JP6341160B2 - Electronic device, electronic device linkage system, and electronic device linkage method - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
An electronic device on the network that can be connected to a network, and each of the plurality of electronic devices is connected in a ring shape by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
A disconnect detection unit that detects that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among a plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, an electronic device detection unit that detects an electronic device that has already generated a correspondence with the disconnected electronic device;
An electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has been generated with the disconnected electronic device, and a correspondence relationship generation unit for newly generating a correspondence relationship.

According to this form, all the electronic devices generate a correspondence relationship with any two electronic devices, so that all the electronic devices are connected in a ring shape (a chain connection), and one family is generated. According to this configuration, there is no need to go through the main device when issuing an instruction to the electronic device. Also, it is not necessary to register the electronic device in the main device in the first place.
According to this embodiment, a correspondence relationship is newly generated between electronic devices that have generated a correspondence relationship with the electronic device disconnected from the network. Thereby, even if a specific electronic device is disconnected from the network, the annular family is maintained without interruption.

When the electronic device recovers from the disconnection, at least one of the two electronic devices that have generated the correspondence before the disconnection is notified of the return and the newly generated correspondence is canceled. A notification section;
The correspondence relationship generation unit again generates the correspondence relationship with each of the two electronic devices that have generated the correspondence relationship before the disconnection.

  According to this embodiment, when the electronic device disconnected from the network is restored, the restored electronic device cancels the correspondence relationship with the two electronic devices that have generated the correspondence relationship, and restores the correspondence relationship before the disconnection. Thus, when the electronic device disconnected from the network is restored, the electronic device immediately returns to the family, and the annular family is maintained.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device linkage system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
3 or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is connected in a ring by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
The electronic devices are respectively
A disconnect detection unit that detects that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among a plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, an electronic device detection unit that detects an electronic device that has already generated a correspondence with the disconnected electronic device;
An electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has been generated with the disconnected electronic device, and a correspondence relationship generation unit for newly generating a correspondence relationship.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device cooperation method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
Have three or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is a cooperation method of electronic devices executed by a cooperation system of electronic devices connected in a ring by generating a correspondence relationship with the other two electronic devices,
One electronic device
Detecting that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among the plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, detect an electronic device that has already been created with the disconnected electronic device,
A correspondence relationship is newly generated with the electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has already been generated with the disconnected electronic device.

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

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cooperation system of image forming apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the family containing several MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the MFP for generating a family. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that has acquired a parent-child relationship generation command. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of an MFP for newly adding an MFP to a family. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a family in which a new MFP is added. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an MFP that is generating a parent-child relationship with an MFP disconnected from the network. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining disconnection of an MFP included in a family from a network. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the MFP that returns from disconnection. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an MFP that has generated a parent-child relationship with an MFP that returns from disconnection.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3. Functional configuration of MFP)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MFP.
The MFP 10 includes a command acquisition unit 101, an MFP detection unit 102, a parent-child relationship generation unit 103, a return notification unit 104, and a disconnection detection unit 105.

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

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

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

  When the MFP 10 recovers from disconnection from the network, the return notification unit 104 notifies the two MFPs 10 in which the identification information as a parent and a child is registered in the storage unit 18 and generates (recovers) a parent-child relationship again. )

  The disconnect detection unit 105 periodically inquires the child MFP 10 and periodically receives a response from the child MFP 10 to periodically confirm that the parent-child relationship is established.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4-3. Operation of MFP generating parent-child relationship with MFP disconnected from network)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that generates a parent-child relationship with the MFP disconnected from the network. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining disconnection of the MFP included in the family from the network.
Assume that the MFP 10A included in the family of FIG. 8 is unexpectedly disconnected from the network due to a failure of the network device or the like.

  The disconnection detection unit 105 of each MFP 10 that has generated the parent-child relationship periodically inquires the MFP 10 as a child and periodically receives a response from the MFP 10 as a child, whereby the parent-child relationship is established. Check regularly.

  As an individual specific example, the disconnection detection unit 105 of the MFP 10C periodically makes an inquiry to the MFP 10A as a child and periodically receives a response from the MFP 10A as a child, thereby periodically confirming that the parent-child relationship is established. (Step S41). When the disconnection detection unit 105 of the MFP 10C does not receive a response from the MFP 10A as a child, the disconnection detection unit 105 detects that the parent-child relationship with the MFP 10A (parent-child 2 in FIG. 10) has been canceled because the MFP 10A is disconnected from the network (step S42). . The disconnection detection unit 105 notifies the MFP detection unit 102 that the parent-child relationship with the MFP 10A as a child has been canceled.

  The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10C inquires of all the MFPs 10 in the family by broadcasting whether or not the MFP 10A as a partner whose parent-child relationship has been canceled (disconnected from the network) is a parent (step S43). The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10C receives a notification from the MFP 10D that the MFP 10A is a parent (step S44). At this time, the parent-child relationship (parent-child 4 in FIG. 10) between the MFP 10A (parent) and the MFP 10D (child) has already been canceled (because the MFP 10A is disconnected from the network). The MFP detection unit 102 of the MFP 10C notifies the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the identification information of the notification source MFP 10D.

  Upon receiving the notification from the MFP detection unit 102, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10C stores the notified identification information of the MFP 10D as a child in the storage unit 18, and instructs the MFP 10D to store the identification information of the MFP 10C as a parent. To do. When the MFP 10D receives a command from the MFP 10C, it stores the identification information of the MFP 10C as a parent and notifies the MFP 10C that the identification information has been stored. Thus, a temporary parent-child relationship between the MFP 10C (parent) and the MFP 10D (child) is generated (step S45, parent-child 6 in FIG. 10).

(4-4. Operation when MFP returns from disconnection)
(4-4-1. Operation of MFP returning from disconnection)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that recovers from the disconnection.
The MFP 10A returns from the disconnection (step S51). Then, the return notification unit 104 of the MFP 10A notifies the MFP 10C in which the identification information as the parent is registered in the storage unit 18 that the MFP 10A has returned, and the parent-child relationship is again established with the MFP 10C as the parent and the MFP 10A as the child. A command to generate (recover) is issued (step S52). Further, the return notification unit 104 notifies the MFP 10D in which the identification information as a child is registered in the storage unit 18 that the MFP 10A has returned, and again generates a parent-child relationship with the MFP 10D as a child and the MFP 10A as a parent ( (Recovery) is commanded (step S53).

(4-4-2. Operation of MFP that has generated parent-child relationship with MFP that returns from disconnection)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP that has generated a parent-child relationship with the MFP that returns from disconnection.
When the command acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10C acquires a parent-child relationship recovery command (step S52) from the MFP 10A (step S61), it notifies the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 that the parent-child relationship recovery command has been acquired. Then, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10 </ b> C deletes the identification information of the MFP 10 </ b> D as a temporary child stored in the storage unit 18. The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10C stores the identification information of the MFP 10A again as a child in the storage unit 18, and notifies the MFP 10A that the identification information has been stored. As described above, the parent-child relationship between the MFP 10C (parent) and the MFP 10A (child) is generated (recovered) again (step S62, parent-child 2 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, when the command acquisition unit 101 of the MFP 10D acquires a parent-child relationship recovery command (step S53) from the MFP 10A (step S61), it notifies the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 that the parent-child relationship recovery command has been acquired. Then, the parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10 </ b> D deletes the identification information of the MFP 10 </ b> C as a temporary parent stored in the storage unit 18. As a result, the temporary parent-child relationship between the MFP 10C (parent) and the MFP 10D (child) is canceled (parent-child 6 in FIG. 10). The parent-child relationship generation unit 103 of the MFP 10D stores the identification information of the MFP 10A again as a parent in the storage unit 18, and notifies the MFP 10A that the identification information has been stored. Thus, the parent-child relationship between the MFP 10D (child) and the MFP 10A (parent) is generated (recovered) again (step S62, parent-child 4 in FIG. 10).

  When some of the MFPs 10 in the family are disconnected from the network, one MFP 10 that has returned from disconnection may not be able to notify the parent or child of the return. In this case, the MFP 10 that has returned from the disconnection instructs all the MFPs 10 connected to the family by broadcast to discard the family, and regenerates the family using the MFP 10 that has returned from the disconnection as a starting point.

  In this embodiment, as soon as the MFP 10A recovers from the disconnection, the temporary parent-child relationship is canceled and the parent-child relationship before the disconnection is recovered. Alternatively, the temporary parent-child relationship may be maintained after the MFP 10A returns from the disconnection, and the parent-child relationship before the disconnection may be recovered after a specific period.

  In this embodiment, when returning from disconnection, the MFP 10A notifies the MFP 10C in which the identification information as a parent is registered and the MFP 10D in which the identification information as a child is registered, and issues a parent-child relationship recovery command. Supplied. Alternatively, at least one MFP 10 in which identification information is registered may be notified of the return, and a parent-child relationship recovery command may be supplied.

  For example, the MFP 10A may notify the return to only the MFP 10C in which the identification information as the parent is registered, and supply a parent-child relationship recovery command. Then, the MFP 10C cancels the temporary parent-child relationship with the MFP 10D and restores the parent-child relationship with the MFP 10A. On the other hand, after the temporary parent-child relationship with MFP 10C is canceled, MFP 10D may detect MFP 10A and generate a new parent-child relationship with MFP 10A.

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

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

  According to the present embodiment, each MFP that has generated a parent-child relationship periodically inquires of the MFP as a child and receives a response from the MFP as a child periodically, thereby establishing the parent-child relationship. Check that you are doing regularly. When the MFP detects that the parent-child relationship has been canceled because the child MFP has been disconnected from the network, the MFP detects the MFP that was the parent of the MFP disconnected from the network (the parent-child relationship has already been canceled). Then, a temporary parent-child relationship is generated between the MFP that was the parent of the MFP disconnected from the network and the MFP that was the child. Thereby, even if the MFP is disconnected from the network and disconnected from the network, the annular family is maintained without interruption.

  According to the present embodiment, when the MFP disconnected from the network is restored, the restored MFP cancels the temporary parent-child relationship between the parent MFP and the child MFP, and restores the parent-child relationship before disconnection. . Thus, when the MFP disconnected from the network is restored, the MFP immediately returns to the family, and the annular family is maintained.

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

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D ... MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Control part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Memory | storage part 19 ... Communication control part 101 ... Command acquisition part 102 ... MFP detection part 103 ... Parent-child relationship generation part 104 ... Return notification part 105 ... Disconnection detection part

Claims (4)

An electronic device on the network that can be connected to a network, and each of the plurality of electronic devices is connected in a ring shape by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
A disconnect detection unit that detects that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among a plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, an electronic device detection unit that detects an electronic device that has already generated a correspondence with the disconnected electronic device;
An electronic device comprising: an electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has been generated with the disconnected electronic device; and a correspondence relationship generation unit that newly generates a correspondence relationship. The electronic device according to claim 1,
When the electronic device recovers from the disconnection, at least one of the two electronic devices that have generated the correspondence before the disconnection is notified of the return and the newly generated correspondence is canceled. A notification section;
The correspondence relationship generation unit is an electronic device that regenerates the correspondence relationship with each of the two electronic devices that have generated the correspondence relationship before the cutting. 3 or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is connected in a ring by generating a correspondence with the other two electronic devices,
The electronic devices are respectively
A disconnect detection unit that detects that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among a plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, an electronic device detection unit that detects an electronic device that has already generated a correspondence with the disconnected electronic device;
An electronic device linkage system, comprising: an electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has been generated with the disconnected electronic device; and a correspondence relationship generation unit that newly generates a correspondence relationship. Have three or more electronic devices connected to the network,
Each of the three or more electronic devices is a cooperation method of electronic devices executed by a cooperation system of electronic devices connected in a ring by generating a correspondence relationship with the other two electronic devices,
One electronic device
Detecting that one of the two electronic devices that generated the correspondence relationship is disconnected from the network;
Among the plurality of electronic devices connected to the network, detect an electronic device that has already been created with the disconnected electronic device,
A method for linking an electronic device for which a correspondence relationship has been generated with the disconnected electronic device and a new electronic device for generating a correspondence relationship.

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