JP2017074715A - Image formation apparatus and synchronization program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus and a synchronization program which can suppress the occurrence of mismatch in specific setting in a group.SOLUTION: An MFP which belongs to an image formation system having a master (primary) machine and a slave machine with specific setting matching the master (primary) machine includes: means of turning another device into a preliminary machine which turns a specific slave machine in an image formation system into a master (secondary) machine when its own device is the master (primary) machine; and means of turning its own device into a master machine means which turns its own device into a master (primary) machine (S182 and S183) in a case where the current master (primary) machine cannot operate as the master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine (NO in S181) when its own device is a master (secondary) machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

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, and the image forming apparatus is the master machine. In some cases, when the specific slave device in the group is a spare device for the other device, and the own device is the spare device, the current master device is the slave device. In contrast, when the apparatus cannot operate as the master machine, the apparatus is provided with a self-machine master unit that sets the self-machine as the master machine.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a spare machine for the master machine, and the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine for the slave machine, Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the other apparatus preliminary unit may select the slave machine having a processing capacity equal to or higher than a specific processing capacity as the specific slave machine.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can prevent a slave machine having a low processing capability from functioning properly as a master machine from becoming a spare machine for the master machine. When the slave machine cannot operate as the master machine, the master machine can be appropriately functioned by making the spare machine of the master machine the master machine. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the other apparatus preliminary unit may select the specific slave unit based on a model name of the slave unit.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention selects the spare machine of the master machine based on the model name, so that the process of selecting the spare machine of the master machine can be facilitated.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the master machine, the image forming apparatus operates as the master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the slave machine cannot operate as the master machine. When the apparatus is restored to a state in which the apparatus can be used, the apparatus may be provided with a self-device spare unit that makes the self-device a spare device.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a master machine, the image forming apparatus can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the image forming apparatus cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. When it is restored to the ready state, it becomes the spare machine of the master machine, so if the machine is a spare machine of the master machine, the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine for the slave machine At this time, it is possible to appropriately function as a master machine by making the own apparatus that has been used as a master machine in the past a master machine again. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  The synchronization program of the present invention provides 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 own apparatus is the master machine. , A device that makes a specific slave device in the group a spare device for the master device, and a current master device for the slave device when the self device is the spare device When the device cannot operate as the master device, the device functions as a device master device that makes the device a master device.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus that executes the synchronization program of the present invention is a spare machine of the master machine, the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Since the own apparatus is the 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. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of a master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a specific setting of a slave machine is matched with that of its own apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave device shown in FIG. 2 when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a master (secondary) machine is designated. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when there is no master (secondary) machine. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a master (secondary) machine is not in operation. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a new master (secondary) machine is designated. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave machine shown in FIG. 2 when an instruction to become a master (secondary) machine is issued by the master (primary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 2 in the case of becoming a master (primary) machine. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a master (primary) machine is not in operation. FIG. 13 is an example of a block diagram of an image forming system when the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 12 becomes a master (primary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 at the time of recovering from the state which is not in operation to the state in operation. FIG. 14 is an example of a block diagram of an image forming system when a master (primary) machine that is not operating in FIG. 13 becomes a master (secondary) machine. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 2 in the case of defeating a master (secondary) machine flag.

  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 (primary) machine as a master machine in the image forming system 10. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master (primary) machine. In particular, the MFP 30 is also a master (secondary) machine as a spare machine for the master (primary) machine in the image forming system 10.

  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, when the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine, the specific setting of all slave machines of the image forming system 10 is matched with the setting 27a.

  The storage unit 27 stores a synchronization program 27b for synchronizing specific settings among a plurality of MFPs. The synchronization program 27b 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 storage unit 27 includes a master (primary) machine flag 27c indicating whether or not the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine, and a master (secondary) machine flag indicating whether or not the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine. 27d and master (secondary) machine information 27e indicating the current master (secondary) machine are stored.

  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 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes the synchronization program 27b stored in the storage unit 27, so that a specific slave machine in the image forming system 10 becomes a master (secondary) machine, the other apparatus preliminary machine means 28a, and its own apparatus. It functions as its own device preliminary unit 28b which makes the master (secondary) machine and its own device master unit 28c which makes its own device the master (primary) machine.

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

  First, the operation of the master (primary) machine when the specific setting of the slave machine is matched with that of the own apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the specific setting of the slave machine is matched with that of the own apparatus.

  The control unit of the master (primary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 at the timing when the specific setting of the own device is changed. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit of the master (primary) machine transmits a setting matching instruction for matching a specific setting in the slave machine with that of the own apparatus to the slave machine in the image forming system 10 (S101). ), The operation shown in FIG.

  Note that the control unit of the master (primary) machine sends a setting matching instruction at a specific timing such as a periodic timing in addition to the timing when the specific setting of the own apparatus is changed. You may send to.

  Next, the operation of the slave device when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave device when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device.

  When receiving the setting matching instruction from the master (primary) machine, the control unit of the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG. Note that the control unit of the slave unit recognizes that the own unit is a slave unit when the master (primary) unit flag on the storage unit of the own unit has fallen.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit of the slave unit matches the specific setting of its own device with that of the master (primary) unit according to the received setting matching instruction (S121), and the operation shown in FIG. Exit.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is designated will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is designated.

  The control unit of the master (primary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 6 at specific timing such as periodic timing. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other device spare unit means determines whether or not a master (secondary) device exists based on master (secondary) device information on the storage unit of the own device. (S141).

  FIG. 7 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when there is no master (secondary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In the example shown in FIG. 7, there is no master (secondary) machine in the image forming system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the master (secondary) machine is determined to exist in the master (secondary) machine in S141, the master (secondary) machine spare means is indicated in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own machine. It is determined whether or not the master (secondary) machine in operation is in operation (S142). Here, when the master (primary) machine is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) machine, the master (secondary) machine is not able to operate as a master (primary) machine. When it is possible to operate as a master (primary) machine, it is determined that the master (secondary) machine is in operation. On the other hand, when the master (primary) machine is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) machine, the master (secondary) machine is the master of other slave machines. When it is not in a state where it can operate as a (primary) machine, it is determined that the master (secondary) machine is not in operation. For example, when the master (secondary) machine is turned off, when a specific setting cannot be changed due to an error of its own device, or when it cannot be connected to the network 11, the master (primary) machine ) Even if a machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine, it cannot operate as a master (primary) machine for other slave machines. In S142, first, the other device spare unit of the master (primary) device transmits a status request to the master (secondary) device based on the master (secondary) device information on the storage unit of the own device. When the master (secondary) machine that has received the status request can operate as a master (primary) machine for another slave machine, the master (secondary) machine becomes a master for the other slave machine. The first operating status information indicating that the (primary) machine can be operated is returned to the master (primary) machine together with the identification information of the own apparatus. If the first device status information is received by the master (primary) device, the master device is operating, based on the master (secondary) device information on the storage unit of the own device. Judge. On the other hand, if the master (secondary) machine that has received the status request cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to another slave machine, The second operating status information indicating that the apparatus cannot operate as the master (primary) machine is returned to the master (primary) machine together with the identification information of the own apparatus. When the master (secondary) machine is turned off or not connected to the network 11, neither the first operating status information nor the second operating status information is responded. The other device spare unit of the master (primary) machine receives the second operating status information or does not receive either the first operating status information or the second operating status information within a specific time, It is determined that the master (secondary) machine based on the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own device is not in operation.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (secondary) machine is not in operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 40 is also a master (secondary) machine. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the master (secondary) machine is not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the master (secondary) machine preparatory unit determines in S142 that the master (secondary) machine is in operation, the operation shown in FIG. 6 ends.

  As shown in FIG. 6, if the master (secondary) machine preparatory unit determines in S <b> 142 that the master (secondary) machine is not in operation, master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own machine. Is deleted from the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own device (S143), and then the slave machine of a specific model is selected as an active slave machine. Instructing to become a master (secondary) machine (S144), information on the slave machine instructed to become a master (secondary) machine in S144 is stored in master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own apparatus. (S145).

  For example, when the master (secondary) machine is not in operation as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming system 10 uses a new master (secondary) machine (secondary) as shown in FIG. ) The machine is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 30 is a slave machine designated as a new master (secondary) machine.

  If it is determined in S141 that the master (secondary) machine does not exist in S141, the spare unit for the master (primary) machine is changed to an active slave machine among the slave machines of a specific model as the master (secondary) machine. (S144), the information of the slave machine instructed to become the master (secondary) machine in S144 is stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own apparatus (S145).

  For example, when there is no master (secondary) machine as shown in FIG. 7, the image forming system 10 designates the master (secondary) machine as shown in FIG. Is done. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 30 is a slave machine designated as a new master (secondary) machine.

  Note that, in step S144, the master (primary) machine other device spare means means a specific model (for example, the same model as the master (primary) machine or a model of the series machine) based on the model name of the slave machine. Select a slave unit.

  In addition, in S144, when the master device is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) device in S144, the slave device is a master device for other slave devices. When it is possible to operate as a (primary) machine, it is determined that the slave machine is in operation. On the other hand, if the master device is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) device, the slave device can become a master (primary) device with respect to other slave devices. When it is not in a state where it can operate as a machine, it is determined that the slave machine is not in operation. For example, when the slave device is turned off, when a specific setting cannot be changed due to an error of its own device, or when it cannot be connected to the network 11, the current master (primary) device is Even if it becomes impossible to operate as a master (primary) machine, it cannot operate as a master (primary) machine for other slave machines. In S144, first, the device standby unit of the master (primary) device transmits a status request of the slave device to the MFP on the network by broadcast or multicast. When the slave unit that has received the status request can operate as a master (primary) unit with respect to other slave units, it becomes a master (primary) with respect to other slave units. The third operating status information indicating that the device can operate as a device is returned to the master (primary) device together with the identification information of the device itself. When receiving the third operating status information, the other device spare unit of the master (primary) machine determines that the slave machine that is the source of the third operating status information is operating. On the other hand, when the slave unit that has received the status request cannot operate as a master (primary) unit with respect to another slave unit, the master ( It responds to the master (primary) machine together with the identification information of its own apparatus with the fourth operating status information indicating that it cannot operate as the primary machine. When the slave machine is turned off or not connected to the network 11, neither the third operating status information nor the fourth operating status information is responded. When the master (primary) machine other device spare unit receives the fourth operating status information or does not receive either the third operating status information or the fourth operating status information within the specific time, Judge that the slave unit is not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other device spare unit of the master (primary) machine ends the operation shown in FIG. 6 after the process of S145.

  Next, the operation of the slave machine when the master (primary) machine instructs to become the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave machine when the master (primary) machine instructs to become the master (secondary) machine.

  When the master (primary) machine is instructed to become the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit of the slave unit sets a master (secondary) unit flag on the storage unit of its own device (S161), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the master (primary) machine is not in operation will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (secondary) machine when it becomes the master (primary) machine.

  The control unit of the master (secondary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 11 at specific timing such as periodic timing. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine, when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device is collapsed and the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device is set , Recognize that the device is a master (secondary) machine.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the master (secondary) machine self-device mastering means determines whether or not the current master (primary) machine is in operation (S181). Here, when the current master (primary) machine can operate as a master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine's own device master unit means Judge that the machine is in operation. On the other hand, when the current master (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine becomes a master (secondary) machine. Is determined not to be in operation. For example, when the master (primary) machine is turned off, when a specific setting cannot be changed due to an error of its own apparatus, or when it cannot be connected to the network 11, the master machine is connected to the slave machine. Cannot operate as a master (primary) machine. In step S181, first, the master (secondary) machine master device transmits a master (primary) machine status request to the MFP on the network by broadcast or multicast. If the master (primary) machine that has received the status request can operate as a master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the own machine is the current master (primary) machine, And it responds to a master (secondary) machine with 5th operation status information which shows that it can operate | move as a master (primary) machine with respect to a slave machine with the identification information of an own apparatus. When receiving the fifth operating status information, the master (secondary) machine's own device master unit determines that the current master (primary) machine is operating. On the other hand, if the master (primary) machine that has received the status request cannot operate as the master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the own machine is the current master (primary) machine. Yes, and responds to the master (secondary) machine together with the identification information of the own apparatus, the sixth operating status information indicating that the slave machine cannot operate as the master (primary) machine. If the current master (primary) machine is powered off or not connected to the network 11, neither the fifth operating status information nor the sixth operating status information is responded. If the master (secondary) machine's own device master unit receives the sixth operating status information or does not receive any of the fifth operating status information and the sixth operating status information within the specified time, Judge that the current master (primary) machine is not in operation.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (primary) machine is not in operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 30 is also a master (secondary) machine. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the master (primary) machine is not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the master (secondary) machine master unit is determined in S181 that the current master (primary) machine is in operation, the operation shown in FIG. 11 ends.

  When determining that the current master (primary) machine is not in operation in S181, the master (secondary) machine self-device converting means defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own machine (S182). Then, a master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device is set (S183), and the operation shown in FIG. Thereafter, the master (primary) machine that has set the master (primary) machine flag in S183 executes the processing shown in FIG. 6 at a specific timing, and information on the slave machine that has instructed to become the master (secondary) machine. Can be stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the device itself.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 12 becomes a master (primary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the MFP 20 and the MFP 30 are master (primary) machines. The MFPs 40 to 90 are slave machines. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the MFP 20 is not in operation.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when it is restored from the state that is not in operation to the state that is in operation will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the operating state is restored from the non-operating state.

  When the control unit of the master (primary) machine recovers from the non-operating state to the operating state, it first performs the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 14, after the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device defeats the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device (S201), the master on the storage unit of the own device A (secondary) machine flag is set (S202). Therefore, the MFP that was the master (primary) machine becomes the master (secondary) machine.

  FIG. 15 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when a master (primary) machine that is not in operation in FIG. 13 becomes a master (secondary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, the MFP 30 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 20, 40 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 20 is also a master (secondary) machine.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the self-device spare unit of the MFP that has become the master (secondary) machine by the processing of S201 and S202 notifies the master (primary) machine of the change of the master (secondary) machine (S203). ), The operation shown in FIG. Specifically, the self-device master unit of the MFP that has become the master (secondary) machine transmits information indicating the change of the master (secondary) machine to the MFP on the network by broadcast or multicast, thereby obtaining the master (secondary) machine. Notify the master (primary) machine of the change of the (secondary) machine.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when a change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine.

  When the change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the master (primary) machine performs the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit of the master (primary) machine releases the master (secondary) machine to the master (secondary) machine indicated in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of its own device. An instruction is given (S221).

  Next, the control unit of the master (primary) machine deletes the master (secondary) machine information from the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of its own device (S222), and then notifies the change of the master (secondary) machine. The information on the master (secondary) machine that has been stored is stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the device itself (S223), and the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is instructed to cancel the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (secondary) machine when defeating the master (secondary) machine flag.

  When the master (secondary) machine is instructed to cancel the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine by setting the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device (S241), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the state is restored from the state not in operation to the state in operation will be described.

  When the control unit of the master (secondary) machine recovers from the state that is not in operation to the state that is in operation, the control unit first performs the operation illustrated in FIG. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine by setting the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device (S241), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the MFP is a spare machine of the master (primary) machine, that is, the master (secondary) machine, the current master (primary) machine is the master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine. ) When the apparatus cannot be operated (NO in S181), the apparatus is set as a master (primary) apparatus (S183), so that the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings in the image forming system 10 can be suppressed.

  When the MFP is a master (primary) machine, the MFP can operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the MFP cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine. When the device is restored to the ready state, the device becomes the spare device of the master (primary) machine, that is, the master (secondary) machine (S202). When the (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine, by making the own device that has been functioning as the master (primary) machine in the past once again become the master (primary) machine Can function properly as a master (primary) machine That. Therefore, the MFP can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings in the image forming system 10.

  Since the MFP selects a master (primary) spare device, that is, a master (secondary) device based on the model name of the slave device, the selection process of the master (secondary) device can be facilitated.

  Note that the MFP may select a slave machine having a processing capacity higher than a specific processing capacity as a master (secondary) machine. With this configuration, the MFP prevents a slave machine having a low processing capability from functioning properly as a master (primary) machine from becoming a spare machine of the master (primary) machine, that is, a master (secondary) machine. Therefore, if the current master (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine becomes the master (secondary) machine, By making it a (primary) machine, the master (primary) machine can function properly. Therefore, the MFP can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings in the image forming system 10.

  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 to 90 MFP (image forming apparatus)
27b Synchronizing program 28a Other device spare machine means 28b Own device spare machine means 28c Own device master machine means

Claims (5)

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,
When the own apparatus is the master machine, the other apparatus spare machine means for making the specific slave machine in the group a spare machine of the master machine,
When the current device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, self-device mastering means for making the own device the master device; An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other apparatus preparatory unit selects the slave machine having a processing capacity equal to or higher than a specific processing capacity as the specific slave machine.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other apparatus preparatory unit selects the specific slave machine based on a model name of the slave machine.   When the own apparatus is the master machine, when the slave machine is restored from a state where it can not act as the master machine to the slave machine, the slave machine can operate as the master machine. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a self-device spare unit that uses the self-device as the spare device. An image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and a slave machine whose specific settings are matched with that of the master machine,
When the own device is the master device, the other device spare machine means for making the specific slave machine in the group a spare machine of the master machine, and
When the current device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, the device functions as a self-device master unit that makes the own device the master device. A synchronization program characterized by causing

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