing routine, time synchronization timing, and the like are included. In the time synchronization information 44a, the current time, start time, and previous synchronization time are read from the time measured by the RTC 46, and the accuracy information, tolerance information, and time synchronization timing are stored in the HDD 45. It is assumed that the data read out is input, and the next synchronization time is calculated by adding the time of the time synchronization timing to the previous synchronization time.

  When it is determined in step S200 that the time synchronization information 44a is stored in the RAM 44, the CPU 42 updates the time synchronization information 44a to the latest information (step S220). The time synchronization information 44a is updated by inputting the current time measured by the RTC 46 at the current time, reading out accuracy information, tolerance information, and time synchronization timing from the HDD 45, and inputting the read contents to each. Do. In this way, the latest contents set in the time synchronization setting processing routine are input to the accuracy information, allowable error information, and time synchronization timing. After step S210 or after step S220, the CPU 42 determines whether or not the current time is the time synchronization timing (step S230). Whether or not the current time is the time synchronization timing is determined based on whether or not the first time is immediately after startup, and whether or not the current time of the time synchronization information 44a has reached the next synchronization time after the second time. . When it is determined that the current time is not the time synchronization timing, the CPU 42 ends this routine as it is. When it is determined that the current time is the time synchronization timing, the CPU 42 transmits an inquiry request for the reference time to the NTP server 50. The reference time is acquired from the NTP server 50 by receiving the response from the NTP server 50 (step S240). In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the time lag from the transmission of the reference time inquiry request to the reception of the reference time is not considered. Note that a process that takes this time lag into account, for example, a process that estimates the time lag based on the communication state and shifts the received reference time by the estimated time may be performed.

  Next, the CPU 42 determines whether or not it is the update timing of the accuracy information 45c stored in the HDD 45 (step S250). Here, the update timing of the accuracy information 45c is set to the time synchronization timing next to the first time synchronization timing immediately after activation. When it is determined that it is the update timing of the accuracy information 45c, the CPU 42 updates the accuracy information 45c based on the reference time acquired from the NTP server 50 and the current time (step S260). The accuracy information 45c is updated using the difference between the reference time at the time of activation and the current reference time as the reference time, and the difference between the time at which time synchronization was performed at the time of activation and the time of the current RTC 46 as the actual measurement time. (1) is used. The processes in steps S250 and S260 are processes for obtaining a deviation time between the reference time and the time counted by the RTC 46 using two time synchronizations immediately after activation, and reflecting the obtained deviation time in the subsequent time synchronization. is there. Thus, since the accuracy information 45c is updated based on the reference time of the NTP server 50, the accuracy information 45c more suitable for the actual use environment can be obtained than the initial accuracy information 45c.

  After step S260 or when it is determined in step S250 that it is not an update timing of the accuracy information 45c, the CPU 42 adjusts the current time measured by the RTC 46 to the reference time (step S270), and sets the time synchronization information 44a. Update (step S280), and this routine ends. The time synchronization information 44a is updated by inputting the current time as the previous synchronization time and inputting the time obtained by adding the time of the time synchronization timing to the current time as the next synchronization time. In this way, the accuracy information 45c is updated based on the reference time, and time synchronization is performed so that the time counted by the RTC 46 is within the allowable error range.

  When the I / F 47 receives print data from a user PC (not shown) or the like, the CPU 42 writes the print content included in the print data and the time counted by the current RTC 46 to the print log 45e and print request. This print data is transmitted to the previous printer 20 or printer 30. When the print data is received by the I / F 23 of the printer 20, the controller 21 of the printer 20 causes the print mechanism 22 to print the received print data. Similarly, when the print data is received by the I / F 33 of the printer 30, the controller 31 of the printer 30 causes the print mechanism 32 to print the received print data. Thereafter, the system administrator checks the contents of the print log 45e stored in the HDD 45 by displaying it on the display 48 or printing it on the printer 20. Alternatively, the contents of the print log 45e are used as information for enhancing the credibility of the charge contents (printing what time and what time, etc.) when charging the print processing.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The RTC 46 of this embodiment corresponds to the time information generation means of the present invention, the RAM 44 and the HDD 45 correspond to storage means, the I / F 47 corresponds to information transmission / reception means, the CPU 42 includes an allowable error acquisition means, a synchronization timing setting means, It corresponds to storage control means and time synchronization execution means. Further, the NTP server 50 of this embodiment corresponds to the reference device of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an example of the time synchronization method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the print processing time management system 10.

  According to the print processing time management system 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the accuracy information 45c regarding the accuracy of the time counted by the RTC 46 is stored in the HDD 45, and the tolerance including the tolerance allowed for the time counted by the RTC 46 is included. The time for performing time synchronization to acquire the error information and synchronize the time information generated by the RTC 46 and the reference time generated by the reference device is set so that the time measured by the RTC 46 does not exceed the acquired allowable error. The number of times (frequency) of time synchronization per unit reference time is determined by dividing the deviation time per unit reference time included in the accuracy information 45c by the allowable tolerance included in the allowable error information. Set the time synchronization timing according to the number of times. As described above, the time synchronization is set by using the accuracy information regarding the accuracy of the time information and the allowable error information including the allowable error allowed for the time information. Therefore, it is possible to easily set an appropriate time for synchronizing the time.

  Further, since the accuracy information 45c determined based on the reference time at the time of shipment is stored in the HDD 45 from the beginning, it is possible to set a time for performing time synchronization without newly obtaining the accuracy information 45c. Further, the I / F 47 receives the reference time a plurality of times immediately after the start and the time synchronization timing immediately after the start and after the time synchronization timing, and the RTC 46 at the time of receiving the reference time and the reference time received a plurality of times Since the deviation time is obtained based on the measured time and the accuracy information 45c is updated and stored in the HDD 45 based on the obtained deviation time, the accuracy information can be updated using the reference time of the NTP server 50. The stored accuracy information 45c can be updated to information that matches the actual situation that matches the reference time of the NTP server 50. Further, since the accuracy information 45c is updated at the second time synchronization timing, the accuracy information 45c stored in the HDD 45 can be updated relatively quickly to the one that matches the reference time of the NTP server 50. Furthermore, since the accuracy information 45c can be updated using time synchronization based on the time synchronization timing, it is not necessary to perform processing for updating the accuracy information 45c separately from the time synchronization.

  Further, when automatic setting is selected on the time synchronization setting screen 80, the user sets the time synchronization condition by acquiring the automatic setting allowable error information stored in the HDD 45 and executes the subsequent processing. No need to input error information. Further, since time synchronization is executed at the time synchronization timing set using the accuracy information 45c and the allowable error information, the time synchronized by the RTC 46 is set within the allowable error range in order to execute time synchronization within the allowable error range. Can be inside.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the time synchronization timing is calculated as the longest time synchronization timing converted to the time counted by the RTC 46, and time synchronization is not performed until the maximum allowable error is reached. However, the timing may be set so as to fall within the allowable error range. By doing so, the effect of reducing the load on the NTP server 50 may be reduced, but an appropriate time for synchronizing the time can be easily set.

  In the embodiment described above, the accuracy information 45c is updated based on the reference time of the NTP server 50 when time synchronization is performed twice immediately after activation, but may be performed other than immediately after activation. Further, the accuracy information 45c may be updated periodically (for example, every other day) based on the reference time of the NTP server 50 when performing time synchronization. In this way, even when the print server 40 is operated without being restarted, the time information can be synchronized with the accuracy information 45c corresponding to the current environment (temperature, humidity, etc.).

  Alternatively, the accuracy information 45c may be updated by acquiring the time from the NTP server 50 a plurality of times regardless of the timing of time synchronization. In this way, the update process of the accuracy information 45c can be executed at a reference time at which the RTC 46 deviation time can be easily measured.

  In the embodiment described above, the accuracy information 45c is updated based on the reference time of the NTP server 50. However, this update process may not be performed. By doing so, it is possible to secure execution of time synchronization using the accuracy information 45c initially stored in the HDD 45 and reduce the processing load.

  In the above-described embodiment, the accuracy information 45c obtained at the time of inspection before shipment is stored in the HDD 45 in advance. However, the accuracy information 45c is not stored in the HDD 45 at the time of shipment and is used by being connected to the LAN 60. When starting, the reference time may be obtained from the NTP server 50 a plurality of times, and the accuracy information 45c may be obtained and stored in the HDD 45.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print server 40 is described as including the RTC 46. However, the print server 40 may include an apparatus (for example, a system clock) that measures time other than the RTC. In general, since the time accuracy of the system clock or the like is lower than that of the RTC, a higher effect can be obtained by applying the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiments, the time synchronization apparatus of the present invention has been described as being applied to the print server 40. However, the printer 20, the printer 30, a personal computer, a FAX apparatus, a recording apparatus capable of recording broadcasts, an electronic device such as a mobile phone, etc. The present invention may be applied to a device. In particular, it is preferable to apply to a device that requires time management and does not have an RTC. Since the time accuracy is low in a device that does not include an RTC, the significance of applying the present invention is high.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a print processing time management system 10. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of information stored in an HDD 45. FIG. It is a flowchart showing an example of a time synchronous setting process routine. It is explanatory drawing of the time synchronization setting screen 80 displayed on the display. It is a flowchart showing an example of a time synchronous execution process routine. It is explanatory drawing of the time synchronous information 44a.

Explanation of symbols

10 print processing time management system, 20, 30 printer, 21, 31 controller, 22, 32 printing mechanism, 23, 33 I / F, 40 print server, 42 CPU, 43 ROM, 44 RAM, 44a time synchronization information, 45 HDD 45a Time synchronization setting program, 45b Time synchronization execution program, 45c Accuracy information, 45d Automatic setting information, 45e Print log, 46 Real time clock (RTC), 47 Network interface (I / F), 48 Display, 49 Input device, 50 Network time protocol (NTP) server, 52 CPU, 53 ROM, 54 RAM, 56 Real time clock (RTC), 57 Network interface (I / F), 60 LAN, 80 Time synchronization setting screen, 80a -Sol, 81 Time information display field, 82 Automatic setting input field, 83 Server selection field, 84 IP address input field, 85 Allowable error input field, 86 Status display field.

Claims (10)

A time synchronization device that synchronizes time with a reference time generated by a reference device,
Time information generating means for generating time information;
Storage means for storing accuracy information relating to the accuracy of time information generated by the time information generation means;
Allowable error acquisition means capable of acquiring allowable error information including allowable error in time information generated by the time information generating means;
Synchronization time setting means for setting a time for performing time synchronization for synchronizing the time information generated by the time information generating means and the reference time based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information;
A time synchronizer comprising:   The synchronization time setting unit is configured to set the time within a range in which time information generated by the time information generation unit does not exceed the acquired allowable error based on the acquired allowable error information and the stored accuracy information. The time synchronizer of Claim 1 which sets the time which synchronizes.   The time synchronization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores in advance the accuracy information determined based on a reference time. The time synchronization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Information transmitting and receiving means capable of exchanging information with the reference device;
The information transmitting / receiving means receives the reference time generated by the reference device a plurality of times, and the accuracy is based on the reference time received a plurality of times and the time information generated by the time information generating means at the time of the reception. Storage control means for obtaining information and storing the obtained accuracy information in the storage means;
A time synchronizer comprising:   The storage control means causes the information transmission / reception means to send the reference time to the information transmission / reception means immediately after activation and a predetermined time after the activation when the information transmission / reception means receives the reference time generated by the reference device a plurality of times. The time synchronizer of Claim 4 made to receive.   The storage control means transmits and receives the reference time in the time synchronization performed at the time set by the synchronization time setting means when the information transmission / reception means receives the reference time generated by the reference device a plurality of times. The time synchronizer according to claim 4 or 5, which is received by a means. The storage means stores the predetermined allowable error information,
The allowable error acquisition means acquires the allowable error information stored in the storage means from the storage means;
The time synchronizer in any one of Claims 1-6. The time synchronization device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A time synchronization apparatus comprising: time synchronization execution means for executing the time synchronization at a time set by the synchronization time setting means. Time information generating means for generating time information that synchronizes the time with the reference time generated by the reference device, and storage means for storing accuracy information relating to the accuracy of the time information generated by the time information generating means. A time synchronization method using a time synchronization device,
(A) obtaining allowable error information including an allowable error allowed in the time information generated by the time information generating means;
(B) A time synchronization time for synchronizing the time information generated by the time information generating means and the reference time is set based on the allowable error information acquired in the step (a) and the stored accuracy information. And steps to
Time synchronization method including   A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the time synchronization method according to claim 9.

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