JP6436066B2 - Image forming apparatus and synchronization program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a synchronization program for belonging to a group including a master machine and a slave machine whose specific setting is matched with that of the master machine.

  Conventionally, as an image forming device to belong to a group comprising a master device and a slave device whose specific settings are matched with those of the master device, the current master device is requested to be the master device. When this application is permitted, there are known devices that make the current master machine and its own device a slave machine and a master machine, respectively (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-031982 JP 2012-004709 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the current master machine is turned off or the current master machine is not connected to the network, the current master machine is the slave machine. If it is not possible to operate as a master machine, the current master machine cannot be granted an application to become a master machine, so the replacement of the master machine is not performed within the group, As a result, there is a problem that inconsistency of specific settings occurs in the group.

  According to Patent Document 2, the master machine transmits data by mail when the slave machine is powered off. The slave unit receives the mail when the power is turned on and reflects the data. However, this technique is cumbersome, such as installing a mail server or preparing a mail account for each device.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and a synchronization program capable of suppressing the occurrence of inconsistency in specific settings within a group.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for belonging to a group including a master machine and one or more slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master machine. In the case where it is a master machine, it obtains processing capacity information from the one or more slave machines in the group, and makes a slave machine having the highest processing capacity information a spare machine for other apparatus as a spare machine for the master machine; When the current device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, self-device mastering means for making the own device the master device; It is characterized by providing.

With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a spare machine for the master machine, and the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine for the slave machine, Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.
Furthermore, with this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can prevent a slave machine having a low processing capability from functioning properly as a master machine from becoming a spare machine for the master machine. When a machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to a slave machine, the master machine can function properly by making the spare machine of the master machine a master machine. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the master machine, the image forming apparatus operates as the master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the slave machine cannot operate as the master machine. When the apparatus is restored to a state in which the apparatus can be used, the apparatus may be provided with a self-device spare unit that makes the self-device a spare device.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a master machine, the image forming apparatus can operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the image forming apparatus cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. When it is restored to the ready state, it becomes the spare machine of the master machine, so if the machine is a spare machine of the master machine, the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine for the slave machine At this time, it is possible to appropriately function as the master machine by making the own apparatus that has been used as the master machine in the past a master machine again. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  The synchronization program of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and one or more slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master machine. In some cases, the processing unit obtains processing capability information from the one or more slave units in the group, and sets the slave unit having the highest processing capability information as a spare unit of the master unit, When the device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, it functions as its own device master device as the master device. It is characterized by that.

With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus that executes the synchronization program of the present invention is a spare machine of the master machine, the current master machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to the slave machine. Since the own apparatus is the master machine, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings within the group.
Furthermore, with this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can prevent a slave machine having a low processing capability from functioning properly as a master machine from becoming a spare machine for the master machine. When a machine cannot operate as a master machine with respect to a slave machine, the master machine can function properly by making the spare machine of the master machine a master machine. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within the group.

  The image forming apparatus and the synchronization program of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings within a group.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of a master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a specific setting of a slave machine is matched with that of its own apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave device shown in FIG. 2 when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a master (secondary) machine is designated. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when there is no master (secondary) machine. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a master (secondary) machine is not in operation. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a new master (secondary) machine is designated. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave machine shown in FIG. 2 when an instruction to become a master (secondary) machine is issued by the master (primary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 2 in the case of becoming a master (primary) machine. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. 2 when a master (primary) machine is not in operation. FIG. 13 is an example of a block diagram of an image forming system when the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 12 becomes a master (primary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 at the time of recovering from the state which is not in operation to the state in operation. FIG. 14 is an example of a block diagram of an image forming system when a master (primary) machine that is not operating in FIG. 13 becomes a master (secondary) machine. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine shown in FIG. 2 when a change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 2 in the case of defeating a master (secondary) machine flag.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming apparatus and a plurality of MFPs having the same configuration as the MFP 20. That is, the image forming system 10 is a group to which a plurality of MFPs including the MFP 20 belong. All MFPs included in the image forming system 10 are communicably connected to each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 showing the role of the MFP to which it belongs.

  The example illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example in which eight MFPs 20 to 90 belong to the image forming system 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine as a master machine in the image forming system 10. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master (primary) machine. In particular, the MFP 30 is also a master (secondary) machine as a spare machine for the master (primary) machine in the image forming system 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various types of information. A scanner 23 that is a reading device that reads image data from a document, a printer 24 that is a printing device that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus (not shown), and a communication line such as a public telephone line A fax communication unit 25 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via the network, a communication unit 26 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device such as a computer or MFP via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and various data. Semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk) And a control unit 28 that controls the entire MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 can store specific settings 27a that are synchronized among a plurality of MFPs. For example, when the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine, the specific setting of all slave machines of the image forming system 10 is matched with the setting 27a.

  The storage unit 27 stores a synchronization program 27b for synchronizing specific settings among a plurality of MFPs. The synchronization program 27b may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or from the network 11. It may be additionally installed in the MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 includes a master (primary) machine flag 27c indicating whether or not the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine, and a master (secondary) machine flag indicating whether or not the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine. 27d, master (secondary) machine information 27e indicating the current master (secondary) machine, and spec type information 27f are stored.

  The spec type information 27f is information representing the processing capability of the MFP 20. The spec type information 27f is information indicating spec types indicated in a plurality of stages from the highest level to the lowest level, for example. The specification type is based on specific specification information such as maximum paper size information (A3, A4), color information capable of forming an image (full color, black and white), general processing capability (high end, mid range, low end), and the like. Is set.

  The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. ing. The CPU is configured to execute a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes the synchronization program 27b stored in the storage unit 27, so that a specific slave machine in the image forming system 10 becomes a master (secondary) machine, the other apparatus preliminary machine means 28a, and its own apparatus. It functions as its own device preliminary unit 28b which makes the master (secondary) machine and its own device master unit 28c which makes its own device the master (primary) machine.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the master (primary) machine when the specific setting of the slave machine is matched with that of the own apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the specific setting of the slave machine is matched with that of the own apparatus.

  The control unit of the master (primary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 4 at the timing when the specific setting of the own device is changed. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit of the master (primary) machine transmits a setting matching instruction for matching a specific setting in the slave machine with that of the own apparatus to the slave machine in the image forming system 10 (S101). ), The operation shown in FIG.

  Note that the control unit of the master (primary) machine sends a setting matching instruction at a specific timing such as a periodic timing in addition to the timing when the specific setting of the own apparatus is changed. You may send to.

  Next, the operation of the slave device when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave device when the specific setting of the own device is matched with that of the master (primary) device.

  When receiving the setting matching instruction from the master (primary) machine, the control unit of the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG. Note that the control unit of the slave unit recognizes that the own unit is a slave unit when the master (primary) unit flag on the storage unit of the own unit has fallen.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit of the slave unit matches the specific setting of its own device with that of the master (primary) unit according to the received setting matching instruction (S121), and the operation shown in FIG. Exit.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is designated will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is designated.

  The control unit of the master (primary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 6 at specific timing such as periodic timing. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other device spare unit means determines whether or not a master (secondary) device exists based on master (secondary) device information on the storage unit of the own device. (S141).

  FIG. 7 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when there is no master (secondary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In the example shown in FIG. 7, there is no master (secondary) machine in the image forming system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the master (secondary) machine is determined to exist in the master (secondary) machine in S141, the master (secondary) machine spare means is indicated in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own machine. It is determined whether or not the master (secondary) machine in operation is in operation (S142). Here, when the master (primary) machine is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) machine, the master (secondary) machine is not able to operate as a master (primary) machine. When it is possible to operate as a master (primary) machine, it is determined that the master (secondary) machine is in operation. On the other hand, when the master (primary) machine is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) machine, the master (secondary) machine is the master of other slave machines. When it is not in a state where it can operate as a (primary) machine, it is determined that the master (secondary) machine is not in operation. For example, the master (secondary) machine cannot operate as the master (primary) machine when the power is turned off or when it is not connected to the network 11. Even so, it will not be able to operate as a master (primary) machine for other slave machines.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (secondary) machine is not in operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 40 is also a master (secondary) machine. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the master (secondary) machine is not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the master (secondary) machine preparatory unit determines in S142 that the master (secondary) machine is in operation, the operation shown in FIG. 6 ends.

  As shown in FIG. 6, if the master (secondary) machine preparatory unit determines in S <b> 142 that the master (secondary) machine is not in operation, master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own machine. (S143), the master (secondary) machine information is deleted from the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own apparatus (S143). Select the slave machine that will be the secondary machine. Specifically, the other device spare unit means for acquiring the spec type information 27f from each slave device in the group, and newly selects the slave device having the highest spec type information 27f as the master (secondary). ) Select to be a machine. The master (primary) machine other-device spare means instructs the selected slave machine to become the master (secondary) machine (S144), and the slave machine instructed to become the master (secondary) machine in S144. Is stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own apparatus (S145).

  For example, when the master (secondary) machine is not in operation as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming system 10 uses a new master (secondary) machine (secondary) as shown in FIG. ) The machine is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 30 is a slave machine designated as a new master (secondary) machine.

  If it is determined in S141 that there is no master (secondary) machine, the apparatus spare unit other than the master (primary) machine selects a slave machine that becomes the master (secondary) machine. Specifically, the other device spare unit means for acquiring the spec type information 27f from each slave device in the group, and newly selects the slave device having the highest spec type information 27f as the master (secondary). ) Select to be a machine. The master (primary) machine other-device spare means instructs the selected slave machine to become the master (secondary) machine (S144), and the slave machine instructed to become the master (secondary) machine in S144. Is stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the own apparatus (S145).

  For example, when there is no master (secondary) machine as shown in FIG. 7, the image forming system 10 designates the master (secondary) machine as shown in FIG. Is done. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 30 is a slave machine designated as a new master (secondary) machine.

  In addition, in S144, when the master device is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) device in S144, the slave device is a master device for other slave devices. When it is possible to operate as a (primary) machine, it is determined that the slave machine is in operation. On the other hand, if the master device is assumed to be unable to operate as a master (primary) device, the slave device can become a master (primary) device with respect to other slave devices. When it is not in a state where it can operate as a machine, it is determined that the slave machine is not in operation. For example, even if the slave machine cannot be operated as the master (primary) machine when the power is turned off or when it cannot be connected to the network 11, etc. It is not possible to operate as a master (primary) machine for other slave machines.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other device spare unit of the master (primary) machine ends the operation shown in FIG. 6 after the process of S145.

  Next, the operation of the slave machine when the master (primary) machine instructs to become the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the slave machine when the master (primary) machine instructs to become the master (secondary) machine.

  When the master (primary) machine is instructed to become the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the slave machine executes the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit of the slave unit sets a master (secondary) unit flag on the storage unit of its own device (S161), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the master (primary) machine is not in operation will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (secondary) machine when it becomes the master (primary) machine.

  The control unit of the master (secondary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. 11 at specific timing such as periodic timing. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine, when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device is collapsed and the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device is set , Recognize that the device is a master (secondary) machine.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the master (secondary) machine self-device mastering means determines whether or not the current master (primary) machine is in operation (S181). Here, when the current master (primary) machine can operate as a master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine's own device master unit means Judge that the machine is in operation. On the other hand, when the current master (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine becomes a master (secondary) machine. Is determined not to be in operation. For example, a master (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to a slave machine when the power is turned off or when it is not connected to the network 11.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (primary) machine is not in operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, the MFP 20 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 30 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 30 is also a master (secondary) machine. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the master (primary) machine is not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the master (secondary) machine master unit is determined in S181 that the current master (primary) machine is in operation, the operation shown in FIG. 11 ends.

  When determining that the current master (primary) machine is not in operation in S181, the master (secondary) machine self-device converting means defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own machine (S182). After that, a master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device is set (S183), and the operation shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when the master (secondary) machine shown in FIG. 12 becomes a master (primary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the MFP 20 and the MFP 30 are master (primary) machines. The MFPs 40 to 90 are slave machines. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the MFP 20 is not in operation.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when it is restored from the state that is not in operation to the state that is in operation will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the operating state is restored from the non-operating state.

  When the control unit of the master (primary) machine recovers from the non-operating state to the operating state, it first performs the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 14, after the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device defeats the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own device (S201), the master on the storage unit of the own device A (secondary) machine flag is set (S202). Therefore, the MFP that was the master (primary) machine becomes the master (secondary) machine.

  FIG. 15 is an example of a block diagram of the image forming system 10 when a master (primary) machine that is not in operation in FIG. 13 becomes a master (secondary) machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, the MFP 30 is a master (primary) machine. The MFPs 20, 40 to 90 are slave machines. In particular, the MFP 20 is also a master (secondary) machine.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the self-device spare unit of the MFP that has become the master (secondary) machine by the processing of S201 and S202 notifies the master (primary) machine of the change of the master (secondary) machine (S203). ), The operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (primary) machine when a change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (primary) machine when the change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine.

  When the change of the master (secondary) machine is notified from the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the master (primary) machine performs the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (primary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (primary) machine when the master (primary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus is set.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit of the master (primary) machine releases the master (secondary) machine to the master (secondary) machine indicated in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of its own device. An instruction is given (S221).

  Next, the control unit of the master (primary) machine deletes the master (secondary) machine information from the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of its own device (S222), and then notifies the change of the master (secondary) machine. The information on the master (secondary) machine that has been stored is stored in the master (secondary) machine information on the storage unit of the device itself (S223), and the operation shown in FIG. 16 is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the master (secondary) machine is instructed to cancel the master (secondary) machine will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the master (secondary) machine when defeating the master (secondary) machine flag.

  When the master (secondary) machine is instructed to cancel the master (secondary) machine, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine executes the operation shown in FIG. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine by setting the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device (S241), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the master (secondary) machine when the state is restored from the state not in operation to the state in operation will be described.

  When the control unit of the master (secondary) machine recovers from the state that is not in operation to the state that is in operation, the control unit first performs the operation illustrated in FIG. The control unit of the master (secondary) machine recognizes that the own apparatus is a master (secondary) machine by setting the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of the own apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit of the master (secondary) machine defeats the master (secondary) machine flag on the storage unit of its own device (S241), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the MFP is a spare machine of the master (primary) machine, that is, the master (secondary) machine, the current master (primary) machine is the master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine. ) When the apparatus cannot be operated (NO in S181), the apparatus is set as a master (primary) apparatus (S183), so that the occurrence of inconsistencies in specific settings in the image forming system 10 can be suppressed.

  When the MFP is a master (primary) machine, the MFP can operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine from a state in which the MFP cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine. When the device is restored to the ready state, the device becomes the spare device of the master (primary) machine, that is, the master (secondary) machine (S202). When the (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine with respect to the slave machine, by making the own device that has been functioning as the master (primary) machine in the past once again become the master (primary) machine Can function properly as a master (primary) machine That. Therefore, the MFP can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings in the image forming system 10.

  The MFP selects the slave machine having the highest specification type information 27f as the master (secondary) machine (S144). With this configuration, the MFP prevents a slave machine having a low processing capability from functioning properly as a master (primary) machine from becoming a spare machine of the master (primary) machine, that is, a master (secondary) machine. Therefore, if the current master (primary) machine cannot operate as a master (primary) machine for the slave machine, the master (secondary) machine becomes the master (secondary) machine, By making it a (primary) machine, the master (primary) machine can function properly. Therefore, the MFP can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency of specific settings in the image forming system 10. As a result, the user can use the data sharing system without being aware that the spec specifications differ from device to device and without requiring troublesome inter-device setting operations.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a scanner dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or a fax dedicated machine.

10 Image forming system (group)
20 to 90 MFP (image forming apparatus)
27b Synchronizing program 28a Other device spare machine means 28b Own device spare machine means 28c Own device master machine means

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and one or more slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master machine,
A storage unit;
If own apparatus is in the master machine, it acquires processing capability information from the one or more slave units in the group, and the processing capability information highest slave machine spare machine of the master machine, the preliminary Other device preparatory means for storing machine information in the storage unit ;
When the current device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, self-device mastering means for making the own device the master device; Prepared ,
When the own device is the master device, the other device preliminary unit is
When it is assumed that the own device can no longer operate as a master device, and the spare device for the own device is determined to be in a state where it cannot operate as the master device for the slave device,
Delete the information of the spare machine from the storage unit,
The processing capability information is newly obtained from the one or more slave devices in the group excluding the spare device, the slave device having the highest processing capability information is made a new spare device of the master device, and the new spare device is obtained. An image forming apparatus that stores information on a machine in the storage unit .   When the own apparatus is the master machine, when the slave machine is restored from a state where it can not act as the master machine to the slave machine, the slave machine can operate as the master machine. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a self-device spare unit that uses the self-device as the spare device. An image forming apparatus for belonging to a group comprising a master machine and one or more slave machines whose specific settings are matched with those of the master machine, the image forming apparatus having a storage unit ,
If own apparatus is in the master machine, it acquires processing capability information from the one or more slave units in the group, and the processing capability information highest slave machine spare machine of the master machine, the preliminary Other device pre-equipment storage means for storing the information of the machine in the storage unit, and
When the current device is the spare device, when the current master device cannot operate as the master device with respect to the slave device, the device functions as a self-device master unit that makes the own device the master device. A synchronization program,
When the own device is the master device, the other device preliminary unit is
When it is assumed that the own device can no longer operate as a master device, and the spare device for the own device is determined to be in a state where it cannot operate as the master device for the slave device,
Delete the information of the spare machine from the storage unit,
The processing capability information is newly obtained from the one or more slave devices in the group excluding the spare device, the slave device having the highest processing capability information is made a new spare device of the master device, and the new spare device is obtained. A synchronization program for storing machine information in the storage unit .

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