JP4456518B2 - Distributed image processing system, server device, and program executed by the device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a distributed image processing system in which a plurality of server devices, an image processing device, and a client device that requests print processing are connected via a network, a server device, and a program executed by the device.

  Conventionally, when a user accesses an information providing server using a mobile phone terminal or the like, the information providing server provides an e-mail address assigned to the nearest printer to the mobile phone terminal. When an e-mail including the URL of the document file is transmitted to the printer, the printer acquires the document file from the document server based on the URL, and executes printing in response to a print execution instruction from the user. There is a printing apparatus that can perform simple printing (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition to the above, the mobile terminal accesses the server system, the mobile terminal acquires and stores information for print output from the server system, and the mobile terminal connects to the image forming apparatus to print on the image forming apparatus. An image forming system that can output information acquired directly from a portable terminal without using a personal computer by transmitting output information and forming an image based on the transmitted print output information. (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-67293 A JP 2003-84925 A

  However, in such a background art, a printing apparatus or an image forming apparatus that requests image formation as described in Patent Document 1 or 2 is a CPU, an HDD (hard disk drive), or an operation clock frequency. When the processing capability is limited due to hardware factors, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to deal with heavy image processing.

  Further, when there are a plurality of requests at once for a printing apparatus or an image forming apparatus that requests image formation as described in Patent Document 1 or 2, the processing has been performed sequentially in the order of acceptance, so that the urgent processing is performed. Even if it is necessary to do so, there is a problem that the last received request is processed slowly.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 1 or 2, the image forming process is not requested to be distributed to a plurality of printing apparatuses or image forming apparatuses, but the idea of requesting the distribution to increase the processing efficiency cannot be assumed. There is no. However, since there is no means to obtain resource information of other devices, it is not possible to determine what processing can be efficiently performed for which device, and the reverse depending on the method of distribution request. However, there is a problem that the processing efficiency deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when a client device requests print processing to an image processing device, it performs distributed processing after grasping the status of other devices connected via a network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a distributed image processing system, a distributed image processing method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the most efficient printing process at a low cost.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a distributed image in which a plurality of server devices, image processing devices, and client devices that request print processing are connected via a network. a processing system, the image processing apparatus, an image processing means for performing print processing requested by the client device, to distributed processing of print processing requested by the client device to one or a plurality of equipment comprising a distributed processing unit, and information for entrusted distributed processing, and commission related information transmitting means for transmitting and processing program for determining a device to entrust the distributed processing to the first server device, the , the first server device, another first storage means for storing information of the server device, the first of the image processing apparatus and information stored in the storage means And al transmitted information, by treatment with the processing program transmitted from the image processing apparatus, the determining equipment you entrust the distributed processing of print processing request from the client device 1 a consignment device determining means, when the first consignment device determining means device to delegate by Ri distributed processing not found, the processing program and information transmitted from the image processing device to the second server device And the second server device stores information on other server devices that are not stored in the first storage device included in the first server device. The second storage means, the information stored in the second storage means, and the information transferred from the first server device are transferred to the processing program transferred from the first server device. A second entrusting apparatus determining unit that determines an apparatus to entrust distributed processing of print processing requested from the client apparatus by processing using the gram; and a determination result by the second entrusting apparatus determining unit Second determination result transmission means for transmitting to the first server device, wherein the first server device receives the determination result by the first consignment device determination means or the second consignment device determination means. The image processing apparatus includes first determination result transmission means for transmitting to the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus performs a print process requested from the client apparatus based on the determination result transmitted from the first server apparatus. The distributed processing means entrusts distributed processing of print processing requested from the client device .

According to a second aspect of the present invention , there is provided a server apparatus entrusted by an image processing apparatus to perform distributed processing of print processing requested from a client apparatus connected via a network, and the other server apparatus on the network Storage means for storing the information, information stored in the storage means, and information for entrusting distributed processing of the print processing received from the image processing apparatus are received from the image processing apparatus A delegation device determining means for deciding a device for delegating distributed processing of print processing requested from the client device by performing processing using a processing program for determining a device for delegating distributed processing; and the delegation device Information for entrusting distributed processing received from the image processing device when a device for entrusting distributed processing is not found by the determining means; A consignment-related information transfer unit that transfers the processing program to another server device, a determination result by the consignment device determination unit, or a determination result by another server device, which is stored in the other server device Information and the information for entrusting distributed processing transferred by the entrustment-related information transfer means and the determination result determined by the other server device as an entrusting device for distributed processing. or a characterized Rukoto and a determination result transmitting unit that transmits to the image processing apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device entrusted by an image processing device to perform distributed processing of print processing requested from a client device connected via a network, wherein the server device is placed on the network. Storage means for storing information of other server devices, information stored in the storage means, and information for entrusting distributed processing of the print processing received from the image processing device, Consignment device determination means for determining a device to entrust distributed processing of print processing requested from the client device by processing using a processing program for determining a device to entrust distributed processing received from the image processing device And the entrusted device determination means entrusts the distributed processing received from the image processing device when no device entrusted with the distributed processing is found. Information relating to the transfer and the processing information transferred to another server device, a determination result by the trust device determination unit, or a determination result by another server device, the other As an apparatus for entrusting distributed processing to another server apparatus using information stored in the server apparatus, information for entrusting distributed processing transferred by the entrusting related information transfer means, and the processing program A program for functioning as a determination result transmission unit that transmits any of the determined determination results to the image processing apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the invention, by sending a processing program when requesting a search for a device to be distributed, it is possible to request various devices on the network to search for a device to be distributed. Furthermore, a configuration is adopted in which information transmitted from an image processing apparatus and a processing program are transferred when a device for which distributed processing is entrusted is not found despite execution of a search for an apparatus entrusting distributed processing. ing. With this configuration, it becomes possible for the image forming apparatus to request a search for a device that entrusts distributed processing even to a server device that has not been able to directly send a search for the device that entrusts distributed processing. it is possible to achieve the particular effect that it is possible to widen the search request destination more extensively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of a distributed image processing system, a server apparatus, and a program executed by the apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram illustrating a distributed image processing system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 3 with a network configuration diagram.

  A distributed image processing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a network 11 such as a Web (Internet), a client device 12 on the user side, image processing devices 13 and 14 including printers, copiers, multifunction devices, and the like. A server device 15 having a function and a server 16 including a personal computer (PC) are connected to each other.

  The client device 12 is a personal computer (PC) or the like, and makes a print request to the image processing device 14 or the like connected to the network via the network 11 such as the Internet.

  When the image processing apparatuses 13 and 14 receive a print request from the client apparatus 12 of the user, the image processing apparatuses 13 and 14 perform the image processing themselves, or if the amount of image data requested for printing is large and the processing is heavy, the distributed object that is mounted It also has a server function such as entrusting all or part of image processing to other server devices or image processing devices using technology, or performing distributed processing. When entrusting distributed processing, grasp the resources, processing capacity, current status, etc. released to the outside by the entrusted server device or other image processing device, and determine the entrustee based on the grasped content It is possible.

  Here, the server device 15 has an image processing function, and when the client device 12 receives a print processing request and the image processing device 14 entrusts the distributed processing, the server device 15 receives the distributed processing entrustment. In addition, when there is an inquiry about the resources, processing capacity, current status, etc. released to the outside from the consignee, information on its resources, processing capacity, current status is sent to the inquired device. It is possible.

  Here, the server device 16 is constituted by a PC or the like, and, like the server device 15, when the client device 12 receives the print processing request and the image processing device 14 entrusts the distributed processing, the server device 16 receives the distributed processing entrustment. When there is an inquiry about the resources, processing capacity, current status, etc. released to the outside from the contractor, it is possible to send information about its resources, processing capacity, current status to the inquired device It is.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 14 that receives a print request from the client apparatus 12 includes a network control unit 141, a CPU 142, an HDD (hard disk drive) 143, a ROM 144, a RAM 145, and an image processing unit 146. Has been.

  The network control unit 141 is connected to the network 11 and performs network control. When there is an inquiry about its own resource, processing capability, and current state, the network control unit 141 includes a part of information return means for returning necessary information. It is composed. Further, a search result information transmitting unit and a commission related information transmitting unit, which will be described later, are also configured.

  The CPU 142 controls the image processing apparatus 14 as a whole, and is distributed to the server apparatus 15 and other image processing apparatuses 13 to perform distributed processing. The server apparatus 15 and other image processing apparatuses 13 are released to the outside. Status grasping means for grasping information on existing resources, processing capacity and current state, delegation device decision means for deciding a device to entrust distributed processing based on the grasped information, part of information return means, and others A distributed processing execution means for executing distributed processing when entrusted is configured. In addition, an inquiry unit and a consignment device search unit, which will be described later, are also configured.

  The HDD 143 constitutes information storage means (to be described later) that stores image data to be processed, resources of other acquired devices, processing capability, and information relating to the current state. The ROM 144 stores a basic program for operating the image processing apparatus, and the RAM 145 stores various parameters and is used as a work area during operation.

  The image processing unit 146 constitutes data processing means for processing the printer language or image data requested from the client device 12.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see step S100, A in FIG. 4).

  If it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing device 14 (step S101), in order to perform processing in a distributed manner, the resources, processing capabilities, current An information acquisition request for acquiring state information is made (see step S102, B and C in FIG. 4).

  When the image processing apparatus 14 acquires these pieces of information from the server apparatus 16 or another image processing apparatus 13 (see step S103 and D and E in FIG. 4), the apparatus that can outsource the processing with optimum efficiency from the acquired information. Is selected (step S104). Here, the distributed processing of image processing is entrusted to the selected server device 16, and the distributed processing is performed (see step S105, B in FIG. 4). Of course, the outsourcer may be the image processing apparatus 13.

  If it is not necessary to entrust distributed processing in step S101, the image processing apparatus 14 executes image processing by itself (step S106).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus 14 that has received a print processing request from the client apparatus 12 via the network 11 performs data processing by itself, and if the request is heavy, Since the resource, processing capability, and current state of the server device 16 or other image processing device 13 are grasped and distributed processing is entrusted to an appropriate device, the processing of the image processing device that has received the print processing request Processing exceeding the capability becomes possible, and the most efficient data processing can be performed at the time of processing.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of resource information requested to the server apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the resource information requested | required with respect to.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the server device 16 has a memory capacity and a hard disk capacity as resource information, and the breakdown is released to the actually used area and the outside that can be used in the future. It consists of a release area. Since these ratios always change depending on each server device and time, such information is obtained immediately before the delegation is distributed, and a device for which the decentralized processing is entrusted is selected based on the obtained information.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the image processing apparatus 13 having a server function has a memory capacity as resource information, and the breakdown is released to an actually used area and an external area that can be used in the future. It consists of a release area. Since the ratio of both in the case of the image processing apparatus 13 always varies depending on each image processing apparatus and time, an apparatus that obtains such information immediately before delegating the distribution and entrusts the distributed processing based on the obtained information. Make a selection.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, as the resource information released to the outside by the server device or another image processing device, the memory that can be freely used by the image processing device entrusting the distributed processing is used. Since at least one of the capacity and the hard disk capacity is used, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the apparatus is suitable for entrusting according to the amount of data to be entrusted.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the current state of the server device 16 and the image processing device 13 is the current processing status in the device to which the distributed processing is entrusted, from the time when the processing is entrusted until the time when the processing starts. The work waiting time information is included at least.

  Therefore, in step S103 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the current status information obtained from the server device 16 or the image processing device 13 includes work waiting time information as shown in FIG. The operation of the third embodiment will be described by taking the case of the case as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 7).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing device 14, in order to perform the processing in a distributed manner, the operation waiting time information is obtained as the current state information from the server device 16 and other image processing devices 13, respectively. (Refer to B and C in FIG. 7).

  The image processing device 14 selects the device with the smallest waiting time based on the work waiting time information (see B and C in FIG. 7) obtained from the server device 16 and other image processing devices 13. Here, it can be seen that the image processing apparatus 13 cannot immediately perform the printing process because there is processing waiting from the work waiting 1 to 3 for the image processing apparatus 13. Based on this result, the image processing apparatus 14 selects to entrust distributed distribution to the server apparatus 16 and decentralizes entrustment (see D in FIG. 7).

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, as the current status information obtained from the server device or other image processing device, the current processing status of the device on the side to which the distributed processing is entrusted, Since at least the waiting time information from when the processing is entrusted to when the processing is started is included, it is possible to select a device with as low a waiting time as possible.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram showing an internal configuration example of the server apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, server devices 15 and 16 that receive an inquiry or the like for performing distributed processing from the image processing device 14 are a network control unit 151, a CPU 152, an HDD 153, a ROM 154, a RAM 155, an input unit 156, and a display unit. 157 and the like.

  The network control unit 151 is connected to the network 11 and performs network control. When the image processing apparatus 14 receives an inquiry about its own resource, processing capability, and current state, an information return that returns necessary information is returned. Part of the means. In addition, a determination result transmission unit that transmits a determination result for determining a device to be entrusted with distributed processing to be described later to an image processing device or another server device, and information and a processing program obtained from the image processing device are further transmitted to another server device. Consignment related information transfer means for transferring is also configured.

  The CPU 152 controls the server devices 15 and 16 as a whole, and determines the optimum device for delegating distributed processing by operating information and processing programs transmitted from the image processing device or other server devices. Means.

  The HDD 153 stores information regarding image data to be processed, resources of other acquired apparatuses, processing capability, and the current state. The ROM 154 stores a basic program for operating the server device, and the RAM 155 stores various parameters and is used as a work area during operation.

  The input unit 156 includes any keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like, and means any input means that can input operation details.

  The display unit 157 is a display for confirming the input content input by the input unit 156 and the acquired information content on the screen.

  Next, the operation according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 9).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing device 14, in order to determine the device to which the distributed processing is entrusted, information for obtaining information such as resources, processing capability, and current state from the server device 16 An information acquisition request is made (see B in FIG. 9).

  If the acquired information held by the server device 16 does not conform to the consignment conditions for the distributed processing, information on another server device 15 held by the server device 16 is acquired (see C and D in FIG. 9). ).

  The image processing apparatus 14 obtains information on the server apparatus 15 via the server apparatus 16 (see E in FIG. 9), and determines whether the apparatus entrusting distributed processing is appropriate or not from the information. ,decide.

  When the determination result of the image processing device 14 determines that it is appropriate to entrust the distributed processing to the server device 15, the distributed processing is performed directly from the image processing device 14 to the server device 15 (F in FIG. 9). reference).

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, if the acquired server device or other image processing device resources, processing capability, and current status information do not meet the conditions, the server device or other Since the information held by another server device or other image processing device held by the image processing device is obtained, and the device to which the distributed processing is entrusted is determined based on the obtained information, it is connected to the network. An appropriate consignment device can be determined from a larger amount of device information.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 10).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing device 14, in order to determine a device to which the distributed processing is entrusted, information for obtaining information such as resources, processing capability, and current state from the server device 15 is obtained. An information acquisition request is made (see B in FIG. 10).

  If the information (see C in FIG. 10) obtained by the image processing apparatus 14 from the server apparatus 15 does not meet the delegation conditions for distributed processing, information on another server apparatus 17 possessed by the server apparatus 15 is obtained. Request (see D in FIG. 10), obtain information from the server device 17 (see E in FIG. 10), and further obtain the image processing device 14 from the server device 15 (see C in FIG. 10).

  The information of the server device 17 is stored in the HDD 143 as information storage means of the image processing device 14 (see FIG. 2). When the image processing device 14 needs to perform the distributed entrustment process next time, the CPU 142 does not directly pass the server device 17 to the server device 17 based on the information stored in the HDD 143 without using the server device 15. An inquiry is made (see F in FIG. 10).

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, if the resource, processing capability, and current state information obtained by the image processing apparatus 14 from the server apparatus 15 do not meet the commission conditions, the server apparatus or the like. Information of another server apparatus or other image processing apparatus possessed by the image processing apparatus is obtained and stored in the HDD 143 of the image processing apparatus 14. Then, when entrusting the next distributed processing, it is possible to make an inquiry directly based on the information stored in the HDD 143. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently inquire about an entrustable device using the stored device information.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 11).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing apparatus 14, the information necessary for the distributed processing entrustment is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 14 to the server apparatus 15 in order to determine an apparatus entrusting the distributed processing. (See B in FIG. 11).

  The server device 15 searches for another server device or image processing device that meets the conditions for the distributed processing entrustment based on the information necessary for the distributed processing entrustment received from the image processing device 14.

  As a result of the search, as shown in FIG. 11, information is obtained from the server device 17 and the server device 18 to the server device 15 (see C and D in FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not it matches.

  Here, when the server device 15 determines the server device 17 as a device that meets the conditions for the distributed processing entrustment, the determination result is transmitted from the server device 15 to the image processing device 14 (see E in FIG. 11). Here, the image processing apparatus 14 performs direct distribution commissioning based on the determination result sent from the server apparatus 15 (see F in FIG. 11).

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the server device or another image processing device can determine whether the server device or the other image processing device meets the conditions based on the information necessary for the distributed processing entrustment sent from the image processing device 14. The server apparatus or other image processing apparatus is searched to determine an apparatus that meets the conditions, and the search result information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 14. Since the image processing apparatus 14 has only to perform distributed entrustment based on the determination result, it is possible to determine an appropriate entrusting apparatus from a lot of apparatus information without taking time and effort.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 12).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 14 determines information for entrusting distributed processing to the server apparatus 16, and information for entrusting distributed processing to the server apparatus 16; A processing program for determining a device to which distributed processing is entrusted is transmitted (see B and C in FIG. 12).

  The server device 16 is suitable for entrusting distributed processing by operating information obtained from the image processing device 14 and processing program information (see D and E in FIG. 12) of other server devices that the server device 16 has. Determine the device.

  The determination result determined by the server device 16 is once transmitted to the image processing device 14 (see F in FIG. 12). Then, the image processing device 14 directly entrusts the distributed processing to the server device 17 based on the received determination result information (see G in FIG. 12).

  As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, information for the image processing device 14 to entrust the distributed processing and a processing program for determining the device to entrust the distributed processing to the server device 16. Then, the server device 16 determines the device to which the distributed processing is entrusted by operating the entrustment information and the processing program on the information of the other server devices 17 and 18 that the server device 16 has. Since the determination result information is transmitted from the server device 16 to the image processing device 14, the image processing device 14 can directly entrust the server device 17 with decentralization.

(Eighth embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network 11 (see A in FIG. 13).

  When it is determined that the request is heavy for processing only by the image processing apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 14 determines information for entrusting distributed processing to the server apparatus 16, and information for entrusting distributed processing to the server apparatus 16; A processing program for determining a device to which distributed processing is entrusted is transmitted (see B and C in FIG. 13).

  When the server device 16 operates the information acquired from the image processing device 14 and the processing program for the information of the other server device that the server device 16 has, the server device 16 cannot find a device suitable for entrusting distributed processing. Transfers the information obtained from the image processing device 14 and the processing program to another server device 19 (see D and E in FIG. 13).

  The server device 19 operates the information transferred from the server device 16 and the processing program to determine a device suitable for entrusting distributed processing. Here, the server device 20 is used.

  The determination result information is transmitted from the server device 19 to the server device 16 (see F in FIG. 13), and the server device 16 further transfers the determination result information to the image processing device 14 (see G in FIG. 13).

  The image processing device 14 directly entrusts the distributed processing to the server device 20 based on the transferred determination result information (see H in FIG. 13).

  As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, when the server device 16 operates the information acquired from the image processing device 14 and the processing program, no other server device entrusting distributed processing is found. The server device 16 transfers the information and processing program obtained from the image processing device 14 to another server device 19 and operates the information and processing program transferred in the server device 19 to perform distributed processing. Determine the equipment to be commissioned. The determination result is transferred to the image processing device 14 via the server device 16, and the image processing device 14 directly delegates the distributed processing to the server device 20 based on the determination result. Appropriate commissioned equipment can be determined.

(Ninth embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the distributed image processing system shown in FIG. 14 is substantially the same as that of the above embodiment, and only different points will be described.

The characteristic configuration in the ninth embodiment is an element for grasping the state when the image processing apparatus 14 that has received the print request entrusts the distributed processing to the server apparatus 16 or another image processing apparatus 13. In addition to the resources, processing capability, and current state that are open to the outside described in the above embodiment, the current position information is also released. Since this location information is open to the outside, it can be acquired via the network in the same manner as the above-described resources, processing capability, and current state. Here, the position information of the client device 12 operated by the user who makes the print request is grasped, and after considering the resources, the processing capability, and the current state, if these conditions are almost the same, it is possible from among them. A device close to the client device 12 is selected. Of course, the consignment device may be determined by giving priority to the position information over the resource, processing capability, and current state.

  Next, the operation of the ninth embodiment will be described. A print request is made from the client device 12 of the user to the image processing device 14 via the network (see A in FIG. 14), and if the image processing device 14 determines that the request is heavy for processing alone, it is distributed. In order to perform processing, a request for obtaining information (see B and C in FIG. 14) is made to the server device 16 and another image processing device 13 having a server function, and the information is acquired (FIG. 14). D and E).

  In the ninth embodiment, the resources requested by the image processing apparatus 14 to the server apparatus 16 include a memory capacity and a hard disk capacity (see FIG. 5). For the image processing apparatus 13 having a server function, Has a memory capacity (see FIG. 6). The resource information is resource information that has been opened to the outside in advance, and based on these information, a device capable of efficient consignment processing is determined. In addition to the resource information, the determination can be made taking into account the processing capability, the current state, position information, and the like.

  Based on the information obtained from the server device 16 and the image processing device 13, the image processing device 14 determines a device from which the most efficient consignment processing can be expected, and in this case, the image processing device 13 performs image processing. Commissioned to perform the printing process.

  However, the commissioned image processing device 13 having the server function can acquire the position information of each device via the network, so that an image is displayed around the image processing device 14 (may be around the client device 12). If the presence of the processing device 22 is confirmed, a part of the commissioned print processing can be further commissioned to the image processing device 22 (see F in FIG. 14).

  As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, an image processing apparatus or the like that has received a print request from a user has a limited processing capability due to a single hardware factor (CPU, hard disk, operation clock, etc.). In some cases, heavy image processing cannot be handled. However, by using other high-performance and vacant devices, it is possible to perform processing that exceeds the processing capability of the user. In this embodiment, as a selection criterion for other devices, the device is determined in consideration of the current position information in addition to the resource, processing capability, and current state, so that the user can obtain the printed matter. Therefore, it is possible to take into consideration the characteristics and time, and the processing efficiency can be further improved.

(Tenth embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the tenth embodiment. The feature of the tenth embodiment is that the current state of the device, which is a criterion for selecting a consignment device, is a waiting state in the device to which the distributed processing is consigned, and at least after consigning the processing This is because it is expressed by waiting time information until processing is started and average time required information when the printed material is taken from the position information of the apparatus. In other words, since the waiting time until the processing is started after entrusting the processing is further added to the average required time information when the printed material is taken from the position information of the apparatus, the requested printed material is actually There is an advantage that an efficient commissioning device can be determined in consideration of the available time.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the user uses the client device 12 to make a print request to the image processing device 14 via the network (see A in FIG. 15). Assume that the image processing apparatus 14 obtains the commissioning process start waiting time (see D in FIG. 15) from the server apparatus 16, and also obtains the commissioning process start waiting time (see E in FIG. 15) from the image processing apparatus 13. It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 14 determines a consignee to whom processing can be entrusted with optimum efficiency from the obtained information, and selects the server apparatus 16 here.

Accordingly, the entrusted server device 16 has the position information of the image processing device 13 and confirms that the image processing device 13 is in the vicinity of the image processing device 14, and part of the print processing is performed by the image processing device. When it is found that the processing time can be shortened by entrusting to 13, the processing time is notified to the user of the client device 12 (see F in FIG. 15). Accordingly, if the user determines that it is better to entrust a part of the printing process to the image processing apparatus 13, the user can permit the entrustment.

  As described above, according to the tenth embodiment, the entrusted process start waiting time is compared between the server apparatus 16 and the image processing apparatus 13, and a part of the printing process including the position information is imaged. By notifying the user of the client device 12 of the processing time when entrusting to the processing device 13, more efficient printing processing can be performed.

(Eleventh embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the eleventh embodiment. The feature of the eleventh embodiment is that the image processing apparatus 14 that has received a print request from the user provides its own position information and position information of the other image processing apparatus 13 to the client apparatus 12 on the user side. Thus, the user is allowed to select a device for executing the printing process.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the image processing device 14 receives a print request from a user (see A in FIG. 16), the image processing device 14 may make an information request to the server device 16 or another image processing device 13, but the device that executes the print processing The user is closer to the client device 12 by first providing the position information of the image processing device 14 and the other image processing device 13 to the client device 12 on the user side (see F and G in FIG. 16). A print processing execution apparatus (image processing apparatus) can be selected.

  As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, the position information held by the image processing apparatus 14 and the position information of the other image processing apparatus 13 are determined to the user when determining a device to be entrusted with print processing. By sending it, it is possible to accurately select a nearby image processing apparatus with higher processing efficiency.

(Twelfth embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the twelfth embodiment. A feature of the twelfth embodiment is that, when the server device 16 obtains the distributed commission information from the image processing device 14 that has received a print request from the user (see F in FIG. 17), the obtained image processing device 13, The total print processing time is calculated based on the position information 14 and notified to the user (see G in FIG. 17), thereby allowing the user to select an image processing apparatus to be printed. .

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the server device 16 obtains the distributed consignment information from the image processing device 14 that has received a print request from the user, the distributed consignment information includes the location information of each device, and the image processing device 14 and the image processing The position information of the apparatus 13 or the print processing time is calculated and notified to the user (see G in FIG. 17).

  Here, the print processing times of the image processing apparatus 14 and the image processing apparatus 13 notified by the user are compared, and the user side accurately determines which of the image processing apparatuses should be entrusted to the most efficient. Thus, it is possible to select an efficient image processing apparatus and perform consignment processing.

  As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, by providing the user with information related to the print processing times of the plurality of image processing devices based on the distributed commission information obtained by the server device, the most to the user. It becomes possible to select an image processing apparatus that can efficiently perform the commissioning process.

(Thirteenth embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the thirteenth embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, when the image processing apparatus 14 that has received the print request has a heavy request to process alone, the processing is distributed, so resources, processing capability, information on the current state, etc. are distributed to other apparatuses. An information request is made in order to obtain information, but there is a problem in how to deal with a case where an abnormality occurs in the requested device or there is no response. The feature of the thirteenth embodiment is that, based on information held by a device that has no abnormality (has a response), another device that can be efficiently commissioned is searched for and the commissioning device is determined. In the point.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the server device 16 that has received the information request or the image processing device 13 having a server function not only grasps its own resources, processing capability, and current state, but also other than itself. It has the ability to grasp device information. For this reason, if there is an information request from the image processing apparatus 14 entrusting the distributed processing and an abnormality occurs in a device other than itself or there is a device that does not respond, the image processing device 14 owns the device other than the device in which the abnormality occurred. Based on the information of the devices that can be commissioned, other devices that can be commissioned with optimum efficiency can be determined and commissioned.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. When a print request is made to the image processing apparatus 14 (see A in FIG. 18), the user of the client apparatus 12 first distributes the processing if the print request is heavy for the image processing apparatus 14. An information acquisition request (see B in FIG. 18) regarding the resource, processing capability, current state, and the like is made to the device 16.

  An information request (see C in FIG. 18) is also made to the image processing apparatus 13 that also has a server function. Here, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred in the image processing apparatus 13 (or there is no response). Then, the server device 16 determines a device that can be commissioned with other optimum efficiency based on the information it has, commissions image processing (see F in FIG. 18), and executes printing. Let FIG. 18 shows a case where the server device 16 determines that the image processing apparatus 23 can process the process with optimum efficiency and the server apparatus 16 performs the process.

  In this way, as shown in the thirteenth embodiment, even if the device that requested the information is abnormal or there is no response, the device itself based on the information held by the device that is not abnormal at the request destination Since the consignee is judged and consigned, even if an unexpected situation occurs, it is possible to continuously and efficiently perform consignment processing.

(Fourteenth embodiment)
FIG. 19 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the fourteenth embodiment. A feature of the fourteenth embodiment is how to deal with a case where an apparatus in which an abnormality has occurred occurs in the image processing apparatus 14 to which the division processing is not entrusted, rather than the side to which the division processing is entrusted.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, after the image processing apparatus 14 that has received a print request from the user performs the commissioning process to the server apparatus 16, an abnormality occurs in the image processing apparatus 14 and the processing is continued. In such a case, the server device 16 can delegate the distributed processing to the image processing device 13 (see G in FIG. 19). As a result, the processing performed by the image processing device 14 is replaced by the image processing device 13 and the processing is continuously performed together with the server device 16, so that an unexpected situation occurs and the requested image processing device is Even if it can no longer be used, the processing requested by the user can be continued and distributed processing can be performed efficiently.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, after the image processing apparatus 14 that has received a print request from the user performs a consignment process to the server apparatus 16, the image processing apparatus 14 side becomes abnormal and cannot continue the processing. The server device 16 entrusts the processing to the image processing device 13 as described above. However, when the image processing apparatus 14 is restored while the image processing apparatus 13 is performing processing on its behalf, there is a problem of how to deal with it. In the fourteenth embodiment, since the processing of the image processing device 13 is an emergency measure to the last, it is desirable that the image processing device 14 continues the processing as long as the originally processed image processing device 14 is restored. Therefore, when the image processing device 14 is restored, the server device 16 that has been entrusted to the image processing device 13 transmits the work progress information to the restored image processing device 14 (see H in FIG. 19), and receives this. The image processing apparatus 14 can continue the subsequent processing based on the acquired information.

  As described above, according to the fourteenth embodiment, even if an abnormality or the like of the image processing apparatus 14 occurs, it can be entrusted to another image processing apparatus, and again according to the restoration status, It is possible to cause the image processing apparatus 14 to continue processing.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
FIG. 20 is a network configuration diagram of a distributed image processing system according to the fifteenth embodiment. The feature of the fifteenth embodiment is a case where an abnormality has occurred in the image processing apparatus 14 to be entrusted as in the fourteenth embodiment, and it is not recovered and the prospect of recovery is not expected. How to deal with cases.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. When a user makes a print request to the image processing apparatus 14 via the client apparatus 12 (see A in FIG. 20), and the print request is heavy for the image processing apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 14 distributes the processing, so the server Consignment processing is performed on the device 16 (see F in FIG. 20).

  Thereafter, when an abnormality occurs in the image processing device 14 and the processing cannot be continued, the entrusted server device 16 entrusts the other image processing device 13 to continue the processing (FIG. 20). (See G).

  However, in the fifteenth embodiment, unlike the fourteenth embodiment, since it is not possible to recover the abnormal image processing apparatus 14, the user from the entrusted image processing apparatus 13 receives the user. The client apparatus 12 is notified that the process to be performed by the image processing apparatus 14 has been transferred to the image processing apparatus 13, and the process is continued. This is because the user is not aware of the entrustment from the server device 16 to the image processing device 13 and is taken as an emergency measure in order to continue the processing. However, if recovery cannot be expected, the process cannot be continued unless the process is officially transferred, so the process transfer is notified to the user.

  As described above, according to the fifteenth embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in the image processing apparatus 14 that has received a print request from the client apparatus 12 and the distributed processing cannot be continued, the commissioned server Since the apparatus 16 searches for and entrusts another image processing apparatus 13 that can perform distributed processing, the entrusting process is continuously performed. Therefore, the processing capability can be efficiently improved without interruption of the process.

  A program executed by the image processing system according to the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROMs 144, 154, and the like.

  The program executed in the image processing system according to the present embodiment is an installable format or executable format file, which is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). ) Or the like may be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed in the image processing system according to the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.

  The program executed by the image processing system according to the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Such a program executed by the image processing system according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described components. As actual hardware, the CPU (processors) 142 and 152 include the ROM 144 described above. , 154, etc. are read out and executed, so that the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device and the respective components are generated on the main storage device.

As described above, the distributed image processing system, the server apparatus, and the program to be executed by the apparatus according to the present invention include a client apparatus, a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, and their multifunction machines connected via a network such as the Internet. It is suitable for a distributed image processing system, a server apparatus, and a program to be executed by the apparatus.

It is a network block diagram explaining the distributed image processing system of this invention. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the image processing apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of FIG. 3 with a network block diagram. It is a figure which shows an example of the resource information requested | required with respect to the server apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the resource information requested | required with respect to the image processing apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the server apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 11th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 12th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 13th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 14th Embodiment of this invention. It is a network block diagram of the distributed image processing system concerning the 15th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Distributed Image Processing System 11 Network (Internet)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Client apparatus 13,14 Image processing apparatus 16 Server apparatus 22, 23 Image processing apparatus 141 Network control part 142 CPU
143 HDD
144 ROM
145 RAM
146 Image processing unit 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Server device 151 Network control unit 152 CPU
153 HDD
154 ROM
155 RAM
156 Input unit 157 Display unit

Claims (3)

A distributed image processing system in which a plurality of server devices, image processing devices, and client devices that request print processing are connected via a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Image processing means for performing print processing requested from the client device;
A distributed processing means for distributed processing of print processing requested by the client device to one or a plurality of equipment,
And information for entrusted distributed processing, and commission related information transmitting means for transmitting and processing program for determining a device to entrust the distributed processing to the first server device,
With
The first server device is
First storage means for storing information of other server devices;
By processing the information stored in the first storage means and the information transmitted from the image processing apparatus using the processing program transmitted from the image processing apparatus , a request is made from the client apparatus. a first consignment device determining means for determining a printing equipment you entrust the distributed processing of the treatment,
If you can not find a device to delegate by Ri distributed processing on the first consignment device determining means, consignment related information to transfer the processing programs and information transmitted from the image processing device to the second server device Transfer means;
With
The second server device is
Second storage means for storing information of other server apparatuses not stored in the first storage means included in the first server apparatus;
By processing the information stored in the second storage means and the information transferred from the first server device using the processing program transferred from the first server device, A second entrusting apparatus determining means for determining an apparatus to entrust distributed processing of print processing requested from a client apparatus;
Second determination result transmission means for transmitting a determination result by the second entrusting apparatus determination means to the first server device;
With
The first server device is
A first determination result transmission means for transmitting a determination result by the first consignment apparatus determination means or the second consignment apparatus determination means to the image processing apparatus;
The image processing apparatus includes:
The distributed processing of the print processing requested from the client device is entrusted by the distributed processing means based on the determination result transmitted from the first server device for the print processing requested from the client device. Distributed image processing system.   A server device entrusted by an image processing device to perform distributed processing of print processing requested from a client device connected via a network,
  Storage means for storing information of other server devices on the network;
  In order to determine the information stored in the storage means and the information for entrusting the distributed processing of the print processing received from the image processing device, and the device for entrusting the distributed processing received from the image processing device A delegation apparatus determining unit that determines an apparatus to entrust distributed processing of print processing requested from the client apparatus by performing processing using the processing program;
Delegation for transferring information for entrusting distributed processing received from the image processing device and the processing program to another server device when the entrusting device determining means cannot find the device entrusting the distributed processing Related information transfer means;
  To entrust the determination result by the entrusting apparatus determining means or the determination result by another server apparatus, and the information stored in the other server apparatus and the distributed processing transferred by the entrusting related information transferring means Determination result transmission means for transmitting to the image processing apparatus any of the determination results determined by the other server apparatus as an apparatus entrusting distributed processing using the information and the processing program;
  A server device comprising: A server device entrusted by an image processing device to perform distributed processing of print processing requested from a client device connected via a network,
The server device,
Storage means for storing information of other server devices on the network;
In order to determine the information stored in the storage means and the information for entrusting the distributed processing of the print processing received from the image processing device, and the device for entrusting the distributed processing received from the image processing device A delegation apparatus determining unit that determines an apparatus to entrust distributed processing of print processing requested from the client apparatus by performing processing using the processing program;
Delegation for transferring information for entrusting distributed processing received from the image processing device and the processing program to another server device when the entrusting device determining means cannot find the device entrusting the distributed processing Related information transfer means;
In order to entrust the determination result by the entrusting apparatus determining means or the determination result by another server apparatus and the information stored in the other server apparatus and the distributed processing transferred by the entrusting related information transferring means Determination result transmission means for transmitting any of the determination results determined by the other server device as a device entrusting distributed processing to the image processing device using the information and the processing program;
Program to make it function.

Images