JP2006148305A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

In an image processing apparatus synchronization system that transmits and receives apparatus information between a plurality of image processing apparatuses and synchronizes apparatus information, when a failure such as a failure occurs in an image processing apparatus that is a primary distribution server at a base An appropriate image processing apparatus automatically acts as a distribution server.
An image processing apparatus 102a records the number of successful distributions and the number of distribution information differences for each of the slave units 102b to 103d when distributing device information in the base 102, and secondary distribution of the base 102 based on the information. Select a server. When the image processing apparatus 102a fails, the image processing apparatus selected as the secondary acts as the distribution server at the base 102.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a device information synchronization system for an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a means for synchronizing device information of an image processing transmission apparatus across a plurality of image processing apparatuses, there are roughly a push type and a pull type. Among these, as a push-type embodiment, device information of a certain image processing device is downloaded to a computer by a WWW browser or the like, or device information created on the computer is uploaded to each target image processing device. Such a means was used.

In recent years, means for synchronizing device information by directly transmitting / receiving device information between image processing devices without using a computer has been gradually used for convenience that does not require a computer other than the image processing device. is there. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 2001-339561 A

  When considering a push-type synchronization system in which image processing apparatuses directly transmit and receive device information, a connection form as shown in FIG. 1 can be considered. There is one reference device for each of the bases 101 to 103 (image processing apparatus 101a, image processing apparatus 102a, image processing apparatus 103a), and each base has a plurality of slave units on the receiving side (image processing apparatus). 101b-d, image processing devices 102b-d, image processing devices 103b-f). The device information is distributed from the image processing apparatus 101a to the image processing apparatus 102a to the image processing apparatus 103a, and the reference device distributes to each child device. In this case, when a failure or a network failure occurs in the image processing apparatus 102a, device information is not distributed to the image processing apparatuses 102b to 102d and image processing 103a to 103d. In this case, it is necessary for the user to manually set the reference machine at the base 102. However, if the system administrator sets the device information to automatically synchronize every day at a fixed time, Rewriting is performed, and it is highly likely that the image processing apparatus 102a is left unattended without being noticed. In addition, when the models and options of the image processing apparatuses 102b to 102d at the base 102 are diversified, it is difficult to determine which is the appropriate reference machine. For example, when a low-end model image processing apparatus is used as a reference machine, less information is distributed to the image processing apparatus of the child machine.

  Against this background, a mechanism for establishing an appropriate reference machine while maintaining the integrity of the synchronization system of the image processing apparatus has been demanded.

  As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the invention of claim 1 connects a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network, and the image processing apparatus serving as a reference machine stores other internal device information. To the image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a slave unit), and the slave unit updates the internal device information with the received device information. If the slave unit has a role of a reference unit, the slave unit is further connected to the slave unit. An image processing apparatus synchronization system that synchronizes apparatus information with a plurality of image processing apparatuses characterized by transmitting information, wherein the reference machine periodically distributes apparatus information, and the automatic distribution A plurality of distribution destinations can be set, and an automatic distribution destination registration unit capable of registering a primary slave unit and a secondary slave unit respectively, and a distribution to the primary slave unit by the automatic distribution unit. There on failure are those provided with an automatic distribution switching means for distribution of the secondary child machine.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, in the automatic distribution destination registration means, the primary slave unit automatically determines a secondary slave unit candidate, And a means for registering as a secondary slave unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the invention of claim 2, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the automatic delivery destination registration means, the primary slave unit is automatically distributed from the slave unit group of its own unit. Is provided with means for determining the slave unit with the largest number of successes as a secondary slave unit candidate.

  Furthermore, in addition to the invention of claim 2, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the automatic delivery destination registration means, the primary slave unit is automatically distributed from the slave unit group of its own unit. This means includes means for determining a slave unit that is synchronized with the device information and the largest number as a secondary slave unit candidate.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the invention of claim 5, the primary slave unit periodically transmits the distribution destination information registered by the automatic distribution destination registration unit to the secondary slave unit, and the secondary slave unit When there is no automatic distribution from the primary slave unit for a certain period of time, a means for performing automatic delivery on behalf of the slave unit group automatically distributed by the primary slave unit with reference to the distribution destination information It is provided.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of the invention of claim 6 includes means for notifying the user by e-mail when the secondary slave starts to act for the primary slave in addition to the invention of claim 5. It is a thing.

  In the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a network, and the image processing apparatus serving as a reference machine transfers internal device information to other image processing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “image processing apparatuses”). The slave unit updates internal device information according to the received device information, and when the slave unit has a role of a reference unit, the slave unit further transmits device information to the slave unit. An image processing apparatus synchronization system that synchronizes device information with a plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a reference device sets a plurality of automatic distribution means for periodically distributing device information and a distribution destination of the automatic distribution means An automatic distribution destination registration means capable of registering a primary slave unit and a secondary slave unit, respectively, and a secondary unit when distribution to the primary slave unit fails by the automatic distribution unit. Those with automatic distribution switching means for distribution to the slave unit.

  Thereby, when a malfunction occurs in the primary slave unit, it can be distributed to the secondary slave unit.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, in the automatic distribution destination registration means, the primary slave unit automatically determines a secondary slave unit candidate, And a means for registering as a secondary slave unit.

  Thereby, the setting process of the secondary slave unit by the user can be omitted, and the secondary slave unit is automatically registered from the area of the primary slave unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the invention of claim 2, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the automatic delivery destination registration means, the primary slave unit is automatically distributed from the slave unit group of its own unit. Is provided with means for determining the slave unit with the largest number of successes as a secondary slave unit candidate.

  Thereby, the most reliable slave unit can be registered as the secondary slave unit from the area of the primary slave unit.

  Furthermore, in addition to the invention of claim 2, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the automatic delivery destination registration means, the primary slave unit is automatically distributed from the slave unit group of its own unit. This means includes means for determining a slave unit that is synchronized with the device information and the largest number as a secondary slave unit candidate.

  Thereby, the slave unit having the product form closest to the primary slave unit from the area of the primary slave unit can be registered as the secondary slave unit. Even when a problem occurs in the primary slave unit and the secondary slave unit becomes the reference for the area, it is possible to construct a synchronization system similar to the conventional one.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus synchronization system according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, the primary slave unit periodically sends the distribution destination information registered by the automatic distribution destination registration means. When there is no automatic distribution from the primary slave unit for a certain period of time, the secondary slave unit refers to the distribution destination information and refers to the slave unit group automatically distributed by the primary slave unit. On the other hand, it is provided with a means for performing automatic delivery on behalf of it.

  As a result, when a problem occurs in the primary slave unit, the reference work for the area can be performed.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus synchronization system of the invention of claim 6 includes means for notifying the user by e-mail when the secondary slave starts to act for the primary slave in addition to the invention of claim 5. It is a thing.

  As a result, the user can be notified that the primary slave unit has failed.

Example 1
Example 1 is shown below.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus synchronization system.

  The multifunction peripherals 1001a to 1003c are apparatuses that read a document and transmit it to various apparatuses. The multifunction device 1001a distributes device information in the device to the multifunction device 1001b, the multifunction device 1001c, and the multifunction device 1002a, and the multifunction device 1002a distributes the device information to the multifunction device 1002b, the multifunction device 1002c, and the multifunction device 1003a. The multifunction device 1003a distributes device information to the multifunction device 1003b and the multifunction device 1003c. When device information is received by each MFP, the device information in the device is updated. A network 1000 is a network to which the multifunction peripherals 1001a to 1003c are connected.

  In this example, the network 1000 is used to directly upload device information between the multifunction peripherals without using a client computer. Any connection medium can be used as long as it can perform two-way communication. Protocols used for data transmission / reception between copiers on the connection medium are also HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), SOAP ( Any of existing protocols such as Simple Object Access Protocol (FTP) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) may be used, or a completely unique application protocol may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a system block diagram, which is implemented in the multifunction peripherals 1001a to 1003c.

  The Controller Unit 2000 is a controller for inputting / outputting image information and device information by connecting to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device while connecting to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051. is there. A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for operating the CPU 2002, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. A network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007. An Image Bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects an image input / output device such as a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multivalued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data. The IC card slot 2100 can input / output a key used for encryption / decryption by inputting an appropriate PIN (Personal Identifier Number) code after inserting an IC card medium. The encryption / decryption processing unit 2110 is a hardware accelerator board that performs data encryption / decryption processing using a key of the IC Card Slot 2100.

  FIG. 4 is an example of an automatic distribution destination table set in the multifunction peripherals 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a. In addition to the primary, a secondary can be registered as necessary in the automatic distribution destination table. Reference numeral 3001 denotes an automatic distribution destination table held by the multifunction peripheral 1001a. Reference numeral 3002 denotes an automatic distribution destination table held by the multifunction peripheral 1002a. Reference numeral 3004 denotes an automatic distribution destination table held by 1003a. In the system according to the first embodiment, reference numerals 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a serve as reference machines at the respective bases. Will be registered as.

  FIG. 5 is an automatic distribution start time designation table. The reference machine can automatically distribute the device information every day or every day of the week. This information is set by the system administrator from the UI of the reference machine.

  FIG. 6 is a success / difference number table indicating the number of successful distributions for each distribution destination recorded in the multifunction peripherals 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a and the number of pieces of information that cannot be set on the slave unit side among the distributed device information. In the configuration of the first embodiment, a case is considered in which the system administrator sets device information to be automatically distributed every day at a fixed time. In the reference machine, for each destination during automatic distribution, if the distribution is successful, the success number column is incremented, and the number of information that is not set on the slave unit side in the distributed device information is recorded in the difference number column is doing.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processing of the device information automatic distribution event that occurs when the time set in FIG. 5 is reached in the multifunction peripheral 1002a.

  When an automatic device information distribution event occurs in S10001, the distribution destination table 4002 is referred to in S10002, and the device information is distributed to the multifunction peripheral 1002b designated as the primary. If the distribution is successful (S10003), the success / difference number of the MFP 1002b in the success / difference information table is updated in S10004. If the distribution is unsuccessful (S10003), the process proceeds to S10005 and the device information is distributed to the MFP 1002c. Process. In the case of success (S10006), the success number / difference number of the multifunction device 1002c in the success / difference information table is updated in S10007. In the case of failure (S10006), the processing proceeds to S10008, and device information distribution processing to the multifunction device 1003a is performed. I do. In the case of success (S10009), the success number and difference number of the multifunction device 1003a in the success / difference information table are updated in S10010. In the case of failure (S10009), the multifunction device 1003b is set as the secondary device 1003b. In step S10011, device information distribution processing to 1003b is performed. In the case of success (S10012), in S10013, the success number and difference number of the MFP 1003b in the success / difference information table are updated. Then, the device information automatic distribution event ends.

  FIG. 8 shows secondary candidate transmission processing performed in the multifunction peripheral 1002a. The multifunction device 1002a, which is set as the primary distribution destination of the multifunction device 1001a and is a reference device of 1002 sites, determines secondary candidates from the 1002 sites, notifies the multifunction device 1001a, and automatically distributes the multifunction device 1001a. The secondary for 1002a of the destination table 4001 is registered. When a secondary candidate transmission processing event occurs in S20001, or when a secondary candidate is determined based on the number of successes (S20002), referring to the success / difference number table 4002 in S20003, the MFP 1002b that is the distribution destination with the highest number of successes Are determined as secondary candidates. In S20004, the destination information of the secondary candidate 1002b is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 1001a. In the MFP 1001a, the MFP 1002b is registered as a secondary for the MFP 1002a. When the secondary candidate is determined based on the difference number (S20005), the success / difference number table 4002 is referred to in S20006, and the MFP 1002b that is the distribution destination with the smallest difference number is determined as the secondary candidate. In S20007, the destination information of the secondary candidate 1002b is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 1001a. In the multifunction machine 1001a, the multifunction machine 1002b is registered as a secondary for the multifunction machine 1002a. Then, the secondary candidate transmission process event ends.

  FIG. 9 shows an automatic distribution information transmission event process performed in the multifunction peripheral 1002a. When the multifunction device 1002a fails, the multifunction device 1001a distributes device information to the multifunction device 1002b which is the secondary device. Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral 1002b substitutes the reference machine at the base 1002 in place of the multifunction peripheral 1002a and distributes device information to the multifunction peripherals 1002c and 1003a. Therefore, the multifunction peripheral 1002a needs to periodically transmit the automatic distribution destination table 4002 and the automatic distribution start time designation table 5002 to the secondary multifunction peripheral 1002b periodically. When an automatic distribution information transmission event occurs in S30001, if there is a multifunction peripheral set as a secondary of the own apparatus (S30002), an automatic distribution destination table is sent to the multifunction peripheral (1002b in this embodiment) that is a secondary candidate in S30003. 4002 and an automatic distribution start time designation table 5002 are transmitted. If there is no distribution from 1002a for a certain period of time in 1002b, the work as a reference machine of the base 1002 is performed on the basis of the information of 4002 and 5002.

It is a figure which shows the basic system structure in this patent. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic system configuration in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of MFPs 1001a to 1001c, 1002a to 1002c, and 1003a to 1003c in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an automatic distribution destination table of the multifunction peripherals 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is an example of an automatic distribution start time designation table according to the first embodiment. 3 is a success / difference count table of the multifunction peripherals 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing of a device information automatic distribution event of the multifunction peripheral 1002a according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing of secondary candidate transmission events of the multifunction peripheral 1002a according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes of an automatic distribution information transmission event of the multifunction peripheral 1002a according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 base 102 base 103 base 101a image processing apparatus 101b image processing apparatus 101c image processing apparatus 102a image processing apparatus 102b image processing apparatus 102c image processing apparatus 103a image processing apparatus 103b image processing apparatus 103c image processing apparatus 1000 network 1001a multifunction machine 1001b multifunction machine 1001c MFP 1002a MFP 1002b MFP 1002c MFP 1003a MFP 1003b MFP 1003c MFP 2000 Controller unit 2001 CPU
2002 RAM
2003 ROM
2004 Hard Disk 2005 Image Bus I / F
2006 Operation unit I / F
2007 System bus 2008 Image bus 2010 Network I / F
2011 LAN
2012 Operation unit 2020 Device I / F
2030 Image rotation 2040 Image compression 2050 MODEM
2051 WAN
2060 RIP
2070 Scanner 2080 Scanner Image Processing 2090 Printer Image Processing 2095 Printer 2100 IC Card Slot
2110 Encryption / Decryption Processing 4001 Distribution Destination Table of Multifunction Device 1001a 4002 Distribution Destination Table of Multifunction Device 1002a 4003 Distribution Destination Table of Multifunction Device 1003a 5000 Automatic Distribution Start Time Specification Table 6001 Success Number / Difference Number Table 6002 Multifunction Device 1001a Success number / difference number table 1002a 6003 Success / difference number table of MFP 1003a

Claims (6)

A plurality of image processing devices are connected via a network, the image processing device as a reference device transmits internal device information to another image processing device (hereinafter referred to as a slave device), and the slave device is in accordance with the received device information. Image processing that synchronizes device information with a plurality of image processing devices, wherein internal device information is updated, and when the child device has a role of a reference device, device information is further transmitted to the child device A device synchronization system,
The reference machine is an automatic delivery means that periodically distributes device information, and an automatic delivery destination registration means that can set a plurality of delivery destinations of the automatic delivery means and that can register a primary slave device and a secondary slave device respectively. Automatic distribution switching means for distributing to the secondary slave unit when distribution to the primary slave unit fails by the automatic distribution unit;
An image processing apparatus synchronization system comprising:   2. The image processing apparatus synchronization according to claim 1, wherein in the automatic distribution destination registration means, the primary slave unit automatically determines a secondary slave unit candidate, notifies the reference unit, and registers it as a secondary slave unit. system.   3. The automatic distribution destination registration means, wherein the primary slave unit determines a slave unit having the highest number of successful automatic distributions as a secondary slave unit candidate from a group of slave units of the own unit. The image processing apparatus synchronization system described.   In the automatic distribution destination registration means, the primary slave unit determines a slave unit that is synchronized with the most automatically distributed device information as a secondary slave unit candidate from a group of slave units of the own unit. The image processing apparatus synchronization system according to claim 2.   The primary slave unit periodically transmits the distribution destination information registered by the automatic distribution destination registration unit to the secondary slave unit, and the secondary slave unit has not been automatically distributed from the primary slave unit for a certain period of time. 5. The image processing apparatus synchronization system according to claim 3, wherein said distribution destination information is referred to and automatic distribution is performed on behalf of a group of slave units that have been automatically distributed by a primary slave unit. .   6. The image processing apparatus synchronization system according to claim 5, wherein when the secondary slave unit starts substituting for the primary slave unit, the user is notified by mail.

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