JP5754167B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and an image forming program which are connected to another image forming apparatus and have a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses is known that has a device cooperation function for executing a series of processes in cooperation with a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In this image forming system, when the memory capacity necessary for execution of processing is insufficient in the image forming apparatus, the data stored in the image forming apparatus is saved to another device in order to secure the necessary memory. Let For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that in an image forming apparatus, data is saved in a transmission source computer or the like for the purpose of eliminating a memory shortage of the image forming apparatus in data-in from a PC or the like.

  However, in the above conventional technique, when data is saved from the image forming apparatus that executes processing, the data is saved once for a specific image forming apparatus. If the data cannot be saved to a specific image forming apparatus, the data is saved again to another image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is a problem that an appropriate data saving destination cannot be selected at the stage of data saving.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus capable of selecting an appropriate data saving destination when saving data. An object is to provide an image forming program.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.

The present invention is connected to another image forming apparatus, in conjunction with the other image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus having a linkage function to perform a process, the pre-Symbol another image forming apparatus Data saving means for saving image data, data collection means for collecting the image data saved in the other image forming apparatus, and availability detection for detecting whether or not the other image forming apparatus is usable The image data saved from the other image forming apparatus when the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable. The data saving unit saves the received image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a job receiving unit that receives a job, a data receiving unit that receives image data related to the job, a job storage unit that stores information related to the job, and the image data, and the job receiving unit Inquiry means for inquiring of the remaining capacity of the storage means of the other image forming apparatus to the other image forming apparatus when the remaining capacity of the job storage means is less than a predetermined value when the means accepts the job; And a data saving control means for selecting the other image forming apparatus for saving the image data by the data saving means based on the remaining capacity of the storage means of the other image forming apparatus acquired by the inquiry means.
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the other image forming apparatus is a plurality, and includes a comparison unit that compares remaining capacities of storage units of the plurality of other image forming apparatuses, and the data saving control unit Selects the other image forming apparatus having the largest remaining capacity of the storage unit as a saving destination of the image data as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a data dividing unit that divides the image data when the image data is saved to the other image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes priority order management means for managing the priority order of the job, and the image data to be saved by the data saving means is based on the priority of the job related to the image data. It is determined.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a display unit that displays a list of the remaining capacity of the storage unit of the plurality of other image forming apparatuses.

The present invention is an image forming system configured by connecting another image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus, a data saving means for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus, a data take-up means for taking up said image data saved to the other image forming apparatus, the other image forming Usable detection means for detecting whether or not the apparatus is usable, and the data collection means is in a state in which another image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data cannot be used. At this time, the image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken, and the data saving unit saves the collected image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus.

The present invention is connected to another image forming apparatus, an image forming method by the image forming apparatus having a linkage function to perform one of processing in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus, prior Symbol Other a data saving procedure for saving images data to the image forming apparatus, wherein the other data take-off procedures pick up the image data saved to the image forming apparatus, the another image forming apparatus whether a usable state And a usable detection procedure for detecting, when the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable in the data collection procedure, is saved from the other image forming apparatus. The acquired image data is collected, and in the data saving procedure, the collected image data is saved to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus .

The present invention is an image forming program executed in an image forming apparatus that is connected to another image forming apparatus and has a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus, a data saving step for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus, a data take-up step for taking up the image data saved to the other image forming apparatus, the other image forming And a usable detection step for detecting whether or not the apparatus is usable, and in the data collection step, the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable. The image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken, and the taken image data is transferred to the other image forming apparatus in the data saving step. It is retracted to another other image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select an appropriate data saving destination when saving data.

It is a figure explaining apparatus cooperation in an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating saving of image data in the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a first flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a third flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for displaying a list of remaining capacities of each image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which an image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination and the remaining capacity of each memory are displayed. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining the image forming system of 3rd embodiment. 10 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. 12 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of the third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the image forming system of 4th embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure explaining the image forming system of 5th embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image forming system 100 according to a fifth embodiment.

  In the present invention, the remaining memory capacity of each image forming apparatus included in the image forming system is compared, and an image forming apparatus as a data saving destination is selected based on the comparison result.

  Prior to the description of the embodiment of the present invention, device cooperation in the image forming system will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining device cooperation in the image forming system.

  Device cooperation is a function of executing a series of processes using a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes image forming apparatuses 11, 12, and 13. FIG. 1 shows a case where the image data input from the image forming apparatus 11 is processed by the image forming apparatus 12 and output by the image forming apparatus 13.

  In the image forming apparatus 11, when the user sets the processing flow on the operation screen, the image forming apparatuses 12 and 13 are displayed as a list of image forming apparatuses that can be linked to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 11. At this time, functions usable in the image forming apparatuses 12 and 13 are also displayed.

  When image processing in the image forming apparatus 12 and finishing in the image forming apparatus 13 are set in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 11, the image data of the document read by the image forming apparatus 11 is transferred to the image forming apparatus 12. Then, image processing is performed. Subsequently, the image data is transferred to the image forming apparatus 13, and printing processing and finishing processing are performed. In addition, for the device cooperation, an input setting can be made by the image forming apparatus 11, and an electronic document stored in the image forming apparatuses 12 and 13 can be used as image data of a document. However, it is also possible to output the image data input from the image forming apparatus 11 to the public line using the FAX function of the image forming apparatuses 12 and 13.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting image forming apparatuses 200, 300, and 400 via a network N.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining saving of image data in the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount of memory for holding image data is insufficient in the image forming apparatus 200, the image data is a save destination based on the remaining memory capacity of the image forming apparatuses 300 and 400. Select a forming device. Next, the image forming apparatus 200 temporarily saves the image data to the selected image forming apparatus (the image forming apparatus 300 in FIG. 3). When the memory capacity is available, the image forming apparatus 200 collects image data from the image forming apparatus 300.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 200 will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanning device 21, a plotter device 22, a driver 23, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 24, a memory device 25, an arithmetic processing device (Central Processing Unit) 26, and an interface that are mutually connected by a bus B. It comprises a device 27 and an operation panel 28.

  The scanning device 21 includes a scanner, a scanner engine, an engine control unit, and the like, and is used for scanning a document to obtain document data. The plotter device 22 includes a plotter, a plotter engine, an engine control unit, and the like, and is used for printing document data. The operation panel 28 is realized by a touch panel or the like having a display function, and displays an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 200. Further, the operation panel 28 displays a guidance screen for the progress of processing by the image forming apparatus 200.

  The interface device 27 includes a modem, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, and the like, and is used to connect to a network.

  The image processing control program of the present invention is at least a part of various programs that control the image forming apparatus 200. The image processing control program is provided, for example, by distributing the recording medium 29 or downloading from the network. The recording medium 29 on which the image processing control program is recorded is a recording medium for recording information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, and the like. Various types of recording media such as (Read Only Memory), a semiconductor memory that electrically records information such as a flash memory, and the like can be used.

  When the recording medium 29 on which the image processing control program is recorded is set in the driver 23, the image processing control program is installed from the recording medium 29 to the HDD 24 via the driver 23. The image processing control program downloaded from the network is installed in the HDD 24 via the interface device 27.

  The HDD 24 stores the installed image processing control program and also stores necessary files, data, and the like. The memory device 25 reads and stores the image processing control program from the HDD 24 when the computer is activated. The arithmetic processing unit 26 implements various processes as will be described later in accordance with an image processing control program stored in the memory device 25.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a job reception unit 210, a data reception unit 211, a job storage unit 212, a job storage remaining amount measurement unit 213, a cooperation destination list holding unit 214, a cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215, data There are a save control unit 216, a data save unit 217, a data take-up unit 218, a cooperation destination memory remaining amount display unit 219, a data division unit 220, a job management unit 221, a job priority order management unit 222, and a cooperation destination unusable detection unit 223. .

  The job reception unit 210 receives a start operation by the operation panel 28 or a job input from a communication line. The data accepting unit 211 accepts image data when the scanner device 21 reads image data or when image data is received from a communication line.

  The job storage unit 212 is a storage area provided in a memory included in the image forming apparatus 200 and stores job information received from the job reception unit 210 and image data received by the data reception unit 211. In the present embodiment, the job storage unit 212 may be provided in the HDD 24, for example.

  The job storage remaining amount measuring unit 213 measures the remaining amount of the job storage unit 211.

  The cooperation destination list holding unit 214 holds a list of image forming apparatuses that can become cooperation destinations. Image forming apparatuses that can be linked in the present embodiment are the image forming apparatuses 300 and 400 that form the image forming system 100. In the following description, an image forming apparatus serving as a cooperation destination is referred to as a cooperation apparatus.

  The link destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 inquires the remaining capacity of the job storage unit (memory) of each image forming apparatus included in the list held in the link destination list holding unit 214 through the communication line, and forms each image. Acquires the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of the apparatus.

  The data saving control unit 216 receives the remaining amount of the job storage unit 212 at the job storage remaining amount measurement unit 213. Then, when the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the data save control unit 216 selects a cooperation device that is a save destination of the image data. Details of the data saving control unit 216 will be described later.

  The data saving unit 217 transfers the image data to the cooperation device selected by the data saving control unit 216 and saves it. In addition, the data saving unit 217 causes the job storage unit 212 to store information on the cooperation apparatus that is the saving destination of the image data via the data saving control unit 216. The information on the cooperation device may be, for example, identification information for specifying the cooperation device, the remaining capacity of the memory of the cooperation device, a function installed in the cooperation device, or the like.

  When receiving a notification indicating that the job has been executed, the data take-up unit 218 takes the image data saved from the cooperation apparatus through the communication line. The job execution is managed by the job priority management unit 222, and is executed from a job with a higher priority.

  The cooperation destination memory remaining amount display unit 219 displays the remaining memory amount of each image forming apparatus acquired by the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 on the operation panel 28.

  The data dividing unit 220 divides the image data when the data saving unit 217 saves the image data. The divided image data is saved in, for example, a plurality of different cooperative devices.

  When the job reception unit 210 receives a job, the job management unit 221 determines whether the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is equal to or less than a threshold value. Then, when the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is equal to or less than the threshold, the job management unit 221 stores only the job information received by the job reception unit 210 in the job storage unit 212, and stores the image data of the image reception unit 211. Reject acceptance. In addition, the job management unit 221 stores in the job storage unit 212 that the reception of image data by the data reception unit 211 is rejected.

  The job priority management unit 222 manages the job priority and executes the job according to the priority. Further, when executing the job, the job priority management unit 222 notifies the data take-up unit 218 of a take-up request for image data.

  The cooperation destination unusable detection unit 223 receives information of the cooperation device that is the save destination of the image data, detects that the cooperation device has become unusable through the communication line, and takes the image data to the data collection unit 218. Notify the request.

  Here, the data saving control unit 216 of the present embodiment will be described. The data saving control unit 216 according to the present embodiment acquires the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 from the job storage remaining amount measurement unit 213. When the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is equal to or less than the threshold, the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of another image forming apparatus acquired by the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 is acquired. The remaining capacity acquired here is the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of the image forming apparatus 300 and the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of the image forming apparatus 400.

  Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 compares the acquired remaining capacity of the image forming apparatus 300 with the remaining capacity of the image forming apparatus 400, and selects an image forming apparatus having a larger remaining capacity as a cooperation apparatus.

  In this embodiment, since an image forming apparatus having a large remaining capacity of the job storage unit is selected as the cooperation apparatus in this way, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the image data cannot be saved due to a lack of image data saving destination memory.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a first flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. The example of FIG. 6 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 200 when the image forming apparatus 200 receives a fax via a communication line.

  In the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment, when the job reception unit 210 receives a FAX reception job (step S601), the job management unit 221 determines the remaining amount of the job storage unit 212 from the measurement result by the job storage remaining amount measurement unit 213. It is determined whether the capacity is equal to or less than a threshold value (step S602). Here, the threshold value is a value preset by the administrator of the image forming system 100. For example, the threshold value may be set to a capacity of image data for three A4 size originals, or may be set to a capacity of image data for one A4 size original.

  In step S <b> 602, when the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is larger than the threshold value, the job management unit 221 stores the job information received by the job reception unit 120 in the FAX storage in the job storage unit 212. Further, the job management unit 221 receives the image data received by the data reception unit 211, and stores this image data in the job storage unit 212 (step S603).

  If the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in step S602, the job management unit 221 stores the FAX reception job information received by the job reception unit 120 in the job storage unit 212 and causes the data reception unit 211 to store the image. Reject data acceptance. Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 causes the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 to inquire about the remaining capacity of the image forming apparatuses 300 and 400 serving as the cooperation destination (step S604).

  When the data saving control unit 216 acquires the remaining capacities of the respective job storage units from the image forming apparatuses 300 and 400, the data saving control unit 216 compares the two remaining capacities, and selects the image forming apparatus having the larger remaining capacity as the cooperation apparatus ( Step S605). Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 determines whether or not image data can be saved in the cooperation apparatus (step S606). Specifically, the data saving control unit 216 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of the cooperation apparatus is larger than the image data to be saved. The data saving control unit 216 determines that image data can be saved when the remaining capacity is larger than the image data to be saved, and the image saving is not possible when the remaining capacity is smaller than the image data to be saved. Judge that it is possible.

  If the image data can be saved in step S606, the data saving unit 217 transfers the image data rejected by the data receiving unit 211 to the cooperation apparatus and saves it (step S607). At this time, the data saving control unit 216 acquires information on the cooperation apparatus in which the image data has been saved by the data saving unit 217 and stores the acquired information in the job storage unit 212.

  If the image data cannot be saved in step S606, the data save control unit 216 notifies the job management unit 212 that the memory is full. Upon receiving this notification, the job management unit 212 cancels the job (step S608).

  In the image forming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, it is preferable to provide a memory area for temporarily storing the image data rejected by the data receiving unit 211 in order to save the image data.

  In the example of FIG. 6, image data that has been rejected by the data receiving unit 211 has been described as image data to be saved, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, for example, image data already stored in the job storage unit 212 in the image forming apparatus 200 may be used as the image data to be saved. In this case, the image data stored in the job storage unit 212 may be saved in the cooperation apparatus, and then the image data may be received by the data reception unit 211 and the received image data may be stored in the job storage unit 212.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the type of received job is a FAX reception job, but is not limited to this. In the processing described with reference to FIG. 6, for example, the job type may be image data printing or FAX transmission.

  Next, the operation on the cooperation device side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus selected as the cooperation apparatus. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 300 will be described as being selected as the cooperation apparatus.

  When the image forming apparatus 300 receives an inquiry about the remaining amount of the job storage unit from the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 of the image forming apparatus 200 (step S701), the image forming apparatus 300 determines whether there is a remaining amount of its own job storage unit. (Step S702). In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the inquiry from the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 includes information on a capacity necessary for saving image data. In response to this inquiry, the image forming apparatus 300 determines whether there is a remaining capacity necessary for accepting the image data to be saved.

  In step S702, when the image forming apparatus 300 does not have enough remaining capacity to accept the image data to be saved, the image forming apparatus 300 notifies the image forming apparatus 200 to that effect (step S703).

  In step S702, when the image forming apparatus 300 has a remaining capacity necessary for receiving the image data to be saved, the image forming apparatus 300 notifies the image forming apparatus 200 to that effect (step S704). Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 300 receives the image data to be saved from the image forming apparatus 200 (step S705). Then, the image forming apparatus 300 stores the received image data in the job storage unit (step S706).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an operation when the image forming apparatus 200 takes the image data saved in the cooperation apparatus will be described. FIG. 8 is a third flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a process in which the image forming apparatus 200 collects and prints the image data saved in the image forming apparatus 300 selected as the cooperation apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus 200, the job priority management unit 222 executes the job stored in the job storage unit 212 according to the job priority. When the job is executed, the data regarding the executed job is deleted from the job storage unit 212, so that the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 increases (step S801).

  When the job priority management unit 222 executes the job, the job priority management unit 222 notifies the data take-up unit 218 of an image data take-up request. In response to this notification, the data take-up unit 218 requests the take-up of the image data saved in the image forming apparatus 300 (step S802).

  In response to this request, the image forming apparatus 300 transmits the image data received from the image forming apparatus 200 to the image forming apparatus 200. The data taking unit 218 receives this image data (step S803) and stores it in the job storage unit 212 (step S804). Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 200 executes a job related to the image data to be saved by the job priority management unit 222, and prints the image data (step S805).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when selecting the image data saving destination, the remaining capacity of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses included in the image forming system 100 is compared, and then the image data saving destination is selected. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, an appropriate save destination can be selected when saving image data.

  Also, in the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment, when the remaining capacity of the memory (job storage unit 212) necessary for job execution is insufficient in the image forming apparatus 200, the image data is temporarily saved in another image forming apparatus. Let When the remaining capacity of the memory becomes a capacity necessary for execution of the job, the saved image data can be collected and the job can be executed.

  In the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, there are two image forming apparatuses 300 and 400 that can save image data. However, the number of image forming apparatuses that can be saved is arbitrary. . For example, when there are three image forming apparatuses that can serve as save destinations, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus having the largest remaining memory capacity is selected as the save destination of the image data among the three image forming apparatuses.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can display on the operation panel 28 the image forming apparatus that can serve as a save destination of the image data and the remaining capacity of the memory of each image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of displaying a list of remaining capacity of each image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 makes an inquiry about the remaining capacity according to the list held in the cooperation destination list holding unit 214 (step S901). Subsequently, the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 determines whether or not the remaining capacity has been inquired to the image forming apparatuses that can be all the cooperation destinations listed (step S902).

  When the remaining capacity inquiries to all the image forming apparatuses are completed in step S902, the cooperation destination memory remaining amount display unit 219 displays on the operation panel 28 the image forming apparatuses that can become the cooperation destination and the remaining capacity of each memory. (Step S903).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which an image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination and the remaining capacity of each memory are displayed. A screen 90 shown in FIG. 10 displays three image forming apparatuses that can be linked to each other and the remaining capacity of each memory. In the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, the cooperation device that is the save destination of the image data may be manually selected from the screen 90 on the operation panel 28.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that image data to be saved is determined according to job priority. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment of the present invention, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment will be described in the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as those used in the description are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

  The processing from step S111 to step S113 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S603 in FIG.

  If the remaining capacity of the job storage unit 212 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in step S112, the job management unit 221 confirms the priority of the job received by the job reception unit 210 by the job priority order management unit 222 (step S114).

  Here, job priorities will be described. In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment, job priorities are set in advance by an administrator of the image forming system 100. In this embodiment, for example, a priority order may be set for each function. Specifically, for example, a job related to FAX, a job related to copying, and a job related to printing may be set in descending order of priority. The job priority may be set by the user of the image forming apparatus 200.

  Subsequently, the job priority management unit 222 determines whether or not the priority of the job confirmed in step S114 is high (step S115). If the priority of the job is not high in step S115, the data saving control unit 216 causes the data saving unit 217 to save the image data related to the job received by the job receiving unit 210 to the cooperation apparatus (step S116).

  If the priority of the job is high in step S115, the data save control unit 216 reads out the image data relating to the job with a low priority from the job storage unit 212 and saves it to the cooperation apparatus (step S117). Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 receives the image data related to the job received by the job receiving unit 210 by the data receiving unit 211 and stores it in the job storage unit 212 (step S118).

  Note that the job priority level in this embodiment may be determined in advance. In the present embodiment, for example, a job related to FAX and a job related to copying may be determined to be a job having a high priority, and a job related to other functions may be determined to be a job having a low priority.

  In the present embodiment, by selecting the image data to be saved as described above, it is possible to save image data relating to a job with a high priority in the own apparatus.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that image data is divided and saved. Therefore, in the following description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are assigned to those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to the third embodiment. The image forming system 100A according to the present embodiment includes image forming apparatuses 200, 300, 400, and 500.

  FIG. 12 shows a case where, for example, image data for five original sheets is input by inputting a certain job in the image forming apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, for example, five pieces of image data input to the image forming apparatus 200 are divided into three, and the divided image data are saved in the image forming apparatuses 300, 400, and 500 that can be linked.

  The operation of the image forming system 100A of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a first flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of the third embodiment.

  The processing from step S1301 to step S1304 in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S604 in FIG.

  In step S1304, the image forming apparatus 300 that has received the inquiry from the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 determines whether or not there is a remaining capacity in the job storage unit (step S1305).

  If there is a remaining capacity in the job storage unit in step S1305, the data saving unit 217 transfers the image data to the image forming apparatus 300 (step S1306). At this time, the data saving unit 217 transfers image data having a size corresponding to the remaining capacity of the job storage unit of the image forming apparatus 300. If there is no remaining capacity in the job storage unit in step S1305, the process proceeds to step S1307 to be described later.

  Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 determines whether there is image data that has not been transferred in the saving target image data (step S1307). If there is no untransferred image data in step S1307, the image forming apparatus 200 ends the image data saving process.

  If there is image data that has not been transferred in step S 1307, the data saving control unit 216 inquires of the cooperation destination list holding unit 214 and determines whether there is an image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination other than the image forming apparatus 300. (Step S1308). If there is no image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination in step S1318, the job management unit 221 cancels the job with the memory full (step S1309).

  If there is an image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination in step S1308, the image forming apparatus 200 repeats the processing from step S1304.

  In the present embodiment, by executing the above processing, even when all of the image data to be saved cannot be stored in one linked device, the saved image data is divided and transferred to a plurality of linked devices. Data can be saved.

  Next, referring to FIG. 14, description will be given of image data collection when there are a plurality of cooperation apparatuses. FIG. 14 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of the third embodiment. FIG. 14 shows an example in which all the image data divided and saved by a plurality of cooperative devices is collected and the printing process is performed.

  The processing from step S1401 to step S1404 in FIG. 14 is the same as the processing from step S801 to step S804 in FIG. Subsequent to step S1404, the data collection unit 218 determines whether there is image data saved in another image forming apparatus (step S1405).

  In this embodiment, when the image data to be saved is divided and saved in a plurality of linked devices, information on the linked device from which the image data has been saved is stored in the job storage unit 212. The data take-up unit 218 determines whether there is another image forming apparatus in which the image data has been saved based on the information on the cooperation apparatus stored in the job storage unit 212. The other cooperation apparatuses referred to here are the image forming apparatuses 400 and 500.

  In step S1405, if there is another cooperative device that has saved the image data, the data collection unit 218 returns to step S1402, and repeats the processing from step S1402.

  In step S1405, if there is no other cooperation apparatus that has saved the image data, the data take-up unit 218 has taken up all the saved image data. The data take-up unit 218 combines the taken image data (step S1406). Subsequently, the job is executed and image data is printed (step S1407).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data to be saved can be saved to a plurality of linked apparatuses.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when there is no remaining capacity in the job storage unit of the cooperation apparatus, only the job is submitted to the cooperation destination. In the following fourth embodiment of the present invention, components having the same functional configuration as those of the first embodiment are given the same symbols as used in the description of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to the fourth embodiment. In the image forming system 100 </ b> B illustrated in FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the image data input to the image forming apparatus 200 by FAX from the image forming apparatus 300 in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 300.

  In the image forming system 100 </ b> B of the present embodiment, for example, when there is no remaining capacity in the job storage unit of the image forming apparatus 300 that is a cooperation apparatus, only the job is input to the image forming apparatus 300 without transmitting image data.

  The operation of the image forming system 100B of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

  When the FAX transmission operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 200 (step S1601), the cooperation destination memory remaining amount inquiry unit 215 inquires the remaining capacity of the memory to the image forming apparatus 300 that is the cooperation destination (step S1602). Note that in the image forming system 100B of the present embodiment, only the image forming apparatus 300 has a FAX function, and thus the image forming apparatus 300 serves as a cooperation apparatus. When there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a FAX function in the image forming system 100B, the image forming apparatus having the largest remaining memory capacity among the image forming apparatuses having the FAX function is a cooperative apparatus.

Subsequently, the data saving control unit 216 determines whether there is a remaining capacity of the memory of the cooperation device (step S1603). In step S1603, when there is a remaining capacity of the memory of the cooperation device, the data saving control unit 216 notifies the cooperation device that the execution of the job has been instructed, and the data saving unit 217 transfers the image data to the cooperation device (step S1603). S1604).

  When there is no remaining memory capacity of the cooperation apparatus in step S1603, the data saving control unit 216 notifies the cooperation apparatus that the execution of the job has been instructed, and the image data is stored in the job storage unit 212 of the image forming apparatus 200. (Step S1605).

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 transfers the image data to the image forming apparatus 300 when there is free space that can store the image data in the memory of the image forming apparatus 300 that is the cooperation apparatus.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the FAX function is executed, image data is stored in the image forming apparatus 200 when the remaining capacity of the memory of the cooperation apparatus is insufficient.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the case where the image forming apparatus in which the image data is saved becomes unusable is considered. In the description of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are given to those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment. Is omitted.

  FIG. 17 illustrates an image forming system according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 17 illustrates a case where the image forming apparatus 300 is shut down in the state where the image data is saved from the image forming apparatus 200 to the image forming apparatus 300 in the image forming system 100C. In the case shown in FIG. 17, the image forming apparatus 200 temporarily retrieves the image data saved from the image forming apparatus 300, and saves the image data again to the image forming apparatus 400.

  The operation of the image forming system 100C of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system 100 according to the fifth embodiment.

  When the image forming apparatus 300 is shut down in the image forming system 100C, the cooperation destination unusable detection unit 223 of the image forming apparatus 200 receives a shutdown notification from the image forming apparatus 300 (step S1801). Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 200 inquires of the remaining capacity of the memory from the image forming apparatus 400 that can be a cooperating apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 300 through the cooperation destination memory remaining capacity inquiry unit 215 (step S1802).

  Subsequently, the data save control unit 216 determines whether there is a remaining memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 400 (step S1803). If there is a remaining memory capacity in step S1803, the data save control unit 216 requests the image forming apparatus 300 to collect the saved image data (step S1804).

  Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 200 retrieves the image data saved in the image forming apparatus 300 from the image forming apparatus 300 by the data retrieving unit 218 (step S1805). Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 200 uses the data saving unit 217 to transfer the captured image data to the image forming apparatus 400 (step S1806).

  In step S1803, if there is no remaining memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 400, the data saving control unit 216 refers to the cooperation destination list holding unit 214 and determines whether there is another image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination. Is determined (step S1807). If it is determined in step S1807 that there is another image forming apparatus that can be a cooperation destination, the process returns to step S1802. If there is no corresponding image forming apparatus in step S1807, the image forming apparatus 200 ends the process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the cooperation device that saved the image data is shut down, the saved image data is transferred to another cooperation device. Therefore, the image data to be saved can be collected even when the cooperation device that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

100, 100A, 100B, 100C Image forming system 200, 300, 400 Image forming apparatus 210 Job receiving unit 211 Data receiving unit 212 Job storage unit 213 Job storage remaining amount measuring unit 214 Link destination list holding unit 215 Link destination memory remaining amount inquiry Unit 216 Data save control unit 217 Data save unit 218 Data take-up unit 219 Cooperation destination memory remaining amount display unit 220 Data division unit 221 Job management unit 222 Job priority order management unit 223 Cooperation destination unusable detection unit

JP 2008-167122 A

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus and having a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus ,
And data saving means for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus,
Data take-off means for taking the image data saved in the other image forming apparatus;
Usable detection means for detecting whether or not the other image forming apparatus is usable,
The data collection means includes
When the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable, the image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken over,
The data saving means includes:
An image forming apparatus for saving the received image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus. Job accepting means for accepting a job;
Data receiving means for receiving the image data relating to the job;
Job storage means for storing information about the job and the image data;
An inquiry for inquiring of the remaining capacity of the storage unit of the other image forming apparatus to the other image forming apparatus when the remaining capacity of the job storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value when the job receiving unit receives the job. Means,
And a data saving control means for selecting the other image forming apparatus for saving image data by the data saving means based on the remaining capacity of the storage means of the other image forming apparatus acquired by the inquiry means. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 . The other image forming apparatus is plural,
Comparing means for comparing the remaining capacity of the storage means of the plurality of other image forming apparatuses,
The data saving control means includes:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the other image forming apparatus having the largest remaining capacity in the storage unit as a result of comparison by the comparing unit is selected as a save destination of the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a data dividing unit that divides the image data when the image data is saved to the other image forming apparatus. Having priority management means for managing the priority of the job;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the image data to be saved by the data saving unit is determined based on the priority of the job related to the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a display unit that displays a list of the remaining capacity of the storage unit of the plurality of other image forming apparatuses. An image forming system configured by connecting another image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
And data saving means for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus,
Data take-off means for taking the image data saved in the other image forming apparatus;
Usable detection means for detecting whether or not the other image forming apparatus is usable,
The data collection means includes
When the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable, the image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken over,
The data saving means includes:
An image forming system for saving the received image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus . An image forming method by an image forming apparatus connected to another image forming apparatus and having a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus,
A data saving procedure for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus,
A data collection procedure for collecting the image data evacuated to the other image forming apparatus;
A usable detection procedure for detecting whether or not the other image forming apparatus is usable.
In the data collection procedure,
When the other image forming apparatus that is the saving destination of the image data becomes unusable, the image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken over,
In the data saving procedure,
An image forming method for saving the received image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus . An image forming program that is connected to another image forming apparatus and that is executed in an image forming apparatus having a cooperation function for executing one process in cooperation with the other image forming apparatus,
In the image forming apparatus,
And data saving step for saving images data Previous Symbol another image forming apparatus,
A data collection step for collecting the image data saved in the other image forming apparatus;
A usable detection step of detecting whether or not the other image forming apparatus is in a usable state; and
In the data collection step,
When the other image forming apparatus that is the save destination of the image data becomes unusable, the image data saved from the other image forming apparatus is taken over,
In the data saving step,
An image forming program for saving the received image data to another image forming apparatus different from the other image forming apparatus .

Images