JP6819138B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a program, and in particular, a guest OS for executing a host OS (operating system) for controlling an image forming means and a server program. An image forming apparatus including a control means configured to perform the above, an image forming system including two or more such image forming apparatus, a control method of such an image forming apparatus, and such an image forming apparatus. Regarding programs run by the computer.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral), it has been proposed to execute not only a host OS (operating system) for controlling an image forming means but also a guest OS for executing a server program. ing. Further, an image forming system including a plurality of such image forming devices has also been proposed.

On the other hand, various studies have been made on a network including a plurality of server devices. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-223517 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique relating to the movement of a guest OS between server devices. In this technology, when the load of the server device running the guest OS exceeds a predetermined value (for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)) usage rate is 90% or more, memory usage rate is 90% or more, etc.) The guest OS is moved to another server.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-323499 (Patent Document 2) discloses load distribution among a plurality of systems. Each system includes one or more server devices. When the load of a certain system (for example, CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, disk usage rate) exceeds a predetermined value, a part of the processing of the system is executed in another system.

JP-A-2009-223517 JP-A-2007-323499

Load distribution, such as moving the guest OS, is only executed after an event such as an increase in CPU usage actually occurs. For this reason, in devices and systems whose load should be reduced by load distribution, the load is already high when the load distribution is started. In particular, when the device or system is functioning as a server, it takes time to move the server function itself due to the high load, which has a secondary effect such as processing delay on the client. Will also occur.

The present disclosure has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to execute the movement of the guest OS between image forming devices at an appropriate timing in the image forming system.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, an image forming means, a host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means, and a control means configured to execute a guest OS for executing a server program. , An image forming apparatus comprising a communication means configured to communicate with another image forming apparatus via a network and an auxiliary storage device is provided. The control means saves the data output by the image forming means in the auxiliary storage device, the size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value, and saves in the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means. It is configured to move the guest OS to another image forming apparatus according to the condition that the image forming operation of the generated data can be predicted is satisfied, and the image forming operation by the image forming means can be predicted. The condition is a condition relating to the state of the image forming apparatus, and the control means is configured to determine whether or not the condition is satisfied with respect to the state of the image forming apparatus.

Preferably, the state of the image forming apparatus is changed according to the change in the position of the member constituting the image forming apparatus, and the control means determines whether or not the condition is satisfied by detecting the change in the position of the member. It is configured as follows.

Preferably, the member is a door for accommodating consumables, and the control means determines that the condition is met when it detects that the consumables are depleted and the door is opened or closed. It is configured in.

Preferably, the member is a door that is opened and closed to eliminate jams in the paper conveyed by the image forming means, and the control means determines that the condition is satisfied when it detects that the door is opened and closed. It is configured to do. The conditions relating to the state of the image forming apparatus include the conditions relating to the mode of image forming by the image forming means.

Preferably, the control means determines that the condition is satisfied when the data used in the mode of forming an image on condition that the user logs in is stored in the auxiliary storage device and the user logs in. It is configured.

Preferably, the control means is configured to determine that the condition is satisfied when the mode is booklet printing and a predetermined number or more of original images are read in the mode.

Preferably, the communication means is capable of communicating with a plurality of other image forming devices, and the control means predicts a high load state for each of the plurality of other image forming devices depending on the condition being satisfied. It is configured to calculate the high load time, which is the length of time to be performed, and move the guest OS to another image forming apparatus having the shortest high load time.

Preferably, the control means is in a high load state by the image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device based on the amount of data saved in the auxiliary storage device according to the condition being satisfied. The length of time predicted to be is calculated, and if the calculated length of time is shorter than the high load time of all the other image forming devices, the movement of the guest OS is avoided. It is configured to do.

Preferably, the control means is configured to set a reference value based on the type of guest OS.

Preferably, the movement of the guest OS includes the transfer of data in the virtual machine's registers and memory and the transfer of virtual memory data saved in the auxiliary storage device.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, an image forming system including first and second image forming devices is provided. The image forming system is configured such that the first image forming apparatus executes an image forming means, a host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means, and a guest OS for executing a server program. The control means is included, a communication means configured to communicate with the second image forming apparatus via a network, and an auxiliary storage device. The control means is configured to save the data output by the image forming means to the auxiliary storage device, the size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value, and the image forming means The guest OS is configured to move to the second image forming device when the condition that the image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device is satisfied is satisfied, and the image forming means is used. The conditions under which the image forming operation can be predicted are conditions relating to the state of the first image forming apparatus, and the control means is configured to determine whether or not the conditions are satisfied with respect to the state of the first image forming apparatus. Has been done.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming means and an auxiliary storage device. The control method includes a step of saving the data output by the image forming means to the auxiliary storage device, a size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value, and the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means. On the host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means according to the condition that the start of the image forming operation of the data saved in the image forming operation can be predicted and the condition regarding the state of the image forming apparatus is satisfied. It is provided with a step of moving the guest OS for executing the server program to another image forming apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming means and an auxiliary storage device. The control method includes a step of saving the data output by the image forming means to the auxiliary storage device, a size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value, and the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means. On the host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means according to the condition that the start of the image forming operation of the data saved in the image forming operation can be predicted and the condition regarding the state of the image forming apparatus is satisfied. It is provided with a step of moving the guest OS for executing the server program to another image forming apparatus.

According to the present disclosure, the control means of the image forming apparatus satisfies the condition that the size of the data stored in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined value and the image forming operation by the image forming means can be predicted. Depending on the situation, the host OS is moved to another image forming apparatus. As a result, the control means moves the host OS to another image forming apparatus before the high load due to the execution of the image forming operation occurs while executing the host OS as much as possible in a state where the execution of the host OS is not a problem.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of an image formation system. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the appearance of the MFP. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. It is a figure for demonstrating the image data input / output processing in an MFP. It is a figure which shows the software structure of the MFP. This is an example of information (condition list) for setting conditions in which the image forming operation of the image forming portion of the MFPB can be predicted. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 10 executing the guest OS for moving the guest OS. It is a figure which shows another example of a condition list. It is a flowchart of the process of moving a guest OS using the condition list of FIG. It is a flowchart of an example of the process executed by CPU 10 at the time of starting a guest OS. It is a figure which shows an example of the reference value setting table. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the modification of the process of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming system will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, these explanations will not be repeated.

[1. System overview]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 1 shows three states (states 1 to 3) of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 of the present disclosure includes three MFPs 100A, 100B, 100C. Each of the MFPs 100A to 100C is an example of an image forming apparatus.

Hosts OS101A to 100C for controlling an image forming unit that executes a copy operation or the like are installed in each of the MFPs 100A to 100C, and HDDs (hard disk drives) 16A to 16C, which are examples of auxiliary storage devices, are installed. It is equipped.

Any of the MFPs 100A to 100C executes the guest OS 100X. The guest OS 100X moves between the MFPs 100A and 100C in the image forming system 1. In state 1 of FIG. 1, the guest OS 100X is executed in the MFP 100B. An example of the guest OS 100X is an OS for realizing the authentication server function.

In the state 1, the user U executes an operation for logging in to the MFP 100A. In response, the MFP100A requests the MFP100B to authenticate the user U. The MFP100B sends a response to the request to the MFP100A. The MFP 100B collates the user information of the user U in the user DB. If the collation is successful, the user U can use the MFP 100A.

When the size of the data saved in the HDD 16B exceeds a predetermined reference value in the MFP 100B and the condition that the image forming operation of the image forming portion of the MFP 100B can be predicted is satisfied, the MFP 100B 1 The guest OS 100X is moved to another MFP in the (ie, MFP 100A or MFP 100C). An example of such a condition is that the user has opened the paper tray. When the paper feed tray is closed, there is a high possibility that the image forming operation by the image forming unit is started. That is, it can be said that the above condition is satisfied, in one example, that the MFP 100B is in a state just before starting the image forming operation of the data saved in the HDD 16B.

State 2 of FIG. 1 shows the movement of the guest OS 100X from the MFP 100B to the MFP 100C. In the image forming system 1, various information is shared in the MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C. The shared information includes information that identifies which MFP is running the guest OS 100X. The shared information includes a user DB (database). The MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C sequentially share information such as the user DB by synchronous processing. As a result, the addition and deletion of users in the user DB are sequentially shared among the MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C.

Information indicating which MFP 100 is executing the guest OS 100X is also shared between the MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C. When the guest OS 100X moves to the MFP 100C as shown in the state 3 of FIG. 1, the MFP 100A requests the MFP 100C to authenticate the user in response to the login operation from the user U. In response, the MFP100C transmits a response to the request to the MFP100A.

[2. Hardware configuration]
Hereinafter, in the description of the parts common to the MFP100A, the MFP100B, and the MFP100C, the MFP100A, the MFP100B, and the MFP100C will be described as "MFP100".

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the appearance of the MFP 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes an operation panel 15. The MFP 100 further includes an element for realizing the function of a printer, a facsimile transmitter / receiver, or a copier (such as a printer 14 described later), and further comprises one or one for accommodating paper supplied to the element. Includes two or more paper trays.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 which is an example of an arithmetic unit for controlling the whole.

The MFP 100 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 for storing a program executed by the CPU 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 for functioning as a work area when executing a program on the CPU 10, and not shown. A scanner 13 for optically reading a document placed on a platen to obtain image data, a printer 14 for fixing image data on printing paper, and an operation input for displaying information or the MFP 100. It includes an operation panel 15 including a touch panel for accepting data, an HDD 16 including an HD (hard disk) for storing image data and the like, and a network controller 17 for controlling communication via a network. The network controller 17 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC).

The program executed by the CPU 10 may be stored in a storage device on the network in addition to being stored in the ROM 11, or may be downloaded from the network and installed in the HDD 16. Further, it may be stored in a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the MFP 100.

The printer 14 is an example of an image forming unit.
Further, the printer 14 includes a sensor for detecting that the door has been opened for the door for opening and closing each of the plurality of paper trays. The door is an example of a member constituting the image forming apparatus. Paper is an example of consumables used for image forming operation of an image forming apparatus. Each sensor can detect a change in the position of the member (door), and outputs each detection output to the CPU 10. As a result, the CPU 10 detects that each door has been opened.

In addition, the printer 14 includes a sensor for detecting that the door has been opened for each of the single door or the plurality of doors for opening and closing the paper transport path. The single or multiple doors described above are other examples of members that make up an image forming apparatus. Each sensor can detect a change in the position of the member (door), and outputs each detection output to the CPU 10. As a result, the CPU 10 detects that each door has been opened. The single or multiple doors described above are examples of doors that can be opened and closed to eliminate jams in the image forming apparatus.

Further, the printer 14 includes a sensor for detecting that the door has been opened for the door for opening and closing the space for storing the toner. The door is yet another example of a member constituting the image forming apparatus. Toner is yet another example of a consumable used in an image forming operation of an image forming apparatus. Each sensor can detect a change in the position of the member (door), and outputs each detection output to the CPU 10. As a result, the CPU 10 detects that each door has been opened.

[3. Image data input / output processing]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining image data input / output processing in the MFP 100. FIG. 4 shows the file memory 120 of the MFP 100. The file memory 120 is logically set, for example, in the RAM 12 (see FIG. 3).

At the time of copying, the CPU 10 (see FIG. 3) stores the scanned document data as an input image in the file memory 120. Then, the CPU 10 outputs the data stored in the file memory 120 as an output image for printing.

It is assumed that the output of the MFP 100 is stopped due to the paper running out and / or the jam occurring during the output of the image. In such a case, the CPU 10 releases the file memory 120 by saving the input image stored in the file memory 120 to the HDD 16 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the data of the next manuscript can be stored in the file memory 120 as an input image. By doing so, only the document reading operation can be completed before the paper shortage or jam is resolved. If the read data can be output using a tray that has not run out of paper and / or jammed, the print job for that data will be a job that is interrupted due to running out of paper or jamming. Can be executed in advance.

Printing of the data saved in the HDD 16 is executed as soon as the stop factor (out of paper and / or jam) is released. When a large amount of data is saved in the HDD 16, the CPU 10 processes the large amount of data by canceling the stop factor. Therefore, it is assumed that the load on the CPU 10 is high.

In the present embodiment, in the MFP 100 in which the guest OS is executed, a large amount of data is saved in the HDD 16, and the condition (the paper feed tray is opened) indicating the stage prior to the release of the stop factor is satisfied. Then, the CPU 10 moves the guest OS to another MFP 100. As a result, the CPU 10 can move the guest OS to another MFP 100 before the load on the CPU 10 becomes high.

[4. Software configuration]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the MFP 100. In FIG. 5, the hardware elements (CPU 10, scanner 13, printer 14, HDD 16, etc.) shown in FIG. 3 are shown as hardware 110. The host OS 101, the MFP control program 102, the virtual machine program 103, and the guest OS 100X are executed by the CPU 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the MFP 100, a program for controlling the MFP 100 (MFP control program 102) and a program for operating as a virtual machine (virtual machine program 103) operate on the host OS 101.

The MFP 100 operates as a server when the guest OS 100X operates on the virtual machine program 103 and various server programs are installed in the guest OS.

[5. Condition list]
FIG. 6 is an example of information (condition list) for setting conditions in which the image forming operation of the image forming portion of the MFP 100B can be predicted. In FIG. 6, the output start prediction operation is associated with each state of the MFP 100. For example, "out of paper: tray 1" indicates a state in which out of paper has occurred in the paper tray specified as "tray 1". “Tray 1 open” indicates an operation in which a door for opening / closing a paper tray specified as “tray 1” is opened. That is, when the operation of opening the door of the "tray 1" occurs while the state "out of paper: tray 1" occurs, the CPU 10 determines that the above conditions are satisfied.

For example, "out of paper: tray 2" indicates a state in which out of paper has occurred in the paper tray specified as "tray 2." “Tray 2 open” indicates an operation in which a door for opening / closing a paper tray specified as “tray 2” is opened. That is, when the operation of opening the door of the "tray 2" occurs while the state "out of paper: tray 2" occurs, the CPU 10 determines that the above conditions are satisfied.

For example, "Jam occurrence: No. 1" is No. 1 in the paper transport path of the printer 14. Indicates a state in which a jam is occurring in the portion corresponding to the door of 1. "Front door open" refers to the above No. The operation that the door 1 opens is shown. That is, when the state "jam occurrence: No. 1" is occurring, the above No. When the operation of opening the door 1 occurs, the CPU 10 determines that the above conditions are satisfied.

For example, "out of toner" indicates a state in which the printer 14 has run out of toner. "Toner door open" indicates an operation in which a door (toner door) for opening and closing a space for storing toner is opened. That is, when the operation of opening the toner door occurs when the state "out of toner" occurs, the CPU 10 determines that the above condition is satisfied.

For example, "authentication & print retention: user A" indicates a state in which data for the menu "authentication & print" for user A is saved in the HDD 16. “User A login start” indicates an operation in which any MFP100 (MFP100A, MFP100B, or MFP100C) on the image forming system 1 receives a login request from the user A. That is, when the status "authentication & print retention: user A" is generated and the login request of user A is received by any of the MFP 100s, the CPU 10 determines that the above conditions are satisfied.

The menu "Authentication & Print" is a menu that prints an image of the above data on condition that the user associated with the above data logs in to the MFP 100 after registering the manuscript data in the MFP 100 in association with the user. .. The menu is an example of a mode in which an image is formed on condition that the user logs in.

[6. Process flow]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 10 executing the guest OS 100X for moving the guest OS 100X. The process of FIG. 7 may be executed, for example, as a part of the host OS 101 or as a part of the guest OS.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S100, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a state change of the MFP 100 has been detected. The presence or absence of a state change is realized, for example, by periodically monitoring the state of the MFP 100, or by detecting the presence or absence of an external action such as a user operation or a network. The CPU 10 retains control in step S100 until it detects a change in the state of the MFP 100. When the CPU 10 detects a change in the state of the MFP 100, the CPU 10 advances control to step S110.

In step S110, the CPU 10 sets the output start prediction condition by referring to the condition list (see FIG. 6). More specifically, in step S110, the CPU 10 sets the "output start prediction operation" associated with the changed state detected in step S110 in the condition list as the output start prediction condition. For example, when the changed state detected in step S100 is "out of paper: tray 1", the CPU 10 sets "tray 1 open" as an output start prediction condition in step S110. After that, the control proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the size of the image data saved in the HDD 16 exceeds the reference value. Saving the image data to the HDD 16 is realized, for example, in the manner described with reference to FIG. The reference value is, for example, predetermined and stored in the HDD 16. When the CPU 10 determines that the size of the data is equal to or less than the reference value, the CPU 10 returns control to step S100. When the CPU 10 determines that the size of the data exceeds the reference value, the CPU 10 proceeds to control in step S130.

In step S130, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the output start prediction condition is satisfied. If the output start prediction operation set as the output start prediction condition occurs in step S110, the CPU 10 determines that the output start prediction condition is satisfied. If the operation does not occur, the CPU 10 determines that the output start prediction condition is not satisfied. If the CPU 10 determines that the output start prediction condition is not satisfied, the control returns to step S120, and if it determines that the output start prediction condition is satisfied, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the CPU 10 calculates a "high load time" for each of the other MFPs 100 in the image forming system 1. The high load time is, for example, the time expected to process the amount of data saved in the HDD 16 in each MFP 100. For example, the CPU 10 acquires the amount (size) of data saved in the HDD 16 from each of the other MFPs 100, and based on the amount of the data and the set value for the data processing amount per unit time, the CPU 10 of each MFP 100. Calculate "high load time". That is, in one example, the "high load time" is the time that each MFP 100 is expected to require to process the data stored in the respective HDD 16.

The CPU 10 may acquire the "high load time" from each MFP 100 by requesting each of the other MFPs 100 to calculate the "high load time" of each MFP 100.

The CPU 10 identifies the other MFP 100 in the image forming system 1 that has the shortest "high load time", and selects the identified MFP 100 as the destination of the guest OS 100X. After that, the control proceeds to step S150.

In step S150, the CPU 10 executes the movement of the guest OS 100X to the MFP 100 selected in step S140. More specifically, the CPU 10 holds the operating state data of the guest OS 100X and transfers the operating state data to the destination MFP 100. After that, the process of FIG. 7 ends. The operating state data includes the register and memory data of the virtual machine, and the virtual memory data saved in the HDD 16.

In the image forming system 1, after the data transfer of the operating state data as described in step S150 is completed, when the reading of the operating state data to the virtual machine is completed in the transfer destination MFP 100, the transfer destination MFP 100 Guest OS 100X is restarted.

In the process of FIG. 7, by controlling step S140, the high load time, which is the length of time for which the high load state is predicted, is calculated for each of the other image forming devices. Further, by the control of step S150, the guest OS 100X is moved to another image forming apparatus having the shortest high load time.

In the process of FIG. 7, the guest OS 100X is moved in step S150. The movement of the guest OS 100X includes the transfer of the operation state data. The operating state data may be transferred after being temporarily held in the HDD 16. The movement mode of the guest OS 100X in the image forming system 1 is not limited to the mode described above, and may be replaced with a known method of moving the guest OS.

[7. Summary of processing]
In the process of FIG. 7 described above, a situation in which the load of the CPU 10 exceeds a predetermined value is predicted, and the guest OS 100X is moved in advance in response to the occurrence of the situation.

That is, the MFP 100 may read the original by the scanner 13 in a situation where the image forming operation is stopped due to, for example, running out of paper or the occurrence of jam. In such a case, the read image data is stored (saved) in the HDD 16. When the stopped state of the image forming operation is released by replenishing the paper and / or eliminating the jam, the images accumulated in the HDD 16 are returned from the HDD 16 at once, so that the access to the HDD 16 is concentrated. When a large amount of image data is stored in the HDD 16, access to the HDD 16 continues for a long time. As a result, it is predicted that the load of the CPU 10 will exceed a predetermined value.

When the CPU 10 functions as an authentication server for the guest OS 100X, in addition to restoring the image data described above, the CPU 10 searches the DB (database) on the HDD 16 in response to the authentication request and collates the user information. At this time, the host OS 101 occupies the HDD 16, so that the guest OS 100X cannot access the HDD 16. Therefore, the reply to the authentication request is delayed. As a result, the user who outputs the authentication request is kept waiting, and the convenience of the image forming system 1 is lowered.

In the image forming system 1, the guest OS 100X is moved when the output start prediction condition is satisfied. As a result, the guest OS 100X is moved in advance in response to the occurrence of a situation in which the load of the CPU 10 exceeds a predetermined value.

It is necessary to shorten the stop time of the guest OS 100X. In this respect, in the stopped state of the image forming operation in the MFP 100, the output operation is not executed, so that the access to the HDD 16 by the host OS 101 is reduced (the input image may be saved to the HDD 16 but is temporary). , No need to access HDD 16 for a long time). As a result, the use of the HDD 16 of the guest OS 100X is not disturbed by the host OS 101. This improves the performance of the guest OS 100X. That is, the stopped state of the image forming operation in the MFP 100 is a preferable state for providing the service of the guest OS 100X. Therefore, it is desirable that the CPU 10 operates the guest OS 100X to the maximum until the stopped state is released.

In the image forming system 1 of the present disclosure, the guest OS 100X is moved on condition that the size of the image data saved in the HDD 16 exceeds the reference value and the output start prediction condition is satisfied in the stopped state of the image forming operation of the MFP 100. To do. As a result, the stop time of the guest OS 100X at the time of moving execution is shortened, and the use of resources by the guest OS 100X is optimized. Therefore, the service provided by the guest OS 100X can be improved.

Further, in the image forming system 1, the CPU 10 saves the image data read in the authentication & print operation mode to the HDD 16, the size of the saved data exceeds the reference value (YES in step S120), and further, the authentication If a user login request associated with the & print data is detected (YES in step S130), the guest OS 100X may be moved to another MFP 100.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the condition list. The condition list shown in FIG. 8 associates the operation mode with the output start prediction operation. An example of the operation mode is "booklet printing". The operation mode "booklet printing" is a mode for printing a plurality of pages of images as a booklet, for example, a mode for allocating two pages to one side of a paper and printing on both sides. An example of the output start prediction operation is "reading a predetermined number of sheets". The "predetermined number of sheets" is a predetermined number of documents, for example, "10 sheets". FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process of moving the guest OS using the condition list of FIG.

The process of FIG. 9 includes the control of step S101 instead of step S100 of the process of FIG. In step S101, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the operation mode of the MFP 100 is one of the "operation modes" registered in the condition list. When the CPU 10 determines that the operation mode of the MFP 100 is one of the "operation modes" registered in the condition list, the CPU 10 advances the control to step S110. When the operation mode of the MFP 100 is not one of the "operation modes" registered in the condition list, the CPU 10 limits the control to step S101.

In step S110, the CPU 10 sets the “output start prediction operation” associated with the operation mode of the MFP 100 in the condition list as the output start prediction condition. After that, the control proceeds to step S120. The CPU 10 executes the control after step S120 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.

In the example described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, the MFP 100 operates in the "booklet printing" mode, the amount of data saved in the HDD 16 exceeds the above reference value, and is further read in the booklet printing mode. When the number of printed documents reaches the "predetermined number" registered in the condition list, the CPU 10 moves the guest OS to another MFP 100. According to the example described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the guest OS 100X is moved in the MFP 100 before the start of the output operation in the booklet print mode. As a result, the time required to move the guest OS can be shortened.

[8. Setting standard values according to the type of guest OS]
In the image forming system 1, the "reference value" used in step S120 or the like of FIG. 7 may be predetermined or may be set to a value according to the type of guest OS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example of processing executed by the CPU 10 when the guest OS is started.

With reference to FIG. 10, in step S10, the CPU 10 identifies the type of guest OS, and then reads the reference value corresponding to the type of the guest OS from the reference value setting table. The reference value setting table will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a reference value setting table. The reference value setting table is stored in, for example, the HDD 16.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the reference value setting table associates the permissible time and the reference value for each of the two types of guest OS (server program).

An example of a guest OS type is "authentication". Another example is "file sharing".
The permissible time is, for example, the time allowed for a reply to a client. In the example of FIG. 11, when the guest OS is the OS for the authentication server, the permissible time is 10 seconds. When the guest OS is an OS for a file sharing server, the permissible time is 20 seconds. That is, the example of FIG. 11 shows that the MFP 100 that executes the guest OS is required to reply faster when it functions as an authentication server than when it functions as a file sharing server.

The reference value is set based on the permissible time. For example, the reference value is the amount of data that can be transferred within the permissible time at the preset data transfer rate set value (100 MB / s in the example of FIG. 11) of the HDD 16. When the permissible time is set to 10 seconds, the reference value is the amount of data "1000 MB" that can be transferred in 10 seconds at a transfer rate of 100 MB / s. The data transfer rate setting can be changed for each MFP 100. For example, since the data size per page of an A4 manuscript is about 20 MB, the reference value (1,000 MB) for the authentication server indicates a state in which data for 50 pages is saved.

The reference value setting table is an example of information for associating the guest OS type with the reference value. The format of the information that associates them is not limited to the table format shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 10, after reading the reference value corresponding to the type of guest OS in step S10, the CPU 10 proceeds to control to step S20.

In step S20, the CPU 10 sets the reference value read in step S10 as the reference value used for the processing of FIG. 7 and the like. After that, the process of FIG. 10 ends.

According to the process described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the reference value used for the process of FIG. 7 and the like is set according to the type of guest OS. As a result, the guest OS can be moved at an appropriate timing while ensuring a reply at a timing according to the function of the MFP 100 as a guest OS. When the MFP 100 that executes the guest OS functions as a file sharing server, it is considered that the convenience of the user is not impaired even if the processing (reply) is not completed in a shorter time than when the MFP 100 functions as an authentication server. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the permissible time for the authentication server is set to 10 seconds, while the permissible time for the file sharing server is set to 20 seconds.

In a specific situation, the CPU 10 executing the guest OS moves the guest OS to another MFP 100 even when the data saved in the HDD 16 exceeds the reference value and a predetermined condition is satisfied. It may not be allowed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a modification of the processing of FIG. 7.

The process of FIG. 12 further includes the control of step S142 as compared to the process of FIG.
With reference to FIG. 12, the CPU 10 calculates (acquires) the “high load time” for each of the other MFPs 100 in the image forming system 1 in step S140, and then proceeds to control to step S142.

In step S142, whether or not the guest OS 100X can be moved by the CPU 10 by comparing the high load time of the MFP 100 on which the CPU 10 is mounted with the "high load time" of each of the other MFP 100s. To judge. More specifically, the CPU 10 can move the guest OS 100X when at least one of the "high load times" of the other MFP 100 is shorter than the "high load time" of the MFP 100 on which the CPU 10 is mounted. It is determined that there is, and control is returned to step S120. When the "high load time" of all the other MFPs 100 is equal to or longer than the "high load time" of the MFP100 on which the CPU 10 is mounted, the CPU 10 determines that the guest OS 100X cannot be moved, and proceeds to step S150. Advance control.

According to the process of FIG. 12, even if it is predicted that the load of the CPU 10 will be high in the MFP 100 in which the guest OS 100X is executed, the same situation will occur in the other MFP 100 in the image forming system 1. If the occurrence is predicted, the movement of the guest OS 100X is avoided.

It should be considered that each embodiment disclosed this time is exemplary in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. In addition, the inventions described in the embodiments and the modifications are intended to be implemented, either alone or in combination, wherever possible.

10 CPU, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 13 scanner, 14 printer, 15 operation panel, 17 network controller, 100 MFP, 100X guest OS, 101, 101A-101C host OS, 102 control program, 103 virtual machine program, 110 hardware , 120 file memory.

Claims (14)

Image forming means and
A host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means, a control means configured to execute a guest OS for executing a server program, and a control means.
With communication means configured to communicate with other image forming devices over a network,
Equipped with auxiliary storage device
The control means
The data output by the image forming means is saved in the auxiliary storage device, and the data is stored in the auxiliary storage device.
The condition that the size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value and the image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means can be predicted is satisfied. The guest OS is configured to move to another image forming apparatus accordingly .
The conditions under which the image forming operation by the image forming means can be predicted are the conditions relating to the state of the image forming apparatus.
The control means is an image forming apparatus that is configured to determine whether or not the above conditions are satisfied with respect to the state of the image forming apparatus. The state of the image forming apparatus is changed according to the change of the position of the member constituting the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control means is configured to determine whether or not the conditions are satisfied by detecting a change in the position of the member. The member is a door for storing consumables.
The control means, the consumables when the door even when you are exhausted is detected that is opened and closed, the condition is configured to determine to be fulfilled, according to claim 2 Image forming device. It said member is a door that is opened and closed in order to eliminate the jamming of the sheet conveyed by the image forming means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control means is configured to determine that the conditions are satisfied when it detects that the door has been opened or closed. Conditions relating to the state of the image forming apparatus includes a condition regarding mode of the image formation by said image forming means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control means determines that the condition is satisfied when the data used in the mode of forming an image on condition that the user logs in is stored in the auxiliary storage device and the user logs in. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , which is configured. The control means, the mode when a predetermined number of images or document in the mode is read a booklet printing, the condition is configured to determine that are met, according to claim 5 The image forming apparatus according to. The communication means can communicate with a plurality of other image forming devices.
The control means depends on the condition being satisfied.
For each of the plurality of other image forming apparatus, the high load time, which is the length of time for which the high load state is predicted, is calculated.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the guest OS is configured to move the guest OS to the other image forming apparatus having the shortest high load time. The control means depends on the condition being satisfied.
Based on the amount of data saved in the auxiliary storage device, the length of time during which the control means is predicted to be in a high load state due to the image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device is calculated. ,
8. Claim 8 is configured to avoid the movement of the guest OS when the calculated length of time is shorter than the high load time of all the other image forming devices. The image forming apparatus according to. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the control means is configured to set the reference value based on the type of the guest OS. The movement according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the movement of the guest OS includes a transfer of data in a register and a memory of a virtual machine and a transfer of virtual memory data saved in the auxiliary storage device. Image forming device. An image forming system including first and second image forming devices.
The first image forming apparatus is
Image forming means and
A host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means, a control means configured to execute a guest OS for executing a server program, and a control means.
A communication means configured to communicate with the second image forming apparatus via a network,
Including auxiliary storage
The control means
The data output by the image forming means is configured to be saved in the auxiliary storage device.
The condition that the size of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device exceeds a predetermined reference value and the image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means can be predicted is satisfied. Accordingly, it is configured to move the guest OS to the second image forming apparatus .
The conditions under which the image forming operation by the image forming means can be predicted are the conditions relating to the state of the first image forming apparatus.
The control means is an image forming system configured to determine whether or not the conditions are satisfied with respect to the state of the first image forming apparatus . A method of controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming means and an auxiliary storage device.
A step of saving the data output by the image forming means to the auxiliary storage device, and
Exceeds the reference value the size of data saved is determined in advance in the auxiliary storage device, and met conditions start of image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means can be predicted Depending on the condition regarding the state of the image forming apparatus, the guest OS for operating as a virtual machine on the host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means and executing the server program is used. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises a step of moving the image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus. A program executed by a computer of an image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming means and an auxiliary storage device.
The program is installed on the computer.
A step of saving the data output by the image forming means to the auxiliary storage device, and
Exceeds the reference value the size of data saved is determined in advance in the auxiliary storage device, and met conditions start of image forming operation of the data saved in the auxiliary storage device by the image forming means can be predicted Depending on the condition regarding the state of the image forming apparatus, the guest OS for operating as a virtual machine on the host OS (operating system) for controlling the image forming means and executing the server program is used. A program that executes a step of moving to another image forming apparatus.

Images