JP2017024351A - Image forming apparatus and synchronous program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a synchronous program that are able to prevent mismatch in specific setting in a group.SOLUTION: MFP is provided for belonging to an image forming system that has a master machine and a slave machine matched with the master machine in specific setting. If the present master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine (NO in S102), the MFP requests another device in the image forming system to allow the own device to become a temporary master machine as a substitute for the master machine (S106). If requesting another device in S106 is permitted (NO in S107), the own device is used as the temporary master device (S108).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a synchronization program for belonging to a group including a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine.

  Conventionally, as an image forming device to belong to a group comprising a master device and a slave device whose specific settings are matched with those of the master device, the current master device is requested to be the master device. In the case where this application is permitted, a device is known in which the current master device and the device itself become a slave device and a master device, respectively (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-031982

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the current master machine is turned off, or when the current master machine is not connected to the network, the current master machine is the master for the slave machine. If it is not possible to operate as a machine, the application for the device to become the master machine cannot be granted by the current master machine, so the replacement of the master machine is not performed within the group, and as a result, There is a problem that inconsistency of a specific setting occurs in the group.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and a synchronization program capable of suppressing the occurrence of inconsistency in specific settings within a group.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for belonging to a group including a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine. Temporary master application means for applying to other devices in the group that the own device becomes a temporary master device as an alternative to the master device when the slave device cannot operate as the master device; and Temporary mastering means for making the own device the temporary master machine when an application to another device by the temporary master application means is permitted.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention makes its own apparatus a temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine even when the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of a specific setting within the group.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the application to the current master machine by the master application means is permitted, the master application means to apply to the current master machine that the apparatus is to become the master machine, A mastering means for making the current master machine and its own device the slave machine and the master machine, respectively, and the temporary master application means is a result of an attempt to apply for the current master machine by the master application means. When the current master machine cannot operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, it may apply to another apparatus in the group that its own apparatus becomes the temporary master machine.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a case where the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to a slave machine as a result of attempting to apply to the current master machine to become a master machine. In addition, since an application is made to another apparatus in the group to become a temporary master machine, an application to become a temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine can be executed at an appropriate timing.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the temporary master application means applies to the current temporary master machine that the own apparatus is to become the temporary master machine, and the temporary mastering means is currently provided by the temporary master application means. When the application for the temporary master machine is permitted, the current temporary master machine and its own apparatus may be the slave machine and the temporary master machine, respectively.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can perform replacement of a temporary master machine as a substitute for a master machine within a group, and therefore can suppress the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings within the group.

  When the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, the image forming apparatus performs the specific setting of the own apparatus when the temporary master machine exists. A setting matching means for matching with that of the temporary master machine may be provided.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the current master machine, the image forming apparatus operates as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. When it becomes possible to do so, the specific setting of its own device as the master machine is matched with that of the temporary master machine, so that the occurrence of inconsistency of the specific setting in the group can be suppressed.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present invention is capable of operating as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, when the temporary master machine is present, the image forming apparatus is changed to the slave machine. Master continuation means may be provided.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the current master machine, the image forming apparatus operates as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Since the temporary master machine becomes a slave machine when it is ready to operate, the own apparatus can continue to operate as the master machine.

  When the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is capable of operating as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, the temporary master machine and the own apparatus are provided when the temporary master machine exists. You may provide the master change means used as the said master machine and the said slave machine, respectively.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the current master machine, the image forming apparatus operates as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Since the temporary master machine and its own apparatus become the master machine and the slave machine, respectively, the temporary master machine can be continuously operated as the master machine.

  The synchronization program of the present invention is a synchronization program executed by an image forming apparatus for belonging to a group including a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine. When the master machine cannot operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, the temporary master that applies to another apparatus in the group that the own machine becomes a temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine When the application unit and the application to the other device by the temporary master application unit are permitted, the image forming apparatus is caused to function as a temporary mastering unit that makes the own apparatus the temporary master machine.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus that executes the synchronization program of the present invention can be used as an alternative to the master machine even when the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Since it can be a temporary master machine, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings within the group.

  The image forming apparatus and the synchronization program of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within a group.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 showing roles of MFPs to which the MFP belongs. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the slave machine shown in FIG. 2 in the case of applying for becoming a master machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the states shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the states shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the master machine shown in FIG. 2 when returning from a state in which the slave machine cannot operate as a master machine to a state in which the slave machine can operate as a master machine. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 in a state different from the states shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 8.

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming apparatus and a plurality of MFPs having the same configuration as the MFP 20. That is, the image forming system 10 is a group to which a plurality of MFPs including the MFP 20 belong. All MFPs included in the image forming system 10 are communicably connected to each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 showing the role of the MFP to which it belongs.

  The example illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example in which eight MFPs 20 to 90 belong to the image forming system 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 is a master machine in the image forming system 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master machine.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various types of information. A scanner 23 that is a reading device that reads image data from a document, a printer 24 that is a printing device that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus (not shown), and a communication line such as a public telephone line A fax communication unit 25 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via the network, a communication unit 26 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device such as a computer or MFP via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and various data. Semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk) And a control unit 28 that controls the entire MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 can store specific settings 27a that are synchronized among a plurality of MFPs. For example, if the MFP 20 is a master machine, the specific settings of all slave machines of the image forming system 10 are matched with the setting 27a. Similarly, even when the MFP 20 is a temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine, the specific settings of all slave machines of the image forming system 10 are matched with the setting 27a.

  The storage unit 27 can store a log 27b indicating a change history of the setting 27a. The MFP 20 adds the change history of the setting 27a to the log 27b every time the setting 27a is changed.

  The storage unit 27 stores a synchronization program 27c for synchronizing specific settings among a plurality of MFPs. The synchronization program 27c may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or from the network 11. It may be additionally installed in the MFP 20.

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

  The control unit 28 executes the synchronization program 27c stored in the storage unit 27 to thereby apply to the current master machine that the own apparatus is to become the master machine, master application means 28a, the current master machine, and the own apparatus. Mastering means 28b for making the master apparatus a slave machine, temporary master application means 28c for applying to the other apparatus in the image forming system 10 that the own apparatus becomes a temporary master machine, and temporary for making the own apparatus a temporary master machine. Mastering means 28d, setting matching means 28e for matching a specific setting of the own device with that of the temporary master machine, master continuation means 28f for making the temporary master machine a slave machine, and mastering the temporary master machine and the own device respectively. It functions as a master changing means 28g for making a machine and a slave machine.

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

  First, the operation of the slave machine when applying to become a master machine will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave machine when applying to become the master machine.

  The slave device executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 at a specific timing such as a periodic timing. Hereinafter, the slave machine performing the operation shown in FIG. 4 is referred to as “target slave machine”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the master application unit of the target slave machine applies to the current master machine that the own apparatus becomes the master machine (S101). That is, the master application means requests the current master machine to transfer the authority as the master machine.

  It should be noted that the MFP of the image forming system 10 is a master machine, a temporary master machine, and a slave machine for each of the MFPs other than its own device in the image forming system 10 at a specific timing such as a regular timing. Inquire about which one it is. In addition, the MFP of the image forming system 10 is different from any one of the master device, the temporary master device, and the slave device to the master device, the temporary master device, and the slave device. When the change is made, all types of MFPs other than the self apparatus in the image forming system 10 are notified of the changed type. Accordingly, the MFPs of the image forming system 10 recognize each other as to which of the master machine, the temporary master machine, and the slave machine.

  The master application unit of the target slave machine determines whether or not the current master machine is in operation after the process of S101 (S102). Here, the master application unit determines that the current master machine is in operation when the current master machine can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. On the other hand, the master application means determines that the current master machine is not in operation when the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. For example, the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to a slave machine when the power is turned off or when it cannot be connected to the network 11.

  If the master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S102 that the current master machine is in operation, it determines whether or not the application in S101 is permitted by the current master machine (S103).

  If the master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S103 that it has not been permitted, the operation shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  If it is determined in S103 that the target slave machine is authorized, the current master machine and its own apparatus become the slave machine and the master machine, respectively (S104), and the operation shown in FIG. 4 ends. That is, the authority as the master machine is transferred from the master machine to the own apparatus.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the MFP 30 as the slave machine executes the processing of S104 in the operation shown in FIG. 4, the MFP 20 as the master machine and the MFP 30 as the own machine each have the slave machine and the master as shown in FIG. Become a machine.

  If it is determined in S102 that the current master machine is not in operation, that is, as a result of the application in S101 being attempted, the current master machine sends a master machine to the slave machine. If the temporary master machine is present in the MFP of the image forming system 10 (S105).

  If the temporary master application means of the target slave machine determines in S105 that there is no temporary master machine, it is determined that the own apparatus becomes a temporary master machine, that is, other than the own apparatus among the slave apparatuses in the image forming system 10. (S106). That is, the temporary master application unit requests permission of generation of authority as a temporary master machine to all slave machines other than the own apparatus among the slave machines in the image forming system 10.

  Next, the temporary master application unit of the target slave device determines whether there is a slave device that does not permit the application in S106 (S107). Here, when the slave device to which the application is notified in S106 has applied to all the slave devices other than the slave device in the image forming system 10 that the slave device itself is also a temporary master device, the processing proceeds to S106. Do not allow application.

  If the temporary slave application means of the target slave device determines in S107 that there is a slave device that does not permit application, the operation shown in FIG. 4 is terminated.

  If it is determined in S107 that there is no slave machine that does not permit application, the temporary mastering means of the target slave machine sets its own apparatus as a temporary master machine (S108) and ends the operation shown in FIG. That is, an authority as a temporary master machine is generated in the own apparatus.

  For example, when the MFP 30 as the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 in the example shown in FIG. 6, it is determined in S102 that the MFP 20 as the master machine is not in operation, and the MFP of the image forming system 10 is assigned to the temporary master machine. Therefore, when the MFP 30 executes the process of S108, the MFP 30 as its own apparatus becomes a temporary master machine as shown in FIG.

  When the temporary master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S105 that a temporary master machine exists, it applies to the current temporary master machine that the own apparatus becomes a temporary master machine (S109). That is, the temporary master application means requests the current temporary master machine to transfer the authority as the temporary master machine.

  Next, the temporary master application unit of the target slave machine determines whether or not the current temporary master machine is in operation (S110). Here, the temporary master application means determines that the current temporary master machine is in operation when the current temporary master machine can operate as a temporary master machine with respect to the slave machine. On the other hand, the temporary master application means determines that the current temporary master machine is not in operation when the current temporary master machine cannot operate as a temporary master machine for the slave machine. For example, the current temporary master machine cannot operate as a temporary master machine with respect to the slave machine when the power is turned off or when it cannot be connected to the network 11.

  When the temporary master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S110 that the current temporary master machine is not in operation, the operation shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  If the temporary master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S110 that the current temporary master machine is in operation, it determines whether or not the application in S109 is permitted by the current temporary master machine (S111).

  If the temporary master application unit of the target slave machine determines in S111 that the application has not been permitted by the current temporary master machine, the operation shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  When it is determined in S111 that the application is permitted by the current temporary master machine, the temporary mastering means of the target slave machine sets the current temporary master machine and its own device as a slave machine and a temporary master machine (S112), The operation shown in FIG. That is, the authority as a temporary master machine is transferred from the temporary master machine to the own apparatus.

  For example, when the MFP 40 as the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 in the example shown in FIG. 7, it is determined in S102 that the MFP 20 as the master machine is not in operation, and the MFP of the image forming system 10 is assigned to the temporary master machine. When the MFP 30 executes the process of S112, the MFP 30 as a temporary master machine and the MFP 40 as its own apparatus become a slave machine and a temporary master machine as shown in FIG. 8, respectively. .

  Next, the operation of the master machine when the slave machine can not operate as the master machine and returns to the slave machine that can operate as the master machine will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the master machine when the slave machine returns to a state where it can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine.

  When the master machine returns from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine to the slave machine to a state where it can operate as a master machine for the slave machine, the master machine performs the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the setting matching unit of the master machine determines whether there is a temporary master machine in the MFP of the image forming system 10 (S121). Here, the setting matching unit inquires of all MFPs other than the self apparatus in the image forming system 10 as to whether the MFP is a master machine, a temporary master machine, or a slave machine. Therefore, the setting matching unit can determine whether or not the MFP of the image forming system 10 has a temporary master machine.

  If the setting matching unit of the master machine determines in S121 that it does not exist, the operation shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  If it is determined in S121 that the setting matching unit of the master machine is present, the master machine setting matching unit performs a change prohibition setting for prohibiting a change of a specific setting on the temporary master machine (S122). When the change prohibition setting is made, the temporary master machine cannot change a specific setting unless the current master machine can no longer operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. In addition, when the temporary master machine is changed by transferring the authority as the temporary master machine, the change prohibition setting is also transferred to the new temporary master machine.

  After the process of S122, the master machine setting matching unit obtains a log indicating the history of the change of the specific setting from the temporary master machine (S123).

  Next, the setting matching unit of the master machine compares the log stored by itself, which is a log indicating the history of the change of the specific setting, with the log acquired in S123, so that the self machine is the slave machine. On the other hand, the setting history changed while it was unable to operate as a master machine is acquired (S124).

  Next, the setting matching unit of the master machine updates the setting of the own apparatus based on the history acquired in S124 (S125). That is, the setting matching unit applies the settings indicated by the history acquired in S124 in order from the oldest one, so that the state of the master machine is the same as that of the temporary master machine with respect to the specific setting, that is, the latest Can be updated to state.

  The master continuation means of the master machine determines whether or not to continue the apparatus as the master machine after the process of S125 (S126). Here, the master continuation means is used when the master machine administrator has determined in advance that the master machine will continue as the master machine when the master machine returns, or the master machine continues with the master machine as the master machine. If this is instructed by the operator to restore the master machine, it is determined that the own apparatus will continue as the master machine.

  If the master continuation means of the master machine determines that the apparatus is to be continued as the master machine in S126, the temporary master machine is set as the slave machine (S127), and the operation shown in FIG. That is, the authority as the temporary master machine is deleted from the temporary master machine while the authority as the master machine remains in the master machine.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, when the master machine returns to the state shown in FIG. 10, when the MFP 20 as the master machine executes the process of S <b> 127 in the operation shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 30 that was the temporary master machine. Becomes a slave machine as shown in FIG.

  When it is determined in S126 that the master changing unit of the master machine does not continue as the master machine, the temporary master machine and the own machine are set as the master machine and the slave machine, respectively (S128), and the operation shown in FIG. To do. That is, the authority as the temporary master machine is deleted from the temporary master machine, and the authority as the master machine is transferred from the master machine to the temporary master machine.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, when the master machine returns to the state shown in FIG. 10, when the MFP 20 as the master machine executes the process of S128 in the operation shown in FIG. The MFP 30 that was the master machine becomes a slave machine and a master machine as shown in FIG.

  In the above description, the case where the master machine returns to the state where the master machine can operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine from the state where the master machine cannot operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine is described. did. If the master machine does not return, the temporary master machine may be changed to the master machine in accordance with an instruction from the administrator or after a certain period of time has elapsed.

  As described above, even when the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine (NO in S102), the MFP can use its own apparatus as a temporary master as an alternative to the master machine. (S108), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings in the image forming system 10.

  When the MFP tries to apply to become the master machine to the current master machine (S101) and the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine to the slave machine (NO in S102) Since an application is made to another apparatus in the image forming system 10 to become a temporary master machine (S106), an application to become a temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine can be executed at an appropriate timing.

  Since the MFP can perform replacement of the temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine in the image forming system 10 (S109 to S112), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings in the image forming system 10. it can.

  When the MFP is in a state where it can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine when the self apparatus is the current master machine, Since the specific setting of the own apparatus as the master machine is matched with that of the temporary master machine (S125), the occurrence of inconsistency of the specific settings in the image forming system 10 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP obtains a log from the temporary master machine (S123), thereby matching the specific setting of the own apparatus as the master machine with that of the temporary master machine (S125). Here, the specific setting in the slave machine is matched with the specific setting in the temporary master machine by the temporary master machine. Therefore, the MFP acquires the log from the slave machine instead of acquiring the log from the temporary master machine (S123), thereby matching the specific setting of the own apparatus as the master machine with that of the temporary master machine (S125). ) It may be like this. However, since the master machine may return before the specific setting in the slave machine is matched with the specific setting in the temporary master machine by the temporary master machine, the log is acquired from the temporary master machine (S123). It is preferable to match the specific setting of the own device as the master machine with that of the temporary master machine (S125).

  When the MFP is in a state where it can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine when the self apparatus is the current master machine, Since the temporary master machine is set as a slave machine (S127), the own apparatus can continue to operate as the master machine.

  When the MFP is in a state where it can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state where it cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine when the self apparatus is the current master machine, Since the temporary master machine and its own apparatus are set as the master machine and the slave machine, respectively (S128), the temporary master machine can be continuously operated as the master machine.

  Note that when the MFP continues to operate with the temporary master machine as the master machine, the specific setting in the own apparatus that has become the slave machine is matched with the specific setting in the new master machine by the new master machine. Therefore, the process of S123-S125 does not need to be performed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a scanner dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or a fax dedicated machine.

10 Image forming system (group)
20 MFP (image forming apparatus)
27a setting 27c synchronization program 28g master changing means 30 to 90 MFP (image forming apparatus)

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine,
If the current master machine cannot operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, it applies to another apparatus in the group that the current master machine becomes the temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine. Temporary master application means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a temporary master unit configured to make the own device the temporary master machine when an application to another device by the temporary master application unit is permitted. Master application means for applying to the current master machine that its own device becomes the master machine;
When the application for the current master machine by the master application means is permitted, the current master machine, comprising the master device as the master machine and the master machine, respectively,
The temporary master application means may automatically detect when the current master machine cannot operate as the master machine for the slave machine as a result of an attempt to apply for the current master machine by the master application means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an apparatus applies to another apparatus in the group to become the temporary master machine. The temporary master application means applies to the current temporary master machine that its own device becomes the temporary master machine,
The temporary mastering means, when an application for the current temporary master machine by the temporary master application means is permitted, makes the current temporary master machine and its own device the slave machine and the temporary master machine, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   When the own device can operate as the master device for the slave device, when the temporary master device exists, the specific setting of the own device matches that of the temporary master device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting matching unit.   A master continuation unit that makes the temporary master machine the slave machine when the temporary master machine exists when the own apparatus can operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When the own device can operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, when the temporary master device exists, the temporary master device and the own device become the master device and the slave device, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a master changing unit. A synchronization program executed by an image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine,
If the current master machine cannot operate as the master machine with respect to the slave machine, it applies to another apparatus in the group that the current master machine becomes the temporary master machine as an alternative to the master machine. Temporary master application means, and
When the application for the other device by the temporary master application means is permitted, as a temporary mastering means to make the own device the temporary master machine,
A synchronization program for causing the image forming apparatus to function.

Images