JP2017159518A - Image formation apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which provides an image formation function and a server function and can execute an image formation job without reducing performance even in a case where the activity ratio of a hardware resource increases due to the concentration of server requests.SOLUTION: When a new image formation job is input in a state where a server job to be executed exists, a determination unit 33 determines whether or not execution of the image formation job is hindered due to shortage of a hardware resource (CPU, memory) commonly used in execution of the image formation job and the server job. When it is determined that execution is hindered, a transfer unit 34 transfers at least a portion of the server job to be executed to another image formation apparatus (or server) on the same network for execution. With this configuration, resource shortage of the own device is resolved and the image formation job can be executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having both an image forming function for forming an image based on image data and a server function for executing processing requested from a client terminal and transmitting the processing result to the client terminal, and a program thereof. .

  A multifunction peripheral, which is one of image forming apparatuses, has various image forming functions such as copy / print / scan / FAX. In recent years, in addition to these functions, functions linked to external servers and the cloud are provided. In the future, it is considered that the configuration including the server function in the image forming apparatus itself will increase. In this case, by configuring the hardware resource of the image forming apparatus to be shared by the image forming function and the server function, the apparatus configuration is simplified and the cost is reduced.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus that does not have a file server function, for example, data obtained by scanning a document is transmitted to an external file server via a network and stored therein. However, the image forming apparatus itself If the configuration has the function of a file server, data obtained by scanning is stored in the file server inside the device itself, so that access to the outside is not necessary, which is also effective as a security measure.

  In recent years, an environment in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network and used is increasing. Therefore, a system has been proposed in which a received print job or the like is transferred to another image forming apparatus having a higher processing capability than the own apparatus so that the job is executed by a more appropriate image forming apparatus. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2006-305965 A JP 2004-127310 A

  An image forming apparatus including a server function has a higher usage rate of each hardware resource than an image forming apparatus not including the server function. For example, when there is a server request from a client, a memory area for managing session information is secured, so that the memory usage rate increases in proportion to the number of server requests. Also, in applications such as application servers that provide services using their own memory, when a server request is received, a memory area necessary for providing the service is secured, so the memory usage rate is reduced. Rise. Further, when the file server function is used, a cache area is secured in a free area of the memory in order to speed up access to the hard disk. Specifically, in the case of file writing, the speed is increased by holding data in a cache area and collectively writing the data to a disk. In the case of file reading, data is read into the cache area in advance, and reading is speeded up by preparing for an access request.

  As described above, when a server function is added to the image forming apparatus, a usage rate of hardware resources such as a memory and a CPU is increased by a server request from a client. Therefore, for example, when an image forming job such as a print job is received when server requests are concentrated and the memory usage rate is increasing, the memory necessary for executing the image forming job is insufficient and the image forming There is a risk of impeding job execution. Specifically, a swap to a secondary storage device such as a hard disk device occurs, and disk access for the swap becomes a bottleneck, and the performance of the image forming job is degraded. The same applies to the CPU usage rate.

  By applying the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, when a print job is received in a state where server requests are concentrated and the performance of the own apparatus is deteriorated, the image forming apparatus has a higher processing capability. The print job can be transferred and executed.

  However, when the print job is transferred to another image forming apparatus installed at a location not intended by the user, the user is inconvenienced with respect to collecting the output material.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and provides both an image forming function and a server function, and reduces the performance even when server requests are concentrated and the usage rate of hardware resources increases. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can execute an image forming job on its own apparatus and a program thereof.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming apparatus having an image forming function for forming an image based on image data, and a server function for executing processing requested from a client terminal and transmitting the processing result to the client terminal.
Hardware resources commonly used for execution of an image forming job related to the image forming function and execution of a server job related to the server function;
When a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of commonly used hardware resources. A determination unit;
A transfer unit that transfers and executes at least a part of the server job to be executed when the determination unit determines that the execution of the image forming job is hindered;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention and the invention described in [10] below, when a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, it is commonly used for executing the image forming job and the server job. It is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of hardware resources (CPU, memory, etc.), and if it is determined that the trouble occurs, at least a part of the server job is transferred to another image forming apparatus. (Or server) to execute. As a result, the shortage of hardware resources in the own apparatus is resolved and the image forming job can be executed.

[2] The commonly used hardware resource includes a memory,
The determination unit determines whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing a memory capacity necessary for executing the image forming job and a free memory capacity. The image forming apparatus according to [1].

[3] The commonly used hardware resource includes a CPU,
The determination unit determines whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing the CPU usage rate necessary for the execution of the image forming job with a margin of the CPU usage rate. The image forming apparatus according to [1], which is characterized.

[4] Any one of [1] to [3], wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job in which a remaining time until a timeout is shorter than a time required to execute the image forming job. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [13] below, if a response to a server request is not returned, a serious error occurs as a server. Therefore, there is a possibility of a timeout when an image forming job is executed with priority. A server job is preferentially selected for transfer.

[5] The image forming apparatus according to [2], wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job with a small memory capacity required for execution.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [14] below, it is avoided that the load (memory consumption) of the image forming apparatus (server) of the transfer destination is greatly increased.

[6] The image forming apparatus according to [3], wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job with a low CPU usage rate necessary for execution.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [15] below, it is avoided that the load (CPU usage rate) of the image forming apparatus (server) of the transfer destination is greatly increased.

[7] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the transfer unit transfers a server job that can be executed by a transfer destination server.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [16] below, server jobs that cannot be executed at the transfer destination are not transferred or the transfer priority is lowered.

[8] The transfer unit selects a server job to be transferred according to a predetermined priority order until the trouble is resolved, and transfers the selected server job to another server.
The image forming apparatus as described in any one of [1] to [7].

  In the above invention and the invention described in [17] below, the transfer of the server job is made the minimum of the range in which the trouble is solved.

[9] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein a server job transferred from another image forming apparatus is executed.

[10] An image forming function for forming an image based on image data, and a server function for executing processing requested from the client terminal and transmitting the processing result to the client terminal are provided. A program executed by an image forming apparatus having hardware resources commonly used for execution of the image forming job and execution of a server job related to the server function,
When a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of commonly used hardware resources. A decision step;
A transfer step of transferring and executing at least a part of the server job to be executed to another server when it is determined in the determination step that the execution of the image forming job is hindered;
The program characterized by having.

[11] The commonly used hardware resource includes a memory,
In the determining step, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing a capacity of a memory necessary for executing the image forming job and a capacity of a free memory. The program according to [10].

[12] The commonly used hardware resource includes a CPU,
In the determining step, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing the CPU usage rate necessary for the execution of the image forming job with a margin of the CPU usage rate. The program according to [10], which is characterized.

[13] Any one of [10] to [12], wherein in the transfer step, a server job having a remaining time until a timeout is less than a time required for executing the image forming job is preferentially transferred. Program described in 1.

[14] The program according to [11], wherein in the transfer step, a server job with a small amount of memory required for execution is preferentially transferred.

[15] The program according to [12], wherein in the transfer step, a server job with a low CPU usage rate required for execution is preferentially transferred.

[16] The program according to any one of [10] to [12], wherein in the transfer step, a server job that can be executed by a transfer destination server is transferred.

[17] In the transfer step, a server job to be transferred is selected according to a predetermined priority order until the trouble is resolved, and the selected server job is transferred to another server.
The program according to any one of [10] to [16].

[18] The program according to any one of [10] to [17], further including a step of executing a server job transferred from another image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the program therefor according to the present invention, both the image forming function and the server function are provided, and even when server requests are concentrated and the usage rate of hardware resources is increased, the performance is not deteriorated. In addition, the image forming job can be executed by the own apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the basic control sequence when a server request is received from several clients sequentially. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a memory usage state of the image forming apparatus changes when each server request in FIG. 3 is received. 6 is a flowchart showing basic control performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (when the insufficient shared resource is a memory). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory usage rate table indicating a memory usage rate according to an image forming job type. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process (step S104 of FIG. 5) which determines the server job to transfer. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a server job table that lists server jobs currently accepted by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a process for transferring a server job (step S105 in FIG. 5). It is a figure which shows the change of the usage condition of the memory when a server job is transferred, comparing the transfer source and the transfer destination. 6 is a flowchart illustrating basic control performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (when the insufficient shared resource is a CPU). It is a figure which shows an example of the CPU usage rate table which shows the CPU usage rate according to the kind of image formation job. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a process for determining a server job to be transferred (step S404 in FIG. 11). 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a server job table that lists server jobs currently accepted by the image forming apparatus. FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network system 2 including a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A network system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, a plurality of client terminals 40, and an arbitrary number of servers 50 to a network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). . The client terminal 40 is a mobile terminal such as a portable PC or a tablet or a personal computer. The mobile terminal is connected to the network 3 by wireless communication via the access point 5.

  Each image forming apparatus 10 connected to the network system 2 optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, stores the read image data of the document as a file, and stores it in an external terminal. Various types of jobs such as a scan job transmitted through the network 3, a FAX job that performs facsimile transmission and reception, and a print job that prints a document or image on a recording sheet based on print data received from the client terminal 40 through the network 3. This is a so-called MFP (MFP) having a function (image forming function) for executing the job. Jobs relating to image forming functions such as copy jobs and print jobs are collectively referred to as image forming jobs.

  The image forming apparatus 10 provides a server function in addition to the image forming function. The server function is a function for executing a job in response to a server request from the client terminal 40. A job related to the server function is called a server job. Server functions include application server, Web server, file server, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware resources (shared resources) that are commonly used for the image forming function and the server function. Here, it is assumed that the memory and the CPU correspond to the shared resource. When a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the execution of the new image forming job is hindered due to a lack of shared resources. If it is determined that there is a problem, at least a part of the server job to be executed is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) and executed. As a result, the shortage of shared resources is resolved and the image forming job is preferentially executed by the own device, and the server job remaining without being transferred is executed by the own device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a scanner unit 14, an image forming unit 15, an image processing unit 16, a FAX control unit 17, a non-volatile memory 18, a hard disk device 19, and network communication through a bus. The unit 21 and the operation panel 22 are connected.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function as the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes in accordance with these programs.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like. When the CPU 11 executes a program, the corresponding program is read from the hard disk device 19 and developed in the RAM 13. The CPU 11 executes the program with reference to the program expanded in the RAM 13. As described above, the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 are hardware resources (shared resources) that are commonly used for providing the image forming function and the server function.

  The scanner unit 14 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 14 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit, a lens or a mirror that guides the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor and forms an image, a conversion unit that converts the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The image forming unit 15 functions to form (print) an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer engine unit. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The image processing unit 16 performs rasterization processing for converting print data included in a print job into image data, image data compression and expansion processing, in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The FAX control unit 17 performs control related to facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

  The nonvolatile memory 18 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off. The hard disk device 19 is a nonvolatile, large-capacity storage device that stores various programs, print data, and the like.

  The network communication unit 21 performs a function of communicating with an external device such as the client terminal 40, another image forming apparatus 10, and the server 50 through the network 3.

  The operation panel 22 includes a display unit 23 and an operation unit 24. The display unit 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 24 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a start button, and a touch panel provided on the physical screen of the display unit 23. The touch panel detects a coordinate position where the physical screen of the display unit 23 is touched with a touch pen or a finger.

  The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs the functions of the image forming function control unit 31, the server function control unit 32, the determination unit 33, the transfer unit 34, the selection unit 35, and the shared resource management unit 36 by executing a program. .

  The image forming function control unit 31 performs control related to execution of an image forming job. The server function control unit 32 performs control related to execution of the server job.

  When a new image forming job is input in a state where there is a server job to be executed, the determining unit 33 determines whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of shared resources. The function of the determination part 33 is implement | achieved when CPU11 performs the determination step of a program.

  The transfer unit 34 performs control related to an operation of transferring and executing at least a part of a server job to be executed to another server when the determination unit 33 determines that the execution of the image forming job is hindered. A selection unit 35 included in the transfer unit 34 selects and determines a server job to be transferred. The functions of the transfer unit 34 and the selection unit 35 are realized by the CPU 11 executing a program transfer step.

  The shared resource management unit 36 manages the usage status of the shared resource. For example, a memory area is secured and released in the RAM 13.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 related to server job transfer will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic control sequence when server requests are sequentially received from a plurality of clients (client terminals 40). FIG. 4 shows how the usage status of the memory (RAM 13) of the image forming apparatus 10 changes when each server request in FIG. 3 is received.

  FIG. 4A shows a usage state of the memory (RAM 13) before receiving the server request. In the memory, various programs such as an image formation control program related to the function of the image formation function control unit 31 and a server control program related to the function of the server function control unit 32 are arranged, which are sufficient to execute various jobs. Free space remains.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives the server request from the client 1 (FIG. 3: P1), the image forming apparatus 10 secures an area for storing session information including the session ID on the memory (RAM 13), and stores the session information and the like. It is stored in the memory of its own device (FIG. 3: P2, FIG. 4 (b)). Then, the session ID is returned to the client 1 (FIG. 3: P3).

  When a server request is received from the client 2 (FIG. 3: P4), an area for storing session information including the session ID for the client 2 is secured on the memory, and the session information is stored ( FIG. 3: P5, FIG. 4C), and returns the session ID to the client 2 (FIG. 3: P6). Similarly, when a server request is received from the client 3 (FIG. 3: P7), an area for storing session information including the session ID for the client 3 is secured on the memory, and the session information is stored. (FIG. 3: P8, FIG. 4D), the session ID is returned to the client 3 (FIG. 3: P9).

  As described above, when a server request is issued from the client to the image forming apparatus, an area for storing session information including a session ID for each client is secured in the memory. Therefore, the free area of the memory that is a shared resource decreases as the number of server requests that have been received and are not yet executed increases.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where the memory usage rate becomes high and the execution of the image forming job is hindered.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating basic control performed by the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 6 is an example of a memory usage rate table 60 indicating the memory usage rates according to the types of image forming jobs. Note that the usage rate of the memory and the ratio of the free memory agree with the capacity of the used memory and the capacity of the free memory.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives an image forming job (any one of a print / copy / scan / fax job), the memory usage rate Ra required when executing the received image forming job is displayed in a memory usage rate table. 60 to obtain (step S101). As shown in the memory usage rate table 60, the memory usage rate differs depending on the job type, color / monochrome, paper size, and the like.

  Next, the free memory ratio Re is calculated from the current memory usage rate (step S102). The memory usage rate Ra calculated in step S101 is compared with the free memory ratio Re calculated in step S102 (step S103), and if “calculated memory usage ratio Ra ≦ current free memory ratio Re” is satisfied (step S103). S103; Yes) Since there is no memory shortage, the received image forming job is executed (step S106).

  If “calculated memory usage rate Ra> current free memory ratio Re” (step S103; No), the image forming apparatus 10 receives another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) from the currently accepted server job. The server job to be transferred to is determined (step S104), and the determined server job is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) (step S105). Then, returning to step 102, the free memory ratio Re is recalculated from the current memory usage rate (step S102), until “calculated memory usage rate Ra ≦ current free memory rate Re”, that is, Until the memory shortage is resolved, the server job currently accepted by the image forming apparatus 10 is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50). When “calculated memory usage rate Ra ≦ current free memory ratio Re” is satisfied (step S103; Yes), the received image forming job is executed (step S106).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the process for determining a server job to be transferred (step S104 in FIG. 5). FIG. 8 is an example of a server job table 70 that lists server jobs currently accepted by the image forming apparatus 10 (server jobs to be executed).

  The image forming apparatus 10 calculates a time Tg required to complete the processing of the received image forming job (step S201). Next, referring to the server job table 70, the server job with the shortest time until timeout is selected (step S202). Then, a time Tout until the selected server job times out is acquired from the server job table 70 (step S203).

  Next, the calculated time Tg required to complete the processing of the image forming job is compared with the time Tout required until the selected server job times out (step S204). If “time Tg until completion of image forming job ≦ time Tout until timeout” is not satisfied (step S204; No), that is, if the selected server job times out until execution of the image forming job is completed, the selected The server job is determined as a server job to be transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) (step S209), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if “time Tg until completion of image formation job T ≦ time Tout until timeout” (step S204; Yes), the image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) on the same network 3 is similar to the selected server job. It is checked whether there is an image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the service (step S205).

  As a result of the confirmation, if the image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the same service as the selected server job exists on the same network 3 (step S206; Yes), the memory usage rate of the selected server job Is confirmed with reference to the server job table 70 (step S207).

  If the memory usage rate of the selected server job is lower than the predetermined threshold (step S207; Yes), the selected server job is determined as a server job to be transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) ( Step S209), the process ends.

Further, when there is no image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the same service as the selected server job on the same network 3 (step S206; No), and the memory usage rate of the selected server job is If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S207; No), the server job is excluded from the transfer target, and a server job with the shortest time to timeout after the previously selected server job is selected from the server job table 70 ( Step S208), the process proceeds to Step S203 and the processing is continued.
19

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the process for transferring a server job (step S105 in FIG. 5). The image forming apparatus 10 transmits session information and the like held in its own memory area to the transfer destination image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 50) and requests substitution of a server job (step S301). When the transfer of the session information or the like is completed (step S302; Yes), the memory area of the own device that holds the session information or the like is released (step S303).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change in the usage state of the memory area when the server job is transferred, in comparison with the transfer source and the transfer destination. FIG. 4A shows the usage status of the memory area of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the transfer source before transfer, and FIG. 4B shows the usage status of the memory area of the image formation apparatus 10 that is the transfer destination before transfer. ing. FIG. 8C shows the usage status of the memory area of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the transfer source after transferring the session information held in the session information holding area 1, and FIG. The usage status of the memory area of the previous image forming apparatus 10 is shown.

  As described above, when the received image forming job cannot be executed due to a shortage of memory as a shared resource, the server job is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) and used by the server job. Since the memory area is released, the memory shortage is solved, and the received image forming job can be smoothly executed by the own apparatus. Further, by minimizing the transfer of the server job so that the received image forming job can be executed, the server job that has not been transferred can be executed together with the image forming job (for example, executed in parallel operation). It becomes possible.

  The server job may be started after the execution of the image forming job is completed. Even in this case, since it is necessary to hold session information and the like, if the memory necessary for executing the image forming job is insufficient, the process of transferring the server job is effective until the shortage is resolved.

  Next, a case where the usage rate of the CPU, which is one of the shared resources, is increased due to the existence of the server job, which hinders execution of the image forming job will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating basic control performed by the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 12 is an example of a CPU usage rate table 80 that indicates the CPU usage rate according to the type of image forming job.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives an image forming job (any one of a print / copy / scan / FAX job), the CPU usage rate Ka required for executing the received image forming job is obtained from the CPU usage rate table 80. Obtain (step S401).

  Next, the CPU utilization margin Ke is calculated from the current CPU utilization (step S402). The CPU usage rate Ka calculated in step S401 is compared with the CPU usage rate margin Ke obtained in step S402 (step S403). If “calculated CPU usage rate Ka ≦ CPU usage rate margin Ke”, (Step S403; Yes), the received image forming job is executed (Step S406).

  If “calculated CPU usage rate Ka> CPU usage rate margin Ke” (step S403; No), another image forming device 10 (or server 50) is selected from the server job currently accepted by the image forming device 10. The server job to be transferred to is determined (step S404), and the determined server job is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) (step S405).

  Then, returning to step 402, the current CPU utilization margin degree Ke is recalculated (step S402), and the image forming apparatus until “calculated CPU utilization ratio Ka ≦ CPU utilization ratio margin Ke” is satisfied. The server job currently accepted by the client 10 is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 50). When “calculated CPU usage rate Ka ≦ CPU usage rate margin Ke” (step S403; Yes), the received image forming job is executed (step S406).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the process for determining a server job to be transferred (step S404 in FIG. 11). FIG. 14 is an example of a server job table 90 that lists server jobs currently accepted by the image forming apparatus 10.

  The image forming apparatus 10 calculates a time Tg required to complete the processing of the received image forming job (step S501). Next, the server job table 90 is referred to, and the server job with the shortest time until timeout is selected (step S502). Then, a time Tout until the selected server job times out is acquired from the server job table 90 (step S503).

  Next, the calculated time Tg required to complete the processing of the image forming job is compared with the time Tout required until the selected server job times out (step S504). If “time Tg until completion of image forming job ≦ time Tout until timeout” is not satisfied (step S504; No), that is, if the timeout occurs until the execution of the image forming job is completed, the previously selected server job is The server job to be transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) is determined (step S509), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if “time Tg until completion of image forming job ≦ time Tout until timeout” (step S504; Yes), the image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) on the same network 3 is similar to the selected server job. It is checked whether there is an image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the service (step S505).

  As a result of the confirmation, if the image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the same service as the selected server job exists on the same network 3 (step S506; Yes), the average CPU of the selected server job The usage rate is confirmed with reference to the server job table 90 (step S507).

  If the average CPU usage rate of the selected server job is lower than the predetermined threshold (step S507; Yes), the selected server job is determined as a server job to be transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50). (Step S509), and this process is terminated.

  Further, when there is no image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) capable of providing the same service as the selected server job on the same network 3 (step S506; No), and the average CPU usage of the selected server job If the rate is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S507; No), a server job with the shortest time until timeout after the previously selected server job is selected from the server job table 90 (step S508), and the process proceeds to step S503. And continue processing.

  By restricting server jobs to be transferred to those with a CPU usage rate that is less than the threshold, an increase in the load (CPU usage rate) at the transfer destination is suppressed so that execution of jobs at the transfer destination is not hindered. consider.

  Details of the processing for transferring the server job (step S405 in FIG. 11) are the same as those in FIG. 9, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 50) receives a server job transfer from another image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 50) executes the transferred server job on behalf of the transfer source apparatus. In other words, using the session information and session ID transferred from the transfer source, the server job processing result is transmitted to the client terminal 40 that is the server request transmission source by impersonating the transfer source server.

  As described above, when the received image forming job cannot be executed due to a lack of margin of the usage rate of the CPU that is the shared resource, the server job is transferred to another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50), and Since the CPU usage rate margin is increased by the CPU usage rate of the server job, the lack of the CPU usage rate margin is resolved, and the received image forming job can be smoothly executed by the own apparatus. Further, by minimizing the transfer of the server job so that the received image forming job can be executed, the server job that has not been transferred can be executed in parallel with the image forming job.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the memory usage rate and the CPU usage rate have been individually described. However, the server job may be transferred until the memory shortage is resolved and the CPU usage rate is sufficient.

  Note that another image forming apparatus 10 (or server 50) that can provide the same service for the server job determined as the transfer target in Step S204; Yes or the server job determined as the transfer target in Step S404; Yes. If it does not exist, the server job is transferred to the transfer destination by instructing that “a response is returned so as not to time out and the server job itself is not executed”, and image formation is performed. When the execution of the job is completed, the server job may be pulled back from the transfer destination and executed on the own apparatus.

  If checking all the server jobs in the server job list does not solve the shortage of memory or the CPU utilization margin, try again from the server job list in the order of short timeout or memory. Select server jobs in order of low usage rate or low CPU usage rate, and whether there are servers on the same network 3 that can provide similar services, and whether the memory usage rate is less than the threshold The server job to be transferred may be determined ignoring conditions such as whether the CPU usage rate is less than the threshold.

  As described above, for a server job that is determined as a transfer target even though a server that can provide the same service does not exist on the same network 3, as described above, a response is sent back so as not to timeout and the server job itself is executed The server job is transferred to the transfer destination by instructing "No", and when the execution of the image forming job is completed, the server job is pulled back from the transfer destination and executed by the own apparatus.

2 ... Network system 3 ... Network 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Scanner part 15 ... Image formation part 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... FAX control part 18 ... Non-volatile memory 19 ... Hard disk apparatus 21 ... Network communication part 22 ... Operation panel 23 ... Display part 24 ... Operation part 31 ... Image formation function control Unit 32 ... Server function control unit 33 ... Determination unit 34 ... Transfer unit 35 ... Selection unit 36 ... Shared resource management unit 40 ... Client terminal 50 ... Server 60 ... Memory usage rate table 70 ... Server job table 80 ... CPU usage rate table 90 ... Server job table

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus having an image forming function for forming an image based on image data, and a server function for executing processing requested from a client terminal and transmitting the processing result to the client terminal,
Hardware resources commonly used for execution of an image forming job related to the image forming function and execution of a server job related to the server function;
When a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of commonly used hardware resources. A determination unit;
A transfer unit that transfers and executes at least a part of the server job to be executed when the determination unit determines that the execution of the image forming job is hindered;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The commonly used hardware resources include memory,
The determination unit determines whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing a memory capacity necessary for executing the image forming job and a free memory capacity. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The commonly used hardware resources include a CPU,
The determination unit determines whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing the CPU usage rate necessary for the execution of the image forming job with a margin of the CPU usage rate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job that has a remaining time until a time-out that is shorter than a time required to execute the image forming job. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job having a small memory capacity required for execution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers a server job with a low CPU usage rate necessary for execution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit transfers a server job that can be executed by a transfer destination server. The transfer unit selects a server job to be transferred according to a predetermined priority order until the trouble is resolved, and transfers the selected server job to another server.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a server job transferred from another image forming apparatus is executed. An image forming function for forming an image based on image data, and a server function for executing a process requested from a client terminal and transmitting the processing result to the client terminal, and forming an image according to the image forming function A program executed by an image forming apparatus having hardware resources commonly used for job execution and server job execution related to the server function,
When a new image forming job is submitted in a state where there is a server job to be executed, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered due to a lack of commonly used hardware resources. A decision step;
A transfer step of transferring and executing at least a part of the server job to be executed to another server when it is determined in the determination step that the execution of the image forming job is hindered;
The program characterized by having. The commonly used hardware resources include memory,
In the determining step, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing a capacity of a memory necessary for executing the image forming job and a capacity of a free memory. The program according to claim 10. The commonly used hardware resources include a CPU,
In the determining step, it is determined whether or not the execution of the image forming job is hindered by comparing the CPU usage rate necessary for the execution of the image forming job with a margin of the CPU usage rate. The program according to claim 10, wherein 13. The program according to claim 10, wherein, in the transfer step, a server job having a remaining time until a timeout is less than a time required for execution of the image forming job is preferentially transferred. . The program according to claim 11, wherein in the transfer step, a server job with a small amount of memory required for execution is transferred preferentially. The program according to claim 12, wherein in the transfer step, a server job with a low CPU usage rate required for execution is transferred with priority. The program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein in the transfer step, a server job that can be executed by a transfer destination server is transferred. In the transfer step, a server job to be transferred is selected according to a predetermined priority order until the trouble is resolved, and the selected server job is transferred to another server.
The program according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein: The program according to any one of claims 10 to 17, further comprising a step of executing a server job transferred from another image forming apparatus.