JP4742873B2 - Information processing apparatus and group determination program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and a group determination program, and more particularly to an information processing device connected to a network in which a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network constitute a group and a group determination program executed by the information processing device. .

  Conventionally, computers, printers, facsimiles, scanners, and the like are used connected to a network. A technique for sharing a function between a plurality of devices connected to a network is known. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-284931 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-281037 (Patent Document 2), and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-126550 (Patent Document 3). In recent years, usage forms in which a plurality of devices connected to a network are assigned to a plurality of groups and functions are shared among the devices in each group have become widespread.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-154968 discloses a peripheral device management system including a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network and a peripheral device connectable to any one of the information processing devices. A connection notification management unit having a function of notifying that the information processing device is connected, and the information processing device is connected to the network when receiving a connection notification from the peripheral device, and A connection notification relay unit that transmits the connection notification to at least one information processing device; and when the connection notification is received from another information processing device, stores the connection notification and uses the peripheral device from a user Peripheral device comprising a peripheral device connection management unit that uses the peripheral device via a network based on the stored connection notification when requested Management system is described. However, the peripheral device management system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-154968 can cope with a change within one group, but cannot cope with a connection to a different group. When a user adds a new device to the network and connects it, the user must know all the device configurations for each group in order to determine which group to include. I must. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to change the group configuration.
JP 2001-284931 A JP 2002-281037 A JP-A-10-126550 JP 2001-154968 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to select a group in which the function of each of a plurality of groups configured by a plurality of devices connected to a network is optimal. An information processing apparatus and a group determination program that can be configured are provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a group determination program capable of improving the communication efficiency of a network to which a plurality of devices are connected.

According to an aspect of the present invention to achieve the above-described object, the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus connectable to a network to which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected, and the plurality of information processing apparatuses are In the case where a plurality of groups consisting of at least two of the plurality of information processing apparatuses are configured, a group information acquisition unit that acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups, and each of the plurality of group information includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses Including group function information related to functions that are set to be usable by all the information processing devices that constitute the group specified by the group information, and are functions that the own device has and at least of the plurality of information processing devices includes the shared function information about one of available shared feature, a plurality of group information each acquired by the group information acquisition means Group determination compared with loop function information, to determine a selection means for selecting one or more from among the plurality of group information, one or more groups specified by one or more groups information selected from a plurality of groups Means, and group registration means for registering the own device in one or more determined groups of the plurality of groups .

According to the present invention, group information of each of a plurality of groups is acquired, and a group is determined from the plurality of groups based on group function information included in each of the acquired plurality of group information. Since the group is determined based on the group function information of each of the plurality of existing groups, the function of the group including the information processing apparatus can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of configuring a group in which the functions of each of a plurality of groups configured by a plurality of devices connected to the network are optimal.
Preferably, the selection unit compares the shared function that is a function of the own device and that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses with group function information included in each of the plurality of group information, Function priority selection means for selecting group information that does not include the same function as the shared function in the group function information from the group information.
According to the present invention, the shared function that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to the network is compared with the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information. Group information that does not include the same function as the shared function in the shared function information is selected. For this reason, the function of the group to which the information processing apparatus is added can be expanded.
Preferably, the selection unit compares the level of the shared function that is a function of the own apparatus and that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses with the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information, Level priority selection means for selecting group information including group function information of the same function as the shared function and lower than the level of the shared function from among the plurality of group information.
According to the present invention, group information that is the same function as the shared function and includes group function information at a level lower than the level of the shared function is selected from the plurality of group information. For this reason, the level of the function of the group to which the information processing apparatus is added can be improved.

Preferably, history information storage means for storing history information in which the number or amount of data transmitted / received by the own device is associated with group identification information of a group including the information processing device of the other party that has transmitted / received data among a plurality of groups Based on the stored history information, history priority selection for selecting one or more groups in which the number of times data is transmitted / received or the total amount of data is a predetermined value or more from among one or more groups selected by the selection means and means, group determining means, that determine one or more groups selected by the history priority means.

According to the present invention, the history information in which the number of times the device itself has transmitted / received data or the amount of data is associated with the group identification information of the group including the partner information processing device that has transmitted / received data among a plurality of groups is stored, Based on the information, one or more group information is selected from one or more group information selected from the plurality of groups. It is preferable that the number of data transmission / reception or communication amount in the same group is smaller than the number of data transmission / reception or communication amount between different groups. Thus, the device itself by the number of times or the same group as the data-intensive processing apparatus for transmitting and receiving data, the communication efficiency of the network is improved. As a result, an information processing apparatus capable of improving the communication efficiency of a network to which a plurality of devices are connected can be provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is an information processing device connected to a network to which a plurality of information processing devices are connected, and the plurality of information processing devices are connected to a plurality of information processing devices. When a plurality of groups consisting of at least two of them are configured, group information acquisition means for acquiring group information of each of the plurality of groups, and the number of times the data is transmitted / received by the own device or the amount of data , among the plurality of groups History information storage means for storing history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the partner information processing apparatus that has transmitted / received data, and data was transmitted / received from among a plurality of groups based on the stored history information and the number or amount of data of the cumulative predetermined value or more 1 or more you select a group selection unit, a selected one of the plurality of groups 1 And a group registration means for registering its own device to the upper group.

According to the present invention, the history information in which the number of times the device itself has transmitted / received data or the amount of data is associated with the group identification information of the group including the partner information processing device that has transmitted / received data among a plurality of groups is stored, based on the information, the cumulative number of times or amount of data transmitted and received data from the plurality of groups is selected and one or more groups equal to or greater than a predetermined value, Ru own device is registered to one or more of the group selected. Thus, the device itself by a more information processing apparatus and the self apparatus with the number or amount of data to transmit and receive data in the same group, communication efficiency of the network is improved. As a result, an information processing apparatus with improved communication efficiency can be provided.

Preferably, the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus different from the plurality of information processing apparatuses.
According to the present invention, when an information processing apparatus is newly connected to a network, it can be assigned to an optimal group.

Preferably, the information processing apparatus is included in a plurality of information processing apparatuses.
According to this invention, an information processing apparatus can be assigned to an optimal group according to the usage situation.

  Preferably, the group information acquisition unit acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups at a predetermined time interval.

  Preferably, each of the plurality of information processing devices further includes usage efficiency calculation means for calculating the usage efficiency of a function that can be used by all the other information processing devices constituting the group to which the information processing device belongs, and obtains group information The means acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups when the calculated usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value.

  According to the present invention, when the usage efficiency of a function that can be used by all the other information processing apparatuses constituting the group to which the information processing apparatus belongs is calculated and the usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value, each of the plurality of groups The group information is acquired to determine the group. For this reason, since the group is determined again when the use of the functions available in the group is small, the group can be assigned according to the use state.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the group determination program is a group determination program executed by an information processing device connectable to a network to which a plurality of information processing devices are connected, and the plurality of information processing devices are A plurality of groups of at least two information processing devices, the step of obtaining group information for each of the plurality of groups, and each of the plurality of group information is the group information of the plurality of information processing devices Includes group function information related to functions that are set to be usable by all information processing devices that constitute the group specified in (1), and is a function of the own device and is usable by at least one of the plurality of information processing devices. sharing information about sharing, as compared with the group function information included in the plurality of group information each acquired, double Selecting one or more from among the group information, determining one or more groups specified by one or more groups information selected among the groups was determined among the groups And causing the information processing apparatus to execute the step of registering the own apparatus in one or more groups .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a group determination program capable of configuring a group in which the function of each of a plurality of groups configured by a plurality of devices connected to a network is optimal.
Preferably, a step of storing history information in which the number or amount of data transmitted / received by the own device is associated with group identification information of a group including an information processing device of a partner that has transmitted / received data among a plurality of groups, A history priority selection step for selecting one or more groups whose data transmission / reception times or the total amount of data is a predetermined value or more from among the one or more groups selected in the step of selecting based on the history information that has been selected; The step of determining the group determines one or more groups selected in the history priority selection step.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the group determination program is a group determination program that is executed by an information processing device connected to a network to which a plurality of information processing devices are connected. If you have multiple up the group consisting of at least two of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, acquiring group information of a plurality of groups each, the number or amount of data the device itself has transmitted and received data, a plurality of groups Storing the history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the partner information processing apparatus that has transmitted and received data, and the number of times data is transmitted and received from among the plurality of groups based on the stored history information or the steps of the data amount of the accumulated selects one or more groups equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a plurality of groups And registering the own apparatus among the selected one or more groups, the to be executed by the information processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a group determination program capable of improving the communication efficiency of a network to which a plurality of devices are connected.
Preferably, the information processing device is included in the plurality of information processing devices, and calculates a usage efficiency of a function that can be used by all other information processing devices constituting the group to which the information processing device belongs among the plurality of information processing devices. The step of acquiring group information further includes the step of acquiring group information of each of the plurality of groups when the calculated usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, network system 1 includes nine MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 11 to 19 connected to network 2. Each of the MFPs 11 to 19 includes a scanner unit for reading a document, an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data, and a facsimile, and has an image reading function, a copying function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function. I have.

  The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a network using a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or the like.

  In the nine MFPs 11 to 19 constituting the network system 1, three MFPs 11, 12 and 14 form a group A, four MFPs 14 to 16 and 18 form a group B, and four MFPs 13 and 17. ˜19 constitute group C. The MFP 14 belongs to group A and group B. The MFP 18 belongs to a group B and a group C. For example, in the group A, the MFPs 11, 12, and 14 constituting the group A can mutually use the functions set to be shared. The functions include a PSTN facsimile transmission / reception function, an Internet facsimile transmission / reception function, an image file generation function, an image processing function, an image forming function, a paper post-processing function after image formation, and a data storage function. The image file generation function includes generation of file formats such as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), and PDF (Portable Document Format). The image processing function includes a character recognition (OCR) function. The image forming function includes monochrome image formation, color image formation, and duplex printing. The post-processing function includes a staple needle driving function, a punch hole processing function, and an intermediate folding function. For example, if the storage device of MFP 11 is set to be shared, the storage device of MFP 11 can be used by other MFPs 12 and 14 included in group A.

  The figure shows an example in which the network system 1 is configured by connecting nine MFPs 11 to 19 to the network 2, but the devices constituting the network system 1 are not limited to the MFPs 11 to 19, and can be connected to the network 2. As long as it is a simple device, it may be a facsimile, a scanner, a printer, or a computer. Further, the number of devices constituting the network system 1 is not limited to nine, but may be plural. Furthermore, although the figure shows an example in which nine MFPs 11 to 19 are grouped into three groups A, B, and C, it is possible to form a group with at least two of the nine MFPs 11 to 19. Is possible. Further, each of the MFPs 11 to 19 can belong to a plurality of groups.

  Here, a group determination process for determining whether the MFP 100 connected to the network 2 belongs to an existing group A, group B, or group C will be described. The MFP 100 may be a device different from the MFPs 11 to 19, or may be any one of the MFPs 11 to 19. When the MFP 100 is a device different from the MFPs 11 to 19, the MFP 100 is newly connected to the network 2 or has already been connected to the network 2, but belongs to any of the groups A, B, and C. This is the case. The group determination process in the case where the MFP 100 is an apparatus different from the MFPs 11 to 19 is referred to as a group determination process in new registration here. When the MFP 100 is any one of the MFPs 11 to 19, a process of excluding from the group that belonged in the past is executed, and the configuration content of the group is changed. For example, when the MFP 100 is the MFP 11, when the process of excluding the MFP 11 from the group is executed, the group A is configured by the MFP 12 and the MFP 14, and the function set to be shared by the MFP 11 is used by the MFP 12 and the MFP 14. The configuration content of group A is changed so that it cannot be performed. Here, the group determination process when the MFP 100 is any one of the MFPs 11 to 19 is referred to as a group determination process in group reconfiguration.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. Since the functions of the MFP 100 and the MFPs 11 to 19 are the same, the MFP 100 will be described as an example here. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes a scanner unit 103, an image forming unit 106 that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that is connected to a bus 111, and a storage unit. 102, an input image processing unit 104 that processes image data output by the scanner unit 103, an output image processing unit 105 that performs processing suitable for output to image data, a network interface (I / F) 107, A modem 108, an operation panel 109, and a card I / F 110 are included.

  CPU 101 controls the entire MFP 100. The storage unit 102 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable / Programmable ROM), and a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU 101 loads the group determination program recorded in the ROM into the RAM and executes it.

  The scanner unit 103 includes a photoelectric conversion device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), optically reads a document, and outputs image data as electronic data to the input image processing unit 104. The input image processing unit 104 performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, resolution conversion processing, region discrimination processing, and the like on the input image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit 102.

  The output image processing unit 105 reads the image data from the storage unit 102, performs screen control processing, smoothing processing, and pulse width modulation (PWM), and outputs the processed image data to the image forming unit 106. The image forming unit 106 is a laser printer, and visualizes the image data input from the output image processing unit 105 on a recording medium such as paper. In the case of color printing, the image forming unit 106 forms an image with toners of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image forming unit 106 may be an ink jet printer.

  An IC card 110A is attached to the card I / F 110. The CPU 101 can access the IC card 110 </ b> A via the card I / F 110. A network I / F 107 connects the MFP 100 to the network 2. The network I / F 107 outputs data to the network 2 according to a predetermined communication protocol, and receives data from the network 2 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The CPU 101 can communicate with other MFPs 11 to 19 connected to the network 2 via the network I / F 107. For this reason, for example, data transmission / reception is possible using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the like.

  Modem 108 connects MFP 100 to public switched telephone network (PSTN) 113. The modem 108 enables facsimile communication of data according to a facsimile communication protocol. The modem 108 stores the data received by facsimile in the HDD of the storage unit 102. Further, the modem 108 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) in order to enable communication with a computer connected to the PSTN 113. Data received from another computer by the modem 108 is stored in the HDD of the storage unit 102.

  Operation panel 109 includes an input unit 109A and a display unit 109B. Input unit 109 </ b> A is an input device such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a mouse for receiving an operation input by a user of MFP 100. The display unit 109B is a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display panel. When a touch panel made of a transparent member is used as the input unit 109A, an instruction of a button displayed on the display unit 109B can be detected by placing the touch panel on the display unit 109B. Thereby, various operations can be input.

  The group determination program executed by the CPU 101 is not limited to that stored in the ROM, but may be stored in the EEPROM. If stored in the EEPROM, the group determination program can be rewritten or additionally written. For this reason, another computer connected to the network 2 can rewrite the group determination program stored in the EEPROM of the MFP 100, or can additionally write a new group determination program. Furthermore, MFP 100 can download a group determination program from another PC connected to network 2 and store the group determination program in the EEPROM.

  Further, the group determination program may be stored in the IC card 110A, and the group determination program recorded in the IC card 110A attached to the card I / F 110 may be loaded into the RAM and executed. The group determination program is not limited to being recorded on the IC card 110A, but is a magnetic tape, cassette tape, magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) / MO (Magneto-Optical). (Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), an optical card, or a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or a flash memory, or the like, may be recorded on a medium carrying a fixed program. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 101 but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of the CPU provided in the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, CPU 101 acquires a usage rate calculation unit 151 that calculates a usage rate of a function that is shared and set in MFP 100, and group information that acquires group information related to each of a plurality of groups included in network system 1. An acquisition unit 152; a group determination unit 160 for determining one of a plurality of groups; a usage rate calculation unit 151 that calculates a usage rate of a shared function; and a group registration unit 153 that registers the determined group. Including.

  The CPU 101 counts the time that the function set for sharing is used by another MFP connected to the network 2, functions identification information for identifying the function set for sharing, the time measured, and the sharing Usage information 181 associated with device identification information for specifying an MFP that uses a set function is stored in the storage unit 102. The usage information 181 includes a time used by another device for each function set to be shared. The usage rate calculation unit 151 calculates the usage rate from the time when the shared setting function is used, and determines whether the usage rate is low. For example, the usage rate calculation unit 151 calculates the usage rate by dividing the time when the function set for sharing is used by another device by the elapsed time after the sharing setting. If the usage rate is lower than a predetermined value, the usage rate calculation unit 151 instructs the group information acquisition unit 152 to acquire group information. When the MFP 100 is newly connected to the network 2, since the usage information 181 does not exist, the usage rate calculation unit 151 does not instruct the group information acquisition unit 152 to acquire group information. Here, the usage information 181 includes the time when the function set for sharing is used by another MFP connected to the network 2, but the function set for sharing is connected to the network 2. It may be the number of times used by the MFP.

  The group information is defined for each group, and includes function information related to functions that are set to be usable by all MFPs constituting the group specified by the group information, and group function information that defines function levels. The function level is defined for a function having a plurality of levels and indicates the level of the function. For example, in the case of a function for storing data, the function level is a storage capacity. The group information may be stored by one MFP constituting the group, or all MFPs constituting the group.

  The group information acquisition unit 152 broadcasts an acquisition request command for requesting acquisition of group information via the network I / F 107. The acquisition request command is received by all of the MFPs 11 to 19 connected to the network 2. In this case, group information is received from all of the MFPs 11 to 19 that store the group information. It receives the identification information of the device previously connected to the network 2, such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address or an IP (Internet Protocol) address, and sends an acquisition request command to the MFP selected from them. Thus, group information may be acquired. According to this, the communication amount of the network 2 for acquiring group information can be reduced. The group information acquisition unit 152 stores the acquired group information 182 in the storage unit 102. Here, group information for each of groups A, B, and C is acquired and stored in storage unit 102.

  Group determination unit 160 includes a function priority selection unit 161, a level priority selection unit 162, and a history priority selection unit 163. Storage unit 102 stores self-device information 183 that defines functions and function levels of MFP 100. Self-device information 183 includes group identification information of a group to which MFP 100 belongs, a function possessed by MFP 100, whether sharing setting is permitted for each function, and a function level. The sharing setting permission / inhibition indicates whether or not it can be used by other MFPs 11 to 19 connected to the network 2.

  The function priority selection unit 161 reads the group information 182 and the own device information 183 from the storage unit 102, and selects the group information 182 that does not have a function that is set to be shareable in the own device information 183. . Then, the group specified by the selected group information is selected.

  The level priority selection unit 162 reads the group information 182 and the own device information 183 from the storage unit 102, and from the group information 182, the function having a low function level that is set to be shareable in the own device information 183. select. All of the group information 182 whose function level is set to be shareable may be selected or less than a predetermined value, or the function of the function that is set to be shareable from the group information 182 You may choose the one with the lowest level. Then, the level priority selection unit 162 selects a group specified by the selected group information. For example, taking the storage function as an example, the level priority selection unit 162 selects group information with a small storage capacity if the storage function is set to be shareable in the self-device information 183 of the MFP 100. Then, the group specified by the selected group information is selected.

  The storage unit 102 stores history information 184. The history information 184 is information in which the number of times of data transmission / reception is associated with group identification information for identifying a group. Each time the history priority selection unit 163 transmits / receives data, the history priority selection unit 163 updates the number of times of data transmission / reception associated with group identification information for identifying a group to which a partner device that has transmitted / received data belongs. The history priority selection unit 163 reads the history information 184 from the storage unit 102 and selects group identification information having a large number of data transmission / reception times. You may select all the group identification information in which the frequency | count of data transmission / reception exceeds a predetermined value, and you may select the group identification information with the largest frequency | count of data transmission / reception. Then, the history priority selection unit 163 selects a group specified by the selected group identification information. The history information 184 may be information in which the amount of transmitted and received data is associated with group identification information for identifying a group. When MFP 100 is newly connected to network 2, history information 184 is not stored in storage unit 102, and history priority selection unit 163 does not select a group.

The group determination unit 160 includes a function priority selection unit 161, a level priority selection unit 162, and a history priority selection unit 163. Any one of these groups may be selected, or the function priority selection unit 161, level A group may be selected by a combination of two or more selected from the priority selection unit 162 and the history priority selection unit 163. The combination of the function priority selection unit 161, the level priority selection unit 162, and the history priority selection unit 163 for group selection may be as follows.
(1) In the case of two combinations, the level priority selection unit 162 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the function priority selection unit 161. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the level priority selection unit 162, the history priority selection unit 163 selects a group.
(2) In the case of two combinations, the history priority selection unit 163 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the function priority selection unit 161. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the history priority selection unit 163, the level priority selection unit 162 selects a group.
(3) In the case of two combinations, the function priority selection unit 161 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the level priority selection unit 162. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the function priority selection unit 161, the history priority selection unit 163 selects a group.
(4) In the case of two combinations, the history priority selection unit 163 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the level priority selection unit 162. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the history priority selection unit 163, the function priority selection unit 161 selects a group.
(5) In the case of two combinations, the function priority selection unit 161 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the history priority selection unit 163. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the function priority selection unit 161, the level priority selection unit 162 selects a group.
(6) In the case of two combinations, the level priority selection unit 162 selects a group from among a plurality of groups selected by the history priority selection unit 163. In the case of the three combinations, when a plurality of groups are selected by the level priority selection unit 162, the group is selected by the function priority selection unit 161.

  Group registration unit 153 registers MFP 100 in the group determined by group determination unit 160. Here, a case where group A is determined by group determination unit 160 will be described as an example. Group registration unit 153 registers MFP 100 in group A by making settings necessary for including MFP 100 in group A. In addition, the group registration unit 153 sets a function that can be shared to all MFPs 11, 12, and 14 included in the group A. Then, group registration unit 153 updates its own device information 183 and transmits the device identification information (device ID) assigned to MFP 100 to all MFPs 11, 12, and 14 belonging to group A.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information of group A. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information of group B. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information of group C. As illustrated in FIG. 4 to 6, the group information includes a group ID, an update date and time, a function, a data storage function level, and a job history. The group ID is group identification information for identifying a group. The update date / time indicates the date / time when the group information was updated. Functions include PSTN facsimile transmission / reception function (FAX), Internet facsimile transmission / reception function (Internet FAX), compatible image file formats (corresponding image format), image forming function (both sides), image processing function (OCR), image It includes a post-processing function (stapling, punching holes, half-folding) and a data storage function (data storage) after forming. The group information is associated with information indicating whether each function can be shared and used. For example, taking Group A as an example, the PSTN facsimile transmission / reception function is not set to be shared. The Internet facsimile transmission / reception function is not shared. TIFF, JPEG, and PDF are set to be shared as compatible image file formats. The image forming function is set to be shared so that duplex printing is possible. The image processing function is set to share the OCR process. As for the post-processing function of the paper after the image formation, none of the staple processing, the punch hole processing, and the middle folding processing is set to be shared. The data storage function is set to be shared. In addition, the data storage function level set for sharing is a hard disk drive (HDD) with an empty capacity of 200 GB (gigabytes) and a memory capacity of 256 MB (megabytes).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus information stored in the MFP. In the figure, the apparatus information of MFP 100 connected to network 2 but not belonging to any of groups A, B, and C is shown. Referring to FIG. 7, the own device information includes a device ID, a group ID, an update date / time, a function, a data storage function level, and a job history. The device ID is identification information for identifying MFP 100. Here, the device ID is “001”. The group ID is group identification information for identifying the group to which the MFP 100 belongs. Since the MFP 100 does not belong to any of the groups A, B, and C, the group ID is “None”. The update date / time indicates the date / time when the device information was updated. Here, since the own device information has not been updated, the update date / time is “None”. The MFP 100 has a PSTN facsimile transmission / reception function, and sharing setting is possible. Although MFP 100 has an Internet facsimile transmission / reception function, sharing setting is impossible. The image file format that can be supported is that the MFP 100 can support the formats of TIFF, JPEG, and PDF. As for the image forming function, the MFP 100 can perform double-sided printing but cannot perform sharing setting. As for the image processing function, the MFP 100 can perform OCR processing and can be set to be shared. As for the post-processing function of paper after image formation, the MFP 100 cannot execute any of staple processing, punch hole processing, and half-fold processing. Regarding the data storage function, the MFP 100 has a storage device and can be set to be shared. In addition, the level of the data storage function set to be shared is a hard disk drive (HDD) with an empty capacity of 100 GB and a memory capacity of 512 MB.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of group determination processing executed by MFP 100 in the present embodiment. The group determination process is a process executed by the CPU 101 when the CPU 101 executes a group determination program. The CPU 101 executes the group determination program at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 1 second). Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 101 determines whether MFP 100 is a new registration that is not registered in any of groups A to C (step S01). The CPU 101 displays an input screen for the user to instruct new registration on the display unit 109B, and acquires a new registration instruction when the user inputs a new registration instruction to the input unit 109A. The new registration instruction by the user is input, for example, when MFP 100 is connected to network 2 or when it is desired to change the group to which MFP 100 belongs. If the CPU 101 obtains a new registration instruction, the process proceeds to step S05, and if not, the process proceeds to step S02.

  The process proceeds to step S02 when MFP 100 belongs to any one of group A, group B, and group C. In step S02, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous update. The predetermined time here is a predetermined time and may be set by the user of MFP 100. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily determined such as one day or one week. The last update time is a time point when the process of registering in the group is executed in step S11 described later. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the last update, CPU 101 proceeds to step S05, and otherwise proceeds to step S03. In step S03, the CPU 101 calculates the usage efficiency of the shared function. And it is judged whether use efficiency is smaller than threshold value T (step S04). The CPU 101 reads the usage information 181 from the storage unit 102, and calculates the usage rate by dividing the time when the function set for sharing is used by another device by the elapsed time after the sharing setting. If the use efficiency of the shared function is smaller than the threshold value T, the CPU 101 determines that assignment to a group different from the already assigned group is necessary, and advances the processing to step S05. If the usage efficiency of the shared function is not smaller than the threshold value T, the CPU 101 ends the process to maintain the already assigned group. For example, the MFP 11 calculates the usage efficiency of the functions that can be used by all the other MFPs 12 and 14 constituting the group A to which the MFP 11 belongs, and if the usage efficiency is lower than the threshold value T, the process proceeds to step S05. move on. After step S05, the group is determined again, so that the group can be assigned according to the usage status.

  In step S05, the CPU 101 broadcasts an acquisition request command via the network I / F 107. As a result, the acquisition request command is received by all the MFPs 11 to 19 connected to the network 2, and group information is returned. When the CPU 101 receives the group information, the CPU 101 stores the received group information in the storage unit 102. Here, group information of groups A, B, and C is received and stored in storage unit 102.

  The CPU 101 determines whether there are a plurality of groups (step S06). If a plurality of types of group information are received, CPU 101 advances the process to step S07. This is because when there are a plurality of groups, it is determined which of the plurality of groups is to be registered. If one type of group information is received, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S11. In step S07, the CPU 101 executes registration group selection processing. Although the registration process selection process will be described later, one or more group candidates are selected by the registration group selection process. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there are a plurality of selected candidate groups (step S08). If there are a plurality of candidate groups, the process proceeds to step S09, and if it is singular, step S09 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S09, CPU 101 selects one group to register MFP 100 from among a plurality of candidate groups. CPU 101 causes display unit 109B to display an instruction screen for instructing the user to select one of a plurality of candidate groups, and when the user inputs a selection instruction to input unit 109A, CPU 101 registers the MFP 100. Get group identification information. The instruction screen includes a list of group identification information (group ID) for identifying a plurality of candidate groups. Here, a case where group identification information of group A is acquired will be described as an example.

  In step S <b> 10, the CPU 101 determines whether the group identification information acquired in step S <b> 09 is different from the group identification information (group ID) defined by the own device information stored in the storage unit 102. The CPU 101 advances the process to step S11 if the two are different, and ends the process if they are the same. This is because when both are the same, the group to which the MFP 100 belongs is not changed. Note that, when the group identification information (group ID) is not defined in the own apparatus information stored in the storage unit 102, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S11.

  In step S11, CPU 101 performs settings necessary for including MFP 100 in group A specified by the group identification information acquired in step S09. For example, location information on the network 2 such as a MAC address necessary for communicating with other MFPs 11, 12, and 14 belonging to the group A is stored in the storage unit 102. Then, the CPU 101 sets the functions that can be shared by the MFP 100 to be usable by all the MFPs 11, 12, and 14 included in the group A (step S12). Further, the CPU 101 updates the own device information 183 stored in the storage unit 102 (step S13), and transmits the own device information 183 to all the MFPs 11, 12, and 14 belonging to the group A (step S14).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration group selection process executed in step S07 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 101 determines whether MFP 100 is newly connected to network 2 (step S21). If the history information 184 is not stored in the storage unit 102, the CPU 101 determines that a new connection is made, and proceeds to step S22. If the history information 184 is stored, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S25.

  In step S22, the CPU 101 executes a function priority selection process. Specifically, the CPU 101 reads the group information 182 and the own device information 183 from the storage unit 102, and selects the group information 182 that does not have a function that is set to be shareable in the own device information 183. To do. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a plurality of group information selected from the group information 182 in step S22 (step S23). If there is a plurality of selected group information, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S24, and if there is one, returns the process to the group determination process. In step S24, the CPU 101 executes the level priority selection process, and then returns the process to the group determination process. Specifically, the CPU 101 reads the group information 182 and the own device information 183 from the storage unit 102, and the function level of the function that is set to be shareable in the own device information 183 from the group information 182 is a predetermined value. Select all of the following and return processing to the group determination process:

  On the other hand, in step S25, the CPU 101 executes function priority selection processing in the same manner as in step S22. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a plurality of group information selected from the group information 182 in step S22 (step S26). If there are a plurality of selected group information, the process proceeds to step S27. If there is, return the processing to the group determination processing. In step S27, the CPU 101 executes level priority selection processing as in step S24. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a plurality of group information selected from the group information 182 in step S27 (step S28). If there are a plurality of selected group information, the process proceeds to step S29. If there is, return the processing to the group determination processing. In step S29, after executing the history priority selection process, the CPU 101 returns the process to the group determination process. Specifically, the CPU 101 reads the history information 184 from the storage unit 102, and selects all the group identification information for which the number of data transmission / reception of the history information 184 exceeds a predetermined value.

  Note that the CPU 101 executes processing in order of function priority selection processing, level priority selection processing, and history priority selection processing to select group information. However, the CPU 101 may execute any one of them. Two or more selected from the function priority selection process, the level priority selection process, and the history priority selection process may be executed in combination. Furthermore, the order of execution is not limited to the order of function priority selection processing, level priority selection processing, and history priority selection processing, and can be any order.

  Here, it is assumed that group information of each of group A, group B, and group C shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is acquired, and the apparatus information of MFP 100 shown in FIG. According to the function priority selection process, the processes that can be shared by the MFP 100 are FAX and OCR, and therefore group A and group B that do not have a FAX function are selected. Further, according to the level priority selection processing, the level of data storage function that can be shared by the MFP 100 is 100 GB for the HDD and 512 MB for the memory, and therefore, the group B having a small HDD free capacity of 10 MB is selected. . Further, according to the history priority selection process, MFP 100 is most frequently transmitted data to group A and is most frequently received data from group A, so group A is selected.

  As described above, MFP 100 according to the present embodiment acquires group information of each of groups A to C, and based on group function information included in each of the acquired three group information, out of groups A to C. Determine the group. The group function information includes, for example, the duplex printing function, the OCR function, the data storage function, and the function level of the data storage function that are set to be usable by all the MFPs 11, 12, and 14 constituting the group A among the MFPs 11 to 19. It is. Since the group is determined based on the group function information of each of the existing groups A to C, the function of the group including the MFP 100 can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to configure a group in which the functions of the plurality of groups A to C configured by the plurality of MFPs 11 to 19 connected to the network 2 are optimal.

  Further, MFP 100 stores history information obtained by accumulating the number of times of data transmission / reception or the amount of data for each of a plurality of groups, and selects a group from groups A to C based on the history information. Since the number of communications or the amount of communication in the transmission / reception of data within the same group is less than the number of communications or the amount of communication in data transmission / reception between different groups, The communication efficiency of the network 2 can be improved.

  Further, for example, the MFP 11 calculates the usage efficiency of the functions that can be used by all the other MFPs 12 and 14 constituting the group A to which the MFP 11 belongs, and when the usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value, the groups A to C Each group information is acquired and a group is determined. For this reason, since the group is determined again when the use of the functions available in the group is small, the group can be assigned according to the use state.

  In addition, MFP 100 compares the FAX function, the OCR function, and the data storage function that can be used by at least one of MFPs 11 to 19 connected to network 2 with the group function information included in each of group information of groups A to C. Then, the group information of the group A not including any of the FAX function, the OCR function, and the data storage function is selected from the group information of the groups A to C. Therefore, the function of group A to which MFP 100 is added can be expanded.

  In addition, MFP 100 compares the function levels of the data storage function that can be used by at least one of MFPs 11 to 19 connected to network 2, and the group having the lower data storage function level from the group information of groups A to C. B group information is selected. Therefore, the level of the data storage function of group B to which MFP 100 is added can be improved.

  Although the MFP 100 has been described in the present embodiment, a method for causing the MFP 100 to execute the group determination process shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and a group determination executed by the CPU 101 to cause the MFP 100 to execute the group determination process. It goes without saying that the present invention can be grasped as a program.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
The embodiment described above includes the following inventive concept.
(1) A network system in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to a network, and a plurality of groups each including at least two information processing devices of the plurality of information processing devices are formed.
The new information processing apparatus newly connected to the network is
Group information acquisition means for acquiring group information related to each of the plurality of groups;
Each of the plurality of group information includes group function information related to a function that is set to be usable by all the information processing devices constituting the group specified by the group information among the plurality of information processing devices,
Group determining means for determining a group including the new information processing apparatus from the plurality of groups based on the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information acquired by the group information acquiring means; Equipped with a network system.
(2) A network system in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to a network, and a plurality of groups formed of at least two information processing devices of the plurality of information processing devices are formed.
Each of the plurality of information processing devices includes group information acquisition means for acquiring group information of each of the plurality of groups;
Each of the plurality of group information includes group function information related to a function that is set to be usable by all the information processing devices constituting the group specified by the group information among the plurality of information processing devices,
A network system comprising: a group determination unit that determines a group from among the plurality of groups based on the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information acquired by the group information acquisition unit.
(3) A network system in which a plurality of information processing devices are connected to a network, and the network system includes a plurality of groups each including at least two information processing devices of the plurality of information processing devices,
Each of the plurality of information processing devices includes history information storage means for storing history information including identification information for identifying a partner device that has transmitted and received data among the plurality of information processing devices,
A network system comprising history priority selection means for selecting a group from the plurality of groups based on the stored history information.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an overview of functions of a CPU provided in the MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the group information of the group A. It is a figure which shows an example of the group information of the group B. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information of a group C. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of own device information stored in an MFP. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an exemplary flow of a group determination process executed by MFP 100 in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the registration group selection process performed by step S07 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 network system, 2 networks, 102 storage unit, 103 scanner unit, 104 input image processing unit, 105 output image processing unit, 106 image forming unit, 107 network I / F, 108 modem, 109 operation panel, 109A input unit, 109B Display unit, 110 card I / F, 110A IC card, 111 bus, 151 usage rate calculation unit, 152 group information acquisition unit, 153 group registration unit, 160 group determination unit, 161 function priority selection unit, 162 level priority selection unit, 163 History priority selection unit, 181 usage information, 182 group information, 183 own device information, 184 history information, 185 group setting information.

Claims (13)

An information processing apparatus connectable to a network to which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected,
When the plurality of information processing devices constitute a plurality of groups consisting of at least two of the plurality of information processing devices, group information acquisition means for acquiring group information of each of the plurality of groups;
Each of the plurality of group information includes group function information related to a function that is set to be usable by all the information processing devices constituting the group specified by the group information among the plurality of information processing devices,
The group included in each of the plurality of group information acquired by the group information acquisition unit , including shared function information regarding a shared function that is a function of the own device and that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Selection means for selecting one or more of the plurality of group information in comparison with the function information ;
A group determining means for determining one or more groups specified by one or more group information said selected from among the previous SL plurality of groups,
An information processing apparatus comprising: group registration means for registering the own apparatus in the one or more determined groups among the plurality of groups . Said selection means, at least one of available shared feature among the plurality of information processing devices a function of its own apparatus has, as compared with the group function information included in the plurality of group information each, the including functional priority selection means for selecting a group information does not include the same function as the sharing group function information from among the plurality of group information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The selection unit compares a level of a shared function that is a function of the own apparatus and that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses with the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information. , including level priority selection means for selecting a group information including the sharing and low levels of the group function information than the level of the shared features have the same function from among the plurality of group information, according to claim 1 or 2 The information processing apparatus described in 1. History information storage means for storing history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the information processing apparatus of the other party that has transmitted and received data among the plurality of groups , the number of times or the amount of data transmitted and received by the own device ,
Based on the stored history information, history priority selection for selecting one or more groups in which the number of times of data transmission / reception or the total amount of data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value from among one or more groups selected by the selection means for example further Bei and means,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the group determination unit determines one or more groups selected by the history priority unit . An information processing apparatus connected to a network to which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected,
A group information acquisition unit configured to acquire group information of each of the plurality of groups, when the plurality of information processing apparatuses configure a plurality of groups including at least two of the plurality of information processing apparatuses;
History information storage means for storing history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the information processing apparatus of the other party that has transmitted and received data among the plurality of groups , the number of times or the amount of data transmitted and received by the own device ,
Based on the stored history information, the cumulative number of times or amount of data transmitted and received data and a predetermined value or more 1 or more you select a group selection means from among the plurality of groups,
An information processing apparatus comprising: group registration means for registering the own apparatus in the one or more selected groups among the plurality of groups . The information processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of information processing apparatuses is another information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5. The information processing apparatus, the included in the plurality of information processing apparatuses, information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the group information acquisition unit acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups at a predetermined time interval. Each of the plurality of information processing devices further includes usage efficiency calculating means for calculating usage efficiency of a function that can be used by all other information processing devices constituting the group to which the information processing device belongs,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the group information acquisition unit acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups when the calculated usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value. A group determination program executed by an information processing apparatus connectable to a network to which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected,
When the plurality of information processing devices constitute a plurality of groups consisting of at least two of the plurality of information processing devices, obtaining group information of each of the plurality of groups;
Each of the plurality of group information includes group function information related to a function that is set to be usable by all the information processing devices constituting the group specified by the group information among the plurality of information processing devices,
Compared to the group function information included in each of the plurality of group information acquired , the shared function information related to a shared function that is a function of the own device and that can be used by at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. Selecting one or more of the plurality of group information;
Determining one or more groups specified by one or more group information said selected from among the previous SL plurality of groups,
A group determination program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of registering a self-device in the determined one or more groups among the plurality of groups . Storing the history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the information processing apparatus of the other party that has transmitted and received data among the plurality of groups, the number of times or the amount of data transmitted and received by the own apparatus; and
Based on the stored history information, history priority for selecting one or more groups in which the number of times data has been transmitted or received or the total amount of data is a predetermined value or more from among the one or more groups selected in the selecting step And further comprising a selection step,
The group determination program according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining the group determines one or more groups selected in the history priority selection step. A group determination program executed by an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected,
When the plurality of information processing devices constitute a plurality of groups consisting of at least two of the plurality of information processing devices, obtaining group information of each of the plurality of groups;
Storing the history information associated with the group identification information of the group including the information processing apparatus of the other party that has transmitted and received data among the plurality of groups , the number of times or the amount of data transmitted and received by the own apparatus ; and
Based on the stored history information, selecting one or more groups in which the number of times data is transmitted / received from the plurality of groups or the total amount of data is a predetermined value or more ;
A group determination program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of registering the own apparatus in the selected one or more groups among the plurality of groups . The information processing device is included in the plurality of information processing devices,
A step of calculating a use efficiency of a function that can be used by all other information processing devices constituting a group to which the information processing device belongs among the plurality of information processing devices;
The group determination according to claim 10, wherein the step of acquiring the group information acquires group information of each of the plurality of groups when the calculated usage efficiency is lower than a predetermined value. program.

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