JP6402689B2 - Electronic device, electronic device linkage system, and electronic device linkage method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that can be connected to a network, and a linkage system and linkage method for an electronic device having a plurality of the electronic devices connected to the network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a network in which a specific terminal is a master terminal, a plurality of other terminals are general terminals, and a plurality of image reading terminals and a plurality of image output terminals are connected in a loop (claim). Item 1, paragraph 0018, FIG. 1 etc.).

  Patent Document 2 discloses a network in which a plurality of child nodes are connected in a tree shape with respect to one parent node (see page 5, FIG. 2, etc.).

JP-A-5-207043 International Publication No. WO00 / 79736

  In a network having the above-described structure, an instruction may be issued to each device connected to the network via a main device (master, parent) serving as a server. In this case, when some abnormality occurs in the main device, there is a possibility that it is impossible to appropriately issue an instruction to each device connected to the network. In addition, it is necessary to register each device in the main device in the first place, and there is a possibility that an instruction cannot be issued to a device that is not registered in the main device.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to configure a linkage system and linkage method for an electronic device that has a plurality of electronic devices connected to a network and does not require a main device (server), and the linkage system. It is to provide possible electronic devices.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
An electronic device on the network that can be connected to a network, and each of the plurality of electronic devices is connected in a ring shape by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
A storage unit for storing an upper limit number of rights to execute a specific function;
An execution instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for executing a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, one of the electronic devices that has generated the correspondence relationship, or one of the other devices that has generated the correspondence relationship from at least one of the electronic devices connected to the network And a rights requesting section for transferring the shortage of rights through the electronic equipment.

  In this embodiment, the upper limit number of rights for executing a specific function stored in each electronic device can be shared by a plurality of electronic devices. As a result, even if the right to execute a specific function in a specific electronic device reaches the upper limit number, the specific function can be executed by cooperation between a plurality of electronic devices.

  When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, the right request unit supplies a right assignment command for assigning a shortage of rights to one electronic device that has generated the correspondence.

  According to this embodiment, since all electronic devices are connected in a ring shape from the standpoint of being equal to each other (there is no main device serving as a server), it is necessary to make a request to the electronic device via the main device There is no. For this reason, there is no possibility that a situation in which a request cannot be appropriately issued to the electronic device when any abnormality occurs in the main device.

Electronic equipment
Further comprising a right assignment unit that obtains the right assignment instruction from one of the electronic devices that is the counterpart of the correspondence relationship, and assigns the right to the electronic device that executes the function;
When the shortage number included in the right assignment instruction is equal to or less than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit,
The right assignment unit assigns the shortage of rights to an electronic device that executes the function,
When the shortage number included in the right assignment instruction is larger than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit,
The right assignment unit assigns the upper limit number of rights to an electronic device that executes the function,
The right requesting unit assigns the remaining number of rights obtained by subtracting the upper limit number from the shortage number to the other electronic device that is the partner that generated the correspondence relationship, to the electronic device that executes the function Supply rights transfer order for transfer.

  According to this embodiment, since all electronic devices are connected in a ring form from the standpoint of being equal to each other (there is no main device serving as a server), the main device is used when making a request or assigning rights to the electronic device. There is no need to go through the device. For this reason, there is no possibility that a situation in which it becomes impossible to properly issue a request to an electronic device or assign a right appropriately when any abnormality occurs in the main device.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device linkage system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
3 or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is connected in a ring shape by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
The electronic devices are respectively
A storage unit for storing an upper limit number of rights to execute a specific function;
An execution instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for executing a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, one of the electronic devices that has generated the correspondence relationship, or one of the other devices that has generated the correspondence relationship from at least one of the electronic devices connected to the network And a rights requesting section that assigns a shortage of rights via electronic equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device cooperation method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
Have three or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is an electronic device cooperation method executed by a cooperation system of electronic devices connected in a ring shape by generating a correspondence relationship with the other two electronic devices,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is
Remember the maximum number of rights to perform a specific function,
One electronic device
Obtaining an instruction to execute a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, one of the electronic devices that has generated the correspondence relationship, or one of the other devices that has generated the correspondence relationship from at least one of the electronic devices connected to the network Acquire the shortage of rights through electronic devices.

  According to the present invention, there are provided a linkage system and linkage method for an electronic device that has a plurality of electronic devices connected to a network and does not require a main device (server), and an electronic device that can configure the linkage system. be able to.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cooperation system of image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the family containing several MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of MFP for producing | generating a family. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the MFP for generating a family. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that has acquired a parent-child relationship generation command. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of an MFP for newly adding an MFP to a family. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a family in which a new MFP is added. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a plurality of MFPs belonging to a family. FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating cooperation of MFP in a family. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an MFP that executes printing. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an MFP belonging to the same family as the MFP that executes printing.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in the case where an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus.

(1. Overview of image forming apparatus cooperation system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cooperation system of image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present technology.
The image forming apparatus cooperation system 1 includes three or more image forming apparatuses 10 connected to a network N. The image forming apparatus 10 is typically an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and is hereinafter referred to as “MFP 10”. The MFPs 10 can communicate with each other via the network N. Typically, the network N is an in-house LAN (Local Area Network), and the MFP 10 is installed in one office.

  Each MFP 10 generates a one-to-one correspondence (parent-child relationship) with two MFPs 10 out of three or more MFPs 10 connected to the network N. All the MFPs 10 connected to the network N thus form a parent-child relationship with the two other MFPs 10, so that all the MFPs 10 are in the same position (no server etc.) from each other in a circular manner (a daisy chain). Connected to. Thereby, all the MFPs 10 generate one family. This family relationship is explained in more detail.

  In the present embodiment, “parent and child” is not a word that means a master-slave or a high-order subordinate, but is simply a word used for convenience of explanation. In short, the two MFPs 10 having the “parent-child” relationship are in completely equal positions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a family including a plurality of MFPs.
In order to simplify the description, the MFP 10 will be described as three (MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C).

  The MFP 10A (parent) and the MFP 10B (child) generate a parent-child relationship (parent-child 1). More specifically, the MFP 10A stores identification information (for example, an IP address; the same applies hereinafter) of the MFP 10B as a child. The MFP 10B stores the identification information of the MFP 10A as a parent.

  The MFP 10A (child) and the MFP 10C (parent) generate a parent-child relationship (parent-child 2). More specifically, MFP 10A stores identification information of MFP 10C as a parent. MFP 10C stores identification information of MFP 10A as a child.

  The MFP 10B (parent) and the MFP 10C (child) generate a parent-child relationship (parent-child 3). More specifically, MFP 10B stores identification information of MFP 10C as a child. MFP 10C stores identification information of MFP 10B as a parent.

  All the MFPs 10A to 10C connected to the network N thus generate a one-to-one correspondence (parent-child relationship) with the two other MFPs 10A to 10C. As a result, all MFPs 10A to 10C are connected in a circular shape from the standpoint of being equal to each other (no server etc.), and one family is generated. Even if there are four or more MFPs 10 (shown later in FIG. 8), all the MFPs 10 generate a one-to-one correspondence (parent-child relationship) with the other two MFPs 10 so that all the MFPs 10 are in an equal position. Connected in a ring, one family is created.

(2. MFP hardware configuration)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP.
The MFP 10 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and governs overall operation control of the MFP 10. A computer program that causes the MFP 10 to function as each functional unit (described later) is stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a ROM.

  The control unit 11 is connected to an image reading unit 12, an image processing unit 14, an image memory 15, an image forming unit 16, an operation unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication control unit 19, and the like. The control unit 11 performs operation control of each of the above connected units and transmission / reception of signals or data to / from each unit.

  The control unit 11 operates for each function such as a scanner function, a print function, and a copy function function in accordance with a job execution instruction input from the user through the operation unit 17 or a personal computer (not shown) connected via a network. Controls the drive and processing of the mechanisms necessary to perform the control.

  The image reading unit 12 reads an image from a document.

  The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the image data of the image read by the image reading unit 12 as necessary. For example, the image processing unit 14 performs image processing such as shading correction in order to improve the quality after the image read by the image reading unit 12 is formed.

  The image memory 15 is an area for temporarily storing document image data obtained by reading by the image reading unit 12 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 16.

  The image forming unit 16 forms an image of the image data read by the image reading unit 12.

  The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel unit and operation key units that receive instructions from the user regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the MFP 10. The touch panel unit includes a display unit 17a such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided with a touch panel.

  The communication control unit 19 is an interface for connecting to the network N.

  The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD that stores an original image read by the image reading unit 12.

(3. Functional configuration of MFP for generating family)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MFP for generating a family.
The MFP 10 includes a command acquisition unit 101, an MFP detection unit 102, and a parent-child relationship generation unit 103.

  The instruction acquisition unit 101 acquires a family generation instruction and an MFP addition instruction.

  Upon receiving the notification from the command acquisition unit 101, the MFP detection unit 102 searches for another MFP 10 connected to the network N.

  When the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 acquires the identification information of the MFP 10 from the MFP detection unit 102, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 generates a parent-child relationship with the MFP 10.

(4. Operation of MFP for generating parent-child relationship)
Hereinafter, for specific description, the individually specified MFP 10 is referred to as “MFP 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D”, and the unspecified MFP 10 is referred to as “MFP 10”.

(4-1. Operation for generating a family)
As a premise, a plurality of MFPs 10 are connected to the network N. The plurality of MFPs 10 have not yet generated a parent-child relationship, and the family (FIG. 2) has not yet been generated. An operation from this state until the plurality of MFPs 10 each generate a parent-child relationship and one family is generated will be described.

(4-1-1. Operation of MFP Acquiring Family Generation Instruction)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that has acquired the family generation command.
The command acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10A acquires a specific operation from the user for the operation unit 17 as a family generation command (step S11). The “family generation instruction” is an instruction for generating one family including all MFPs 10 connected to the network N. The instruction acquisition unit 101 notifies the MFP generation unit 102 that the family generation instruction has been acquired.

  Upon receiving a notification from the command acquisition unit 101, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10A searches for the MFP 10 connected to the network N. The MFP detection unit 102 supplies the identification information of the first two MFPs 10 (referred to as MFPs 10B and 10C) detected among the plurality of MFPs 10 connected to the network N to the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 in the order in which they are detected ( Step S12).

  When the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A obtains the identification information of the MFPs 10B and 10C from the MFP detection unit 102, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 generates a parent-child relationship with the MFP 10A as the parent as the parent and the MFP 10B as the first detected device as the child. (Step S13). Specifically, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10 </ b> A stores the identification information of the MFP 10 </ b> B as a child in the storage unit 18. Then, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A instructs the MFP 10B to store the identification information of the MFP 10A as a parent. When the MFP 10B receives a command from the MFP 10A, it stores the identification information of the MFP 10A as a parent and notifies the MFP 10A that the identification information has been stored. Thus, a parent-child relationship between the MFP 10A (parent) and the MFP 10B (child) is generated (parent-child 1 in FIG. 2).

  Subsequently, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A generates a parent-child relationship with the MFP 10A as its own device as a child and the MFP 10C as the second detected device as a parent (step S14). Specifically, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10 </ b> A stores the identification information of the MFP 10 </ b> C as a parent in the storage unit 18. Then, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A instructs the MFP 10C to store the identification information of the MFP 10A as a child. When the MFP 10C receives a command from the MFP 10A, it stores the identification information of the MFP 10A as a child and notifies the MFP 10A that the identification information has been stored. Thus, a parent-child relationship between the MFP 10A (child) and the MFP 10C (parent) is generated (parent-child 2 in FIG. 2).

  The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A establishes a parent-child relationship with respect to the MFP 10B (child for the MFP 10A), which is the partner that first generated the parent-child relationship (step S13), with the MFP 10B as a parent and any MFP 10 as a child. Instruct to generate (output parent-child relationship generation instruction) (step S15). Further, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 establishes a parent-child relationship with respect to the MFP 10C (parent for the MFP 10A), which is the second partner that generated the parent-child relationship (step S14), with the MFP 10C as a child and any MFP 10 as a parent. Instruct to generate (output parent-child relationship generation command) (step S16).

(4-1-2. Operation of MFP Acquiring Parent-Child Relationship Generation Command)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that has acquired the parent-child relationship generation command.
When acquiring the parent-child relationship generation command (step S15), the command acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10B notifies the MFP generation unit 102 that the parent-child relationship generation command has been acquired (step S21).

  Upon receiving a notification from the command acquisition unit 101, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B transmits a response request to another MFP 10 by broadcast or multicast.

  When the other MFP 10 obtains a response request from the MFP 10B, it transmits response information to the MFB 10B. This response information includes identification information of the MFP 10 (own apparatus) and the number of correspondences (0, 1 or 2) that the own apparatus has already been generated.

  The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFB 10B acquires response information from the MFP 10. Based on the response information, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFB 10B detects the MFP 10 that has not generated a corresponding relationship with each of the other two MFPs 10. Specifically, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B first detects an MFP 10 that does not generate a correspondence relationship with another MFP 10 (the number of correspondence relationships = 0), and then establishes a correspondence relationship with only one other MFP 10. The generated MFP 10 (number of correspondences = 1) is detected. The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B supplies the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 with identification information of the MFP 10 detected first (that is, the MFP 10 having the smallest number of generated correspondence relationships). At this time, when the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B detects a plurality of MFPs 10 (number of correspondences = 0) that have not generated correspondence relationships with other MFPs 10, the MFP 10 detected earliest among the plurality of detected MFPs 10. Is supplied to the parent-child relationship generation unit 103. Further, when the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B detects a plurality of MFPs 10 (corresponding relations = 1) that have generated a correspondence relationship with only one other MFP 10, the MFP 10B detects the earliest among the detected MFPs 10. The identification information of the MFP 10 is supplied to the parent-child relationship generation unit 103. Here, the MFP detection unit 103 of the MFP 10B queues the response information with the number of correspondences = 0 and the response information with the number of correspondences = 1 separately in the order in which the response information is acquired. The MFP 10 may be detected by referring to the response information of the number of correspondences = 0 in the order of acquisition and then referring to the response information of the number of correspondences = 1 in the order of acquisition.

  In this embodiment, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B does not detect the MFP 10 that does not generate a correspondence relationship with another MFP 10 (number of correspondence relationships = 0), and the MFP 10C that generates a correspondence relationship only with the MFP 10A. First, (number of correspondences = 1) is detected (step S22). The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10B supplies the identification information of the MFP 10C detected first to the parent-child relationship generation unit 103.

  When the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10B acquires the identification information of the MFP 10C from the MFP detection unit 102, the parent-child relationship is generated using the MFP 10B as the parent as the parent and the detected MFP 10C as the child (step S23). Specifically, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10B stores the identification information of the MFP 10C as a child in the storage unit 18, and outputs a parent-child relationship generation command to the MFP 10C so as to store the identification information of the MFP 10B as a parent. When the MFP 10C receives a command from the MFP 10B, the MFP 10C stores the identification information of the MFP 10B as a parent, and notifies the MFP 10B that the identification information has been stored. Thus, a parent-child relationship between the MFP 10B (parent) and the MFP 10C (child) is generated (parent-child 3 in FIG. 2).

  The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10B generates a parent-child relationship with respect to the MFP 10C (a child for the MFP 10B) that has generated the parent-child relationship (step S23), with the MFP 10C as a parent and any MFP 10 as a child. A parent-child relationship generation command is output (step S24).

  On the other hand, upon acquiring the parent-child relationship generation command (step S16), the MFP 10C performs operations similar to steps S21 to S24 (not shown). However, the MFP 10C generates a parent-child relationship with the self-device as a child and the detected MFP as a parent, for step S23 (the device is a parent and the detected MFP is a child). In addition, in step S24 (instructing to generate a parent-child relationship using the partner MFP that has generated the parent-child relationship as a parent and any MFP as a child), the MFP 10C determines whether the partner MFP that has generated the parent-child relationship is a child. A parent-child relationship generation command is issued to generate a parent-child relationship with the MFP as the parent. (In this example, since the MFP 10C has already stored the identification information of the MFPs 10A and 10B as the parent and child, this operation is not performed.)

  The MFP 10C that has acquired the parent-child relationship generation command (step S16) from the MFP 10A stops the operation even when the operation according to the parent-child relationship generation command is being executed when the correspondence relationship with the MFP 10B has been generated. In addition, the MFP 10C that has acquired the parent-child relationship generation command (step S16) from the MFP 10A does not perform an operation according to the parent-child relationship generation command acquired from the MFP 10B after the correspondence relationship with the MFP 10B has been generated. That is, when the correspondence relationship with each of the other two MFPs 10 has been generated, the MFP 10 that has acquired the parent-child relationship generation command stops the operation even if the operation according to the parent-child relationship generation command is being executed. . Further, the MFP 10 that has acquired the parent-child relationship generation command does not perform an operation in accordance with the acquired other parent-child relationship generation command after the correspondence relationship with each of the other two MFPs 10 has been generated.

  By repeating the operations of steps S21 to S24 after the operations of steps S11 to S16, the MFP 10A that has acquired the family generation command from the user starts in the two directions (the direction toward the MFP 10B and the direction toward the MFP 10C). Thus, all the MFPs 10 are connected in a ring shape. As a result, all the MFPs 10 generate a one-to-one correspondence relationship (parent-child relationship) with the two other MFPs 10. As a result, all the MFPs 10 are connected in a circular manner from the standpoint of being equal to each other (no server etc.), and one family is generated.

(4-2. Operations for adding an MFP to a family)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP for adding a new MFP to the family. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a family in which an MFP is newly added.
An operation for subsequently adding a new MFP 10 to a family (FIG. 2) including MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C will be described.

  The command acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10A acquires a specific operation from the user for the operation unit 17 as an MFP addition command (step S31). The “MFP addition command” is a command for newly adding the MFP 10 to the already generated family. The command acquisition unit 101 notifies the MFP generation unit 102 that an MFP addition command has been acquired.

  Upon receiving a notification from the command acquisition unit 101, the MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10A searches for the MFP 10 newly connected to the network N. When MFP detection unit 102 detects MFP 10 (referred to as MFP 10D) (step S32), it supplies identification information of detected MFP 10D to parent-child relationship generation unit 103.

  When the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A acquires the identification information of the MFP 10D from the MFP detection unit 102, the identification information of the MFP 10B as a child stored in the storage unit 18 is deleted. Then, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 instructs the MFP 10B to delete the identification information of the MFP 10A stored as the parent. Thereby, the parent-child relationship between the MFP 10A (parent) and the MFP 10B (child) is canceled (step S33, parent-child 1 in FIG. 8).

  The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10 </ b> A stores the newly detected identification information of the MFP 10 </ b> D as a child in the storage unit 18. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 instructs the MFP 10D to store the identification information of the MFP 10A as a parent. When the MFP 10D receives a command from the MFP 10A, it stores the identification information of the MFP 10A as a parent and notifies the MFP 10A that the identification information has been stored. Thus, the parent-child relationship between the MFP 10A (parent) and the MFP 10D (child) is generated (step S34, parent-child 4 in FIG. 8).

  The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A generates a parent-child relationship for the MFP 10D, which has generated the parent-child relationship (step S34), with the MFP 10B, the partner whose parent-child relationship has been canceled (step S33), as a child. A relationship generation command is output (step S35).

  The instruction acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10D acquires a parent-child relationship generation instruction (step S35). The command acquisition unit 101 notifies the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 that a parent-child relationship generation command has been acquired. The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10D stores the instructed identification information of the MFP 10B as a child in the storage unit 18. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 instructs the MFP 10B to store the identification information of the MFP 10D as a parent. When the MFP 10B receives a command from the MFP 10D, it stores the identification information of the MFP 10D as a parent, and notifies the MFP 10D that the identification information has been stored. Thus, a parent-child relationship between the MFP 10D (parent) and the MFP 10B (child) is generated (parent-child 5 in FIG. 8).

  As described above, all the MFPs 10A to 10D generate a one-to-one correspondence relationship (parent-child relationship) with the two other MFPs 10A to 10D. Thereby, all the MFPs 10A to 10D are connected in a ring shape from the standpoint of being equal to each other (no server etc.), and one family is expanded.

  Instead of step S35, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10A sets the parent MFP 10D, which has generated the parent-child relationship (step S34), as the parent to the MFP 10B, which is the partner whose parent-child relationship has been canceled (step S33). May be instructed to generate a parent-child relationship.

  If there are a plurality of MFPs 10 newly connected to the network N, the operations in steps S31 to S35 may be repeated.

  Up to this point, the functional configuration and operation of the MFP 10 have been described so that a plurality of MFPs 10 generate a parent-child relationship and generate one family. From here, the functional configuration and operation of the MFP 10 for cooperation of a plurality of MFPs 10 belonging to the generated family will be described.

(5. Overview of cooperation between MFPs)
The MFP is installed in one office and is connected via an in-house LAN. The MFP is used by employees who belong to a plurality of departments in the office (departments such as accounting department and general affairs department). Conventionally, the following functions are known as a department management method in an office. Each MFP stores the maximum number of printable items for each department. As a result, when the number of copies by an employee in a specific department reaches the upper limit in a specific MFP, the employee in that department can no longer execute printing on that MFP. Although this method has the advantage of being able to manage the number of copies for each department, employees in the department who have reached the maximum number of copies have to print the insufficient number of copies with another MFP. There are also disadvantages.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if the number of prints by employees in a specific department reaches the upper limit for a specific MFP, the employees in that department can be Enable printing.

(6. Functional configuration of MFP for cooperation between other MFPs belonging to the family)
As a premise, the MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C generate the family shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a plurality of MFPs belonging to a family.
In the figure, among the functional configurations of the MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C, only configurations necessary for explanation are described, and unnecessary configurations are omitted. However, in practice, the functional configurations of the MFPs 10A, 10B, and 10C are all the same.

  The MFP 10 includes a print execution command acquisition unit 201, a right request unit 202, and a right transfer unit 203.

  The print execution command acquisition unit 201 acquires a specific number of print execution commands from information processing apparatuses belonging to a specific department.

  When the specified number of copies is larger than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit 18 for the department, the right request unit 202 outputs a right assignment command to the MFP 10 as a child. The right request unit 202 assigns a shortage of rights from at least one of the MFPs 10 belonging to the family.

  The right assignment unit 203 acquires a right assignment instruction from the MFP 10 belonging to the family, and assigns the right to the MFP 10 that is a main body that executes printing.

(7. Operation of MFP to cooperate with other MFP belonging to family)
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining cooperation of MFPs in the family. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that executes printing.
The print execution command acquisition unit 201 of the MFP 10A acquires 30 print execution commands from the information processing apparatus (step S401). Typically, this information processing apparatus is a personal computer installed in the same office as a plurality of MFPs 10. In the information processing apparatus, information on departments (departments such as accounting department and general affairs department) to which employees who use the information processing apparatus belong is registered.

  The print execution command acquisition unit 201 of the MFP 10A refers to the print execution command, and identifies the department (department D) to which the employee who uses the information processing apparatus that has output the print execution command belongs. The print execution command acquisition unit 201 reads the upper limit number that the MFP 10A can print for the department D from the storage unit 18. The storage unit 18 of each MFP 10 stores an upper limit number that the own apparatus can print for the department D, an upper limit number that the own apparatus can print for the department E, an upper limit number that the own apparatus can print for the department F, and so on. . In this example, the storage unit 18 of the MFP 10A stores “2 copies” as the upper limit number that the MFP 10A can print for the department D.

  The print execution command acquisition unit 201 of the MFP 10A outputs two print execution requests to the image forming unit 16 (step S402). The print execution command acquisition unit 201 compares the commanded number of copies (30 copies) with the upper limit number (2 copies) (step S403). Since “instructed number of copies to be printed (30 copies)> upper limit number (2 copies)” (YES in step S403), it is not possible to print 30 copies for department D with only the rights of MFP 10A. Therefore, the print execution command acquisition unit 201 updates the upper limit number of the storage unit 18 to 0 (= upper limit number 2 copies−print execution number 2 copies) (step S404), and the printable number for the department D is 28 copies ( (Instructed number of print copies 30 copies-print execution count 2 copies) The right request unit 202 is notified of the shortage.

  Upon receiving the notification from the print execution command acquisition unit 201, the right request unit 202 of the MFP 10A transfers the right to print 28 copies of the department D to the MFP 10B, whose identification information is stored as a child in the storage unit 18. A command (right transfer command) is output (step S405).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of an MFP that belongs to the same family as the MFP that executes printing.
In the following description of this flowchart, “B” is appended to the end of the step number when the operating subject is MFP 10B, and “C” is appended to the end of the step number when the operating subject is MFP 10C. “B” or “C” is not shown in the step numbers of the flowchart.

  The rights transfer unit 203 of the MFP 10B acquires 28 rights transfer instructions (step S405) for the department D from the MFP 10A (step S51B). The right transfer unit 203 refers to the storage unit 18 and reads the upper limit number that the MFP 10B can print for the department D. In this example, the upper limit number that the MFP 10B can print for department D is three. The right assignment unit 203 compares the commanded number of rights assignment (28 copies) with the upper limit number (3 copies) (step S52B). Since “commanded number of rights transfer (28 copies)> upper limit number (3 copies)” (YES in step S52B), the rights of MFP 10B alone are less than 28 copies. Accordingly, the right assignment unit 203 notifies the right request unit 202 that the printable number for the department D is insufficient by 25 copies (= 28 assigned right assignments−3 assignable numbers).

  When the right request unit 202 of the MFP 10B receives the notification from the right transfer unit 203, the right request unit 202 of the MFP 10B transfers the right to print 25 copies for the department D to the MFP 10A to the MFP 10C in which the identification information is stored as a child in the storage unit 18. (Right transfer instruction) is output (step S53B).

  The operation of the MFP 10C is the same as steps S51B to S53B of the MFP 10B. In short, the MFP 10C obtains a 25-right transfer instruction (step S53B) for the department D from the MFP 10B (step S51C). In this example, the upper limit number that the MFP 10C can print for the department D is three. Since MFP 10C is “instructed number of rights transfer (25 copies)> upper limit number (3 copies)” (YES in step S52C), 22 for department D is stored in MFP 10A in which identification information is stored as a child in storage unit 18. A command (right transfer command) for transferring the right to perform printing (= 25-3) to the MFP 10A is output (step S53C).

  The right transfer unit 203 of the MFP 10A acquires a command (right transfer command) (step S53C) for transferring the right to print 22 copies for the department D to the MFP 10A from the MFP 10C (step S406). The right assignment unit 203 determines that the assignment destination is the own apparatus (MFP 10A), sets the number of right assignments = 0, and responds to the MFP 10C (step S407).

  The rights request unit 202 of the MFP 10C obtains a response (Step S407) with the number of rights assignment = 0 from the MFP 10A that is the assignment destination (Step S54C). The right request unit 202 calculates the number of rights assignment = 3 by adding the number of rights assignment acquired from the MFP 10A = 0 to the number of rights assignment from the MFP 10C to the MFP 10A = 3. The rights request unit 202 notifies the rights assignment unit 203 of the calculated number of rights assignment = 3.

  Upon receiving the notification from the right request unit 202, the right transfer unit 203 of the MFP 10C responds to the MFP 10B with the identification information stored as the parent in the storage unit 18 (step S55C). The right assignment unit 203 updates the upper limit number for the department D stored in the storage unit 18 to 0 copies (= upper limit number 3 copies−right assignment number 3 copies) (step S56C).

  The operation of MFP 10B is the same as steps S54C to S56C of MFP 10C. In short, the rights request unit 202 of the MFP 10B acquires a response (Step S55C) of the number of rights assignment = 3 from the MFP 10C (Step S54B). The rights request unit 202 calculates the number of rights assignment = 6 by adding the number of rights assignment acquired from the MFP 10C = 3 to the number of rights assignment from the MFP 10B to the MFP 10A = 3. The rights request unit 202 notifies the rights assignment unit 203 of the calculated number of rights assignment = 6.

  Upon receiving the notification from the right request unit 202, the right transfer unit 203 of the MFP 10B responds to the MFP 10A in which the identification information is stored as the parent in the storage unit 18 (step S55B). The right assignment unit 203 updates the upper limit number for the department D stored in the storage unit 18 to 0 copies (= upper limit number 3 copies−right assignment number 3 copies) (step S56B).

  The rights request unit 202 of the MFP 10A acquires a response (Step S55B) of the number of rights assignment = 6 from the MFP 10B (Step S408). The right request unit 202 notifies the print execution command acquisition unit 201 that the six copies of the right for the department D have been transferred.

  Upon receiving the notification from the right request unit 202, the print execution command acquisition unit 201 of the MFP 10A outputs the notified six print execution requests to the image forming unit 16 (step S409). The print execution command acquisition unit 201 compares the deficient printable number for the department D = 28 (the value calculated in step S403) with the number of rights transfer = 6. Since “insufficient printable number (28 copies)> rights transfer number (6 copies)” (step S410, YES), the print execution command acquisition unit 201 has the remaining 22 copies (shortage of printable number 28 copies−rights transfer number 6). Part) cannot be printed, and an error is stopped (step S411).

  Note that when “instructed number of prints ≦ upper limit number” (NO in step S403), the MFP 10A can execute printing of the instructed number of copies only with the rights of the MFP 10A (step S402). Therefore, the MFP 10A ends the operation without outputting a right assignment command to the MFP 10B as a child.

  The MFP 10A can also execute printing of the instructed number of copies (step S409) when “insufficient printable number = number of rights transferred” (step S410, NO), so that it operates without causing an error. Exit.

  The MFP 10B can satisfy the number of rights assigned to the MFP 10A only with the rights of the MFP 10B when “instructed right assignment number ≦ upper limit number” (NO in step S52B). Therefore, the MFP 10B does not output a right assignment command to the MFP 10C as a child (steps S53B and 54B are omitted), and returns the number of rights assignment to the MFP 10A (step S55B).

  Similarly, when “instructed number of rights assignment ≦ upper limit number” (NO in step S52C), MFP 10C can satisfy the number of rights assigned to MFP 10A with only the rights of MFPs 10B and 10C. Therefore, the MFP 10C does not output a right assignment command to the child MFP 10A (steps S53C and 54C are omitted. As a result, steps S406 and S407 are also omitted), and the number of rights assignment is returned to the MFP 10B (step S55C).

(8. Modifications)
In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 10 stores the upper limit number of rights to execute printing for each department in the storage unit 18 and transfers / assigns the right to execute printing for the shortage. This is just an example. As another example, the MFP 10 stores the upper limit number of the right to execute color printing, the upper limit number of the right to execute monochrome printing, and / or the upper limit number of the right to transmit data for each department. May be.

(9. Summary)
In a network where a main device (master, parent) having a role as a server exists, an instruction may be issued to each device connected to the network via the main device. In this case, when some abnormality occurs in the main device, there is a possibility that it is impossible to appropriately issue an instruction to each device connected to the network. In addition, it is necessary to register each device in the main device in the first place, and there is a possibility that an instruction cannot be issued to a device that is not registered in the main device.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, all MFPs are connected in a circular manner from the standpoint of being equal to each other (there is no main device serving as a server), and one family is generated. According to this configuration, there is no need to go through the main apparatus when issuing an instruction to the MFP. In this case, there is no possibility that a situation in which an instruction cannot be appropriately given to the MFP when any abnormality occurs in the main apparatus. Further, it is not necessary to register the MFP in the main apparatus in the first place, and there is no possibility that a situation may occur in which an instruction cannot be issued to an MFP that is not registered in the main apparatus. Also, the system settings and saved jobs of a specific MFP belonging to one family can be shared by all MFPs in the family. In other words, each MFP can independently cooperate with another MFP.

  Conventionally, the following functions are known as a department management method in an office. Each MFP stores the maximum number of printable items for each department. As a result, when the number of copies by an employee in a specific department reaches the upper limit in a specific MFP, the employee in that department can no longer execute printing on that MFP. Although this method has the advantage of being able to manage the number of copies for each department, employees in the department who have reached the maximum number of copies have to print the insufficient number of copies with another MFP. There are also disadvantages.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the upper limit number of print copies for a specific department stored in each MFP can be shared by MFPs of the entire family. As a result, even if the number of prints by employees in a specific department reaches the upper limit in a specific MFP, the employees in that department can execute printing on that MFP by cooperation between a plurality of MFPs. As a result, in this embodiment, while maintaining the merit of managing the number of prints for each department, the disadvantage is that the employee of the department who has reached the upper limit of the number of prints must print the insufficient number of copies with another MFP. Can be avoided as much as possible.

  The present invention can be applied not only to an image forming apparatus but also to other electronic devices that can be connected to a network.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D ... MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Control part 16 ... Image formation part 18 ... Memory | storage part 19 ... Communication control part 201 ... Print execution command acquisition part 202 ... Rights request part 203 ... Rights transfer part

Claims (3)

Each of the three or more electronic devices generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a parent and another electronic device as a child, and generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a child and another electronic device as a parent, A network-connected electronic device that is connected in a ring by generating a parent-child relationship with the other two electronic devices,
A storage unit for storing an upper limit number of rights to execute a specific function;
An execution instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for executing a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, from an electronic device as a child who is a partner who has generated a parent-child relationship or from at least one of electronic devices connected to the network via the electronic device as the child The rights request department to transfer the shortage of rights,
Acquires a right transfer instruction for transferring a shortage of rights from an electronic device as a parent who has generated a parent-child relationship to an electronic device that executes the function as a right transfer destination, and executes the function And a rights assignment section for assigning rights to electronic devices
(1) The right request unit of the electronic device that has acquired the command for executing the specific number of functions, when the specific number is greater than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the self device, as, in electronic devices as a child, supplying the right assignment instruction,
(2) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the child is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the parent;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own apparatus, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is larger than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus, the right The right assignment instruction for assigning the remaining number of rights obtained by subtracting the upper limit number from the shortage number included in the assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the number of rights assignment, Supply your device as a parent to a child electronic device,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is equal to or less than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own device, The rights assignment instruction for assigning the shortage of rights included in the rights assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the rights assignment number, the electronic device as a parent with the device as a child Supply to the equipment,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device, the number of right transfer is set to 0, and the right transfer command is supplied to the electronic device as the parent with the own device as a child. ,
(3) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device,
The number of rights obtained by adding the number of rights transfer of the own device to the shortage number included in the number of rights assignment included in the right assignment instruction is used as the number of rights assignments to execute the function. The right assignment instruction for assigning to a device is supplied to the electronic device as the parent, with the own device as a child,
Update the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the device with a value obtained by subtracting the transfer number from the upper limit number,
(4) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device,
An electronic device that receives the right to execute the function by the number of rights assignment included in the rights assignment instruction. 3 or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a parent and another electronic device as a child, and generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a child and another electronic device as a parent. By creating a parent-child relationship with the other two electronic devices, it is connected in a ring,
The electronic devices are respectively
A storage unit for storing an upper limit number of rights to execute a specific function;
An execution instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for executing a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, from an electronic device as a child who is a partner who has generated a parent-child relationship or from at least one of electronic devices connected to the network via the electronic device as the child The rights request department to transfer the shortage of rights,
Acquires a right transfer instruction for transferring a shortage of rights from an electronic device as a parent who has generated a parent-child relationship to an electronic device that executes the function as a right transfer destination, and executes the function And a rights assignment department that assigns rights to electronic devices
(1) The right request unit of the electronic device that has acquired the command for executing the specific number of functions, when the specific number is greater than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the self device, as, in electronic devices as a child, supplying the right assignment instruction,
(2) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the child is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the parent;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own apparatus, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is larger than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus, the right The right assignment instruction for assigning the remaining number of rights obtained by subtracting the upper limit number from the shortage number included in the assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the number of rights assignment, Supply your device as a parent to a child electronic device,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is equal to or less than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own device, The rights assignment instruction for assigning the shortage of rights included in the rights assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the rights assignment number, the electronic device as a parent with the device as a child Supply to the equipment,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device, the number of right transfer is set to 0, and the right transfer command is supplied to the electronic device as the parent with the own device as a child. ,
(3) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device,
The number of rights obtained by adding the number of rights transfer of the own device to the shortage number included in the number of rights assignment included in the right assignment instruction is used as the number of rights assignments to execute the function. The right assignment instruction for assigning to a device is supplied to the electronic device as the parent, with the own device as a child,
Update the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the device with a value obtained by subtracting the transfer number from the upper limit number,
(4) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device,
An electronic device cooperation system that assigns the right to execute the function by the number of rights assignment included in the right assignment instruction. Have three or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a parent and another electronic device as a child, and generates a parent-child relationship with its own device as a child and another electronic device as a parent. The electronic device cooperation method executed by the electronic device cooperation system that is connected in a ring by generating a parent-child relationship with the other two electronic devices,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is
A storage unit for storing an upper limit number of rights to execute a specific function;
An execution instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for executing a specific number of the functions;
When the specific number is larger than the upper limit number, from an electronic device as a child who is a partner who has generated a parent-child relationship or from at least one of electronic devices connected to the network via the electronic device as the child The rights request department to transfer the shortage of rights,
Acquires a right transfer instruction for transferring a shortage of rights from an electronic device as a parent who has generated a parent-child relationship to an electronic device that executes the function as a right transfer destination, and executes the function And a rights assignment department that assigns rights to electronic devices
(1) The right request unit of the electronic device that has acquired the command for executing the specific number of functions, when the specific number is greater than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the self device, as, in electronic devices as a child, supplying the right assignment instruction,
(2) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the child is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the parent;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own apparatus, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is larger than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus, the right The right assignment instruction for assigning the remaining number of rights obtained by subtracting the upper limit number from the shortage number included in the assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the number of rights assignment, Supply your device as a parent to a child electronic device,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device, and when the shortage number included in the right transfer instruction is equal to or less than the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the own device, The rights assignment instruction for assigning the shortage of rights included in the rights assignment instruction to the electronic device that executes the function as the rights assignment number, the electronic device as a parent with the device as a child Supply to the equipment,
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device, the number of right transfer is set to 0, and the right transfer command is supplied to the electronic device as the parent with the own device as a child. ,
(3) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is not the own device,
The number of rights obtained by adding the number of rights transfer of the own device to the shortage number included in the number of rights assignment included in the right assignment instruction is used as the number of rights assignments to execute the function. The right assignment instruction for assigning to a device is supplied to the electronic device as the parent, with the own device as a child,
Update the upper limit number stored in the storage unit of the device with a value obtained by subtracting the transfer number from the upper limit number,
(4) The right transfer unit of the electronic device as the parent is:
Obtaining the right transfer instruction from the electronic device as the child;
When the transfer destination of the right included in the right transfer instruction is the own device,
A method of cooperating with an electronic device that receives the right to execute the function by the number of rights assigned included in the rights assignment instruction.

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