JP7077702B2 - Information processing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

The image forming apparatus may acquire information from one or a plurality of devices (collecting devices) that collect information such as a camera and a microphone, and transmit the information to an external device. An example of an external device is an analysis server. The analysis server analyzes the information sent from the image forming apparatus, and outputs the analysis result to the image forming apparatus or another apparatus. In such a system, it is conceivable that a communication failure between the image forming apparatus and the external device may occur and the information collected by the collecting device may not be transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the external device. ..

Patent Document 1 describes a cloud relay server that mediates information between an image forming apparatus and a cloud system. The cloud relay server acquires information to be stored in the cloud system from the image forming apparatus, and when communication with the cloud system is impossible, stores the information to be stored in the temporary storage unit.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-25387

By the way, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus and the external device, the image forming apparatus temporarily stores the information acquired from the collecting device in the storage device, and after the communication failure is resolved, the communication failure is resolved. It is conceivable to transmit the information stored in the storage device to the external device. Generally, an image forming apparatus is equipped with a storage device, but the storage apparatus usually stores data generated by the image forming process by the image forming apparatus and data to which the image forming process is to be applied. Is assigned to the storage of. Therefore, even if the information acquired from the collecting device is temporarily stored in the storage device, the storage capacity allocated to the temporary storage is limited in the storage device. Therefore, it is conceivable that as the communication failure time becomes longer, the free space of the storage area for temporary storage decreases, and as a result, the free space becomes insufficient and a failure such as interruption of information collection occurs. This also applies to a situation in which a device such as a relay device other than the image forming device collects information from the collecting device and transmits it to an external device.

An object of the present invention is that when a communication failure occurs with an external device to which information collected by a collecting device is transmitted, a failure due to insufficient storage capacity of the storage device for storing the information occurs. It is to prevent the occurrence.

The invention according to claim 1 is a receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and communicating with an external device to transmit the information received by the receiving means to the external device. Transmission means, storage control means for storing information received by the reception means in the storage means, and limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device, and the limiting means with respect to the information. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the amount of information is limited by applying the compression process, and the limiting means increases the compression rate in the compression process in accordance with the decrease in the free space of the storage means .

The invention according to claim 2 is a receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and communicating with an external device to transmit the information received by the receiving means to the external device. Transmission means, storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device, and the limiting means with respect to the information. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the amount of information is limited by applying the compression process, and the limiting means performs the compression process using a higher compression rate as the amount of information increases .

The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the limiting means performs compression processing using a higher compression rate as the amount of information increases.

The invention according to claim 4 is a receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and communicating with an external device to transmit the information received by the receiving means to the external device. Transmission means, storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device, and the limiting means analyzes the information. When the amount of information is limited by using the information and the information whose contents are duplicated with each other is collected by a plurality of collecting devices, the limiting means is one of the plurality of collecting devices for the information of the overlapping portion. It is an information processing apparatus characterized in that only the information collected by the two collecting devices is stored in the storage means .

The invention according to claim 5 is a receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and communicating with an external device to transmit the information received by the receiving means to the external device. Transmission means, storage control means for storing information received by the reception means in the storage means, and limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device, and the limiting means is the receiving means by the receiving means. It is an information processing device characterized in that the amount of information is limited by reducing the number of collecting devices for acquiring information.

The information processing according to claim 5 , wherein the limiting means stops receiving information from the collecting device determined based on the positional relationship of each collecting device. It is a device.

The information processing according to claim 5 , wherein the limiting means stops receiving information from a collecting device that collects information that does not satisfy a predetermined condition. It is a device.

According to claim 8 , when information is collected from the same or overlapping information collection areas by a plurality of collection devices of the same type, the limiting means is at least one of the plurality of collection devices. The fifth aspect of claim 5 is characterized in that the reception of information from a collection device other than the at least one collection device among the plurality of collection devices is stopped without stopping the reception of information from the collection device. Information processing device.

The invention according to claim 9 is that the limiting means preferentially stops receiving information from a collecting device that collects a larger amount of information than a collecting device that collects a smaller amount of information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 .

The invention according to claim 10 further includes an image forming means for executing an image forming process, wherein the storage means is for data to which the image forming process is applied and data generated by the image forming process. The storage control includes a first storage means for storing at least one of the data in the storage means and a second storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, and when communication with the external device is impossible. One of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the limiting means limits the amount of the information. The information processing apparatus according to the above.
The invention according to claim 11 is a receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and communicating with an external device to transmit the information received by the receiving means to the external device. Transmission means, storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. And an image forming means for executing an image forming process, the transmitting means transmits information stored in the storage means to the external device after communication with the external device becomes possible. The storage means received the first storage means for storing the data to which the image forming process is applied and at least one of the data generated by the image forming process, and the receiving means. When the second storage means for storing information is provided and communication with the external device is impossible, the storage control means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the second storage means stores the information. The limiting means is an information processing apparatus characterized in that the amount of the information is limited.

According to the invention of claim 12 , when the free capacity of the first storage means exceeds a threshold value, the limiting means reduces the storage capacity of the first storage means, and the reduced amount of the reduced storage means of the second storage means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the storage capacity of the device is increased.

10. The invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that the limiting means changes the content of the image forming process so that the amount of data stored in the first storage means is smaller. Alternatively, it is the information processing apparatus according to claim 11 .

The invention according to claim 14 , wherein the limiting means is limited according to a combination of the content of the image forming process executed by the image forming means and the information collected by the collecting device at the time of the execution. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the information is determined.

The invention according to claim 15 communicates a computer with a receiving means and an external device for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and uses the information received by the receiving means as the external device. A transmission means for transmitting to the storage means, a storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. , The transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device after the communication with the external device becomes possible, and the limiting means compresses the information. The limiting means is a program characterized in that the amount of information is limited by applying the processing, and the compression rate in the compression processing is increased in accordance with the decrease in the free space of the storage means .
The invention according to claim 16 communicates a computer with a receiving means and an external device for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and uses the information received by the receiving means as the external device. A transmission means for transmitting to, a storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means, and a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. , The transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device after the communication with the external device becomes possible, and the limiting means compresses the information. The limiting means is a program characterized in that the amount of information is limited by applying the processing, and the compression processing is performed using a higher compression rate as the amount of information is larger.
The invention according to claim 17 communicates a computer with a receiving means and an external device for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and uses the information received by the receiving means as the external device. A transmission means for transmitting to the storage means, a storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. , The transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device after the communication with the external device becomes possible, and the limiting means utilizes the analysis of the information. When the amount of information is limited and information whose contents overlap with each other is collected by a plurality of collecting devices, the limiting means is one of the plurality of collecting devices for the information of the overlapping portion. It is a program characterized in that only the information collected by the collecting device is stored in the storage means.
The invention according to claim 18 communicates a computer with a receiving means and an external device for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and uses the information received by the receiving means as the external device. A transmission means for transmitting to the storage means, a storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. , The transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device after the communication with the external device becomes possible, and the limiting means is the information received by the receiving means. It is a program characterized by limiting the amount of information by reducing the number of collecting devices to acquire information.
The invention according to claim 19, wherein the computer communicates with a receiving means and an external device for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and the information received by the receiving means is used as the external device. A transmission means for transmitting to, a storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means, and a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is impossible. , The transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device after the communication with the external device becomes possible, and the transmitting means functions as an image forming means for executing the image forming process. The storage means stores the data to which the image forming process is applied, the first storage means for storing at least one of the data generated by the image forming process, and the information received by the receiving means. When the second storage means is provided and communication with the external device is impossible, the storage control means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the limiting means is used. , A program characterized by limiting the amount of information.

According to the invention according to claim 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 , 15-19 , when a communication failure occurs with an external device to which the information collected by the collecting device is transmitted, the information thereof. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to insufficient storage capacity of the storage device for storing the information.

According to the inventions of claims 1, 2, 15 and 16, it takes a long time to run out of free space in the storage device as compared with the case where the compression process is not performed.

According to the inventions of claims 1-3 , 15 and 16, it takes a long time to run out of free space in the storage device as compared with the case of using a constant compression ratio.

According to the inventions of claims 4 and 17 , it takes a long time to run out of free space in the storage device as compared with the case where all the information is stored in the storage device.

According to the inventions of claims 5-9 and 18, it takes a longer time to run out of free space in the storage device than in the case where the number of collecting devices is not reduced.

According to the invention according to claim 10, 11, 14 , 19, in a device provided with a storage device for storing data related to an image forming process, a storage device for storing information collected by the collection device. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to insufficient storage capacity.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it takes time for the free space of the storage device to become insufficient as compared with the case where the storage capacity of the storage device for storing the information received from the collection device is fixed. Becomes longer.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it takes a long time to run out of free space in the storage device as compared with the case where the content of the image forming process is not changed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the compression rate according to the free space. It is a figure which shows the compression rate according to the type of a collecting device. It is a figure which shows the compression rate according to the importance. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship between an image forming apparatus and a collecting apparatus. It is a figure which shows the shooting area of a camera.

An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment.

The information processing system according to the present embodiment is, for example, one or a plurality of image forming devices as an information processing device, one or a plurality of collecting devices for collecting data (information), and one or a plurality of external devices. Includes a server and one or more terminal devices. In the example shown in FIG. 1, as an example, the information processing system includes image forming devices 10A and 10B as information processing devices, microphones 12A to 12F as collecting devices, cameras 14A to 14F as collecting devices, and a server as an external device. 16 and the terminal device 18 are included. These numbers are only examples, and image forming devices, collecting devices, servers, and terminal devices other than these numbers may be included in the information processing system.

The image forming devices 10A and 10B, the server 16 and the terminal device 18 have a function of communicating with each other via a communication path N such as a network. The communication may be wireless communication or wired communication. An IP network such as the Internet may be used as the communication path N. Of course, the image forming devices 10A and 10B, the server 16 and the terminal device 18 may communicate with other devices via different communication paths without going through the communication path N, or may directly communicate with other devices. You may communicate.

Further, communication is established between the image forming devices 10A and 10B and each collecting device. The communication between the image forming devices 10A and 10B and each collecting device may be wireless communication or wired communication. As wireless communication, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), and NFC (Near Field Communication) is used. Of course, as wireless communication other than these, infrared communication, visible light communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication and the like may be used.

The image forming devices 10A and 10B are devices having at least one image forming function among the printing function, the scanning function, the copying function, and the facsimile function. Further, the image forming apparatus 10A and 10B are configured to acquire the data (information) collected by each collecting device from each collecting device and transmit the data to the server 16 by communicating with each collecting device. There is. Hereinafter, the data collected by the collecting device will be referred to as "collected data". Further, the image forming devices 10A and 10B may transmit data related to the user and image processing (hereinafter referred to as "processing data") to the server 16. The processed data includes, for example, data related to a user logged in to the own device, data related to document data and image data processed by the own device, and the like. Specifically, the processed data is generated by the identification information of the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus (for example, user ID), the identification information of the printed file (for example, the name, etc.), the telephone number of the facsimile sender, and the scan. Includes image data, etc.

The collecting device is a device that collects data (information). The microphones 12A to 12F as the collecting device are sound collecting devices having a function of collecting sound. The cameras 14A to 14F as a collecting device are photographing devices having a function of photographing a moving image.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10A acquires audio data (an example of collected data) collected by each of the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C by communicating with the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C. do. Further, the image forming apparatus 10A acquires moving image data (an example of collected data) taken by each of the cameras 14A, 14B, 14C from each camera by communicating with the cameras 14A, 14B, 14C.

Similarly, the image forming apparatus 10B acquires audio data (an example of collected data) collected by each of the microphones 12D, 12E, and 12F by communicating with the microphones 12D, 12E, and 12F. Further, the image forming apparatus 10B communicates with the cameras 14D, 14E, 14F to acquire moving image data (an example of collected data) taken by each of the cameras 14D, 14E, 14F from each camera.

The microphone and the camera are merely examples of the collecting device, and the image forming devices 10A and 10B may acquire the collected data (information) from the collecting device other than the microphone and the camera. As a collecting device, for example, various sensing devices (for example, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, infrared sensor, voltage sensor, current sensor, etc.), general home appliances (for example, refrigerator, microwave oven, rice cooker, coffee maker, cleaning, etc.) Machines, washing machines, air conditioners, lighting devices, watches, etc.), blood pressure monitors, body temperature meters, heart rate meters, robots, smartphones, mobile phones, PCs (personal computers), wearable terminals (arm clock type terminals, wristband type terminals) , Eyeglass type terminal, etc.), etc. may be used. Further, a device called a so-called IoT (Internet of Things) device may be used as a collecting device.

Different types of collectors may be connected to each image forming apparatus, or different numbers of collectors may be connected to each image forming apparatus.

The server 16 is a device that applies analysis processing to the data (collected data and processed data) sent from the image forming devices 10A and 10B. As an analysis process, the server 16 is, for example, a process of extracting a character string from the voice data by applying a voice recognition process to the voice data as collected data, from processing data (for example, image data generated by scanning). A process of extracting a character string, a process of totaling the number of words included in the extracted character string over a predetermined period, and the like may be executed. For example, if a word that appears frequently in speech data but appears infrequently in processed data is extracted, an analysis result is obtained that the work related to that word is not sufficiently documented.

The terminal device 18 is a PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like. The terminal device 18 may acquire the analysis result data from the server 16 and display the analysis result on the display device. As the above analysis result, for example, a list of tasks requiring documentation may be displayed. By doing so, the analysis result is provided to the user.

The image forming devices 10A and 10B may transmit data to an external device other than the server 16 (for example, a device for storing data collected by the collecting device, a terminal device 18, etc.). When the terminal device 18 is not used, the terminal device 18 may not be included in the information processing system.

In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the image forming apparatus 10A and 10B, these are collectively referred to as "image forming apparatus 10". Similarly, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the microphones 12A to 12F, these are collectively referred to as "microphone 12". When it is not necessary to distinguish between the cameras 14A to 14F, these are collectively referred to as "camera 14".

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the collected data from each collecting device and transmits the collected data to the server 16. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 and communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 becomes impossible, the image forming apparatus 10 stores the collected data in the storage device. It is stored, and after the communication failure is resolved (after the communication is restored), the collected data stored in the storage device is transmitted to the server 16. The collected data transmitted to the server 16 is deleted from the storage device. The communication failure between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 is, for example, a communication failure caused by a failure of the communication equipment of the telecommunications carrier, a communication failure caused by the failure of the server 16, and the like. Of course, communication failures caused by causes other than these are also included in the category of the concept of communication failures according to the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 10 is installed in, for example, an office, a building, a store, a room, a library, a public institution, an educational institution, or the like. Of course, the image forming apparatus 10 may be installed in a place other than these.

Hereinafter, the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 as an information processing apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the image forming devices 10A and 10B have the same configuration.

The first communication unit 20 is a communication interface that communicates with the microphone 12 and the camera 14 as a collecting device. The first communication unit 20 may be a communication interface having a wireless communication function or a communication interface having a wired communication function. The first communication unit 20 receives voice data as collected data from the microphone 12 by using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth or other wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi communication), and from the camera 14. Receive image data as collected data. The first communication unit 20 corresponds to an example of the receiving means.

The second communication unit 22 is a communication interface that communicates with an external device such as a server 16. The second communication unit 22 may be a communication interface having a wireless communication function or a communication interface having a wired communication function. For example, the second communication unit 22 transmits the collection data and the processing data received from each collection device by the first communication unit 20 to the server 16 via the communication path N. The second communication unit 22 corresponds to an example of transmission means.

The UI unit 24 is a user interface and includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard.

The image forming unit 26 is configured to execute an image forming process. The image forming unit 26 is configured to perform, for example, at least one of printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile as an image forming process. By executing printing, an image (including characters and figures) is formed (printed) on a recording medium such as paper. By executing the scan, the original is read and image data is generated. When the copy is executed, the original is read and the image generated by the copy is formed on the recording medium. As a facsimile process, facsimile data is received and transmitted.

The storage unit 28 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory. The storage unit 28 includes, for example, a main storage unit 30 and a sub storage unit 32.

The main storage unit 30 is a storage device for storing processed data (a storage device assigned to store the processed data). The main storage unit 30 stores, for example, processing data, image data generated by scanning, image data to be printed, and the like. In addition, various data, various programs, information indicating addresses of other devices, history information, and the like are stored in the main storage unit 30. The main storage unit 30 corresponds to an example of the first storage means.

The sub-storage unit 32 is a storage device (a storage device assigned to store the collected data) for storing the collected data received by the first communication unit 20. The sub-storage unit 32 corresponds to an example of the second storage means.

The main storage unit 30 is allocated a storage capacity larger than the storage capacity allocated to the sub storage unit 32. For example, when the total storage capacity of the storage unit 28 is 160 GB, the main storage unit 30 is allocated 95% of the total storage capacity (152 GB), and the sub storage unit 32 is assigned 5 of the total storage capacity. % Capacity (8GB) is allocated. As described above, the storage capacity of the storage unit 28 is mainly allocated to the storage of data (processed data and the like) other than the collected data.

The control unit 34 is configured to control the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 34 controls communication by the first communication unit 20 and the second communication unit 22, for example, information notification via the UI unit 24 (for example, information display, voice output, etc.), and input via the UI unit 24. It receives the received information, controls the image forming process by the image forming unit 26, and the like. Further, the control unit 34 is configured to detect a communication failure that has occurred between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 and the elimination of the communication failure (recovery of communication). Known techniques are used to detect communication failures and their resolution. For example, if the image forming apparatus 10 transmits data to the server 16 and then the response to the transmission is not sent from the server 16 to the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 34 recognizes that a communication failure has occurred. do. When the response is sent from the server 16 to the image forming apparatus 10 after the communication failure occurs, the control unit 34 recognizes that the communication failure has been resolved. Of course, a communication failure or its resolution may be detected by a method other than this. Further, the control unit 34 includes a memory control unit 36 and a restriction unit 38.

The storage control unit 36 is configured to store the collected data received from each collection device by the first communication unit 20 in the sub storage unit 32. For example, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 and communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 becomes impossible, the storage control unit 36 informs the server 16. The collected data that has not been transmitted is stored in the sub-storage unit 32. For example, the storage control unit 36 stores the collected data received from each collection device by the first communication unit 20 in the sub storage unit 32 during the period when communication is impossible. When there is no communication failure between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 and communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 is possible, the storage control unit 36 stores the collected data as a sub-storage. Do not store in unit 32. Of course, even when communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 is possible, the storage control unit 36 may store the collected data in the sub storage unit 32.

When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 16 and communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 becomes impossible, the limiting unit 38 is subordinated by the storage control unit 36. It is configured to limit the amount of collected data (information amount) stored in the storage unit 32. The limiting unit 38 may limit the amount of data by applying the process to the collected data itself, or limit the amount of data by reducing the number of collecting devices for which the first communication unit 20 acquires the collected data. You may. The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data in which the amount of data is limited in the sub storage unit 32.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A will be described as the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The operation of the image forming apparatus 10B is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A.

The first communication unit 20 receives audio data from each of the microphones 12A, 12B, 12C, and receives moving image data from each of the cameras 14A, 14B, 14C. When there is no communication failure between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16 and communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 is possible, the second communication unit 22 is the first communication unit 20. The collected data (audio data and moving image data) received by the server 16 is transmitted to the server 16. Further, the second communication unit 22 may transmit the processing data to the server 16. In the server 16, analysis processing is applied to the collected data (audio data and moving image data) and processed data. When communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 is possible, the storage control unit 36 does not store the collected data (audio data and moving image data) received by the first communication unit 20 in the sub storage unit 32. .. In this way, the image forming apparatus 10A sequentially transmits the collected data received from each collecting apparatus to the server 16.

When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16 and communication between the second communication unit 22 and the server 16 becomes impossible, the collected data is not transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10A to the server 16. In this case, the limiting unit 38 limits the amount of collected data (audio data and moving image data) received by the first communication unit 20 during the period when communication is impossible, and the storage control unit 36 limits the amount of data. The collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

After the communication failure between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16 is resolved (after the communication is restored), the second communication unit 22 transmits the collected data stored in the sub storage unit 32 to the server 16. By doing so, the collected data that was not transmitted to the server 16 during the period in which the communication failure has occurred is transmitted to the server 16. The storage control unit 36 deletes the collected data transmitted to the server 16 from the sub storage unit 32. The storage control unit 36 may overwrite and save the collected data received when the next communication failure occurs in the sub storage unit 32 without deleting the collected data from the sub storage unit 32. Further, the second communication unit 22 transmits the collected data received by the first communication unit 20 to the server 16 after the communication failure is resolved. In the server 16, the analysis process may be applied to the collected data sent from the image forming apparatus 10A.

As described above, it is assumed that the storage capacity allocated to the sub-storage unit 32 is 8 GB. For example, consider the case where the image forming apparatus 10A collects 128 kbps voice data (voice data whose bit rate is compressed to 128 kbps) from each of the 10 microphones 12. That is, the image forming apparatus 10A shall collect audio data whose bit rate is compressed to 128 kpbs by each microphone 12 from each microphone 12. In this case, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16 and the voice data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, 14.6 hours have passed from the time when the communication failure occurred. , The storage capacity of 8 GB is completely used, and the voice data is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. That is, the collection of voice data is interrupted. As a result, the voice data collected during the suspension period is not sent to the server 16, and the voice data is not analyzed and the analysis result is not provided to the user.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the limiting unit 38 collects data (for example, audio data and moving image data) received by the first communication unit 20 during a period in which communication between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16 is impossible. The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data in which the amount of data is limited in the sub storage unit 32. By doing so, the time required for the sub-storage unit 32 to run out of storage capacity is longer than in the case where the collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 without limiting the amount of data, and as a result, it is longer. The collected data collected over time is stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

In the above example, audio data and moving image data are given as examples of collected data, but the amount of data collected other than these (for example, data measured by various sensing devices) is also included. Is restricted. The same applies to the following description.

Hereinafter, examples of processing for limiting the amount of data will be described in detail.

(Example 1)
Hereinafter, Example 1 will be described. In the first embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 limits the amount of data by applying the limiting process to the collected data itself. The limiting process is a compression process. The limiting unit 38 limits the amount of data by applying a compression process as a limiting process to the collected data received by the first communication unit 20 from each collecting device. For example, the limiting unit 38 lowers the bit rate of the collected data. To give a specific example, the limiting unit 38 compresses the bit rate of the voice data received from each of the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C from 128 kbps to 64 kbps. In the present embodiment, since each voice data is already compressed into data having a bit rate of 128 kbps in each microphone 12, the compression process performed by the limiting unit 38 corresponds to the recompression process. Of course, the compression process may not be performed on each microphone 12. As the compression process, for example, a lossy compression process such as MP3 may be used, or a lossless compression process may be used. The storage control unit 36 stores the voice data compressed by the restriction unit 38 (voice data compressed to 64 kbps) in the sub storage unit 32. After the communication failure is resolved, the voice data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the server 16.

Similarly, the limiting unit 38 applies the compression process to the moving image data received from each of the cameras 14A, 14B, and 14C. For example, the limiting unit 38 lowers the bit rate of moving image data. Further, the limiting unit 38 may reduce the frame rate (fps) of the moving image data (thinning process). For example, when the frame rate of the moving image data sent from each of the cameras 14A, 14B, 14C is 60 (fps), the limiting unit 38 sets the frame rate of the moving image data from 60 (fps) to 30 (fps). ). The storage control unit 36 stores the moving image data compressed by the restriction unit 38 in the sub storage unit 32. After the communication failure is resolved, the moving image data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the server 16.

According to the first embodiment, the capacity of the collected data is reduced by performing the compression process, so that the collected data received by the first communication unit 20 is stored in the sub storage unit 32 as it is, as compared with the case where the sub storage unit 32 stores the collected data as it is. It takes a long time to run out of the storage capacity of the unit 32. As a result, the collected collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 even when the communication failure occurs for a longer period of time. Although the quality of each collected data is deteriorated by the lossy compression process, the influence on the analysis and the like is small as compared with the case where the collection of the collected data is interrupted.

When the compression process is executed by the limiting unit 38, the load of the image forming apparatus 10A (for example, the load of the CPU) becomes higher than in the case where the compression processing is not executed, and the image forming process by the image forming unit 26 is performed. It may take longer to complete. Therefore, when a communication failure has not occurred, it is preferable to send the collected data to the server 16 without performing the compression process.

The compression rate (bit rate or frame rate) may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like.

(Example 2)
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting process is performed by each collecting apparatus. For example, the restriction unit 38 transmits instruction information indicating an execution instruction of the compression process to each collection device (microphones 12A, 12B, 12C, cameras 14A, 14B, 14C).

For example, each of the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C compresses the bit rate of the voice data collected by its own device to 64 kbps according to the execution instruction of the compression process. The first communication unit 20 receives the voice data compressed in this way from each of the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C, and the storage control unit 36 receives the voice data received by the first communication unit 20 as the sub storage unit 32. To memorize. After the communication failure is resolved, the voice data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the server 16.

Similarly, the cameras 14A, 14B, and 14C also compress the moving image data captured by the own device (for example, reduce the bit rate and the frame rate). The first communication unit 20 receives the moving image data so compressed from each of the cameras 14A, 14B, and 14C, and the storage control unit 36 receives the moving image data received by the first communication unit 20 as a sub-storage unit. Store in 32. After the communication failure is resolved, the moving image data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the server 16.

As described above, even when the compression process is executed by the collecting device, the capacity of the collected data is reduced, so that the collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 for a longer time as in the first embodiment.

If it is not possible to set the compression rate (for example, bit rate or frame rate) in each collection device, the image forming device 10A may perform the compression process.

(Example 3)
Hereinafter, Example 3 will be described. In the third embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 changes the compression rate according to the free capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 and executes the compression process. .. For example, the limiting unit 38 increases the compression rate according to the decrease in the free space of the sub storage unit 32.

The third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a table showing the compression rate according to the free space. In this table, the information indicating the free space X (%) of the sub-storage unit 32 and the information indicating the compression rate are associated with each other. As the free space X (%) decreases, a higher compression rate (for example, a relatively low bit rate or frame rate) is associated with the free space X (%).

For example, if the free space X (%) exceeds 50% (X> 50%), a relatively low compression ratio is used. When the collected data is audio data or moving image data, the limiting unit 38 compresses, for example, the bit rate of the audio data or moving image data from 128 kbps to a bit rate corresponding to the compression rate (for example, 64 kbps). The limiting unit 38 may compress the frame rate of the moving image data from 60 fps to a frame rate corresponding to the compression rate (for example, 30 fps).

Further, when the free capacity X (%) is 50% or less and exceeds 20% (50% ≧ X> 20%), an intermediate compression ratio is used. For example, a lower bit rate or frame rate is used as compared to the case where the free space X (%) exceeds 50%. When the collected data is audio data or moving image data, the limiting unit 38 compresses, for example, the bit rate of the audio data or moving image data from 128 kbps to a bit rate corresponding to the compression rate (for example, 32 kbps). The limiting unit 38 may compress the frame rate of the moving image data from 60 fps to a frame rate corresponding to the compression rate (for example, 20 fps).

Further, when the free capacity X (%) is 20% or less (20% ≧ X), a relatively high compression ratio is used. For example, a lower bit rate or frame rate is used as compared with the case where the free space X (%) is 50% or less and exceeds 20%. When the collected data is audio data or moving image data, the limiting unit 38 compresses, for example, the bit rate of the audio data or moving image data from 128 kbps to a bit rate corresponding to the compression rate (for example, 16 kbps). The limiting unit 38 may compress the frame rate of the moving image data to a frame rate (for example, 10 fps) according to the compression rate.

The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data (audio data, moving image data, etc.) compressed by the restriction unit 38 in the sub storage unit 32. After the communication failure is resolved, the collected data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the server 16.

According to the third embodiment, even when the free space of the sub-storage unit 32 decreases, the sub-storage unit 32 is compared with the case where a constant compression rate is used by increasing the compression rate according to the decrease. It takes a long time to run out of storage capacity, and as a result, the collected data collected over a longer period of time is stored in the sub-storage unit 32. By increasing the compression rate, the quality of each collected data is further deteriorated, but the influence on the analysis and the like is smaller than the case where the collection of the collected data is interrupted. Moreover, the influence on the analysis and the like is small as compared with the case where a constant high compression ratio is used.

In the above example, the free space X and the compression rate are divided into three stages (three levels), but the free space X and the compression rate may be further divided into two stages. .. These may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like.

(Example 4)
Hereinafter, Example 4 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 changes the compression rate according to the type of collected data and executes the compression process. For example, the limiting unit 38 compresses the collected data having a large amount of data with a higher compression rate. Generally, when compared by the amount of data per unit time, the amount of moving image data is larger than the amount of audio data. Therefore, the limiting unit 38 compresses the image data at a compression rate higher than the compression rate for the audio data. For example, voice data is compressed at a compression rate of 50%, so that the bit rate is converted from 128 kbps to 64 kbps. Further, the moving image data is compressed at a compression rate of 25%, and the bit rate thereof is converted from 8 Mbps to 2 Mbps.

Further, the limiting unit 38 may change the compression rate according to the type of the collecting device. FIG. 4 shows a table showing the compression ratio according to the type of the collecting device. Since the amount of moving image data collected by the camera is relatively large, the camera is associated with a relatively high compression ratio. Since the amount of audio data collected by the microphone is about the middle, the microphone is associated with an intermediate compression ratio. The intermediate compression rate is a lower compression rate than the relatively high compression rate described above. Since the amount of temperature data collected by the temperature sensor is relatively small, the temperature sensor is associated with a relatively low compression ratio. A relatively low compression rate is a lower compression rate than an intermediate compression rate. Alternatively, since the amount of temperature data is very small with respect to the storage capacity, the temperature data does not have to be compressed.

According to the fourth embodiment, the collected data having a large amount of data is compressed at a higher compression rate, so that a constant compression rate is used without changing the compression rate according to the type of data and the type of the collecting device. As the amount of data reduction increases, the collected data collected over a longer period of time is stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

(Example 5)
Hereinafter, Example 5 will be described. In the fifth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 changes the compression rate according to the importance of the collected data and the importance of the collecting device to perform compression processing. To execute. For example, the limiting unit 38 compresses the collected data with higher importance with a lower compression rate. Further, the limiting unit 38 compresses the collected data collected from the collecting device having a higher importance with a lower compression rate.

The fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a table showing the compression ratio according to the importance. For example, the microphone 12A and the camera 14A are of high importance, and the audio data collected by the microphone 12A and the moving image data collected by the camera 14A are compressed according to a low compression rate. The importance of the microphone 12B and the camera 14B is medium, and the audio data collected by the microphone 12B and the moving image data collected by the camera 14B are subjected to the compression process according to the medium compression ratio. The importance of the microphone 12C and the camera 14C is low, and the audio data collected by the microphone 12C and the moving image data collected by the camera 14C are compressed according to a high compression rate. The importance of each collection device may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like. The importance may be determined by the urgency of each collection device.

For example, since the surveillance camera is assumed to be a collecting device having a higher importance than the other cameras, the importance of the surveillance camera is set to a value higher than the importance of the other cameras. Therefore, the compression rate for the moving image data collected by the surveillance camera is set to a value lower than the compression rate for the moving image data collected by other cameras.

According to the fifth embodiment, the deterioration of the quality of the collected data collected by the collecting device of higher importance is suppressed as compared with the case where a constant compression ratio is used without changing the compression ratio. As a result, better analysis results can be obtained from the collected data collected by the more important collecting device.

The importance of each collecting device may be determined by comparing different types of collecting devices with each other. For example, if the camera 14A is a more important collector than the microphone 12A, the importance of the camera 14A may be set to a value higher than the importance of the microphone 12A.

(Example 6)
Hereinafter, Example 6 will be described. In the sixth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 limits the amount of collected data by using an analysis on the collected data.

For example, the restriction unit 38 analyzes the collected data, and does not store the collected data in which the detection level of the specific event obtained from the analysis result is equal to or less than the threshold value in the sub-storage unit 32. By doing so, the storage area of the sub-storage unit 32 is not used by the amount of the collected data, so that it takes a long time to run out of the capacity of the sub-storage unit 32. The threshold value is a predetermined value and may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like. The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data whose detection level exceeds the threshold value in the sub storage unit 32.

A specific example will be described. The specific event is, for example, the generation of voice, and the detection level thereof is the voice level (volume). That is, when the voice level (volume) obtained from the voice data is equal to or less than the threshold value, the limiting unit 38 does not store the voice data in the sub storage unit 32. More specifically, the limiting unit 38 does not store the voice data collected in the time zone when the voice level is equal to or lower than the threshold value in the sub storage unit 32. By doing so, the storage area of the sub-storage unit 32 is not used by the amount of the voice data, so that it takes a long time to run out of the capacity of the sub-storage unit 32. The storage control unit 36 stores the voice data collected in the time zone when the voice level exceeds the threshold value in the sub storage unit 32.

As another example, the specific event is the detection of a person, and the detection level is the number of times the person is detected. That is, the limiting unit 38 applies image processing for detecting a person to the moving image data, and detects the person from the moving image data. For example, when the number of times a person is detected is equal to or less than a threshold value, the limiting unit 38 does not store the moving image data in the sub-storage unit 32. More specifically, the limiting unit 38 does not store the moving image data collected during the time when the person is not detected, that is, the moving image data in which the person is not represented, in the sub-storage unit 32. The limiting unit 38 does not have to store the moving image data in which the number of times a person is detected per unit time is equal to or less than the threshold value in the sub-storage unit 32. By doing so, the storage area of the sub-storage unit 32 is not used by the amount of the moving image data, so that it takes a long time to run out of the capacity of the sub-storage unit 32. The number of times a suspicious person is detected may be used as the number of times a person is detected. The storage control unit 36 stores the moving image data in which the number of detections exceeds the threshold value in the sub storage unit 32.

(Example 7)
Hereinafter, Example 7 will be described. In the seventh embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 limits the amount of collected data by using an analysis on the collected data. do.

For example, when collected data whose contents overlap with each other are collected by a plurality of collecting devices, the limiting unit 38 collects the collected data collected by one of the plurality of collecting devices for the overlapping portion. Only is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the collected data is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32 by a collection device other than the one collection device. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a plurality of collected data that overlap each other from being stored in the sub-storage unit 32, so that the storage area of the sub-storage unit 32 does not need to be used by the amount of the collected data. As a result, it takes longer time for the sub-storage unit 32 to run out of storage capacity than in the case where all the collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

A specific example will be described. For example, when voice data having voice waveforms similar to each other are collected by a plurality of microphones 12, the limiting unit 38 may use one of the plurality of microphones 12 in the time zone in which the voice waveforms are collected. Only the audio data collected by the 12 is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the audio data collected by the other microphones 12 in the plurality of microphones 12 is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. For example, if the difference between the voice waveforms is equal to or less than the threshold value, the voice data are recognized as similar voice data to each other. Of course, a similar judgment may be made by another method (known technique). The same is included in the category of similar concepts. For example, when voice data having voice waveforms similar to each other are collected by the microphones 12A and 12B, the limiting unit 38 may use the microphone 12A or the microphone 12B in the time zone in which the voice waveforms are collected. The voice data collected by the sub-storage unit 32 is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the voice data collected by the other microphone is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

As another example, when moving image data similar to each other is collected by a plurality of cameras 14, the limiting unit 38 is one of the cameras 14 in the time zone in which the image data is collected. Only the moving image data collected by the 14 is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the moving image data collected by the other cameras 14 among the plurality of cameras 14 is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. For example, if the difference between the moving images is equal to or less than the threshold value, the moving image data are recognized as similar moving image data. Of course, a similar judgment may be made by another method (known technique). For example, when moving image data similar to each other is collected by the cameras 14A and 14B, the limiting unit 38 collects the moving image data by either the camera 14A or the camera 14B during the time period when the moving image data is collected. The generated moving image data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the moving image data collected by the other camera is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

When the limiting unit 38 collects data whose contents overlap each other by a plurality of collecting devices installed at positions adjacent to each other, the limiting unit 38 collects the plurality of overlapping parts. Only the collected data collected by one of the collecting devices in the device may be stored in the sub-storage unit 32. For example, when the distance between two collection devices is less than or equal to the threshold value, and the two collection devices collect data that overlaps with each other, the overlapping parts are collected by the two collection devices. Only the collected data collected by one of the collecting devices in the device is stored in the sub-storage unit 32. To give a specific example, when the distance between the microphones 12A and the microphone 12B is equal to or less than the threshold value (when the microphones 12A and 12B are adjacent to each other), the microphones 12A and 12B support each other. When voice data having a similar voice waveform is collected, the limiting unit 38 stores the voice data collected by one of the microphones 12A and 12B in the sub-storage unit during the time period when the voice waveform is collected. Store in 32. The position information indicating the position of each collecting device is stored in advance in the storage unit 28 of the image forming device 10A. The position information is stored in an external device such as the server 16, and the limiting unit 38 may acquire the position information from the external device.

(Example 8)
Hereinafter, Example 8 will be described. In the eighth embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 limits the amount of collected data by using the analysis for the collected data. do.

For example, the limiting unit 38 has a function of executing an analysis process similar to that of the server 16. The limiting unit 38 applies the same analysis processing as the server 16 to the collected data received by the first communication unit 20, and does not store the collected data to which the analysis processing is applied in the sub storage unit 32. The limiting unit 38 stores, for example, information indicating the analysis result in the sub-storage unit 32. After the communication failure is resolved, the second communication unit 22 may transmit information indicating the analysis result to the server 16 or may be transmitted to the terminal device 18.

Usually, the amount of information indicating the analysis result is small compared to the amount of data of the collected data to be analyzed. Therefore, by executing the analysis process in the image forming apparatus 10A and not storing the collected data in the sub-storage unit 32, the analysis result is obtained and the amount of data is reduced.

For example, the restriction unit 38 applies voice recognition processing, character recognition processing, or the like to voice data, and applies image recognition processing, character recognition processing, or the like to moving image data. The analysis process for the voice data generates, for example, information indicating a character string. Normally, the data amount of the information indicating the character string is smaller than the data amount of the original voice data, so that the information indicating the character string is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 without storing the voice data in the sub-storage unit 32. Therefore, the amount of data is reduced as compared with the case where the voice data is stored in the sub storage unit 32. Further, by the analysis process for the moving image data, for example, information indicating a character string and a still image taken at the timing when a specific event occurs are generated. Normally, the amount of data of these information is smaller than the amount of data of the original moving image data. Therefore, by storing the information in the sub-storage unit 32 without storing the moving image data in the sub-storage unit 32, The amount of data is reduced as compared with the case where the moving image data is stored in the sub storage unit 32.

When the free capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value while the collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, the restriction unit 38 executes the process according to the eighth embodiment. Information indicating the analysis result may be stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the originally collected data may be deleted from the sub-storage unit 32.

Comparing the above Examples 6, 7 and 8, the process according to the sixth embodiment is a process in which the load of the image forming apparatus 10A (for example, the load of the CPU) is relatively low, and the process according to the seventh embodiment is The load of the image forming apparatus 10A is about an intermediate amount, and the process according to the eighth embodiment is a process in which the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is relatively high. The limiting unit 38 may execute the process according to any one of the above Examples 6, 7 and 8 depending on the load of the image forming apparatus 10A. For example, when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is relatively high (for example, when the image forming apparatus 10A is executing the printing process of image data having a large capacity), the limiting unit 38 performs the process according to the sixth embodiment. To execute. Further, when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is about an intermediate level, the limiting unit 38 executes the process according to the seventh embodiment. Further, when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is relatively low, the limiting unit 38 executes the process according to the eighth embodiment. Of course, the limiting unit 38 may execute the process according to the sixth embodiment when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is about an intermediate level, or when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is relatively low, the example. 6 or the process according to the seventh embodiment may be executed.

Further, the limiting unit 38 includes a time zone in which the image forming apparatus 10A is assumed not to be operating (for example, a time zone in which the image forming apparatus 10A is assumed not to execute the image forming process) (for example, at night). Any of Examples 6, 7 and 8 may be executed during the time period when the load of the image forming apparatus 10A is equal to or less than the threshold value. In this case, the restriction unit 38 stores the collected data collected in a time zone other than that time zone in the sub-storage unit 32, and executes any of Examples 6, 7, and 8 in the above time zone. .. In the sixth embodiment, the limiting unit 38 deletes the collected data collected during the time period when the detection level is equal to or lower than the threshold value from the sub-storage unit 32. In the seventh embodiment, the restriction unit 38 stores one of the collected data in the plurality of collected data whose contents overlap with each other in the sub-storage unit 32, and deletes the other collected data from the sub-storage unit 32. In the eighth embodiment, the restriction unit 38 stores the analysis result in the sub-storage unit 32, and deletes the originally collected data from the sub-storage unit 32.

(Example 9)
Hereinafter, Example 9 will be described. In the ninth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 reduces the number of collecting devices for which the first communication unit 20 receives the collected data, so that the collected data is collected. Limit the amount of.

In the ninth embodiment, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving the collected data from the predetermined collecting device. Hereinafter, the collecting device in which the reception of the collected data by the first communication unit 20 is stopped will be referred to as a “collecting device to be stopped”. The first communication unit 20 receives the collected data from a collecting device other than the collecting device to be stopped, without receiving the collected data from the collecting device to be stopped, according to the stop instruction by the limiting unit 38. The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data received from the collecting devices other than the collecting device to be stopped in the sub storage unit 32. To give a specific example, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving the collected data from the microphone 12C and the camera 14C. By doing so, the amount of collected data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is reduced, so that it takes time for the sub-storage unit 32 to run out of capacity as compared with the case where the collected data is received from all the collection devices. Becomes longer.

The collection device to be stopped may be specified by a user, an administrator, or the like, or may be changed.

The restriction unit 38 may stop the collection of the collected data from the other collecting devices without stopping the reception of the collected data from at least one collecting device among the plurality of collecting devices of the same type. To give a specific example, the limiting unit 38 does not stop receiving audio data from at least one of the microphones 12A, 12B, 12C (for example, the microphone 12A), but the audio data from the microphones 12B, 12C. Stop receiving. Further, the limiting unit 38 stops the reception of the moving image data from the camera 14A without stopping the reception of the moving image data from at least one of the cameras 14A, 14B, 14C (for example, the camera 14A). By doing so, at least one collected data is collected for each type of collecting device.

(Example 10)
Hereinafter, Example 10 will be described. In the tenth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 receives the collected data by the first communication unit 20 according to the free capacity of the sub storage unit 32. Change the number of collectors. For example, the limiting unit 38 reduces the number of the sub-storage unit 32 as the free space decreases. That is, the limiting unit 38 increases the number of collection devices to be stopped according to the decrease in the free capacity of the sub storage unit 32.

Explaining by giving a specific example, when the free capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 is 80% or more, the limiting unit 38 sets the number of reductions of the collecting device to "0", the free capacity is less than 80%, and the free capacity is 50. If it is% or more, the reduction number of the collection device is set to "2", and if the free space is less than 50%, the reduction number of the collection device is set to "4". These numbers are just examples.

The limiting unit 38 may stop receiving the collected data from a predetermined collecting device, or may not stop receiving the collected data from at least one collecting device among a plurality of collecting devices of the same type. In addition, the collection of collected data from other collection devices may be stopped.

According to the tenth embodiment, even when the free capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 is reduced, it takes time for the sub-storage unit 32 to run out of capacity as compared with the case where the reduced number of the collecting devices is not changed. become longer.

(Example 11)
Hereinafter, Example 11 will be described. In the eleventh embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving the collected data from the collecting device determined based on the positional relationship of each collecting device. do. That is, the limiting unit 38 determines the collecting device to be stopped based on the positional relationship of each collecting device.

For example, the limiting unit 38 defines one of the two collecting devices of the same type adjacent to each other as the collecting device to be stopped, and stops receiving the collected data from the one collecting device. More specifically, when the distance between two collection devices of the same type is equal to or less than the threshold value, the limiting unit 38 defines one of the two collection devices as the collection device to be stopped, and the 1 Stop receiving collected data from one of the collection devices. The threshold value may be predetermined or may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like. Further, the collection device to be stopped may be predetermined, may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like, may be determined based on the distance from the image forming apparatus 10A, or may be determined based on the distance from the image forming apparatus 10A. It may be determined based on the performance of.

Two collection devices of the same type that are adjacent to each other are likely to collect similar collection data as compared to other collection devices that do not have such a positional relationship. Therefore, even if one of the two collecting devices is defined as the collecting device to be stopped and the collected data from the one collecting device is not received, the collecting device has such a positional relationship. It is considered that the influence on the analysis etc. is smaller than the case where the collected data from other collecting devices is not received. Therefore, by defining one of the two collection devices as the collection device to be stopped, the amount of data can be reduced while suppressing the influence on analysis and the like.

Hereinafter, the eleventh embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the image forming apparatus 10A and the collecting apparatus (for example, microphones 12A, 12B, 12C).

For example, it is assumed that the distance Lab between the microphone 12A and the microphone 12B is equal to or less than the threshold value. In this case, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving audio data from either the microphone 12A or the microphone 12B. The storage control unit 36 stores the voice data received from the other microphone in the sub storage unit 32.

When the microphone 12A is predetermined as the collecting device to be stopped, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving the voice data from the microphone 12A, and the storage control unit 36 stores the voice data from the microphone 12B in the sub storage unit 32. To memorize.

As another example, the limiting unit 38 may determine the collecting device to be stopped based on the positional relationship between each collecting device and the image forming device 10A. For example, it is assumed that the distance La between the image forming apparatus 10A and the microphone 12A is shorter than the distance Lb between the image forming apparatus 10A and the microphone 12B. In this case, the limiting unit 38 may define the microphone 12A installed at a position closer to the image forming apparatus 10A as the collecting device to be stopped, or the microphone 12B installed at a position farther from the image forming apparatus 10A. May be defined as the collection device to be stopped.

Since the distance Lac between the microphone 12C and the microphone 12A and the distance Lbc between the microphone 12C and the microphone 12B exceed the threshold value, the microphone 12C is not adjacent to either the microphone 12A or the microphone 12B. It is a collecting device. Therefore, the limiting unit 38 does not define the microphone 12C as the collecting device to be stopped, and the storage control unit 36 stores the collected data received from the microphone 12C in the sub storage unit 32.

As for the collecting device other than the microphone (for example, a camera or the like), the collecting device to be stopped is defined in the same manner as described above.

(Example 12)
Hereinafter, Example 12 will be described. In the twelfth embodiment, the limiting unit 38 determines the collecting device to be stopped based on the positional relationship between the image forming device 10A and each collecting device. For example, the limiting unit 38 may define a collecting device whose distance from the image forming device 10A exceeds a threshold value as a collecting device to be stopped. The threshold value may be predetermined or may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like. Explaining with reference to FIG. 6, the distance between the microphone 12A and the image forming apparatus 10A is La, the distance between the microphone 12B and the image forming apparatus 10A is Lb, and the distance between the microphone 12C and the image forming apparatus 10A is Lb. The distance between and is Lc. It is assumed that the distances La and Lb are equal to or less than the threshold value and the distance Lc exceeds the threshold value. In this case, the limiting unit 38 defines the microphone 12C as a collecting device to be stopped, and stops receiving audio data from the microphone 12C. The storage control unit 36 stores the voice data received from each of the microphones 12A and 12B in the sub storage unit 32.

As for the collecting device other than the microphone (for example, a camera or the like), the collecting device to be stopped is defined in the same manner as described above.

The collected data collected by the collecting device (the collecting device in which the distance between the image forming device 10A and the image forming device 10A is equal to or less than the threshold value) installed around the image forming device 10A is the image forming device in relation to the image forming device 10A. It may be more important or more useful than the collected data collected by a collection device not installed around 10A. According to the twelfth embodiment, the amount of data is reduced while storing such collected data in the sub-storage unit 32.

Of course, the limiting unit 38 defines a collecting device (for example, microphones 12A and 12B) whose distance to the image forming device 10A is equal to or less than the threshold value as the collecting device to be stopped, and the distance to the image forming device 10A is the threshold value. Collected data from more than one collector (eg, microphone 12C) may be received. Such settings may be changed by a user, an administrator, or the like. For example, a collection device to be stopped may be determined according to the use of the collected data.

(Example 13)
Hereinafter, Example 13 will be described. In the thirteenth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 uses a collecting device for collecting collected data that does not satisfy a predetermined condition as a collecting device to be stopped. Determine and stop receiving the collected data from the collection device.

For example, the limiting unit 38 receives the collected data from the collecting device that has collected the important collected data, and stops receiving the collected data from the collecting device that has not collected the important collected data. The limiting unit 38 uses, for example, a collecting device that collects important collected data and a collecting device that does not collect important collected data by using the past analysis results by the server 16 or the image forming apparatus 10A. Identify. Important collected data is, for example, voice data including a specific voice waveform, voice data in which the voice level (volume) exceeds the threshold, voice data in which the length of time during which the voice level is below the threshold is below the threshold, and so on. Video data representing a specific person (for example, a suspicious person), or the like. These conditions correspond to an example of the above-mentioned predetermined conditions. A microphone that collects such audio data and a camera that collects such moving image data are importantly defined as a collecting device that collects collected data, and other collecting devices collect important collected data. It is defined as a non-collecting device.

A specific example will be described. For example, if the microphone 12A collects voice data including a specific voice waveform and the microphones 12B and 12C do not collect voice data including a specific voice waveform, the limiting unit 38 stops the microphones 12B and 12C. Determined as the target collection device. The first communication unit 20 receives voice data from the microphone 12A and does not receive voice data from the microphones 12B and 12C. The storage control unit 36 stores the voice data received from the microphone 12A in the sub storage unit 32.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, the amount of data is reduced while the collected data satisfying the predetermined conditions as important collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

(Example 14)
Hereinafter, Example 14 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, and the collected data is collected from the same or overlapping data collecting areas by a plurality of collecting devices of the same type, the collected data is collected. The limiting unit 38 does not stop receiving the collected data from at least one collecting device in the plurality of collecting devices, but does not stop receiving the collected data from the collecting devices other than the at least one collecting device in the plurality of collecting devices. Stop receiving collected data.

The 14th embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows an example of the shooting area of the camera. Each shooting area corresponds to an example of a data collection area. For example, the camera 14A generates moving image data by photographing the photographing area 40. The camera 14B generates moving image data by photographing the photographing area 42 (the area indicated by the broken line). The camera 14C generates moving image data by photographing the photographing area 44. The photographing areas 40 and 42 partially overlap each other, and the photographing area 44 does not overlap with the other photographing areas. In this case, the limiting unit 38 defines either one of the cameras 14A and 14B as the collecting device to be stopped. For example, it is assumed that the camera 14A is defined as a collection device to be stopped. In this case, the first communication unit 20 receives the moving image data from each of the cameras 14B and 14C, and the storage control unit 36 stores the moving image data received from each of the cameras 14B and 14C in the sub storage unit 32. Let me.

When the respective imaging areas of the cameras 14A and 14B overlap completely or partially, the overlapping portions are photographed by each of the cameras 14A and 14B. According to the fourteenth embodiment, the moving image data of such an overlapping portion is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32, so that the amount of data is reduced. The same applies to collection devices other than cameras (for example, microphones, etc.).

(Example 15)
Hereinafter, Example 15 will be described. In the fifteenth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 collects a larger amount of data than the collecting device that collects the collected data of a smaller amount of data. Priority is given to stopping the reception of collected data from the collecting device. For example, in general, since the amount of moving image data is larger than the amount of audio data, the limiting unit 38 stops receiving the moving image data from the camera 14 and receives the audio data from the microphone 12.

According to the fifteenth embodiment, since the reception of the collected data from the collecting device that collects the collected data of a larger amount of data is preferentially stopped, the collection device to be stopped is determined regardless of the amount of data. , The amount of data is reduced more effectively.

The limiting unit 38 does not have to stop receiving the collected data from at least one collecting device for each type of collecting device. For example, the limiting unit 38 does not stop receiving audio data from at least one microphone 12, and does not stop receiving moving image data from at least one camera 14. By doing so, each type of collected data is collected.

Further, the number of collection devices to be stopped may be determined for each type of collection device. For example, the number of reductions in the collection device that collects the collected data with a larger amount of data is greater than the number of reductions in the collection device that collects the collection data with a smaller amount of data. To give a specific example, the limiting unit 38 may define two cameras 14 as a collecting device to be stopped and one microphone 12 as a collecting device to be stopped.

In the above-mentioned Examples 10-15, the first communication unit 20 also receives the collected data from the collecting device to be stopped, and the limiting unit 38 deletes the collected data without storing it in the sub storage unit 32. You may. In this case as well, the same effect as in Examples 10-15 can be obtained.

(Example 16)
Hereinafter, Example 16 will be described. In the 16th embodiment, the restriction unit 38 determines a time zone (reception time zone) in which the first communication unit 20 receives the collected data from each collection device. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the first communication unit 20 receives the collected data from each collecting device during the receiving time zone, and in the other time zones, each of them receives the collected data. Do not receive collected data from the collector. As the reception time zone, the time zone in which the collected data needs to be collected is set.

The reception time zone may be predetermined, for example. For example, when the present embodiment is applied to an office, the restriction unit 38 determines the working time zone in the office as the reception time zone. By doing so, the collected data collected by each collecting device at the time when it is assumed that there is a person in the office is received by the first communication unit 20 and stored in the sub storage unit 32. On the other hand, the collected data collected by each collecting device during the time when it is assumed that there are no people in the office is not received by the first communication unit 20 and is not stored in the sub storage unit 32.

As another example, the reception time zone may be determined by cooperation with a management system that manages a schedule or the like. For example, the restriction unit 38 cooperates with an attendance management system that manages the attendance of people working in the office and an attendance management system that manages the presence or absence of people in the office, so that the time when a person is in the office. Specify the zone and the time zone when there are no people, and set the time zone when there are people in the office as the reception time zone. By doing so, the collected data collected by each collecting device at the time when it is assumed that there are no people in the office is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32.

According to the sixteenth embodiment, the collected data collected in the reception time zone is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the collected data collected in the other time zones is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. Is reduced.

A time zone other than the working hours or a time zone when there are no people may be defined as a reception time zone. For example, as a security measure in a building or an office, setting such a time zone as a reception time zone is useful for crime prevention and the like. In this way, the reception time zone may be determined according to the application.

The limiting unit 38 may have each collecting device collect the collected data in the reception time zone, and may stop the collecting data collected by each collecting device in the other time zone. By doing so, in the time zone other than the reception time zone, the first communication unit 20 does not receive the collected data from each collecting device, so that the amount of data is reduced by that amount.

(Example 17)
Hereinafter, Example 17 will be described. In the 17th embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 distributes the collected data received by the first communication unit 20 to other communicable image forming apparatus. And memorize it. For example, when communication between the image forming apparatus 10A and the image forming apparatus 10B is possible, the limiting unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the collected data to the image forming apparatus 10B and is provided in the image forming apparatus 10B. It is stored in the sub-storage unit 32. The limiting unit 38 may transmit the collected data to a device other than the image forming device (for example, a terminal device 18 or the like) as long as it is a device capable of communicating with the image forming device 10A. For example, by distributing and storing the collected data in five image forming devices, the amount of data of the collected data stored in one unit becomes 1/5.

The limiting unit 38 may transmit the collected data to the image forming apparatus having more free space in the sub-storage unit 32, and store the collected data in the sub-storage unit 32 of the image forming apparatus.

(Example 18)
Hereinafter, Example 18 will be described. In the eighteenth embodiment, the limiting unit 38 collects the time zone for storing the collected data in the sub-storage unit 32 and the collected data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 based on the login information of the user for the image forming apparatus 10A. The collector may be specified. For example, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the storage control unit 36 is installed near the seat of the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus 10A under the control of the limiting unit 38. The collected data received from the collecting device (for example, the microphone 12 or the camera 14) is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and is received from the collecting device installed near the seat of the user who is not logged in to the image forming device 10A. The collected data is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. The storage control unit 36 stores the collected data collected by the collecting device within a predetermined time from the time when the user logs in to the image forming device 10A in the sub storage unit 32, and is collected outside the time. It is not necessary to store the collected data in the sub-storage unit 32.

It is presumed that the collected data (for example, audio data and moving image data) about the user who is not logged in to the image forming apparatus 10A is data having a relatively low utility value in analysis. By not storing such collected data in the sub-storage unit 32, the amount of data is reduced.

(Example 19)
Hereinafter, Example 19 will be described. In the nineteenth embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, and the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 exceeds the threshold value, the limiting unit 38 has the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30. (The storage capacity allocated to the main storage unit 30) is reduced, and the storage capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 (the storage capacity allocated to the sub-storage unit 32) is increased by the reduced amount.

A specific example will be described. It is assumed that the total storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 is 152 GB and the total storage capacity of the sub storage unit 32 is 8 GB. For example, when the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 exceeds 100 GB as a threshold value, the limiting unit 38 reduces the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 by 1 GB and increases the sub storage unit 32 by 1 GB. By doing so, when there is a margin in the free space of the main storage unit 30, the storage capacity for that amount is used for storing the collected data.

Further, when the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 exceeds the first threshold value (for example, 100 GB) and the free capacity of the sub storage unit 32 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value (for example, 7 GB), the limiting unit 38 uses the main storage unit 38. The storage capacity of the storage unit 30 may be reduced, and the storage capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 may be increased by the reduced amount. By doing so, the collected data collected over a longer period of time is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 while suppressing or preventing the influence on the image forming process.

The first threshold value is determined by the ratio of the main storage unit 30 to the total storage capacity (for example, 80%), and the second threshold value is determined by the ratio of the sub storage unit 32 to the total storage capacity (for example, 20%). May be done.

The process of increasing the storage capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 is a temporary process. For example, when the free capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 exceeds the second threshold value, the limiting unit 38 returns the total storage capacity of each of the main storage unit 30 and the sub-storage unit 32 to the original capacity.

As another example, when the number of unprocessed jobs (the number of image processes to be executed) received by the image forming apparatus 10A is equal to or less than the threshold value, the limiting unit 38 reduces the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 and reduces the storage capacity thereof. Therefore, the storage capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 may be increased. Data related to jobs (for example, image data and control data) are stored in the main storage unit 30, and when the number of jobs is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is presumed that there is a margin in the free space of the main storage unit 30. Therefore, by performing the above processing in that case, the collected data collected over a longer period of time is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 while suppressing or preventing the influence on the image forming process (job processing). ..

(Example 20)
Hereinafter, Example 20 will be described. In the 20th embodiment, when a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the limiting unit 38 has a smaller capacity of data (for example, processing data) stored in the main storage unit 30. , The content of the image forming process by the image forming unit 26 is changed. That is, the limiting unit 38 limits the image forming function. Then, the limiting unit 38 reduces the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 and increases the storage capacity of the sub storage unit 32 by the reduced amount, as in the case of the nineteenth embodiment. If the capacity of the data stored in the main storage unit 30 is reduced, the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 is increased accordingly. Therefore, even if the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 is reduced and the storage capacity of the sub-storage unit 32 is increased, the collected data collected over a longer period of time is subordinated while suppressing or preventing the influence on the main storage unit 30. It is stored in the storage unit 32. In this way, when a communication failure occurs, by limiting only the amount of processed data, it is possible to collect the collected data without changing the amount of the collected data as compared with before the communication failure occurred.

A specific example will be described. For example, the limiting unit 38 limits the capacity of scan data (image data generated by scanning) that can be stored in the main storage unit 30 by one user, and if the capacity exceeds the threshold value, it is stored by then. The transmitted scan data is transmitted to the terminal device, the transmitted scan data is deleted from the main storage unit 30, and then the remaining scans are executed. As a result, the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 increases, so that even if the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 is allocated to the sub storage unit 32, the influence on the main storage unit 30 is suppressed or prevented.

Further, when the image forming process for storing the image data generated by the scan in the main storage unit 30 is set, the limiting unit 38 changes the storage destination of the image data to a device other than the image forming device 10A. Further, the limiting unit 38 may change the content of the image forming process to a process of transferring the image data to an apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 10A by e-mail or another method. By doing so, since the image data is not stored in the main storage unit 30, the free capacity of the main storage unit 30 increases as compared with the case where the image data is stored in the main storage unit 30. As a result, even if the storage capacity of the main storage unit 30 is allocated to the sub storage unit 32, the influence on the main storage unit 30 is suppressed or prevented.

When the image forming process in which the image data generated by the scan is stored in the main storage unit 30 is set, the limiting unit 38 mainly stores the image data after the image data is taken out from the main storage unit 30. It may be deleted from the storage unit 30. In this case as well, the free space of the main storage unit 30 increases due to the deletion. Further, a period for storing the image data in the main storage unit 30 is determined, and after the period elapses, the limiting unit 38 may delete the image data from the main storage unit 30.

(Example 21)
Hereinafter, Example 21 will be described. In the 21st embodiment, the limiting unit 38 stores the content of the image forming process executed by the image forming unit 26 in the sub-storage unit 32 according to the combination of the collected data collected by the collecting device at the time of the execution. Determines the collected data that is restricted.

A specific example will be described. For example, the restriction unit 38 extracts a word group from the image data by applying a character recognition process to the image data generated by scanning. Next, the limiting unit 38 extracts a word group from each voice data by applying voice recognition processing to the voice data collected by each of the microphones 12A, 12B, and 12C when the scan is executed. do. The restriction unit 38 defines the voice data in which the word group that completely or partially matches the word group extracted from the above image data is extracted as the collected data to be stored in the sub-storage unit 32. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the storage control unit 36 stores the voice data in the sub storage unit 32. When the matching ratio exceeds the threshold value, the storage control unit 36 may store the voice data in the sub storage unit 32. On the other hand, the restriction unit 38 defines the voice data in which the word group that does not match the word group extracted from the above image data is extracted as the collected data that is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. In this case, the storage control unit 36 does not store the voice data in the sub storage unit 32. When printing or copying is executed instead of scanning, a word group may be extracted from the image data or document data to be printed or copied, and the same processing as described above may be executed. By performing the above processing, audio data presumed to be related to data (image data, document data, etc.) targeted for image formation processing such as scanning is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and is related to the data. The unguessed voice data is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. As a result, the amount of data is reduced while storing the audio data presumed to be related to the data targeted for the image forming process in the sub-storage unit 32.

As another example, the number of prints made by the image forming unit 26 exceeds the threshold value, and the voice data collected while the prints are being made indicate a word related to paper (for example, a paper shortage). When the character string) is extracted, the restriction unit 38 defines the voice data as the collected data to be stored in the sub-storage unit 32. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the storage control unit 36 stores the voice data in the sub-storage unit 32 and does not store the other voice data in the sub-storage unit 32. By doing so, the voice data presumed to be related to the number of prints exceeding the threshold value is stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the voice data not presumed to be related to the print is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32. As a result, the amount of data is reduced while storing the voice data presumed to be related to the image forming process in the sub-storage unit 32.

As another example, when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 10A outside the predetermined time (unexpected time), the limiting unit 38 stores the collected data collected at the unexpected time as a sub-storage. It is defined as the collected data to be stored in the unit 32. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the storage control unit 36 stores the collected data in the sub storage unit 32, and does not store the other collected data in the sub storage unit 32. For example, unexpected time is time when overtime is not scheduled. The collected data collected at that time may be stored in the sub-storage unit 32, and the collected data may be used for analysis of unexpected overtime work. Further, since the collected data collected other than that time is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32, the amount of data is reduced.

As another example, when the number of prints or the number of copies within a predetermined period exceeds the threshold value, the limiting unit 38 determines the moving image data representing the user who instructed the print or copy, the print, or the print. The moving image data representing the paper output by copying is defined as the collected data to be stored in the sub-storage unit 32. When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the storage control unit 36 stores the image data in the sub storage unit 32 and does not store the other image data in the sub storage unit 32. For example, the user and the paper are tracked by a surveillance camera, and moving image data representing the state is stored in the sub-storage unit 32. For example, the moving image data may be used for analysis of a user who has instructed printing or copying, or may be used for confirming the whereabouts of paper. Further, since the collected data other than the moving image data is not stored in the sub-storage unit 32, the amount of data is reduced.

At least two of the above plurality of examples may be combined.

(Other examples)
When a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A and the server 16, the control unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits information indicating that the communication failure has occurred to the terminal device 18 registered in advance. You may.

When the free space of the sub-storage unit 32 runs out (when it becomes zero), the storage control unit 36 may overwrite and save the collected data newly received by the first communication unit 20 in the sub-storage unit 32. good. For example, the oldest collected data may be overwritten by the new collected data. As another example, the storage control unit 36 may temporarily store the collected data in the main storage unit 30, or the restriction unit 38 may stop the reception of the collected data by the first communication unit 20. good.

(Other embodiments)
A relay device other than the image forming apparatus 10 may receive the collected data from the collecting device and transmit it to the external device. In this case, the relay device includes at least the first communication unit 20, the second communication unit 22, the UI unit 24, the storage unit 28 (including the main storage unit 30 and the sub storage unit 32), and the control unit 34 (storage unit 34). Including the control unit 36 and the restriction unit 38). For example, the main storage unit 30 may store image data, music data, or the like provided via the UI unit 24, or may store data acquired via a communication path such as the Internet. .. For example, the relay device may be a so-called smart speaker having a speaker and a communication function, or a device having a communication function but not a speaker function. The relay device, for example, collects data such as physical information of the user (for example, heart rate and blood pressure value), information obtained from home appliances (for example, information on the set temperature of an air conditioner, information indicating power consumption, etc.). ) Etc. may be received from each collection device and the collected data may be transmitted to an external device such as a server. When a communication failure occurs between the relay device and the external device, as in the above-described embodiment, the collected data is stored in the sub-storage unit 32 in a state where the amount of data is limited, and after the communication failure is resolved, the communication failure is resolved. The collected data stored in the sub-storage unit 32 is transmitted to the external device.

The image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the cooperation of hardware and software as an example. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes one or a plurality of processors such as a CPU (not shown). The function of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the one or a plurality of processors reading and executing a program stored in a storage device (not shown). The above program is stored in a storage device via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, each part of the image forming apparatus 10 may be realized by hardware resources such as a processor, an electronic circuit, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). A device such as a memory may be used in the realization. As yet another example, each part of the image forming apparatus 10 may be realized by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

10A, 10B Image forming device, 12A-12F microphone, 14A-14F camera, 16 server, 18 terminal device, 20 1st communication unit, 22 2nd communication unit, 30 main storage unit, 32 sub storage unit, 36 storage control unit , 38 Restrictions.

Claims (19)

A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and a receiving means.
A transmission means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a storage control means.
When communication with the external device is impossible, a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means and a limiting means.
Have,
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device .
The limiting means limits the amount of information by applying a compression process to the information.
The limiting means increases the compression rate in the compression process according to the decrease in the free space of the storage means.
An information processing device characterized by this . A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and a receiving means.
A transmission means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a storage control means.
When communication with the external device is impossible, a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means and a limiting means.
Have,
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means limits the amount of information by applying a compression process to the information .
The limiting means performs compression processing using a higher compression rate as the amount of information increases.
An information processing device characterized by this . The limiting means performs compression processing using a higher compression rate as the amount of information increases.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 . A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and a receiving means.
A transmission means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a storage control means.
When communication with the external device is impossible, a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means and a limiting means.
Have,
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means utilize analysis of the information to limit the amount of information.
When information whose contents overlap with each other is collected by a plurality of collecting devices, the limiting means collects only the information collected by one of the plurality of collecting devices for the information of the overlapping portion. Stored in the storage means,
An information processing device characterized by this . A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and a receiving means.
A transmission means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a storage control means.
When communication with the external device is impossible, a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means and a limiting means.
Have,
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means limits the amount of information by reducing the number of collection devices from which the receiving means obtains the information.
An information processing device characterized by this . The limiting means stops receiving information from the collecting device determined based on the positional relationship of each collecting device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 . The limiting means stops receiving information from a collecting device that collects information that does not meet predetermined conditions.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 . When information is collected from the same or overlapping information collection areas by a plurality of collection devices of the same type, the limiting means stops receiving information from at least one collection device among the plurality of collection devices. Instead, stop receiving information from a collection device other than the at least one collection device among the plurality of collection devices.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 . The limiting means preferentially stops receiving information from a collecting device that collects a larger amount of information than a collecting device that collects a smaller amount of information.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 . Further having an image forming means for executing an image forming process,
The storage means
A first storage means for storing at least one data among the data to which the image forming process is applied and the data generated by the image forming process.
A second storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, and
Have,
When communication with the external device is not possible, the storage control means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the limiting means limits the amount of the information.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the information processing apparatus is characterized. A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information, and a receiving means.
A transmission means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing the information received by the receiving means in the storage means, and a storage control means.
When communication with the external device is impossible, a limiting means for limiting the amount of information stored in the storage means and a limiting means.
An image forming means for executing an image forming process and
Have,
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The storage means
A first storage means for storing at least one data among the data to which the image forming process is applied and the data generated by the image forming process.
A second storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, and
Have,
When communication with the external device is not possible, the storage control means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the limiting means limits the amount of the information.
An information processing device characterized by this. When the free capacity of the first storage means exceeds the threshold value, the limiting means reduces the storage capacity of the first storage means and increases the storage capacity of the second storage means by the reduced amount.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 . The limiting means changes the content of the image forming process so that the amount of data stored in the first storage means becomes smaller.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 . The limiting means determines the information to be restricted according to the combination of the content of the image forming process executed by the image forming means and the information collected by the collecting device at the time of the execution.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 . Computer,
A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information,
A transmitting means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means,
A limiting means that limits the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is not possible.
To function as
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device .
The limiting means limits the amount of information by applying a compression process to the information.
The limiting means increases the compression rate in the compression process according to the decrease in the free space of the storage means.
A program characterized by that . Computer,
A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information,
A transmitting means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means,
A limiting means that limits the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is not possible.
To function as
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means limits the amount of information by applying a compression process to the information.
The limiting means performs compression processing using a higher compression rate as the amount of information increases.
A program characterized by that. Computer,
A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information,
A transmitting means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means,
A limiting means that limits the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is not possible.
To function as
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means utilize analysis of the information to limit the amount of information.
When information whose contents overlap with each other is collected by a plurality of collecting devices, the limiting means collects only the information collected by one of the plurality of collecting devices for the information of the overlapping portion. Stored in the storage means,
A program characterized by that. Computer,
A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information,
A transmitting means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means,
A limiting means that limits the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is not possible.
To function as
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The limiting means limits the amount of information by reducing the number of collection devices from which the receiving means obtains the information.
A program characterized by that. Computer,
A receiving means for receiving information collected by the collecting device from a collecting device for collecting information,
A transmitting means that communicates with an external device and transmits information received by the receiving means to the external device.
A storage control means for storing information received by the receiving means in a storage means,
A limiting means that limits the amount of information stored in the storage means when communication with the external device is not possible.
Image forming means for executing image forming processing
To function as
After the communication with the external device becomes possible, the transmitting means transmits the information stored in the storage means to the external device.
The storage means
A first storage means for storing at least one data among the data to which the image forming process is applied and the data generated by the image forming process.
A second storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, and
Have,
When communication with the external device is not possible, the storage control means stores the information received by the receiving means in the second storage means, and the limiting means limits the amount of the information.
A program characterized by that.

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